Collective & Individual Vibes

[Michael37]

Some vibes push people away, others draw them in. There are extreme vibes and inbetween vibes. A while ago I shared a few thoughts about swaggering, and now it's the fact there are all sorts of vibes I want to post on.

My wife and I were part of a smallish local fellowship that had a relaxed friendly informal vibe until we experienced a sudden influx that included a "deposed pastor" and about 40 of his supporters from another denomination that had gone through a split. 

The vibe changed to something that required me to be somewhat on the defensive as the congregation swelled with members who knew nothing of the relationships and roles that had existed prior to their grafting in with us. 

Fortunately some earlier preaching and teaching had been about the mobility of the members of the body of Christ, with a focus on the need to accept that people move in, move among us, and then move on, or it might be us who do the moving. Either way fellowship vibes do change, and so we pray blessings on all those coming and going, even though it may cause some tension, displacement, or fallout.  

Anyone got thoughts to share about collective and individual vibes?

 

[Lery_27]

Great points! It is always remarkable how the feel of a group can turn so quickly when new people come into it. I also didn’t fail to notice how some people tend to have an ability to shift the mood of the place – positive or negative. In my opinion, flexibility is the key idea that should be followed in order to create as many comforting conditions as possible even in the moments when conflicts appear. So, it turns out that both collective and individual energy states can be effective, but it’s definitely worth varying them in some way. Yes, it’s always a compromise to undertake.

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Some vibes push people away, others draw them in. There are extreme vibes and inbetween vibes. A while ago I shared a few thoughts about swaggering, and now it's the fact there are all sorts of vibes I want to post on.

My wife and I were part of a smallish local fellowship that had a relaxed friendly informal vibe until we experienced a sudden influx that included a "deposed pastor" and about 40 of his supporters from another denomination that had gone through a split. 

The vibe changed to something that required me to be somewhat on the defensive as the congregation swelled with members who knew nothing of the relationships and roles that had existed prior to their grafting in with us. 

Fortunately some earlier preaching and teaching had been about the mobility of the members of the body of Christ, with a focus on the need to accept that people move in, move among us, and then move on, or it might be us who do the moving. Either way fellowship vibes do change, and so we pray blessings on all those coming and going, even though it may cause some tension, displacement, or fallout.  

Anyone got thoughts to share about collective and individual vibes?

 

First of all define "vibes" for me.

[Sower]

4 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

First of all define "vibes" for me.

Vibrations; a person's emotional state, the atmosphere of a place, or the associations of an object, as communicated to and felt by others. in physics; an oscillation of the parts of a fluid or an elastic solid whose equilibrium has been disturbed

(Slang) Vibes; a person's emotional state or the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others.

"a lot of moody people giving off bad vibes"  Or happy people giving off good vibrations

(The Beach Boys tune - 'Good Vibrations')

[missmuffet]

15 minutes ago, Sower said:

Vibrations; a person's emotional state, the atmosphere of a place, or the associations of an object, as communicated to and felt by others. in physics; an oscillation of the parts of a fluid or an elastic solid whose equilibrium has been disturbed

(Slang) Vibes; a person's emotional state or the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others.

"a lot of moody people giving off bad vibes"  Or happy people giving off good vibrations

(The Beach Boys tune - 'Good Vibrations')

This feels a little off for me as a Christian. They seem somewhat psychic to me. So it is something I would want to stay away from.

These are good feelings and thoughts for me as a Christian.

Philippians 4:8

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

How do you know if these "vibes" are coming from God or Satan?

 

[In the Clouds]

When you have a happy church home and change occurs it can be unsettling and/or disruptive.   It takes strong leaders to direct the congregation and steer them to the existing foundations and cornerstones.  God can fix the rest.

[Michael37]

5 hours ago, missmuffet said:

They seem somewhat psychic to me.

I quite often pick up Christian vibes from strangers and in the course of events find out they are in fact followers of Christ.

We have neighbours that give off a strong bogan vibe.

The term “bogan” is a slang word used in Australia and New Zealand to describe a person whose speech, clothing, attitude, and behavior are considered unrefined or unsophisticated¹. Depending on the context, it can be used either pejoratively or self-deprecatingly¹.

