Is There Love in the Church?

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

“God is teaching us how to love as Jesus loved.” A friend and I were in conversation about the concept of the family of God, and evidence of a deepening sense of community among us in Rochester. It comes at a cost: humility, vulnerability, facing conflict, trusting that God is at work.

If you have lived in a family, then you know that love and relationships can be messy. A pastor friend was recently preaching, “There will always be people in your life who are difficult, who you don’t like, or don’t like you--and those are just the people in your families!”  If you are part of a church, why assume it will be any different?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

A frequent prayer when my children were growing up sounded like this: “Lord, I need to love these kids as you do! Help me!” It felt like failure--a sharp tongue, sarcasm, impatience, exasperation, fear--was present far more often than success (see the scripture above for a description of successful loving).

But as my friend said, we are learning. Present tense. We agreed that it is a journey, sometimes a scary, exciting one, that will not fully be reached until we reach the shores of eternity.

Love never fails... When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

Peter Scazzero, in his book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality says, “You can’t have the true peace of Christ’s kingdom with lies and pretense. They must be exposed to the light and replaced with the truth. This is the mature, loving thing to do”  (p. 185). We are lying to ourselves if we think we or our churches have “arrived” or “have got this” when it comes to the Gospel, when it comes to loving others. We must be able to look at ourselves, our families, our communities with clear-eyed honesty if we are ever to experience the hope of change.

This is not easy! Who wants to admit to selfishness, hypocrisy, racist thoughts, hatred, vengeful thoughts, fear, jealousy? Yet, if we know and believe that God loves us--and others--deeply, unconditionally, then we can face the truth about our sins, our weaknesses (1 John 4:19), and repent and trust Him to change our hearts.

If your response to this is a cynical, "Yeah, right. Hearts can't change," consider the story of former Westboro Baptist member Megan Phelps-Roper, granddaughter of "church" founder Fred Phelps. She is facing the truth of who she was, and who her family still is, clear-eyed. To leave a life-long, learned mindset of hate, can be only a work of the Love of God, who desires to set us free (Romans 8:15).

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Image from Blackberry Cottage.

Sometimes God is Found at Church

I am so grateful for the Church. I don’t join the chorus of those who claim the Church is dead: as long as believers are living and breathing, and as long as God is present among them, the Church is alive, and it matters. It has mattered in my life. As one of three daughters born to an Irish Catholic mother and an American Protestant father in New England, I had a unique footing in the church world. Guess what? I found Jesus through the influence of both Catholics and Protestants among the “frozen chosen” in mainline churches.

For most of my life I have known there is a God, and my belief began among other believers in a church. In my early years, we attended a tiny Episcopal church where I was taught Bible stories and developed a respect for God. When I was about ten, two things changed in my life: my Irish mother began taking us to a Catholic church (my father remained Protestant), and I began to pray on a more regular basis.

I had noticed my young neighbors prayed before bedtime, and I thought this talking to God was probably something I should do.They prayed the Lord’s Prayer every night, so I would pray likewise, but I also would just talk to Him: “Lord, please let that boy like me.” “Please help me to pass this test.” Nothing very deep, but I enjoyed the “conversation” and thinking that God was listening.

The Catholic church we attended was a wonderful community of believers, a place in which I felt welcomed and loved. Looking back, I can see how God had His hand on my life and gave me many people who were positive influences in my journey toward Him. Despite my belief in God, I was still your typical self-centered teen. When a fellow high school senior wrote in her yearbook that her goal was to become more righteous, I could not even fathom what she meant, nor did I want to. Being righteous sounded like a real snore to me!

At the age of nineteen, I began to understand that faith in God was more than just attending church, or making good choices. There was a need for relationship, and a need for me to acknowledge that God was good and I was not. My parents started taking me to meetings where people gave testimonies about Jesus Christ radically transforming their lives. Hearing these stories, I simply believed. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I just knew that what these broken but healed men and women were saying was real and true. My life would never be the same. I suddenly wanted to live for Jesus, and follow His direction for my life.

My life is no doubt different now than it would have been without Him. He radically and steadily transformed my heart, goals, desires, and eyesight. Yes, eyesight: He has had to help me grow in walking by faith and not by sight. If God had shown me at 19 all that would happen in the next few decades, I think I would have run for the proverbial hills. At that time, I was afraid of taking risks and facing challenges.However, throughout my Christian life, I have grown most deeply when I have accepted a challenge God gives me.

This is not some “cupcake” story: there have been difficulties and challenges along the way, right up to the present time. Life is not easy; it can be perplexing and ugly, beautiful and strange. But God is faithful to carry us through the difficulties and through the joys. And He is so kind as he gives us the Church--His Holy Spirit and His people--to encourage us, comfort us, and challenge us as we walk by faith and not by sight.

