My theory on what is really wrong with the church...

[mUUser]

To your point, however, Robin....

My teenage daughter's best friend is devout Baptist, and they're both friends with a 3rd girl. The 3rd girl switched back and forth every week between the two churches for about 2 months. She was the catalyst for the entire family finding a church to attend.

Fast forward another 6 months, and today we're attending the baptism of that entire family of 5 into the Baptist church.

When my daughter asked about our church she said two reasons turned her off: 1. boring 2. the missionary efforts put the full-court press on WAAAAAAY too early. Scared her to death.

It's just an anectdote. I'm not suggesting the church change its ways.

[mUUser]

To your point, however, Robin....

My teenage daughter's best friend is devout Baptist, and they're both friends with a 3rd girl. The 3rd girl switched back and forth every week between the two churches for about 2 months. She was the catalyst for the entire family finding a church to attend.

Fast forward another 6 months, and today we're attending the baptism of that entire family of 5 into the Baptist church.

When my daughter asked about our church she said two reasons turned her off: 1. boring 2. the missionary efforts put the full-court press on WAAAAAAY too early. Scared her to death.

It's just an anectdote. I'm not suggesting the church change its ways.

As an update to today's baptism:

Well, I must admit, the Baptists put on a darn good show, complete with a 19 piece band, professional stage lights and sound system, and plenty of emotional crescendo. I can understand how a teen might enjoy that. Much entertainment available. Plus all the teens get their own little area to sit and socialize during the service.

It was an interesting juxtaposition to travel back to the home ward directly after the Baptist service to attend FATM, which had all the energy of a dead fish.

But, I don't think I want to hear any more about how the LDS Church manufactures situations to provide an emotional outlet. We're amateurs. This other church even provided background music for the prayers and the baptisms, building to something that Tchaicovsky would have been proud to use in his 1812 Overture.

Plus I get the sense we're front and center on the fellowshipping list. Overall, a very nice day at both venues.

[hopfrog]

Quentin Crisp said that when we say of someone that they are boring, it is really a criticism of one's self. As an LDS kid, the church was nurturing, not at all boring. I was always writing those little "road shows" that we had in the 1960s, and the church totally encouraged my love of theatre. Last week I met a married couple who write, he's trying to be a full-time writer, and she writes horror fiction, although somewhat against her will ("It's just what's in me.") This is way cool, and I look forward to nurturing their chumship. "The church" is so much more than our experience of Sunday -- which seems to be the real criticism of the initial comment here.

[LA Ute]

Quentin Crisp said that when we say of someone that they are boring, it is really a criticism of one's self. As an LDS kid, the church was nurturing, not at all boring. I was always writing those little "road shows" that we had in the 1960s, and the church totally encouraged my love of theatre. Last week I met a married couple who write, he's trying to be a full-time writer, and she writes horror fiction, although somewhat against her will ("It's just what's in me.") This is way cool, and I look forward to nurturing their chumship. "The church" is so much more than our experience of Sunday -- which seems to be the real criticism of the initial comment here.

Excellent point, and a good reminder. Thanks.