PART OF WHY WE GATHER

I'm quote-filing this morning after reading several books recently. I just typed this in after reading it in Michael W. Smith's book, a simple blessing.

When we continually expose our minds to the standards of the culture, those standards begin to seep into our lives. The fatal change comes so gradually that, like the frog in the kettle, we don’t even notice it. First we are no longer shocked by evil. Then we become accustomed to it. Then we tolerate it. Then it’s only a tiny step to accept it as normal.  [p.76]

It immediately occurred to me that this is one of the key reasons that we get together for worship every week!

Through the course of the week we are inundated with the impact of massive and consistent cultural change! Many of us are realizing that we can't keep up with it. It's overwhelming. We may despair over the way younger generations seem to adapt and adopt trends that we are wary of.

Debbie and I love watching good dramas on television, but so often they are beyond what we consider acceptable. If you would examine our television, you would find a host of TV series and movies that we watched for five or ten minutes and then bailed out! This is because we ran into language, sexual situations, violence or moral issues that conflict with the values that we hold as precious. So, we move on...

The internet is an 'out-of-control' issue for people today. It provides a measure of anonymity and voyeurism that is high-risk for anyone who wants to maintain godly standards and behavior! Strict controls and accountability are necessary to maintain appropriate viewing patterns!

Just watching the news can fill a person with despair! 

But before this disintegrates into a "Woe is me! - the sky is falling" diatribe, let's make a right turn.

It occurred to me - as I typed this quote into my file - that one of the reasons we meet together regularly as believers in Jesus, is to serve as a correction for this onslaught of corruption and vulgarity. 

We meet to refocus!

We meet to confess our failures.

We meet to assess our spiritual vigor.

We meet to hold one another accountable.

We meet to remind ourselves of that which is good and holy!

We meet to be challenged to stay faithful and serve as a role model for the culture.

And if we're serious about our involvement, we are likely to be rewarded by the One Who forgives, cleanses and restores our souls!

It serves as a righting of that which is wrong! 

...a clarification of our intention.

...a renewal of determination.

...a reminder of decisions we've made.

...a sharing of responsibility for those who are part of our worshiping community.

...a statement of unity with a global community.

...a submission to divine Love

[This list could go on...]

We need this! We desperately need this! There are no 'lone rangers' in the Bible! Community is essential to maintaining commitment and promises! Wise men seek accountability; I suppose wise women do the same. 

Leaders and pastors who plan worship need to review this aspect of Sunday worship and be purposeful in structuring the time to accommodate these needs. 

The structure of our worship tends to prohibit engagement. We all sit facing the front. There are only a few people who could name everyone in the sanctuary. Most of our participation is a response to directions given from those on the platform. We may - or may not - connect with people before or after worship. 

In my last novel, Never Unreachable, a retired couple are invited to attend a 'house-church' that meets in a home. He immediately meets guys from the community that he knows from the hardware store, or school days, or the gas station. He loves the fact that food is always available and you can grab some when you want it. The atmosphere is casual. The leaders sit close - on the same level. New people are introduced and welcomed. There's ample time, before the structured time begins, for people to mingle, share stories, get acquainted and establish a comfort zone. He is surprised to find that he actually looks forward to Sundays!

I digress...

We need help to diffuse the pervasive impact of the ever-changing culture in our lives! 

Participating in worship can provide that help by reminding us of the standards that we revere and the fact that we are part of a community of faith that extends around the globe!

WHEN GOD DRAWS NEAR

I grew up in a church where worship was vibrant and meaningful.  Sunday mornings were a little more formal, but Sunday evenings were more relaxed and casual with a good bit more singing.  Testimonies were common in the evening service where people would give a report of how God had helped or blessed them recently. 

These testimonies were often expressed with great creativity and passion.  Significant joy would be expressed over the way God had intervened in their life to solve a problem, meet a need or answer a prayer.  Some had a unique ability to tell a story with great suspense – even cultivating humor. Occasionally the congregation’s response would be with applause and a chorus of ‘Amens’! 

The congregation clearly had favorite hymns or gospel songs.  Even as a child, I observed that certain songs were highly likely to create a deeply spiritual response.  These times were frequently described as moments when the Spirit fell on the people.  The congregation would sing with passion and enthusiasm!  Full attention was brought to the worship of God!  Even when I was very young, I was sensitive to these times and knew that something supernatural was going on.  Some songs that had great potential to evoke this response were:

·         “It Is Well With My Soul”

·         “And Can It Be”

·         “The Wonderful Grace of Jesus”

·         “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord”

As the years passed, I went to college, married, attended seminary and then entered the ministry.  Being a twenty-three year old pastor was a challenge.  But gradually, I gained experience and soon started to see kingdom growth in the churches that I served. 

Eventually, I learned new language for what I had experienced so often in my childhood.  It was largely initiated by a book I read titled EXPERIENCING GOD, by Henry Blackaby.

What I had experienced as a child/youth growing up in my home church were simply incidents of experiencing the presence of God!  He drew near to His people – often initiated by the creativity, sensitivity and passion of His people! 

I learned that my role as pastor was to plan and prepare in such a way that we would hopefully be enabled to experience His presence frequently in our worship.  This in no way implies that we could or would manipulate God!  Rather, It meant trying to create an environment of sincerity, deep meaning and worship that would somehow open a divine portal that would allow us to sense the presence of the Divine One! 

This became central to my planning for worship, preaching and involvement of others in the leadership of our worship! 

