I have asked some of the same questions lately!  In the Beth Moore bible study "Stepping Up" I have been studying the group of Psalms 120-134; also known as the Psalms of Ascent.  It has been an awesome study for me and my personal growth!  I know that is the message we are all as Christians supposed to share - we are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ.  Whether we are Pentecostal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Jewish...get the idea...if we believe we are saved and forgiven by the death of Christ, and we accept HIM as our Savior.  It doesn't matter what church we attend, or how we label ourselves....we are all Brothers and Sisters in Christ!  

I think it's a great observation that you have made - and so true of many churches, unfortunately.  It's something that only WE can change, one person at a time!  Great post Kevin!  Enjoy the week away!  

You spoke very well Kevin. This is something too that my husband and I have struggled with this past year. Though we regularly attend church, often we feel that we aren't really acting as Christians daily. We stick within our comfort zone and don't really reach out to people. Our church is large and that is something we have also struggled with because it has been hard to find the right place to fit in. Thanks for sharing this post.

i'm a part of the meetup.com, the bakersfield stay at home moms group (love it by the way!) and we come from just about every denomination and church known to the community.  when we get together and just bond, it really makes me feel that we're reaching out.  even the bible study i go to, many of the women there aren't from the church where it's held.  and getting to talk to other christians in town, i've come to realize that you're right, it isn't the church we belong to, it's what we are doing for our community. 

i think the last time almost every Christ believing church in the city came together was for the franklin graham festival over four years ago.  we need to do something like that again to remind ourselves just how big our body is.  you kind of see that, though, on these type of blogs :). 

my parents go to laurelglen.  i absolotely LOVE their christmas eve service.  candles, the pastors read a story to the kids in the front, it's just precious!  i highly recommend it. 

Love the building!

that's an actual photo of the church we attended here in Newton, KS.  The whole downtown area is about 100 years old or more.  beautiful place.  I wish I had my camera...  I just found that pic on the net.

Dude, I had no idea you were posting on here all the time! I think I need to change your blog address to this one. Sorry for all the posts I've missed.

Attend any LDS services recently.  wink wink!  I don't know if you're looking for ideas to help w/ this congregational segregation, but if you are....Our congregation in Downey used to do a biannual Inter-faith music night.  It was a lot of fun, a great cultural experience w/ many different varieties of music and it brought together many people of different faiths.    We had everything from a capella boys choirs to christian rock.  I know first hand it was a huge undertaking, but well worth the effort. We also did a lot of service projects w/ other church groups.   Nothing brings people closer together than a common purpose and serving others w/ love.  There's my free advice.  Take it for what it's worth. 

I have not been to any LDS services lately. :-)  Not since I attended my third grade teacher's wedding in 1983 at your Downey church!  But I do agree with everything you said, Heidi.  With the new church we are part of starting here in Bakersfield, we have been doing monthly service projects in town and partnering with other local churches.  What would the world be like if we all were of one mind??  Maybe we'd still be dating!  :-)  ~wink!