In Psalm 26:7 (TM), David talks about "telling God-stories".
Just yesterday, a family member told me a wonderful story of how she felt that God had used several believers - in quick succession - to help her choose a place that would be safe, comfortable and responsible in caring for her mother. Her face was bright and joyful as she unraveled the details of how this series of contacts took place. Although she hasn't acted yet, she has every intention of doing so with the realization that God opened doors for her and clearly pointed her in a certain direction! She exuded peace and joy!
Do you tell God-stories of how He has intervened in your life?
What a wonderful way to encourage one another within the family of God!
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I was raised in the church during the 1960’s. Testimony meetings were common in those days. Periodically, churches would designate a Wednesday or Sunday evening as a testimony meeting. Occasionally these times would also feature a ‘bread-breaking service’.
In a bread-breaking service,
everyone would come to the front of the church where they would receive part of
a slice of bread. After a prayer, the people were encouraged to go to one
another and exchange small pieces of bread. Typically, a few words of
affirmation would also be exchanged. This meeting was also sometimes referred
to as a ‘Love Feast’. It was intended to emphasize the love that parishioners
have for one another!
Testimony meetings gave those with a gift for speech a platform for creativity! Certain gifted individuals would manage to give praise to God by sharing events from their week in an amusing and entertaining fashion.
There were also rote ways of responding that shared very little personal information. Lots of testimonies began with the words: “I’m so glad that Jesus saves and sanctifies me…”
Some testimonies were very short. Others were too long!
But I especially enjoyed testimonies that were given after an ‘altar call’. You see, in that time period it was common for a pastor to end the service by inviting people to come to the altar to pray. The appeal was often specifically directed to those who either had never been ‘saved’ or who had ‘back-slidden’.
I have many memories of the altar being lined with people seeking God for one reason or another. After all had been satisfied, came the time for testimonies. Even new believers were encouraged to describe how God had called them and how He had forgiven them.
So many struggled to describe this new relationship with God that they had just experienced. Words seemed inadequate to describe their joy and relief! I recall frequent repetitions of phrases like:
“I feel so light!”
“It’s like a great burden has
been lifted from me!”
“I’m experiencing such relief!”
“A weight of oppression is
gone!”
The joy and contentment that these new followers of Jesus described was often noticeable in their face and the way they carried themselves. As a child/youth, I was always impressed with these testimonies! Although they often struggled to describe their experience, it seemed clear that they were attempting to describe a very similar experience! I rarely felt that anyone was faking their response! It seemed genuine to me!
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Are people still experiencing this kind of joy and relief?
We don’t have testimony meetings anymore where we can update others on the condition of our faith! There’s very little accountability among believers unless it occurs within a small group context. We’ve become far too private for that depth of sharing today. We don’t have ‘altar calls’ anymore [at least in most churches that I visit]. Actually, we don’t even have altars in many of our churches today!
Most public praying seems to be done by professionals now.
Back in the 1960’s, the pastor would call on an usher to give the offertory prayer. I also remember our pastor calling on a specific person to lead in our time of kneeling prayer. Sometimes I still give people an opportunity to pray when a special prayer concern is mentioned. Quite often, someone will lead us in a meaningful prayer.
Where do we pray for or with one another today?
I suppose some of this still takes place in small study or prayer groups or Sunday School classes. But what about the many who choose not to participate in these smaller groupings? Who prays with and for them?
Hal, you’re an old guy!
Let go of those old memories. Times have changed! People are more private. A
person’s faith is a personal thing!
Testimonies and public confession is a thing of the past! People still
respond to messages in their hearts. They don’t need to make a public testimony
or confession.
I’m aware of this change. It’s why I – and many other pastors – tried so hard during the 1990’s to initiate small groups. Some churches are still emphasizing this essential form of growing and developing our people.
Vibrant groups that preserve privacy and encourage transparency have a much greater probability for producing and sustaining vibrant followers of Christ!
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A man came to visit me three weeks ago [although I don't identify him, he gave me permission to share his story]. He knew me and took advantage of my availability one afternoon while I sat in the foyer at the Oakland Church. We’ve known one another for years. He has experienced difficulties in his life. He has not been attending church.
After exchanging pleasantries, he shared with me that he had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer and the prognosis was that it was inoperable and that it had been suggested to him that he “put things in order”. He was – needless to say – in crisis mode.
We talked.
I prayed with him.
I encouraged him to come to church on Sunday.
He did! He shared his burden with our small congregation
and we prayed for him!
He called me last week and told me that the hospital had called and reported that they had read the tests incorrectly. He does not have cancer! Rather, it is a tumor. They plan to remove it this Friday!
On Sunday, he reported to our congregation his good news!
We rejoiced with him and prayed for safety in his
upcoming surgery.
NOTICE THE SUCCSESSION OF EVENTS
1.
He was estranged from God.
2.
He got news that he had a short time to live.
3.
He turned to a pastor.
4.
He returned to his faith.
5.
He returned to church.
6.
The church prayed for him!
7.
He received remarkably good news!
8.
He testified openly to his good news before the
congregation!
Old forms are still effective! 🙌
What has God done for you recently?
Do you - like David - love "telling God-stories"?
