Hello world.


Just felt a little inspired by Easter Sim's blog, yeah, I'm late. 


This whole "responsibility" and "stretching" seems to be more like "tearing" us all up. I'm sure no details need be mentioned, besides, I'm not here to write essays. 


Now, I feel I can put some input here easier. (Primarily because I'm too lazy to speak and not in any mood to debate/argue)


So here are some questions I've been asking myself during these past weeks:
1) Do I want to go to church today? 
2) Why don't I want to go to church today?
3) What's wrong at church that makes me not want to go today?


Nowadays, I've come to view church as work. Work, work, work. And not in a positive way either. If we come to serve God at church, should we be serving Him half-heartedly? What's the purpose of being able to do "so many glorious things for God" if only a hardened heart remains afterwards? Not that I'm trying to imply that this is my attitude towards everything, but honestly, I feel it coming to such a point. Constantly, I hear how "good" it is to feel "over-burdened" and "stressed out" and "stretched". 


What's the purpose of having so much on our 'plates' if we can't finish it?


Like Sir Demetri said, don't do anything if you can't take responsibility. (something like that)


So, the main problem I see going on right now is that only a small bunch of us are doing ... hmm, how do I put this... Everything? But we're not asking you, or I'm not at least, to do everything for us. But why is there more "food", if I can use that term, being added to our plates? I'm all for growing and learning more, but isn't there a limit to the rate of growth one can experience? I'm not a fan of shoving down the entire Bible down people's throats along with other responsibilities. 


I completely understand the magnitude of stress and pressure put upon the leaders, it totally exceeds ours; in fact, my amount of work may seem insignificant compared to the other youth in New Wave. But if this is the case, then why are the same people constantly being forced to do every thing the church needs? Because there aren't any more people to do it? Then why are we searching for more things to do. Why is it necessary to have hundreds of ministries that only five of the same people can do at the same time? 


Again, I'm all for being able to serve God in different ways. Such a diverse amount of ministries can help a lot of people find out their calling from God. But that only works for a large group of people. How can, I'd say about 20, of the same people be called to do one hundred things? It's impossible because we are not omnipotent. We can't do everything. Remember, I'm not just referring to what the New Wave officers do, I'm talking about the church in general. That's why I feel Ebenezer take some time and build itself up, rather than other churches. I've always felt that the church was picking other churches up without even getting up itself. Reaching the neighborhood was a great idea. Doing things that can help maintain the church are great. Needing to be in every church's event is not so cool. I must say this AGAIN, but I'm not saying that any of these things are bad. Of course we should be spreading out the word of God and the gospel, but I can recall a summer where Ebenezer was doing something for every church. I'm barely exaggerating. The church needs more people to support it's number of ministries, that's all I'm trying to say. We have had so many, and many of them have been diminished due to the fact that barely any people can support it because they are already doing everything else. Green club, Otaku club, remember those?


I feel the problem erupting currently is not about exactly what we have to do, but the time at which this is all being laid down upon us. When we're pressured to do well in school, church becomes a burden. In the summer time, or any break in general, we are ready to serve (because we have no life?). Although we are not 'forced' to do anything, it feels forced regardless. I've had the liberty to take off a few weeks of Friday service, and it felt amazing. Not by the fact that I didn't need to go to church, but I could take a break. 


Hopefully, this doesn't make Ebenezer seem like a prison to be in, but maybe this can paint an image of how 'imprisoned' we feel. I agree, all of this jazz will one day have us grow and become more mature. But is this the only way we can be nurtured? Is being forced to do everything the only way for someone to grow in God? Or is it the fact that some people have been in church for so long, it's only fair that they should do everything? 


I don't want to come off as whiny. I'm just listing my ideas and how I feel about the current situation. Perhaps neither of us can understand how any of us feel. The leaders think it's good, the kids think it's bad; or maybe I'm just speaking for both parties. But, I do think I'm stating unanimous information. 


I'm glad some of our complaints are being met at least. You know, Friday worship once a month and voluntary Saturday meets. If the way we feel truly is understood, then actions to relieve us are just as justified. The act of telling us that doing what we do is good and should be continued means we're being forced. I feel obligated to stay in all my roles because I am forced, believe it or not. No matter how many times we had complained, we were simply told to "keep doing it because it's good" even though we heard "I don't want to do this to you if you feel forced." No, I'm not talking about JP. I'm just talking about all the leaders who have told me (and us) this. 


Okay, I've been writing this for a bit, trying to compile my ideas. If you read this, awesome! If not, well, at least I blogged, right? This is what I'm talking about, haha. Everything around here is just work. To blog is to work. Doing all these things are great, but not when we feel like it's a job to do it. If there's no love behind something, why continue? But, don't worry JP. I kind of like blogging, let's me think, ahaha. I just don't see the need of having all these things set and made to feel like homework. School is a teenager's worst friend, stop making us feel like we're with it on weekends too. 


Our fellow leader Demetri likes taking breaks, and I do too. 


Good night, no hard feelings y'all. :)