While leading the Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown, Ohio, we received an odd request from an organization that was conducting a survey of growing churches across America.  After deliberating on their request to have our people fill out a 10-minute survey DURING WORSHIP, we agreed to participate.  Part of our motivation was that we would receive a complete report of our people’s responses along with an analysis of these responses.

In spite of the awkwardness, our people cooperated on the designated Sunday and the forms were packaged up and mailed the next day.  Weeks later, our Ministry Council received the results and poured over them with great interest!

We gained so much insight from this report and reviewed it repeatedly over the next year. 

The one thing that pleased me most was the fact that a large majority of our people reported that they EXPERIENCED THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN WORSHIP either regularly or frequently!

This became nearly our sole purpose for times when our people met for worship.  How could we plan and prepare in ways that would de-emphasize any one person or group of people – but, instead, keep the focus on God and His consummate goodness!

OBVIOUSLY, at times we were more effective at this than others times.  But our goal remained the same! 

For six years, I served as the Lead Associate pastor of the Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio, under the leadership of Pastor Brenda Young.  The church had doubled in size by the time I arrived on the scene, and would double again in the next six years! 

There is no way that I can describe this church adequately in a brief form!  It involved:

·         New converts EVERY WEEK!

·         Three packed out services every Sunday!

·         Powerful, educational, need-meeting preaching!

·         Dynamic prayer ministry!

·         Focused discipleship opportunities – with dynamic, dedicated leaders!

·         Massive, highly organized lay leadership!

You get the picture – right?

Brenda and I had frequent new attenders approach us and report that they couldn’t stop crying throughout the service.  Repeatedly we had the privilege of explaining to them that what they were experiencing was the PRESENCE OF GOD!

I am currently reading through Leviticus in the Old Testament.  It’s a dry, hard read that involves lots of rules about how the sacrificial system worked.

After four verses giving detailed instructions for how the priests should sacrifice a bull and a goat, I ran across these words in chapter 9:

[Moses speaking to Aaron – the high priest – and his sons]

Offer all these things to the LORD, because the LORD will appear to you today.

THAT CAUGHT MY INTEREST!

Then it immediately became boring again as the people were instructed to bring their sacrifices, prepare them properly and – with the help of the priests – offer them to the Lord!  This consumes seventeen verses!!!!!!!!

But then “Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them.” [v.22].

Then Moses and Aaron went into the Meeting Tent!!!!!

Then they came out and blessed the people, and the LORD”S glory came to all the people.

Fire came out from the LORD and burned up the burnt offering and fat on the altar.

When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and bowed facedown on the ground.

[vs. 23-24]

____________________________

WOW! WOW!  I’m thinking that nobody ever forgot THAT day!  What a memorable experience of the presence of God!

____________________________

I wish I could end this differently, but I have to admit that I don’t experience the presence of God very often anymore. 

One of the most disappointing things for me when I attend worship is when we are asked to sing songs that we don’t know!  Singing is one of the most engaging ways for me to enter into the vibrant worship of my God!  I’ve noticed that more hands are raised – in praise to God - while singing, than at any other time during worship.  What does that tell us? 

When I can’t sing [because I don’t know the song], I am deprived of the opportunity to worship!  Needless to say, this frustrates me!

In New Middletown, we introduced new music through offertories, special songs, and pre-service recordings for weeks before we ever asked the people to sing it in worship!  And we never introduced more than one new song at a time!  This allowed the congregation opportunity to be familiar with the song before being asked to sing it.

With music being so crucial to the effectiveness of worship, there is no room for ‘performers’ to ‘show off’ their skill and ability!  Worship teams can be very effective in facilitating meaningful worship, IF THEY MAINTAIN A HUMBLE SPIRIT AND SERVANT ATTITUDE! 

Worship is about PARTICIPATION not PERFORMANCE! 

_______________________________

There’s SO MUCH MORE THAT I COULD SAY HERE, but I must limit myelf to keep this from becoming a book!

Another important factor to helping people to experience the presence of God is by allowing them an opportunity to respond!

My ‘growing-up-church’ encouraged altar prayer!  Everyone knew that you could go to pray at the altar at any time during worship.  If you did go to the altar to pray, there was a high likelihood that someone would come and offer to pray with you.

ALSO – after the message, there was almost always an opportunity given to respond to what we just heard!  Typically, this response was signaled by a raised hand [with all eyes closed and no one looking around], or by coming forward to kneel [or stand] at the altar [where someone – perhaps even the pastor would come and pray with you]. 

It’s easy to notice that many churches are being built today with NO ALTAR!  What does that scream?

Why bother preaching if there’s no call to change?  In so many churches that I’ve attended, the sermon is delivered and then the offering is taken.  WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THAT COMMUNICATE?  Common sense seems to have gone out the window! 

I hope you realize that there are so many other things we could discuss regarding experiencing GOD in worship:

·         The order for worship: three songs, announcements, prayer, the message, another song and the benediction!  Where is the creativity that is so marvelously illustrated in creation by our AWESOME GOD?

·         Lay participation: In some churches the pastor does just about everything – except for the music.  What about the gifts, passions and ability of our people?  Don’t they have something to offer to the leadership of worship? 

·         Efficient technology: How many times have you been unable to sing in worship because the words aren’t on the screen when you need them?  Make no mistake about it – anger and frustration are the response to this problem!

·         A message that is well-prepared and engaging: This is NOT a Bible study time.  It is a planned, prayed-over, carefully and creatively constructed message designed to educate and challenge people to follow Jesus more faithfully!  Being boring is unacceptable!