Sister Sledge didn't have a clue...

I'm absolutely in love with my church family!

Although I've attended a number of different churches in my life, I really only consider two as home churches. Coincidentally, they are the only two churches I've also ever joined as a member. The first one is the small country church I grew up in so many years ago. On a good Sunday, we'd have 60 people in attendance to collectively love each other and worship a most deserving God. Even today, almost 30 years later, I still consider the people from that church very much family. I look forward to seeing many that have gone on again one glorious day. I will shake the hand of Mr. Rutlege and thank him very sincerely for the heartfelt prayers he would often open or dismiss services with each Sunday.  When he spoke, both humility and reverence exuded from his baritone voice in a manner I've yet to find a match. I will look for Preacher Fleenor to thank him for taking a personal interest in a cocky, green teenager who needed far more Jesus and far less of himself. I will hug Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Conant in appreciation for numerous Sunday School lessons they taught me over the years with diligence and a lot of patience. Just to name a few...

The church I attend today is equally special to me. While God is most assuredly the common denominator between these two special churches, there are the people who have chosen to express and share His love evidently present in both Houses too. My current place of gathering in His name is somewhat larger...but no less comfortable. Active but unassuming...in a humble manner. We start both worship services each week with a 'reconnect time' of alter prayer to prepare our hearts and minds for worship, praise and reception of His word and Spirit.

No one will be surprised when I say Baptist churches can be somewhat stiff and a little formal. Honestly, we too suffer from a degree of that culture in our services, but God seems to understand and visits with us each week despite our self-imposed aloofness. He's been chuckling at Baptist for many years now and loves us none the less...and we love Him.

We sing praises in worship each week to Him in a number of styles and techniques. In one service each week, yours truly bangs out rhythms on the drums with our Praise Team in my own unique way of worship. I'm thankful for the talent He gave me and only use it in His name these days.

Our pastor is a gifted speaker who takes the role God has placed him in very seriously. The church leadership is very focused on our purpose in the Kingdom always maintaining a healthy balance between responsible stewardship of what God has blessed us with and reckless dedication to faithfully do what we have been called to do...in spite of traditions and dogma.

But the single characteristic ever-present is love...for each other, for those not yet a part of His body, and always for Him.

Through the powers of YouTube, here's a recent Sunday service:

What comes to your mind when you think about church?

I'm really grateful for my church.

NOT because it's perfect. Groucho Marx once said he never wanted to belong to a club that would accept him as a member. There's some of that to the church thing too; if it were close to perfect before I walked in, it would stop being so once I arrived. Repeatedly in the Word I see a call to bear with one another. I'm grateful that I'm part of a local church where people bear with me.

If you were with me as I got to church on a Sunday morning you'd see someone come up and give me a hug (and you too) as we were walking up the steps to walk into church. We'd talk with this person a bit; about what's going on in their life, your life, and my life. We might pray together or we might move on into the sanctuary. We'd most likely encounter another hug-share session before we got to where we chose to sit down. Once there, I'd look around to see if there was anyone I didn't know (we live in a mountain resort town with a posted population of 3,500 so our church is most likely only 150 people divided up between 2 services - so it's easy to spot someone that you don't know). If I saw someone, I'd go over and say hello and chat a bit.

I've lived here 5 years, and have basically always been in this church, and up until the past few months I would have told you that the service began with someone leading music/praise/worship and that it always felt like he was just worshiping God and we got to join in. That the time was sweet and I always sensed God's presence. The music style was always extremely varied; it could be rock, hymns, or choruses, but it always felt like it was about God. Recently they made some changes and I've been praying a lot about it. I've lived in large areas for most of my life and have participated in Mega churches and the just-started-worship team feels a lot more like those kinds of experiences; almost as if they're trying to cheer lead you into worshiping the King instead of just letting you join them if you chose - don't know if I can explain it. It's not about the style of music 'cuz that's always all good for me, it's something else that I can't put my finger on but that I'm praying about. Please also understand that it's not like I'm not able to sing those songs and close my eyes and talk to Jesus, or dance with joy, or be silent and whisper words of love to Him during these times. Also, I can tell that the people who are leading really love God; it just feels really "church-y" instead of simple love pouring out, and God moving. I don't speak about it to anyone but my husband John since I don't want to be someone negative in the church; I'm waiting on God. Maybe this is just about me, I don't know.

The time in the Word is consistently good. My kids make fun of me because so frequently they've heard me declare to John as we drive home - wasn't that sermon extra wonderful today, I just got so much out of it, God really spoke to my heart through His Word! Whenever I say something like that they roll their eyes and declare that I always say that! But God's Word is just so good and my heart is so needy and thirsty for Him.

