I know it's been a while since I last updated here. In short, the spring semester was very busy, and this blog wasn't near the top of my Important Stuff list.
I've been in South Carolina for three Sundays already. Twice I went to a conservative PCA church. It felt normal. They worship God earnestly. It was by no means unwelcoming - a group of folks my age invited me for lunch after the service, and a couple of them even were willing to spread the word that I was looking for work. Yet it just felt.... average. Maybe it's just that I'm not really Presbyterian. I'm seeking a place with challenging love and teaching, where the church has a vision for reaching out and fulfilling the Great Commission locally and to the farthest reaches of the earth.
Today I visited a nondenominational community church near Irmo. The building appeared to be rather new. Walking inside, I was greeted casually. Large, easy-to-read signage pointed to the auditorium, kid sign-in/drop-off, etc. The auditorium was filled with rows of padded chairs. It felt slightly utilitarian but welcoming, like they were deconstructing church for the sake of visitors. I don't mean that to sound as harsh as perhaps it does, but this was a recurring theme.
The bulletin was essentially a church brochure. There's a paragraph describing the general order of a service, a few blurbs about upcoming events (in a couple months, _____ will happen), but most of the paper tells me general information about what to expect and what's available. Unfortunately I don't see details. When specifically do the teens or small groups meet? How do I get involved in anything besides going to the church website? If I return to that church, I think I'll skip the promo literature next time. It's oriented to the first-time church comer.
The pastor's message was on introducing people to Jesus based on Levi and Jesus' interaction in Luke 5. The congregation read the verses together on two projector screens. I like unified reading. Cool. As for the message, it was very heavy on story, both personal and in terms of adding to the Scripture passage. If you want to infer things, meh. Often it doesn't significantly add anything useful (the Holy Spirit did know exactly what should be given to us for teaching and living as He inspired the authors of the Bible, and He continues to apply its truth in our lives and minds and hearts).
The teaching was solid. He called for action (even if he did emphasize taking very small steps rather than taking whatever steps the Holy Spirit directs you to take). He shared how he personally faced that kind of situation. But it wasn't deep. The message could have been shared as-is with middle schoolers, and they'd get it. A visitor with no connection to Christianity could completely understand and not be offended by any part of the message.
While it's great to have churches that care substantially about reaching the lost and giving them a place to call home, where they can learn about and experience Christianity, it also plays into a question posed by Alan on his blog: What is the purpose of the church, specifically when we gather for corporate worship? Is corporate teaching and prayer and worship for the sinner or the saved? I will contend that churches need to be living, growing communities of faith, welcoming and nourishing to those who visit. But the visitor is just that - a visitor. It is imperative that we come together for the good of the body. Let's prepare people, disciple them, teach them to keep all of Christ's commands and send them out to do likewise.
What happens when the storms of life come and overwhelm our house build upon the rock at the shore? The foundation may be firm, but we will get wet. And after a while, we might go looking for something else. I want to know and experience God. I want my faith to be built on a trustworthy foundation. I want to be able to faithfully withstand anything. Are we really helping believers to mature if our message is that people come together for parties. Therefore Levi threw a party to introduce people to Jesus. Go out and introduce someone to Jesus. Fine, but that's all you're teaching for the week? Really? How is that helping people to obey all that Christ commands?
Growth certainly has an experiential aspect to it, but Jesus repeatedly took the time and effort to reveal what the Scriptures said and applied it. For a wonderful example, read Luke 24:15-27. That sounds pretty in-depth. The writer of Hebrews lamented over the audience's spiritual immaturity as evidenced by their need for basic teaching (5:12). Are we fulfilling our responsibility to teach others to be disciples who are mature and obedient to all that Christ commands? We need to be.