This is obviously a topic that I am passionate about. There is so much more that could be said. 

BOTTOM LINE:

People need to experience the presence of God regularly!  Churches and pastors need to prepare with great focus and effort to make the worship experience something that meets people at their points of greatest need! 

Bring your hurts
needs
questions
problems
anxieties
brokenness
frustrations
anger
disappointments
sorrow
grief
pain…

This place is not about a dynamic pastor
an amazing facility
a talented worship leader
an awesome worship team
a gifted speaker

This place is for meeting and experiencing a loving God!  He cares about YOU and wants to walk with you through this life and into the next!

LET'S GO TO GOD'S HOUSE!

It happened just a few weeks ago.  Debbie had been fighting a virus for several weeks.  We chose not to go to church for two consecutive Sundays. However, one of those Sundays I just really had a strong desire to attend a Free Methodist Church.

Why - you ask?

It will sound strange to some, but I just felt a strong desire to step forward and pray at the altar.

Don't leap to conclusions.  I did not step away from God.  I was not guilty of any unusual sins.  It wasn't even guilt that motivated this desire.  If anything, I'd describe it as a longing.  

The church that I currently worship in doesn't have an altar [I notice that many churches have done away with the altar].  It doesn't encourage individual prayer during worship.  We pray collectively together and under the leadership of our pastor, but not person with person or in small groups.  [This does happen in our Sunday School classes.]

I just felt like a child who wanted to sidle up beside a parent for safety and security.  I wanted assurance. I needed to express my dependence on God and enjoy His comfort.  

It's a tradition in worship that I grew up with.  Altar prayer was always welcomed and encouraged in my 'growing-up' church.  It was a common practice for people to slip forward during worship and spend time praying at the altar.  Sometimes a group of people might even go forward and pray together at the altar.  I really miss this.

While leading The Foundery Free Methodist Church [Wellsburg, WV] last year, I was immediately impressed with the high priority for prayer during worship.  Volunteer prayer leaders stood [often couples] at the front sides of the sanctuary throughout the worship time.  People were free to approach these leaders to receive attention and prayer.  There were also two short sections of altar in front of the platform that were frequently used for private prayer.  

A couple of years ago, Debbie and I visited The Rock Church in Poland, Ohio, to hear a former associate give the message.  All throughout the service, people approached the altar alone or in groups to pray.  I went forward a couple of times to pray with people that I knew.  The freedom to pray was obviously a high priority in this congregation - and it is a beautiful thing.

I continually struggle with the highly predictable format for worship seen in so many churches.  These environments must be so awkward and uncomfortable for anyone new who walks in to participate.  

During my leadership years I was a bit of an iconoclast [a person who challenges traditions and formulated patterns].  I believed that by frequently changing forms and structures you could keep interest and engagement high.  I came to resolve that worship was a verb and should activate God's people in animated, meaningful and exciting processes that enabled them to worship God with all their being!  There are so many possibilities: humor, choral readings, spiritual dance, drama, as well as the nearly unlimited advantages available due to technology.  

The desire was to create an atmosphere of expectation and anticipation that caused people to come to worship wondering what to expect this week!  Our hope was to replicate King David's attitude expressed in Psalm 122:1  [New Century Version]

I was happy when they said to me, 'Let's go to the Temple of the LORD.'

We worship the God of all creation!  This God created us with various gifts, abilities, interests and traits.  He created a magnificent and impressive array of animals, birds, and fish.  He created our earth with widely divergent environments.  He gave us sight that is ignited by an explosion of colors from fall leaves, birds feathers, sunrises and sunsets, awe-inspiring scenery, and so much more!  He has given us hearing that allows us to marvel at bird chirping, coyote calls, the ringing of bells, our choice of music, the captivating voices of family and friends, and the sound of rain hitting the trees and the ground.  He has created us in His own image, yet gifted us with unique abilities, interests and talents that make every one of us special!  We delight in the skills, creations and diversions of those who populate our lives!

Consequently, HOW DARE WE PLAN OR ENGAGE IN WORSHIP THAT IS MONOTONOUS, REPETITIVE OR BORING!!!!  We can do better!  

A PASTOR'S REFLECTION ON THE BIG THREE!

I think like a pastor - sorry!  After many years in the ministry, it's a liability!  

I love the holy days in our year!  I always planned more carefully for these celebrations.  For one reason, more people attend on Christmas and Easter!  [Mother's Day runs a close third!  😉]  

I heard an interview yesterday where a reporter spoke of her Episcopalian pastor who always joked that on Christmas Sunday he should begin his message with the words: "As I was saying...", in order to connect with all the people who had last attended on Easter Sunday!  I have to admit, I did find that story to be funny!  

But, bottom line, we rejoice on any Sunday when people come to worship!  This same pastor coached his people every year on the Sunday before these novalike Sundays.  He reminded his congregation before Easter and Christmas to be welcoming to these people who would fill the seats on the next Sunday.  He encouraged them to be friendly and accepting.  He ended by echoing how good it would be if some of these folks began attending more often!  [I think I would like this pastor!]

Now that I'm retired, I feel freer to express myself.  It always has bothered me how big a deal we make of Christmas.  Hey, don't get upset with me - hear me out, please.  

It is a great holiday and I have celebrated it creatively and enthusiastically through the years.  But...[you knew that was coming, didn't you?]

Celebrating the arrival of Christ - especially recalling the dramatic and utterly remarkable details of the narrative - certainly welcomes celebration and wonder!  We should replicate that night and its WONDER-FULL events and meaning!  My childlike mind lights up with the celebration of Christmas.