I'm grateful that when I meet people locally and reach out to them, our local church gatherings are places I can comfortably invite people to. Depending on situations and how I feel God leading, I may, or may not, invite people , but at least I feel like I can because I know they will have a good experience if they come.

Our local church doesn't end there for me. It's about the email's for urgent prayer needs and going and visiting someone who has a need and praying for them, or making them food, or getting my kids to help with their yard work, or depositing money into an account for someone who's in dire need. It's about the food bank that's open to the community. It's about the various community events we sponsor like movie drive in night, and Fall festivals. It's about a few incredible women that come to my house weekly to sing praises to God, study the Word together, and invest into one another's lives. It's about receiving a phone call about a free concert going on someplace and going with a friend from church. It's about standing in the line at the local grocery store and having someone come over and give me a hug and say just wanted to say hello sister. It's about going to the post office (we all have post office boxes in this town, no mail to houses) and feeling a rush of happiness because I see a dear brother or sister in the Lord there. It's about being connected to one another and loving each other; being together in the business of life.

When I think about the local body, I that phrase comes to my mind often - going through the busines of life together. What comes to your mind when you think about your local church?

Walk In God's Love & Give it Away

The Ferrier, who makes our ponies’ hooves look pretty, tells me that if he were to attend a Christian church, he’d come to my church. Why? Because he longs for joy. The church he is referring to is not even my home church but I do attend there on occasion to find joy and freedom also. 

 

The first time you attend Cloverdale Christian Fellowship, or CFF for short, you’d wonder if you were in the right place as you are driving. It is located amidst factories in an industrial park, strategically located within walking distance to downtown Cloverdale where addiction is on display like rings in a jewellery store window. Many people in that community cannot remember a generation in their family that didn’t exist apart from government handouts. But that is the heart of CFF, meeting the greatest needs of the community.

Church meetings are held in the upper room of the office spaces they rent. Like the upper room where the disciples met, CFF waits expectantly on the Lord. Three truths I’ve observed by this body of believers: 1. Father God is good and without measure in his goodness towards his people; 2. The Holy Spirit is free and welcome to make his presence known; and 3. Jesus is coming back for a pure and spotless bride.

CCF believes that worship is more than 3-4 songs to get the congregation primed for the message. The worship time is extended because they invite and wait for God’s presence. To an outsider the worship time may appear like cacophony – shouts, laughing, people standing, sitting, sprawled on the floor, dancing in the front or waving flags around the back and sides. The little ones are also free to express worship before their Sunday School time that follows corporate worship. I haven’t visited many churches that are as free in worship as CFF. God has blessed their heart for worship and their leadership with his presence and his favour.

After worship and testimonies, a tithing declaration is spoken aloud by the whole congregation, remembering the goodness of God each week as we give back some of our offering to the Lord.

Finally, Randy Emerson will teach; he’s been preaching on John’s gospel for more than a year – so infinite is the word of God that you could never exhaust the new revelation. As he teaches, it’s as though he is having a personal conversation with a friend over coffee and we’re listening in. Randy brings depth to the Scripture and the revelation so that the people of God are trained for kingdom living.

At the close of the service, a team of seasoned prayer warriors will pray with those that need prayer – not to commensurate in the many trials that we face but to look to the face of Jesus and bring heaven’s reality into the situation.

Amen, and God continue to bless CFF.

Church-less

I’m churchless.  I have been for a long time.  Okay, before you drop to your knees and pray for my backslidden soul, let me explain. 

I have been in church since I was an infant.  You can read about the Sunday my parents presented me to the Lord for dedication here.  I’m that person that most pastors love to have in their church.  I’ve done everything from free janitorial and secretarial work to founding and pastoring a church.  When my kids were small and we’d come in for Sunday School, there was a significant growth factor in the church immediately.  I was always that person who was there, with the tribe, every time the church doors opened.

When we moved to Tennessee, the Lord directed me to a church not far from where I lived.  I wanted to go to the big splashy church, but God said no, go near where you live.  I did.  I went there for several years.  I was barely in the door the first time when the pastor’s radar went off and within weeks I was his secretary (this time for a meager salary) and also teaching, leading, and filling the pulpit when he was gone.  That lasted until I started a church plant.  Things went well for about…. Three months.  Then we lost our place to meet.  Back to prayer.  We didn’t resume meeting for another 3 years.

In the meantime, I went to that big splashy church.  I hated it.  The people were unfriendly probably because they didn’t know each other.  Even the small group experience was lacking, seriously lacking.  Eventually I found a smaller church.  That went well until I found out the church had some serious doctrinal flaws – later that pastor was arrested on a Ponzi scheme.  The church plant resumed meeting in a new location.  It contracted several times.  Some Sundays looked good.  Others, not so much.  But overall, if I were to tell you about the church I’d like to be a part of, that would be on the list.  God moved.  We bonded in love like I’ve rarely experienced in church.  We all grew in Christ together.  It was special.

