Swinging from the Vine / 834 posts / 2,891 comments / feed / comments feed

maybe people aren’t so bad afterall

I like to joke sometimes that I really don’t like people.

I have my reasons for the smidge of truth that’s behind that tongue-in-cheek comment, but suffice to say, I tend to be a bit of a pessimist and a cynic when it comes to humanity in general.

But one of the things I love about the Emergent conversation is the networking/connecting I get to participate in. I have the pleasure of chatting with so many wonderful and diverse people - Christians as well as those of other faiths.

I got to meet with an evangelical pastor from here in Fort Collins yesterday and Thursday I get to have lunch with some Mennonites (lunch with the mennonites…sounds like a movie or funky band name hehe) *updated to add - and on Saturday I’ll be with the Methodists*. I’m very much an introvert but I’m a social introvert so I still enjoy making those connections - esp. hearing other people’s stories…even though I can’t do it every day - it’s too exhausting.

A lot of the time, people want me to talk about “young people”, “post moderns”, missional and the emerging church. I meet with a lot of folks who are nearly twice my age so I’m sort of a representative for the “younger generation” I guess but what I really enjoy is hearing people’s stories. I prefer that THEY tell ME what they’re experiencing and seeing and doing and how they feel about God and spirituality. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to get to meet with people more than once and sometimes they even hang around and join our faith community…but either way, it’s fun stuff. I think it’s much easier to get bitter and cynical about people when you stay isolated or only surround yourself with toxic individuals.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all sunshine and roses, I’ve met with some really horrible people too…but by and large, I’ve been fortunate.

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1 Comment

  1. Jamie Arpin-Ricci — February 18, 2009 #

    As a very social INTJ myself, I have the exact experiences. Spooky!

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