But let's keep things in perspective.  The primary reason for us to celebrate Christmas is because it set the stage for us to observe and commemorate what happened on Easter [Resurrection Sunday]!  This is the believer's true HOLY-DAY!  This is the day that transformed us:

• from darkness to light
• from despair to hope
• from eternal punishment to eternal life and joy
• from death to life!

It's a delicate balance that we should speak about with our families and children.  

WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE OF THE COMING OF CHRIST!

WE CELEBRATE RESURRECTION SUNDAY BECAUSE OF THE REDEEMING SACRIFICE OF CHRIST!

Both are high, holy days for the follower of Christ!  

_________________________

Actually - while I'm on the topic - I have always been disappointed in the frequent failure to celebrate Pentecost Sunday [which is traditionally observed fifty days after Easter.]  

As we recall the events of that day, we must recognize the dynamic meaning it has for us!   

This is delicate, but let's look closely:

If we generally recognize the Old Testament Period as dominated and led by God-the-Father...

And if we generally recognize most of the New Testament as being dominated by JESUS [God-the-Son]...

Then, isn't it reasonable that we should also recognize the period after Christ's ascension as dominated by the HOLY SPIRIT [God-the-Spirit]?

WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!  WE SHOULD CELEBRATE AND OBSERVE THIS!  WE ARE WRITING THE REST OF THE BOOK OF ACTS!

A few years ago, the Bethel Church added a dramatic celebration on this day to help us catch the glory and wonder of Pentecost.  Three men from the congregation entered the sanctuary speaking the 'GOOD NEWS' in their native languages: Chinese, Turkish and Italian!  It helped the congregation to appreciate the original circumstances of this day historically!  It added meaning, value and a little bit of humor to our Lord's Day!

I can't overemphasize the need for creativity in worship - especially in the 21st century!  We must recognize the values of TRADITION, while also translating it to a post-Christian population!  To refuse or fail to do so runs a significant risk of being irrelevant!  Irrelevance produces no fruit!  It is likely the reason we are closing so many churches in our American culture.  

The Church should be one of the most creative places in our culture!  We have the most important message!  We have a God-assigned responsibility!  We are compelled to engage those who have not recognized Jesus as Lord in a way that challenges them intellectually, reasonably, boldly, relevantly and creatively!  WE ARE THE CHURCH!  WE HAVE A MISSION!  WE HAVE THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!    

WE MUST AVOID PETRIFYING THE GOSPEL

The King James Version of our Bible was written in 1611.  It's use was almost exclusive for over three hundred years.  When it was written, it was absolutely colloquial and contemporary.  Yet today it is safe to assume that it is only used in extremely conservative groups!  

Growing up in the 1950's and 1960's, the KJV was the only version that I read until my teen years when Ken Taylor began to produce The Living Bible.  It was so refreshing and relevant and in the language of the 1960’s. 

Many of the people in my early-life church even prayed in the language style of the KJV, using thee’s and Thou’s in their prayers.

It is only suitable to deduce that this kind of language use was petrified from the era of 1611.  Once upon a time it was relevant and essential.  But time evolved and the language morphed.  Today, we celebrate having the Bible available in translations that are in conversational language!  Relevance has been restored!

In recent months I’ve been enjoying a devotional book written by biblical scholar, William Barclay. I was stunned by the significance of his comments for today’s date referring to the use of the ‘Authorized Version’ [KJV]:

[REMEMBER – This was written well over fifty years ago.]

“Worship by so many has got to be in the language of the Authorized Version of the Bible.  But surely a twentieth-century man speaks to God in twentieth-century English.  The biggest barrier to prayer is the stagnation which insists on a special prayer language which is quite out of date.

But in worship there is also stagnation in the order of service.  For the person within the Church, and brought up within the Church, no doubt the accepted and traditional orders of service are hallowed and dear.  But when a man (sic) comes in from outside the Church, we cannot afford to go through the long preparation of prayer and praise and reading, or we lose him (sic).

We must talk to him almost at once.

After all, the Church must be concerned for the man (sic) outside.

There are fewer and fewer inside!”

Many readers will miss the power of Barclay’s statement by virtue of not knowing that it was his life’s mission to make the Bible understandable to the common student of the Word.  His seventeen volume study Bible (commentary) was/is an invaluable resource to pastors and students to this day!  It was my personal dream to own it, but I was not able to make that happen, so I settled for reading it in various libraries along my journey! 

I digress. 

Worship must be relevant! 

While attending Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, I leaned toward a more liturgical expression of worship.  But this was balanced by the use of praise and worship music that was exploding in the 1980’s.  Many churches are migrating toward increasingly liturgical forms of worship [even in my own ‘free’ tradition of Free Methodism].  I believe this creates barriers to convert growth.  Although I'm aware that MANY will disagree, I believe it is a form of petrifying the Gospel.

I currently worship in a Reformed Presbyterian church.  I am not drawn to the identical form used week after week – although I recognize that many are indeed comfortable with this format.  This church made a significant hire a few years ago of a new worship leader that has brought novelty and creativity to the leadership of worship via, instruments, new music, and the innovation of two distinct worship teams that alternate.  Her direction regularly infuses vibrancy into a rote form.  This IS a growing and vibrant church.

Our task is the task of our Lord: “to seek and to save the lost” [Luke 19:10]. 

During nine years of service in leading a church before we left for China, we tapped the talents of our people by creating a worship experience that was marked by creativity, engagement, variety, and stimulation.  How?