Bogans are often stereotyped as having a laid-back, down-to-earth personality, and they might be seen enjoying simple pleasures like a beer, footy, or a barbecue². The term has become a well-recognized subculture in Australia, often associated with a lack of concern for high fashion or social status¹.

Upper Middle Bogan - Wikipedia

[Marathoner]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

We have neighbours that give of a strong bogan vibe.

The "vibes" in the warzone where I live (that's what this region of the city is called) are surreal. An example:

The dumpster vibe

There's apparently a fixation with dumpsters afoot which transcends the classic dumpster diver fishing for metal that can be sold at recycling centers. I observed a fellow arguing with a dumpster across the street from my old office one afternoon. I thought that it would be helpful to point out that the dumpster would come out on top (he started kicking the dumpster), but I thought better of it. Nah.

Then there was a disturbed individual whom I called "dumpster woman." Early one evening I heard quite the ruckus outside of my old office; I emerged outside to see a woman standing in a nearby dumpster yelling and ranting nonsensically. I prayed for her, and then I called the police department for I was concerned that she might be harmed from behaving in such a way. When the police arrived, they persuaded this woman to exit the dumpster and leave the area. A few weeks later, I witnessed this woman pass by the same dumpster, stop in front of it, and dig inside whereupon she produced a wig. She placed the wig on her head and continued on her way. Well then... okay. Utterly random but nevertheless in keeping with the neighborhood. 

A depressingly common occurrence: one transports bags of garbage to the dumpster. Routine, yes? Surely, but here in the dumpster vibe nothing is routine, my friends. The bag of trash is pitched into the dumpster and a shout of protest is heard inside of said large container. A man suddenly materializes from the dumpster depths to complain about being bopped on the noggin by the sailing bag of rubbish. Well then... what does one say to that?

Occupational hazard, my good fellow. 

Edited October 23, 2024 by Marathoner

[AnOrangeCat]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

I quite often pick up Christian vibes from strangers and in the course of events find out they are in fact followers of Christ.

I've experienced that before. And having been around abusers and manipulators I'm usually good at spotting that sort, too. Call it intuition, vibes, empathy, discernment, or whatever else there's nothing psychic about it. We all have some degree of ability to interpret things like body language, choice of phrasing, aesthetics, and other clues to get a feel for an environment and those in it. It's definitely been a survival skill for me.

[Neighbor]

12 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Some vibes push people away, others draw them in. There are extreme vibes and inbetween vibes. A while ago I shared a few thoughts about swaggering, and now it's the fact there are all sorts of vibes I want to post on.

My wife and I were part of a smallish local fellowship that had a relaxed friendly informal vibe until we experienced a sudden influx that included a "deposed pastor" and about 40 of his supporters from another denomination that had gone through a split. 

The vibe changed to something that required me to be somewhat on the defensive as the congregation swelled with members who knew nothing of the relationships and roles that had existed prior to their grafting in with us. 

Fortunately some earlier preaching and teaching had been about the mobility of the members of the body of Christ, with a focus on the need to accept that people move in, move among us, and then move on, or it might be us who do the moving. Either way fellowship vibes do change, and so we pray blessings on all those coming and going, even though it may cause some tension, displacement, or fallout.  

Anyone got thoughts to share about collective and individual vibes?

 

Well, having been moved around some by God myself  I think it best to ignore the "vibes" for the most part and just do as God leads via the lead by God the Holy Spirit.

Found myself on a church and school staff for some 16 years. Had 12 elders 12 deacons and  numerous deaconesses with most all thinking they were my immediate boss. I learned to follow the code of Ronald Reagan- It is amazing what can get done if one is willing to let others have the credit it for it all. I learned to push on a rope, and wonderful things happened as result over the years. And still are after my own "retirement". God places whom he will where he wills when he wills, all to his glory alone.

I once was "exalted" as employee of the year at the church school, written up in the school yearbook, praised by the administrator. To which a vibe of "that is a kiss of death" rattled inside me.

And sure enough next year I was odd man out at the school. That's life, one does what  God leads one into and takes what comes as result. It's all "good - good - good - good  vibrations!"

Do all that you do to the glory of God, knowing  “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”. Praise Good, giving thanks in all things for they do work together for good - for those that believe- believing on Jesus as Lord, God, and personal savior. And yes each of us needs "toughen up buttercup" for no good deed goes unpunished, not while in this fallen creation.