[OBW]

As Ohio has pointed out, I am becoming very cynical about the perception of any so-called blessing of the early days, or the freshness of it all.

With respect to the idea of everyone becoming a functioning member, I am now more likely to understand that people who think they have a part in what goes on are more committed to it than if they are less involved. While I actually agree with participation, the kind of participation that was so fresh and enlivening appears more like the actions of children when not corralled than something that I find patterned in the words of the Bible. So the hook was not necessarily spiritual participation, but enjoyable participation.

And there are many who are still trying to grind it out. I have heard from a now somewhat former member that the way things go now is almost disgusting. Remember the days of actually being the one to call a song? It is over. There is often only one song and LSM dictates which one it will be.

That is surely not so enticing. But those who are hanging on have their memories to comfort them as they dutifully stand in the dirt . . . er, on the ground.