A couple things going on…
Eric Silz, my long-time good friend, is kicking some serious boot lately. We grew up doing stupid crap together. We wrestled together in school, we rode dirt bikes all over the place, we broke bones together, we committed crimes together, we hung out constantly, and we even got chased out of his house after eating 4lbs of frozen cream puffs that belonged to his dad…who was prone to cussing…at us…a lot.
Eric decided that he wanted to go after something big recently. For whatever reason, Eric wanted to fight, and so he started training in a Mixed Martial Arts setting. And then he found out that he was pretty good at it. And then he went ahead and got himself put onto a ticket for an actual MMA fight.
I had the opportunity to attend that MMA fight and it was a serious adrenaline rush. Check out these pics…Eric is the one standing up beating his opponent:
He ended up winning his first fight by way of tap-out submission in the second round.
Eric fought his second MMA fight this past Saturday night and a few of us got to see him destroy his second opponent. We were so hyped up about it because it’s like watching the culmination of his dedication in action. To say a great friend of mine has won two MMA fights in a row feels pretty stinking awesome.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT…
Steve Fuller, a man whom I hardly know but have grown to respect greatly, is doing an experiment. He found himself fed-up with church and was dangerously close to giving up on it entirely. He wasn’t interested in walking away from his faith, but the church itself seemed to be getting in the way of that faith.
So Steve set out on an experiment. He’s challenged himself to visit 52 different churches in 52 weeks to re-define what church/God/Christianity means to him. The really cool part is that he’s going to churches that are “non-Christian” along the way. He’s created a blog that is an account of each weekly experience. You should check it out at http://churchexperiment.blogspot.com/
It was pretty exciting for us to see Steve come into Vineyard Westside this week because we knew he wouldn’t hold back on describing his experience. We’re always looking for honest feedback on how we’re doing as a church…well…at least as far as weekend gatherings go.
Here’s the thing though…you need to read this. Yes, it’s mostly about churches in Cincinnati, and yes…you might not even go to church, and that’s okay…but I guarantee that you’ll glean something deeper than you would expect. Your church will benefit from this blog —–> READ IT.
Ryan…. Thank you!
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I like the VWS. It reminds me of a Nun smoking a cigarette.
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that is interesting, i’ve only read a few so far, but the idea is fascinating. we’d done something similar on a much smaller scale when our old church closed. We had friends telling us where we should/shouldn’t go, but we decided to just try one a week until we found a ‘fit’. (which was INCREADIBLY draining, how he’s doing 52…) We made it through about 4, 5? before we found one that worked.
It was an eye opener though. That’s for sure!
No one can ever get it “right” and there will always be something I won’t TOTALLY agree with, but we are happy with the main parts, so I can live with the rest.
I kind of came to a similar conclusion, all churches are a little screwed up
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Awesome pictures, Eric looks great, you will have to let me know next time you go, I miss you guys. Great link by the way…very interesting.
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“The church is a whore and she is my mother” Wow, haven’t heard that one before. But I can totally “get” that.
As someone who has pretty much “permanetly bailed on church” after being raised in it for the majority of my life I found Steve’s blog post fully enlightening. Perhaps someday we (my family) will return to her,(the church) perhaps we will not, I don’t know as of now, but what I do know is God is good, and his promises continue to encourage me daily. The promise that I am in fact “like Him” (in my image I will make you) His promises that I will laugh, create, write, and most of all never die seem to be all I ever really need anymore. Honestly. And maybe it’s all I’ll ever need. We shall see.
Now… about those 4lbs of frozen creame puffs. That was just plain funny. I laughed full out.
Thanks Ryan for doing what you do bro.
Over and out.
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Thanks Ryan. I loved Steve’s review, it reminds me why I keep comming, and of the all the people I consider family. A nun smoking a cigarette, best description yet!
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Wow- wow wow wow, thanks for posting about his church experiment. That is something I would love to do myself, if we had that much religious diversity here!
And MMA is awesome all around. Congrats to your friend!
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Ryan, Thank you so much for posting about the church experiment. I took the time to click over and start reading some of his stories. I grew up in a Luthran church, specifically ALC. Reading some of his experiences reminded me of why I want to go back. I’ll have to keep looking in my area for an ALC church. While I’ve been enjoying the Baptist experience I miss the tradtional Luthran worship. Thanks for the reminder.
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Holy reverb bump! Do you realize that about 9 bazillion people read your blog?
And since I determine human worth based on the number of people who read someone’s blog, you are now my hero.
You’re a good man, Ryan. After visiting Sunday, I am convinced your heart for the people of Vineyard Westside has had a huge role to play in its growth.
Next time we run into each other, I won’t try to hide from you.
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submission by arm bar
awesome! congrats to your friend. my hub fights and runs a school. love it!
now i’m going to scurry off and read mr fuller’s blog
oh and fwiw, next time i’m in cincy visiting friends, i fully plan on attending your church !
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Ryan–thanks for sharing about Steve Fuller’s blog…I have been avidly reading it since reading your post and LOVE it! Wow…very insightful church visits. Thanks again.
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I just found your blog tonight by following a link from The Pioneer Woman. I saw that one of my facebook friends became a fan and decided to check it out. I have never been to Vineyars Westside but I’ve heard of it. We are currently in Ft Walton Beach, FL while my husband is in school for his job in the Army. We both grew up in Cincinnati and this summer, when we lived there for about 6mths, we were attending Crossroads. I look forward to reading more of you blog and checking out Steve’s blog as well!
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