tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post8975022214091972275..comments2023-09-18T08:44:40.951-05:00Comments on faith in community: I used to be a pastor in a small townDiane M. Rothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-48608891899699649122007-06-29T08:14:00.000-05:002007-06-29T08:14:00.000-05:00I was a city girl, moved to a very small town eons...I was a city girl, moved to a very small town eons ago. I am so so glad that our house can't be seen from the road. But once I adjusted to people knowing who I was, I really liked it here. I wouldn't meet people very well in a city, I know from experience of the first almost-half of my life. <BR/><BR/>But we dread going to a restaurant, etc. because my hubby is a high-profile person that people want to talk to about their problems, similar to the way people want to talk to pastors. We usually don't go out or we drive 20 miles. He goes to church even though people really bug him there too. People need to realize that you can't be your job 24/7.LoieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977264499770654307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-11327639954696979472007-06-26T10:29:00.000-05:002007-06-26T10:29:00.000-05:00Yep. I laughed b/c I had a red Mazda myself... tra...Yep. I laughed b/c I had a red Mazda myself... traded it for a tan SUV...and since then changed again. But truly they keep track of your horsepower!Hot Cup Lutheranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00125425492709186198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-91913500608448040442007-06-26T09:23:00.000-05:002007-06-26T09:23:00.000-05:00Love this ... I've lived in small towns and cities...Love this ... I've lived in small towns and cities ... and, as you say, remaining anonymous is not realistic in either environment. I prefer cities because I am high energy and like to be in the midst of a wide variety of people and things to do and see ... and I still get greeted by neighbors and congregants in my local coffee shop.Rev SShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661507940053055640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-35378051846602579522007-06-26T08:57:00.000-05:002007-06-26T08:57:00.000-05:00I lived in a small town when I was in middle schoo...I lived in a small town when I was in middle school. It was very challenging, not friendly. Even my piano teacher, after 2o years of living there said that she was still considered new in town. yeesh. Luckily I pretty adaptable, so I was ok with the town. <BR/><BR/>Now I live in a suburb of a BIG city. This is a strip-mall suburb, not "down town" section. Just houses (no sidewalks), strees, churches, and strip malls. It's odd. And everyon lives on 1/2 acre lots so no one really knows one's neighbors. Pull into three car garage, enter house through garage, see no one, speak to no one, stay in the air conditioning (because landscapers take care of the lawn). Now, this is really bizarre. I liked it best in big city or the liberal diverse suburb to the east, where we actually knew our neighbors and walking the dogs was an opportunity to say "Hi" to everyone. sigh. Good for you diane. I think what you have is great.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667178624061122421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-73951903968280867882007-06-26T08:28:00.000-05:002007-06-26T08:28:00.000-05:00I grew up in a town of 1,600 and now serve as a pa...I grew up in a town of 1,600 and now serve as a pastor in a town of 3,500. I love small town life. My wife finds it too confining and does not like the lack of privacy. As for me I like going to my favorite coffee shop and when I walk in people look and smile as if they are saying "NORM!" (from Cheers). I like living in a place where every one knows my name.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post. I can definitely relate.Pastor Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281721067947261768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-57168672637617186632007-06-26T01:19:00.000-05:002007-06-26T01:19:00.000-05:00Great post- I've lived in small towns and in Houst...Great post- I've lived in small towns and in Houston Texas- as you say nobody remains anonymous for long! :-)Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01759963926280667938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-47269036149158043302007-06-25T23:58:00.000-05:002007-06-25T23:58:00.000-05:00Population of my town is about 36,000, and it's di...Population of my town is about 36,000, and it's difficult to go to a store without seeing a patient or two of mine. This means I should always be on my best behavior! :)Barbara B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02645311082295646375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-26718944394658036402007-06-25T21:37:00.000-05:002007-06-25T21:37:00.000-05:00Nice. I like the thought of people waving though. ...Nice. I like the thought of people waving though. I hope more wave and smile at you!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061517211101084120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-9234767562009535442007-06-25T20:09:00.000-05:002007-06-25T20:09:00.000-05:00Oh my, I think we switched lives, only backwards. ...Oh my, I think we switched lives, only backwards. I used to live in that big city...then moved to this little burg of about 190. The day I went to get a post office box they knew my name already and where I'd be living. It was a little too small there and I moved into the big town (13, 000) where I still find I cannot be anonymous. But I love it. The "saw your car" thing, "Hi, Rev" at the coffee shop, running into familiar and friendly people all over town, it's all part of what charms me. I'm with Kim, notice away!RevDrKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06043193615563649333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-60578090923216016872007-06-25T19:46:00.000-05:002007-06-25T19:46:00.000-05:00I loved that post. Growing up in Washington DC, I ...I loved that post. Growing up in Washington DC, I knew the people on my street, but that was it. Now I get all warm and fuzzy at the thought of someone calling me to ask about my light-turning habits. Of course this is all in theory, not application. Anyway, I'm new to your blog, but I hope you don't mind if I add you to my "required reading" list.Rhiannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09793190021247797009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-72310635517937226712007-06-25T19:45:00.000-05:002007-06-25T19:45:00.000-05:00And what I meant was, if you really want to get to...And what I meant was, if you really want to get to know your NEIGHBORS. Because THEY could probably tell you your NUMBERS...HAHA! What is that preview button for again?kim-dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650811256788756378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-26340552202683897772007-06-25T19:44:00.000-05:002007-06-25T19:44:00.000-05:00Oh my gosh, your post brought me right back to my ...Oh my gosh, your post brought me right back to my teenage years. My family moved to Lakeville in 1968, long before it was what it is today; the population then was right around 2000. When we moved there, I remember my parents telling me, "if you do something wrong, you may as well tell us because in a town this small other people will, and we'd rather hear it from you first." And they were right! In fact, population 63 or 2000, it's pretty much the same; back then, there were times I wished I was having as much fun as it was said I was having--HAHA! And, like you, I have found that the bigger the world gets, the smaller it can be, too. For instance, there are several members of our congregation that I went to high school with--do you believe it? And if you really want to get to know your numbers, cut down a tree or do some house spiffing-up; they come out in droves! The older I get, the more I like it--I like the feeling that there are some people who would notice if I wasn't around. My life is so "boring"--just as I like it--that it makes no difference whatsoever if everybody knows what little business I have. I like that, too. There are some advantages to getting older--HAHA! By the way, is there a Bible Study on Wednesday? If there is, I think I can come...Hope there is!kim-dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650811256788756378noreply@blogger.com