KhirAmie, I think you hit the
KhirAmie, I think you hit the nail on the head. The author of the article perhaps bent his analogy past the breaking point, albeit, with the best of intentions.
I would not be running, either, were it not for BF technique and philosophy. I, too, am engaged with the running world, courtesy of the BRS and other web based communities.
On the other side of the analogy, my Unitarian congregation has invested deeply and received huge dividends from the development of a Small Group Ministry movement. The groups are actively promoted within the congregation and serve to engage many people who would otherwise feel more isolated or alienated.
Good discussion, LB. I have to admit that my first response was to click over to the definition of "davening." I had asked my office mate, a landsman, what it means, but my goyishe pronunciation threw him off.