Church. When I say that word, what do you think of, how about when I say your local church, what do you think? 

So often as Christians, we constantly complain, gripe and moan about our local congregation we attend. How the music is rubbish, or there’s nothing for the young people. Even worse than that there is a growing trend for people to leave their church in search of another congregation with what they are looking for in a church. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with finding a congregation that is suited to you and your family, but there is much more to it than getting what you want. 

Recently I have been thinking, and learning more about what church means. Surely a church should be a place where we can serve God, within a local community. I believe that the best way to really feel and be part of this kind of community is not by simply attending. Sure, that is important, but there is more. To really be part of the community, you need to get stuck in, and get involved.

Over the past 2 years, I have been ‘attending’ my church, on Sunday mornings. It has been fine, praising and learning with others. However I haven’t felt as part of the community as I used to be. Recently though, as I begin to get more involved in the church, I really feel like I belong. 

If you are struggling to feel a sense of belonging in your congregation, can I suggest getting involved with your church in more than just going once on a Sunday.

This is an ongoing lesson that I am learning, and hope to continue learning.

A few weeks ago I was shooting the going on at Fuel 2010, in Ballymena. I’ave been so busy lately that I’ve only just got the photographs online this week.

Go check some more out at my website and my flickr

Ragamuffin Soul is a blog that I have been reading for a number of years now. Carlos released his debut album today, and if the EP is anything to go by then it is well worth a listen. I bought it on iTunes this morning, it will probably be on repeat on my iPod for a while.

Buy it in iTunes

As I watched The Blindside, I was really struck and captivated by the story. The fact that it is based on a true story is even more amazing. I can’t speak for the real Leigh Anne Tuohy, but Sandra Bullock’s character was portrayed as a white, rich, conservative Christian from Memphis. Right in the bible belt of America. Sound familiar? Similar to some of the religious attitudes in Northern Ireland. I don’t want to give too much of the film away, but essentially she takes in a homeless kid, who she knows nothing about, from the ‘other side’ of town. She raises him along with her biological family and and totally changes the course of his life. 

Why did she do this? It seems strange that she would take this guy in. Her peers, other rich, white, conservatives mock her and are patronising towards her. ‘Another one of your litte projects’ is how they described her act of kindness. 

As I watched the movie it struck me that this is the kind of love that Christ showed, and that we are to show to others. Christians in NI, and I include myself in this, are so quick to judge others, ‘They are homeless for a reason’, ‘if they wanted to get our of poverty they could do it themselves, meanwhile we sit in our nice homes, watching our TVs, playing our xboxs. While there are people who we could be helping. 

One of the ways you could help is by sponsoring a child. I have been sponsoring, Emorutu Ronald, who lives in Uganda, for a few years now, through Compassion International. It’s great to write to him and get letters back, hear how Compassion are making a difference in his life. Compassion work with children all over the world, some who are in need of help. It isn’t a big deal for us here to sponsor a child, even in this economic climate, most of us are doing ok, but there are kids who have nothing. 

Check out Compassion UK or Compassion International, for more information on what they do, and how you can sponsor a child.