thinking thru*

As I have thought thru the simple scripture from Romans 2:11 "For there is no respect of persons with God." I thought about a book I have somewheres packed away by P. Roger Hillerstrom. It talks about family dynamics. I think I actually have two different books by this author, I am not sure. Anyway, in thinking this thru, I believe churches have family type dynamics. Probably each family / Church is different. There are similarities between congregations/families, or I guess you could call it family dynamics. There are healthy dynamics and unhealthy dynamics affected by the various individuals that make up the different families. Churches have a positive effect on the world around them in general. Churches are an institution that takes hurting people and helps them become better and more productive members of society. I remember "Big Bob" lived up in the Arlington area. He was an alcoholic, that is what I knew about him. I didn't exactly run in his circles but I knew him. Some years later I ran into him again at a church. He had become a Christian and had dealt with or was dealing with his alcoholism and was running a support group thru his church. I believe he was a deacon at his church. At the time I thought, wow what a before and after picture, this would make, if we could capture a before and after picture of a changed individual, changed by God's grace. Anyway, I use that as an example of what I see happening in many different churches as they change lives. This happens in all types of churches. But churches are made up of imperfect people, I am one of them. I go off on tangents sometimes like with thinking thru this simple scripture. And I ask questions there may not be an answer for but I try anyway. I am in the process of trying to find a church. I have prayed about it but I don't want to be in too much of a hurry. I have been invited to churches and have been encouraged to return to different churches I have visited. I think I recognize some of these family dynamics as I search. People unintentionally turn me off by the things they say as they encourage me to attend their church. I do not believe in exclusiveness. This is a term I use to describe the belief that we are the best church in town. I believe there are a lot of good churches. I believe you are not the only church in town that is trying to help people become better members of society. IS it a healthy congregation? How is the Pastors relationship with his spouse? To me, these are actually important questions to ask. I have learned some good things from every church I have been a part of.  I have shied away from pentecostal type churches up until CFAN, Preferring Baptist. Sometimes a Black Baptist Church was almost like a pentecostal church. But I believe God has also been working on me, chipping away little things here and there. I am asking God for direction as I search. I wonder if I had ever met Barbara if I had not been going to a Black Baptist Church. I am interested in this particular church, but I have heard this exclusiveness. Some times I think you will hear it from someone in almost any given church. But I do not believe that way. I don't like to hear negatives about the prior church. It didn't work for you - move on, find a healthy dynamic. Remember, you are part of that dynamic when you belong to a church and bring your imperfections with you. I don't expect to find anything as good as CFAN, I really don't. I think CFAN was the best / healthiest church I have ever attended. I hope this doesn't sound like exclusive ness. This is late-night rambling, God bless, LVZ.