By using drama, humor, video clips, testimonies, three worship teams with unique styles, fill-in-the-blank worksheets, and worship experiences that involved the congregation in movement – such as:

·         Occasionally having the people bring their tithes and offering forward while singing a joyful song of praise.

·         Coming forward once-a-month to receive Holy communion.

The response to these specific plans was one of growth!  The church more than doubled in size and a second worship service was begun to allow for even greater growth!  For two years in a row the church was recognized by our denomination as a 'Multiplying Church'.

___________________________________

Having led ministries for over forty years, I'm very familiar with the dynamics of trying to change the local church!  The resistance faced requires patience, love yet persistence.  This is the Kingdom of God and we are compelled to follow Him as He leads us into our world! 

Ever loving Lord,

Help us who have impact on the worship of our church to fearlessly innovate so that the common person will find relevance when they enter our sanctuary.  We want them to see You and come to know You!  This is far more important than meeting our needs for comfort and control.

For the Kingdom’s sake.  Amen.  

CONFESSION OF A SEAT-STEALER

It's true!  I steal seats.  I rarely get called on it, but yesterday in church, Cheri Ponziani sat in the seat behind me before church began.  She tapped me on the shoulder and told me that where I was sitting was her favorite seat in the whole sanctuary.  She explained that she loved it because of the sun shining in on her!  I began to offer to surrender her spot, but she insisted that I stay and enjoy it.  I did!

It's not an evil thing that I do.  I guess I'm just sort of an iconoclast.  I like to take different perspectives.  As a hearing-disabled person, I have also discovered that I hear better in certain areas of the sanctuary.  

I'm not prejudiced about the seats I steal.  Sometimes I know that I'm sitting where someone else usually sits - call me mischievous.  😉  However, most of the time I just saunter in and head in the opposite direction from last Sunday!  

And yes, by-the-way, if you're wondering - I did this in college and seminary classes too!  It's remarkable to me what creatures of habit we are!  Why do we tend to claim the same spot so persistently?  

I was raised in the Free Methodist Church and worked in that environment for forty-four years.  We often get asked what we're free from - usually accompanied by a silly smirk.  I'll spare you the lesson in the history of the Free Methodist Church, but I will enlighten you enough to know that part of the reason for our departure from the Methodist Episcopal Church around 1860, was because they sold/rented their pews.  The original founders of the FMC felt that this was unjust to the poor and cited it as one of the reasons for separating from the Episcopals.

So, perhaps my penchant for stealing seats is embedded in me as a result of my denominational heirs [or Haire's].  

Notice that through the years this has not been much of a problem for my wife and family.  For most of those years I had a reserved seat on the platform.  Hmmm...maybe that's partly why I so thoroughly enjoy stealing seats at this stage of my life?  I've finally attained the satisfaction of 'seat-selecting-freedom'!  

But, in my post-retirement years, Debbie has struggled with my penchant for stealing seats.  Since I drop her off at the door, she often goes in and gets settled ahead of me.  When I do enter, I have no idea where she's sitting because she's so friendly that she's moving around talking with people.  So, I plop down in my selection of the morning.  Eventually, she sees me [or is told about my location by someone] and gathers up her stuff to join me.  She's a very patient woman and I love her to pieces!  She puts up with a lot of my specific idiosyncrasies!

So, anyway, I feel better for airing my confession!

By the way, if I happen to sit in your seat some Sunday, please don't be offended.  Perhaps you could consider it a nudge to observe worship that week from a different perspective.  Besides, I am not a trouble-maker.  if you ask nicely - and slip me $10 - I will gladly steal someone else's seat!  😊  

TRAINING FOR HEAVEN

I just read a line from a devotional book this morning that declared: "this life is the training ground for eternity."  It stopped me since it was presenting me with a new thought.  For a few moments, I pondered the statement, debating its veracity and questioning the proposition...

It raised a whole new list of questions to consider:

• Is this statement true?
• How is this life a training ground for eternity?
• Will I have assignments to fulfill in heaven?
• Will we still have free will in heaven?
• What will I do with all the time in eternity?
• Do I really need to prepare for eternity?

I'll soon turn 73.  The prospect of entering Heaven can't be much more than five or ten years away [few in my family have lived beyond the age of 85].  Is this something I should fear?  

This makes me think of Matthew 6:27, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" [NIV]. The implied answer is 'No'!  

The only thing I can propose in answer to my query seems too simplistic.  Wisdom seems to imply that I might want to use my time on earth to prepare for an eternity in heaven.  After all, if I make heaven, I will most assuredly be there for a LONG TIME!  😉

I'll share some scattered thoughts from my brief consideration of this new thought.  You can feel free to add your own.

FIRST, the scriptures reveal heaven to be a place of ongoing worship!

Therefore, as part of my 'training for eternity', should I be maximizing my worship time?  

Now, don't just think of what happens at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning [you didn't do that, did you?]  My worship is a daily practice!  I'm in-and-out of the sanctuary of heaven many times in one day [You are too, right?]  

After all, I Corinthians 6:19 reminds us: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" [NIV].  We can worship anywhere - anytime!  Paul and Silas worshipped at midnight in a jail: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." [NIV].  

If I want to prepare for heaven, I might want to focus on genuine, heartfelt worship!

SECOND, the general impression I get from reading the scriptures is that heaven will be a conflict-free environment.

Therefore, as part of my 'training for eternity', perhaps I should be proactively working on relationships that are conflictual or oppositional.  

