Ridgell's Originals

Part of the reason for the last few posts is to clarify our thinking about what is next for the Ridgells.  I want to be clear that we believe the church we left had every right to go a different direction about what is a core conviction for us about Scripture.  We may not agree but they have that right.  They absolutely believe they made the correct decision.  And we love a lot of people that were in our flock/family there.  We still grieve that we are not there.  Lots of deep roots.  But things change.

So... what are we doing about our next church home?

I don't know, but we have narrowed it down.  Sort of.

We have thought about just being members of the church in Abilene.Or the church at large everywhere.  We have people in lots of churches we do life with.  Our small group has been together over 20 years and none of us go to church together.  I do funerals, teach classes, fill-in preach, and do spiritual counseling for lots of different places and people.  And we really are attracted to this model.  But we do have a sense that we need a "home base" to work out of.

Thought about doing house church.  And we have done that some.  But we travel -- and will more soon I think -- to see grandkids and for our own enjoyment.  My out-of-town preaching schedule is really starting to fill up again.  So this may not be practical.

Find a church here that is compatable with what we believe to be core convictions.  We know we will not find a church that does everything our way.  Never have been in one of those.  We are OK with that.  But it does need to fit what we believe is core.  Lots of churches to choose from.  Lots of friends that think we would fit with them at their church.  This is the probable answer.

Maybe a church will need an interim preacher and that will be our church home until they hire someone.  Then maybe there will be another one.  

Or there may be a church that wants a part-time evangelist and that will be the way we decide what/where is next.

Perhaps this is not as narrowed down as I thought.  But we will figure out.  

At any rate, we do know God has this.  He knows what is next.  

We are trying to listen and then obey.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM