The Whole In One Experience...

I have been asked numerous times to explain what Whole In One is all about and what it means.  Most assume some sort of golfing association, but all I can say about that is they don't know how to spell. Actually, it could still be possible we were making a play on that sport, but we simply are not.

First, I'll explain what the name means.  The concept comes from Colossians 2:10 that says it is in Christ Jesus that we have our fulness and are made complete.  You've seen this in the banner at the top of our web page.  Acts 17:28 says it another way, that in Christ we live and move and have our being.  Other Bible verses we use as our mission statement are ones that, while not explicitly stated, include non-exhaustive lists that could very easily include singles.  For instance, Paul states twice (Galatians 3:28 & Colossians 3:11) that we are all equal in Christ.  We are neither male or female, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, or married or unmarried. Also, in 1 Timothy 4:11, Paul tells his protege to not let anyone look down on him because he is young.  I would add that Paul would agree that no one should look down on you because you are single.

Married people will try to say that doesn't happen, but that's only because they've forgotten what it was like to be single. We singles know that we are bombarded from every angle and we live in a marriage preferable world.  Advertising, holidays, family, and friends all work at taking you from lonely singlehood to the magical world of marriage wonderment, as if it's easy to be married.  Being single or married is equally hard.  There is no easy way.  Even Christian oriented organizations like eHarmony are trying to tell us it is simple to fix our problem of being single.  Now, does this mean we are against marriage? No.  In fact, we know that marriage is a Godly institution and a Godly desire.  It's just that we refuse to believe there is something wrong with us if we are not married.

We are not half of a person.  We are not incomplete.  We are not waiting for someone to save us from our misery.  God's love for us is as great now as it will ever be and His desire to use us is as great, too. Who we are in God's eyes is all that matters.

Whole In One is also a symbolic representation of the Trinity, three persons in one, working towards the same goal.  We also live by the advice given in the Bible that a cord of three strands is stronger than one (Ecclesiastes).  We are not meant to be alone in our daily struggles. We can rely on those that share in our experiences.

So what else makes us different?  Well, I'm glad you asked... See, we also eliminate those things that make a typical singles group uncomfortable.  In fact, one of our main goals is the comfortability of the members.  We do this by making sure attendees know we are not a "meat market" or a dating service.  We are together to grow closer to God and closer to each other in the process.  Even those that begin a relationship with someone are asked to consider the feelings of the other members in the group by coming as individuals to the group. There's plenty of time for that couple to be together and nurture their relationship, but the singles group meeting is not the time for that.

Security is a big key as well.  Many singles feel vulnerable, especially the single women thinking of attending.  It can be hard to open yourself to new people, places, and things.  We look to make you as secure as if you were with your family or in your own home, maybe even more.  If at least for one day a week, you should feel safe from what the world would have you believe.

What we do: A typical Whole In One experience includes great fun, great discussion, worship, Bible study, prayer, and ministry for each others' needs.  In the end, our focus is always God and helping each other in the Christian journey. We build friendships and relationships that lift each other up and are accountable to each other in true community.

We hope to see you at the next Whole In One experience!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Day 17: The Bodily Church

Romans 12: 5 tells us that we were made for the church.  We are interdependent with other members of the body, not independent.  We are made for community and relationship.  The church is where we find our true identity.

I think the reason many choose not to regularly attend a church or join a church body is because it asks something of them.  While churches ask for money that's not all they ask of us. They ask for our support of other believers and accountability.  People do not want to be accountable to someone else because it relinquishes a little control and there's always an excuse to run from commitment.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the church is that it is the building itself and the style of worship that occurs in the building.  People are always saying they didn't like this or that church for some reason or another.  The church is the people in the building.  We are the church.  So, to have "church" we bring it with us, our attitudes, our desires, our joys, our pain, and our worship.  A "worship service" does not happen if we don't come prepared to worship.

It's a bit strange to some to find out that church is not particularly for them.  Yes, we all benefit from the body but only if everyone is demonstrating love which is unselfish and is providing for others' needs first.  So when I hear of people trying to find the perfect church, well, I tell them it doesn't exist because they (yes, the person I'm speaking to) are not perfect.

Sure, I understand the need to find a church that matches your personality and that's where style comes in.  I personally love the more contemporary music.  I would probably fall asleep in a more traditional church and that's my fault as it is my attitude going in, but there's nothing wrong with making it easier to worship God.  I've always said there are many denominations because there are so many different types of people.  The point is, we must be actively seeking to become an active part of the body of Christ, actively doing our part to further God's kingdom, actively.  That's a lot of action.

Happy Chatting...
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