C'mon, we all have people with whom we just don't align [nicely put, don't you think?].  People that aggravate us; people that we would sooner avoid.  But what am I going to do if they wind up being my next-door-neighbor in heaven?  

Why not start trying to improve those relationships now, so that arriving in heaven will be less of a shock?  😊  

A layman gave me a plan to make a friend out of an enemy.  I'd like to share it with you:

1. Deliberately and consistently pray for this person!
2. Don't avoid them!  Look for opportunities to spend time with them.
3. Be courageous and ask if you can pray with them!

THIRD, speaking philosophically, eternity is a LONG TIME!  

I don't think boredom or stagnation are going to be an issue in heaven.  I think the opportunities will be overwhelming!  

Think it through: if I am going to be in a timeless environment without the possibility of boredom, then I am going to have the opportunity to learn and grow and expand my skills and understanding.

I sat in a seminary class one day at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  The professor mocked former students by indicating that the last book they read was during their last class at seminary.  His implication was that seminary students stopped growing when they graduated.  I found his remark to be negative and caustic.  I challenged myself that day to be a lifelong learner.  My goal was to read a book-a-week for the rest of my life.  

[I heard your question.] No, I didn't maintain that goal through the years, but I have read hundreds of books and still read daily as a re-retired pastor.  It's one of the best things I can do to prepare for an eternity in heaven!  😊

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Keep thinking on your own!  

What changes could you make in the way you are living your life to bring you more in line with training yourself for heaven?

EXPERIENCING THE PRESENCE OF GOD - 1

Some reading this blog may be able to identify with my childhood experiences - others will find these descriptions foreign or strange.

I grew up during the 1950's and 1960's in a very spiritually oriented home.  I was the youngest of four children who were spaced over fifteen years.  I never really knew my oldest sister and brother very well.  My parents were very devoted to the Lord and this took its form through faithfulness to their church.  

Our church was a large church by 1960 standards.  A layman [Joe Douglas] was devoted to visitation and outreach and almost single-handedly grew the Sunday School to a record-high 614 one Easter Sunday around 1968!  The church operated three old school buses and brought [mostly] children in from neighboring towns.  

Another layman [Morrison Baker] was a charming and talented man who led the song service consistently throughout my growing-up years.  [The 'song-service' was the time of worship preceeding the giving of the message by the 'preacher'.]  We always had a pianist and organist to accompany our singing and they were equally capable at their assignment.  Consequently, this congregation loved to sing as an expression of their worship!

Although we did not sing through the hymnal, at one time or another we sang nearly every hymn!  I recall these times of singing with great favor - even those of us who were part of the youth group sang enthusiastically.  We loved the occasional Sunday evening when 'Brother Baker' would open it up for us to call out favorites.  We automatically hollered out number 106, which was "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" [written by Haldor Lillenas].  Our church was blessed to have people capable of singing all four parts enthusiastically, so - to our ears - we sounded like a grand choir!  

Something happened frequently during those 'song services'.  It's difficult to describe, but at some point I would sense that there was something more going on than just singing a song together.  In my childhood and youthful zeal, this experience simply caused me to want to sing louder and more enthusiastically!  I had little language to express what I was experiencing, other than to say that the service was really blessed that night.

As a theologically trained pastor reflecting back, I can now observe that these were genuine experiences of the presence of God through His Holy Spirit!  These experiences were fairly frequent, very powerful and usually came in the midst of our act of worship!  

These were simple, ordinary people who sincerely loved God and were trying to live their lives to His glory!  They had excellent leadership that fostered a great passion to see the Kingdom of God grow and expand!  

I am deeply grateful for these experiences of God's presence!  I hold these memories as precious!  They elicited in me a desire to continue to be in environments where God would draw close and we could sense His nearness!  That desire became a drive in me as I grew into the role of being a pastor!  I desperately wanted the churches that I led to be places where people would frequently experience the presence of God!  

LONGING FOR MORE

I'm growing weary of announcements, four songs, a prayer and a message.  

Surely we've lost something in the American Church!  

We've had it, but we seem to have lost it - maybe not everywhere, but in most of our churches.

The years of my life have been marked by rich times of worship that imprinted deeply on my mind and heart.  

Ask yourself: Do you really look forward to Sunday?  Are you excited about worshipping God?  Do you sense a thrill as you walk into the worship center?  Do you head for the best seats, or crowd into the back seats?  

Most of all, do you experience God's presence as you worship?  

Do you occasionally have a sense that He's dealing with you?  ...calling you?  ...loving you?

It seems possible that we've programmed the Spirit out of our services by our pre-planning and printed orders of worship.  

The performance mode of worship that has inundated the church for the past thirty years has sedated the congregant.  Is it possible that we fail to see ourselves as participants today - we're observers of the performers.  We applaud at the appropriate times and sit quietly in the dark as watchers.  

Is this what we want?  Did I miss the vote on this?  

Now, I must confess that I've seen the extremes.  I've seen chaos and it doesn't glorify God!  I visited a church where many brought tamborines to church - most had no idea of how to use them.  It was NOT edifying.  I've been in worship where people danced down front.  I found myself wondering if they were doing it for God's glory or their own.  

Pentecostal churches may have life, but it often seems chaotic and generated.  That's not what I yearn for.  

I'm quite certain that we all differ in our expectations and desires.  But, at the same time, I think we all know when God really shows up!  Call it holy awe or a divine presence; but whatever you call it, He makes Himself known!  

That's why so many of these moments - not all, but many - are actually marked by silence and deep reverence. 

Who are we actually worshipping?  

Sensitive worship leaders observe and 'read' the worshippers.  She/he adapts and responds.  This is an acquired practice that emerges from experience and a close walk with God!  

Bottom Line:

We don't come to church to sing.  We don't come because of a good preacher.  We don't come out of obligation or habit.  We don't come to see our friends.  

We come to deliver our worship!  He is worthy!  He is ALWAYS worthy!  I have things to thank Him for.  I just want to be in His presence!  I want to worship!  I may want to call on Him!  I want to experience His presence!

But I don't always get the opportunity to do these things because everything is pre-planned and arranged so fully.  

What would it take to move in this direction?  A courageous pastor?  A sensitive worship leader?  A team that is willing to adapt mid-stream?  A greater sensitivity to the movements of the Spirit?  Why is this so hard?  

How far does the American church have to fall before it realizes that it's missing the mark?  

DAVID THE MUSICIAN

 I just read the first few verses of Psalm 33.

Release your heart's joy in sweet music to the Eternal.  When the upright passionately sing glory-filled songs to Him, everything is in its right place.  Worship the Eternal with your instruments, strings offering their praise;  write awe-filled songs to Him on the ten-stringed harp.  Sing to Him a new song; play each the best way you can, and don't be afraid to be bold with your joyful feelings.

[All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.  Remember that this version prints words that are NOT in the original text in italics.]

At one point in my life, a dear friend - Ron Kelly - gifted me with a very fine, twelve-string guitar.  He did so as an investment in my future ministry!  I was forty-three at the time.  Later, Ron also gifted my son, Troy, with a Martin guitar.  Neither of us knew how to play guitar!

I had just assumed the leadership of a congregation in Maryland with an attendance of around 40-50 people.  This was quite a change after leading a growing congregation of over two hundred in East Liverpool, Ohio.  Consequently, I had a bit more leisure than I was accustomed to.  😉

I began learning to play and coaxed Troy to do so too.  Before long, we were leading the Sunday evening service in simple choruses that we had learned.  It was good for both of us!  The people seemed to enjoy our simple leadership and the new songs we presented.  

However, I never pursued playing in the public forum beyond that brief exposure.  Playing my guitar became something that I reserved for my personal relationship with God.  I compiled a book of printed songs that I flipped through day-after-day - singing and praising the Lord in private.  

Over the years, there were only a few times when I was coaxed to play in public.

I suppose you could say that I had David's heart, but certainly not his skill level!  But God never rejected my gifts.  The use of my guitar took my personal worship to another level!  

After a painful departure from the church in Maryland, we passed through some deep waters for many months before landing in Akron, Ohio.  We connected with the Cornerstone Church where I became a staff member working with Pastor Brenda Young.  God had clearly brought a mix of leaders together and - as a result - the church experienced explosive growth!  

My corner office was adjacent to the office suite where several others worked in close proximity.  I arrived early and spent my first hour or so playing my guitar and worshipping the Lord.  I was oblivious to the possibility that others might be hearing me.  I sang and cried out my praises to God in total freedom!

When it came time for our family to move on to our next ministry assignment, the church 'roasted' me.  Of all the humor and fun that we enjoyed that night, what stands out is the comment that our secretarial staff made:

[An approximate]  "When we would come in, we would hear Pastor Hal singing, playing, praying and praising the Lord!  We often quietly joined him in his worship with tears in our eyes."  

I had no idea!  Their comment blessed me!  

For whatever reasons, I didn't play as much while we lived in New Middletown, Ohio, although I was coaxed [by Dave Sargent] to play publicly a few times  [Please note: you would not be impressed with my minimal skill level!]  

Then, in 2012, we moved to Changchun, PRC, for three years!  I couldn't take my guitar.  I missed it! I had periods of leisure that would have allowed me to play more.  I needed the boost it gave to my personal worship!  Eventually, with the help of my teammates, I purchased a guitar.  I loved it.  It had a very pleasant ring to it and my personal worship took off again as I downloaded songs and played them.  I really wanted to bring it home, but the awkwardness of doing so convinced me to gift it to one of my favorite students.

Gradually, due to storage, my prized guitar became unplayable - long story.  I haven't played guitar since 2015.  I miss it.  

I'm currently exploring to find a guitar suitable for my personal enjoyment.  I miss singing for my Lord!  He is my exclusive audience - an audience of One!  I'll keep you posted.  

What can you do that will enrich and enliven your personal worship of our great God?  

LONGING FOR SPONTANEITY

The last week of Jesus' life is a revelation of how much He loved the Pharisees and wanted to see them change their hearts toward Him.  

Throughout His three years of ministry, He:

• tried to be kind to them,
• tried to reason with them,
• ate in their homes,
• answered their questions,
• prayed for them [even in the midst of the Palm Sunday parade]

But, when He came to the last week of His life, He went directly after them!  He exposed them and confronted the hardness of their hearts.  He revealed their pride and arrogance.  He addressed their exclusivity.  He named their sins and indicted their prejudices. 

All of this because He yearned for them to become soft toward God!  When we read or view this scene, we are seeing the passionate heart of a compassionate Lord!

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I often wonder how - in America - we can read these passages and NOT see the American Church as the modern-day Pharisees.  

When I was actively leading churches, the number of Free Methodists in the U.S. was around 100,000 members.  Fifteen years later, that number is down to around 68,000 members!  Yet the number of global Free Methodists in expanding exponentially!

Is it any wonder that George Barna reports: 

"More than three quarters of adults in attendance do not experience the presence of God during worship.  In fact, half of all churchgoers admit that they have not felt connected to God or in His presence at any time in the past year, in spite of regular attendance at church."  

We'll not take time here to repeat the tragic numbers of church closings in recent years!  

During my years in China, I noticed something that perplexed me.  [NOTE: 2012-2015 was a period where the church in China was experiencing a good measure of freedom to grow and expand!]  

With some regularity, representatives of the American Church were brought in to hold special meetings in Chinese churches to teach them how to do evangelism and how to grow their churches.  Chinese Christians would flock to these meetings to hear these American 'experts'!  

I challenged those that I knew well and tried to explain that the presence of the Americans could do nothing but harm the Chinese Church.  But my attempts were rebuffed repeatedly.  The Chinese were convinced that the Americans could help them.  

Still, I persisted!  "The American Church has been in decline for at least seven decades!  The number of churches being started [in America] is eclipsed by the number of churches being closed!  If anything, the American Church should be sitting at the feet of the Chinese to find out how to grow the Kingdom of God!"

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But lets be careful!  I am NOT saying that ALL churches are disconnected, ineffective and declining.  There ARE exceptions - thanks be to God!  That speaks to HOPE!  

However, the bigger picture is discouraging on many fronts!  Current church leadership appears to be as mismatched to the task of regenerating life in the Church as our government leaders are at unifying and restoring confidence in our country!  

Yet - as stated earlier - we don't see Jesus' admonitions to the Pharisees as being relevant to us!  We don't meaningfully reflect on what Barna is identifying!  We don't care about the decline of the American Church!  We watch as empty seats outnumber filled seats.  We endure worship that fails to engage us with songs we don't know and performers who we enjoy watching.  The bulletin and order of worship is identical week after week, while few can remember the last baptism or name the most recent convert!  

Again - thank God for the exceptions!  But where is the hope for renewal and a reversal of this half-century trend?  

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A personal word:

I remember the joy of worship experienced in several of the churches that I participated in leading.  

• The 'Praise & Worship' movement of the 1980's sparked new life and jubilant worship during our years at the Oakland Church [East Liverpool, OH].
• The contagious, joyful worship at Cornerstone Church [Akron, OH] ignited new life in a constantly growing body of believers!
• After a few years of foundation-laying, our worship at Free Methodist Community Church [New Middletown, OH] became gratifying as our people reported experiencing the presence of God regularly in worship!
• The worship of the International Church we met with in Changchun [PRC] regularly brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart as we met weekly with believers from as many as ten to fifteen nations!

I long for vibrant worship!  Worship that draws people to the front of the sanctuary instead of driving them to the back seats!  Worship that ignites passion and engages spirits!  Worship that refreshes, restores, enthralls, raises expectations for Sunday mornings!  

Today, my most meaningful worship takes place in my car as I weep and laugh joyfully before the Lord while listening to Robin Mark's music.  However, though it meets my need for vertical worship, it leaves me void of horizontal worship.  I still long to experience that again!  

SHE WAS SURPRISED THAT I KNEW THE HYMNS

I was leading a church that made a bold decision to make several key changes that would hopefully catalyze the church in growth with a specific age group: those in their twenties and thirties.  

One of these changes leaned toward being controversial.  It meant being deliberate about having people from the twenties and thirties on the platform every Sunday, AND changing our music to more fully represent the music interests of this age group.  

With the full support of the Leadership Team and their promise to defend our decision, we moved forward.  I immediately began recruiting from this age group to read scripture, make announcements and participate in as many ways as we could.  We also made an appeal for people from this group to be part of the worship team.  We made a concerted effort to target this age group's musical interests.

Of course, there was a quick lash back!  Although we had done our homework, explained our reasoning and were intentional about sustaining some of the music we had previously used, the older members of the congregation felt betrayed by our action.

FOOTNOTE:

Over the next two years our church family exploded in this age group!  The nursery crowded with babies and we had to add staff there!  This growth was pleasing to the older members who took pride in so many young families being part of our church!

We had one woman who was particularly upset with me for leading the church into this change.  She had a lovely soprano voice and volunteered from time-to-time to sing a solo during worship.  Several times, she promoted a choir during Easter or Christmas - which she led.  She was recognized throughout the community since she was a music teacher in the school system. 

During this time of change, she approached me critically over these adaptations we were making.  She was not happy about it!

During this same time period, she became seriously ill.  I went to visit with her and her husband in their home.  [When I home visit, I always bring my Bible and a hymnal which I would occasionally use to sing to older members and shut-ins.]  

In spite of her health condition, the subject of the church's music came up.  She openly expressed her dissatisfaction.  

I held up my hymnal, called her by name, and asked which hymn she'd like to sing together.  She made a comment that I probably wouldn't know the hymns that she liked.  I responded by telling her that I knew every hymn in the book!  She scoffed at that suggestion until I handed it to her and asked her to select a few.  Four times in a row, she handed it back to me with the encouragement:  "Sing this one."  Each time, I sang the hymn with her eventually joining in.  

By the end of our worship time, we were both in tears.

She looked at me with an incredulous expression.  "If you love the hymns so much, why are you leading us to sing this new stuff?"

I then explained that these twenty and thirty-somethings did not know and love the hymns the way I did!  If we wanted to reach them, we would have to adapt our music!  

I don't think she was ever happy about our changes, but the opposition stopped.  She continued to sing from time-to-time.  She and her husband continued to support the church,  with him reading scripture for me occasionally.  As mentioned above, they were delighted - along with the rest of us - to see the rallying of so many young adults and families who came to attend our church!