What does it mean to live in community after seeing so much excess and abuse in organized religion? In some ways it feels like it would be easier to go to a Sunday franchise than to figure out how to live out the gospel in daily life. I have been struggling to understand how togetherness in the faith plays itself out in my life.

My conscience is calling me to connect with others while the pain of the past still haunts me. On the surface it feels like a no-win situation. However, I have been living with a number of obstacles to regular fellowship. Working on a doctorate stands in the way of a lot of things. Moving once per year over the course of 3-4 years is also a barrier-to-entry where fellowship is concerned.

~Father, heal our wounds. Let us live out the life you have fashioned for us. We trust that your tender shepherd heart will lead us to share in eternal life as one body, the church. Amen.~