“I am overjoyed at being a part of a progressive church, not a stagnant church — a church that works toward the fairness and equality of all people”
– Doug Middleton, Senlac, Saskatchewan
I have had many spectacular events in my life that have been a part of life in the Community of Christ church. I can not put my finger on one event, as it has always been a growing process and continues to be a growing process. So, I think I will take a trip down memory lane and anticipate the future.
Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my Grandpa Cooper, a small man bent just about double from the wear and tear of a life of hard work. Grandpa would rise in the morning and the first thing he did was kneel beside the dresser and spend time with the Lord, still in his night shirt and bare feet. The Lord got the first fruit offering of his day.
My mother and father made sure we attended Sunday morning service, evening service, and Wednesday night prayer service, no matter how much we wanted to watch Bonanza on television instead. It wasn't until years later that I understood their disappointment when I rebelled against their efforts to instill in me a good concept of God.
I still fondly remember the potlucks, the socials, the interaction between people who were one great big family, the little church so small, and we usually had Sunday school class in a car! I also recall that the time came when I decided I wasn't going to let other people tell me how to live my life and struck out on my own. I am sad to say that within four years I had become a person that even I didn't like.
When I decided I couldn't survive on the path I was on, I returned to the teaching of my childhood. The people that I had rejected so badly just opened their arms and gave me love. These same people mentored me and gave me every opportunity and I thrived- to the point of getting a big head and I started taking my ability for granted and forgot to include the Lord on my run of vanity. Suddenly the well was empty, and I had a hard fall that took a few years to work through. But, slowly and surely, I started to grow again — a humbler person who realized that I was called to serve the Lord — not show off my talents. I pray my arrogance never rises again.
In my growth I have discovered helping others less fortunate than myself through World Accord, by working in developing countries where I supply a little labour and a bit of money. By being there, I have lived among people who do not have financial prosperity but are rich in a belief in God and love and compassion for their fellow man.
In the Community of Christ, I have witnessed the evolution of growth from being a bit exclusive to being inclusive. I have witnessed the acceptance of all people's ability to the Lord in all capacities. I have felt the joy of being able to bring friends to the table of the Lord and not have to tell them that they are not worthy to partake — which is how I used to feel. I see the evolution of conversing with people of other denominations and realizing that many of us have the same goals: we're just on different paths to the goal.
I am overjoyed at being a part of a progressive church, not a stagnant church — a church that works toward the fairness and equality of all people — a church that realizes that this world has sufficient of everything, but the distribution needs to be addressed.
I am excited to be part of the Community of Christ as we work toward a world that can grow together in love, fairness, and spirituality. So, what I am saying is it's not one item, it's the events of life and people who care that make me proud to say I am a member of the Community of Christ. And like my grandpa, I wonder where will the Lord lead me today.
Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my Grandpa Cooper, a small man bent just about double from the wear and tear of a life of hard work. Grandpa would rise in the morning and the first thing he did was kneel beside the dresser and spend time with the Lord, still in his night shirt and bare feet. The Lord got the first fruit offering of his day.
My mother and father made sure we attended Sunday morning service, evening service, and Wednesday night prayer service, no matter how much we wanted to watch Bonanza on television instead. It wasn't until years later that I understood their disappointment when I rebelled against their efforts to instill in me a good concept of God.
I still fondly remember the potlucks, the socials, the interaction between people who were one great big family, the little church so small, and we usually had Sunday school class in a car! I also recall that the time came when I decided I wasn't going to let other people tell me how to live my life and struck out on my own. I am sad to say that within four years I had become a person that even I didn't like.
When I decided I couldn't survive on the path I was on, I returned to the teaching of my childhood. The people that I had rejected so badly just opened their arms and gave me love. These same people mentored me and gave me every opportunity and I thrived- to the point of getting a big head and I started taking my ability for granted and forgot to include the Lord on my run of vanity. Suddenly the well was empty, and I had a hard fall that took a few years to work through. But, slowly and surely, I started to grow again — a humbler person who realized that I was called to serve the Lord — not show off my talents. I pray my arrogance never rises again.
In my growth I have discovered helping others less fortunate than myself through World Accord, by working in developing countries where I supply a little labour and a bit of money. By being there, I have lived among people who do not have financial prosperity but are rich in a belief in God and love and compassion for their fellow man.
In the Community of Christ, I have witnessed the evolution of growth from being a bit exclusive to being inclusive. I have witnessed the acceptance of all people's ability to the Lord in all capacities. I have felt the joy of being able to bring friends to the table of the Lord and not have to tell them that they are not worthy to partake — which is how I used to feel. I see the evolution of conversing with people of other denominations and realizing that many of us have the same goals: we're just on different paths to the goal.
I am overjoyed at being a part of a progressive church, not a stagnant church — a church that works toward the fairness and equality of all people — a church that realizes that this world has sufficient of everything, but the distribution needs to be addressed.
I am excited to be part of the Community of Christ as we work toward a world that can grow together in love, fairness, and spirituality. So, what I am saying is it's not one item, it's the events of life and people who care that make me proud to say I am a member of the Community of Christ. And like my grandpa, I wonder where will the Lord lead me today.