If this church represents the hands and feet of Jesus, then I have learned that Jesus is rich, spoiled, cliquey, persnickety, and exclusive; friendly, but only superficially and only on Sundays.
I attended this church for years and attempted to invest in people and into new friendships and relationships but felt so turned away and abandoned by so many who probably simply forgot that I exist. The only friends I have who attend(ed) there were my friends before I ever attended, the people who invited me in the first place. Sure, lots of us are friends on facebook, but are we really friends? Am I getting the love that I need through relationship, am I even allowed to give any?
I have offered multiple times to help with various ministries at this church, but each and every time I have been turned away because certain areas were “too full” or they “didn’t need me.” When I left the church, not once did anyone ask where I went.
I saw a therapist for months because I knew that somehow it must be my fault that no one at this church seemed to notice or really care about me… he told me that there was nothing wrong on my part, other than I didn’t realize that some people don’t really care, and that I can’t change them.
Now, I am not attempting to selfishly complain because MY needs were not met, I am simply stating that after years of trying, after quietly, patiently praying that people would notice me, let me in, return my calls with messages other than “sorry I’ve been busy”, I am giving up. And I am really sorry that it had to happen this way.
So to everyone there, if you are genuinely my friend (and I’m sure you know who you are, because we actually spend time together) you are amazing and I am eternally grateful for you. To everyone else, please notice the impact your negligence has had on my heart.
I would still love to be your friend, and I realize how insanely busy everyone’s schedule can be (which is why I gave everyone the benefit of the doubt for so long), but I would still love to to go to cool bible studies with you, to go out to eat and get coffee and hear your life stories and encourage you, pray with you when you need it, etc.
But this message is to let everyone know that I have stopped trying because my efforts thus far have been utterly fruitless.
I have felt welcomed and comforted in the company of agnostics and atheists more than I have ever felt love in this white-washed church.
Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
To everyone at LifeBridge church:
Posted by Morgan Miller at 7:00 PM 6 comments
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscagli
Posted by Morgan Miller at 6:01 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Home Sweet Home
I live in a house with 64 people.
Sometimes more, sometimes less.
There are:
50 roadies (the rest are interns)
6 Canadians
2 brothers
2 Morgans
5 refrigerators
4 bathrooms
one attic
two cupboards-under-the-stairs
two "harry potters" (who live in those cupboards)
one machete in the hall closet
one giant cockroach named Rickey
10 musical instruments of mine which are kept in the basement
9 couches
39 cups and mugs
No cable
5 massive vans (you know, those vans)
"enough knives to arm the neighborhood"
1001 laughs
4000 Questions for Getting to Know Anyone and Everyone
ten thousand reasons to rejoice
A million stories
64 distinct and wonderful personalities
A house full of people who love switchfoot. (My dream come true, right?)
64 hearts that, in one way or another love Africa and have minds made up to change the world.
The Roadie house is one of a kind.
(Did I mention there is a basement? Isn't that weird?)
Posted by Morgan Miller at 9:00 PM 0 comments