This week I have a homework assignment from New Member Class.\u00a0 I have to check off a list of activities that the church does that interest me.\u00a0 I also need to answer two questions:\u00a0 What do I expect to get out of Lawrenceville Presbyterian, and what do I expect to give to Lawrenceville Presbyterian?<\/p>\n
I’m a rather strong introvert.\u00a0 It’s not always easy to detect – I tend to speak of myself as a “loud introvert”, someone who can keep up a facade that makes me appear more outgoing.\u00a0 As you may or may not know, introverts draw their energy from a different type of activity than extroverts (aside from eating and sleeping, of course).\u00a0 Extroverts go into social situations and actually draw energy from the room.\u00a0 Introverts on the other hand need solitude or a small group of close friends to create energy.\u00a0 Introverts can actually feel the energy draining from them in a large social setting like a party.\u00a0 Extroverts may go home charged up – introverts tend to go home exhausted.\u00a0 This is a big generalization, but still true.<\/p>\n
So how does this relate to new church members (and me in particular)?\u00a0 I speak from my own experience.<\/p>\n
I have to work hard to feel comfortable in a setting like the usual Fellowship Hour after church.\u00a0 I’m fairly comfortable in church – I’m there as part of a mostly anonymous crowd and only interact personally with those sitting around me, and even then only for the passing of the peace.\u00a0 But put me in a room and I’m lost.\u00a0 I end up a single individual wandering around the room without talking to someone, or even standing on the side.\u00a0 I will talk to those that I know, but I’m fairly unlikely to walk up to someone and introduce myself.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, in a known group and particularly a small group, I’m fairly comfortable.\u00a0 On a committee, in a small study group, as part of a team – I’m comfortable.\u00a0 I know my place.\u00a0 It’s even more comfortable when I’m part of a group working towards a goal – putting together a special service, running a youth activity, serving on a committee, or even just bean-counting.\u00a0 In fact, that’s the best way for me to meet people – to work with them towards a common goal.<\/p>\n
Just imagine a male with low sperm count and think about what others might be thinking and viagra cost in canada<\/a> feeling. Thus this is how the drug works.There are several warnings regarding this cialis viagra online<\/a> drug. The application of Generic Benicar has discovered to be efficient in these situations as this has been especially developed and manufactured in order to help those women who are suffering from the problem of ED or Erectile pfizer viagra tablets<\/a> Dysfunction is not provided with proper, immediate and reliable treatment. This diet also viagra generika drugstore link<\/a> could help men to reverse moderate ED. <\/span>Once I feel comfortable in one small group, I feel that I have allies and I’m more comfortable branching out into something new.\u00a0 I know that I had allies before or at least that people were giving me the benefit of the doubt, but this subtle shift from “that person over there” to “Bill, the guy I worked with on X” is huge for me.<\/p>\n So the hard part is getting that bootstrap job in an organization.\u00a0 I feel like I need to be invited to participate in that first activity, and if it’s not joining an organized group but is more like an open activity I need to be dragged along.\u00a0 Once I’ve done something with people, I will know them and be more open to fully voluntary participation in the next thing.\u00a0 It’s just getting into that first thing that’s so hard.<\/p>\n The one exception to this rule is Camp Johnsonburg.\u00a0 This camp is the one place on the planet (no hyperbole here) where I have felt totally accepted for being authentically ME outside of my marriage.\u00a0 Camp Johnsonburg works hard to create that acceptance and even celebration of each of us – it’s probably the 2nd or 3rd core value of the camp.\u00a0 I go there, smell the unique combination of plants in the air, and feel at home immediately.\u00a0 The tension in my body drops dramatically nearly instantly.\u00a0 I am ME, and people like me for being me.\u00a0 There’s nothing more powerful than hearing “We’re glad that you came” and knowing that they really meant it.\u00a0 That they didn’t mean “We’re glad that you brought your money” or “We’re glad that you brought your skills” or even “We’re glad that you added one to the headcount”.\u00a0 We’re glad that you came – that you are who you are and that you are sharing it with us.\u00a0 That’s powerful.\u00a0 That’s a core of my theology – that all people are good to God to some degree or in some way unique to them.<\/p>\n As I re-read what I wrote above, I realize that camp isn’t really the only such time.\u00a0 There have been a few more.\u00a0 Serving as a YAD to Synod was like that.\u00a0 More recently, meeting with Jill, Nolan and Rick about Lawrenceville Presbyterian was like that – I felt at ease in the first few minutes.\u00a0 It might not have been on my checklist, but it was a huge factor in choosing a church.<\/p>\n So what does this mean when joining a church?\u00a0 I need to be pulled in.\u00a0 Please pull me in.\u00a0 You won’t be disappointed.\u00a0 I know that I have skills that can be put to good use, and I’ll give you a list on that piece of paper you asked me to fill out.\u00a0 I just need a little tug to get out of my shell.