Then the move to SD came.  Okay, God??? What gives??? The “wither thou goest” part of marriage sent me to frigid SD.  I never really found a church home there.  Sundays were often spent commuting back and forth to TN from SD (just a short 16 hour one-way trip).  Other Sundays, I had the privilege of filling a pulpit – most memorable was my time at Grandview Covenant Church.  While very traditional, that church would be on my list of best churches too!

So here I am.  Back in TN.  I’ve visited a few church, still traveling a lot on the weekend so not always here.  Just can’t seem to find my place. 

But here is the question I have.  Church – it isn’t four walls and a steeple.  It’s people.  It is the people of God coming together to fellowship, pray, worship, and love each other.  It’s not about the music you sing.  It’s not about the building.  It’s about the people.  That’s what made those two top churches, The Well (that I pastored) and Grandview special.  People who love the Lord, love each other, and work together to build the Kingdom of God. 

Now here is my soap box after living in the buckle of the Bible belt, frozen New England – frigid South Dakota and of course neutral Missouri –

We spend far too much time thinking of the church as a building, or a program, or numbers, or all sorts of other tangible things.  I went to one church for many years in New England that never had a building and that’s all they talked about.  Everything would be better when they had a building.  They got one after 25 plus years – I don’t think it made them better.   We can always say if only we had this or that or the other God would move and it would be perfect. 

The birth of the church came at Pentecost when believers came in unity and prayed.  I think it’s still the same – the church is where believers come together in unity and pray.  The Spirit of God moves among people who come together to worship and love God and each other.  That’s what I’m looking for – and for me, smaller churches work better than mega ones.  How about you? How do you define church?

So You Want to Go to Church? - The Church at Boston

The worship leader rips a sweet and emotional guitar solo reminiscent of Santana. The presence of God gently wraps itself around me...

This week the motley crew, better know as the Kingdom Bloggers, are going to write about their church, worship style and things that are meaningful to them about the corporate gathering. Some of us are regular members, and others are on a mission to find a new form of fellowship - but we all look to regular gatherings of believers.

I would call myself a God chaser; I don't care about denominations, worship styles or any other religious trappings. In a nutshell: I'm a caffeine fueled reformer, a believer in Christ, a bit radical, a lot non-conformist, definitely a sushi-eating, rock music loving warrior of the King. For those reasons, I engage God in a variety of ways which may be different than the average believer. I confess, I am not very social at church, although I do enjoy people. Worship for me is time to get alone with God - seems strange to me too.

So what's it like where I fellowship on a regular basis? First, I don't know if 200 people is a big church, or a small church. I have belonged to home-churches as well as larger churches - maybe 750 members. We don't have mega-churches in New England, so I have only attended services at a couple; one is Connecticut and one in Florida.

I went on the men's retreat with the guy who is the greeter at the door. I look forward to a hug or two in the lobby (no holy kisses - but this is New England!). I get there early because I never know how long the service is going to be. Some Sundays it is an hour or so, others 2 or more. Hopefully is depends on God. (1 Cor 14) Because I have an hours drive, I pray as I listen to soaking music. When I run out of words, I just let the spirit say whatever it wants too. I am pretty pumped by the time I get there.

I often get to hear the worship team practice, say hello to whoever is there, and stand by the door to see what God wants to do with me and a new face. Sure we have great music, and really good preaching, but we also stop for prayer, call folks up for healing and pray for them, and to bring revelation to individuals and the church as a body.

You may watch a service HERE. But you'll only see a small percentage of what God is doing. You won't see people praying for others in the hallway, you won't see friendships being forged at a table in the cafe. You won't hear all the testimonies of healing that went on during the week, or the lives that are change with the inner healing and deliverance ministries; there is just not enough time. Nope, and you won't hear the phone calls or see the emails, texts and Facebook messages that take place in a single day between the brethren. Why? Because Sunday morning is a celebration of Jesus, and the rest of the week is actually church where believers care for one another in various ways.

My favorite part of church is personal ministry - the ministry that I am called to. I get to church expecting to love on someone, to share a word of knowledge or prophecy, a hug, a listening ear, or a prayer for healing. As a believer, it is my job to show up with something to offer, not just depend on the pastor and worship team to lay it all out for me.

It doesn't matter what the style of worship music or preaching is, it matters what good works the Lord has laid out in advance for me to walk into.

Here is a testimony that changed my life completely - in fact it was a message from God for me. I quit doing all the things I was good at and held out for opportunities to hear God and do it. (It's well worth it to listen to the first 2:55)



How about you, do you go to church expecting to be who God has made you and give, or just receive?