**I decided to upload this, to simply share with you what I was convicted of. This is in no way intended to be a criticism or condescension, or offense toward the subjects of this article.**
Not too long ago, I went to a Non-denominational sunday worship service. It was not out of personal curiosity or other reasons but as a company for an adventist friend who was invited to this church. (My friend had invited this person to an SDA church in exchange) What I found there was terrifying and also eye-opening.
I've always noticed that this church is packed full on certain days of the week. Their large parking lot is always full, making a small traffic in neighboring streets. From the outside, the church building looks like anything but a church, seeming rather like a day care centre from the slides and swing set at the back of the lot.
So I drove in and parked at the back end of the lot, as I was directed by a whole team of parking crew. As I walked toward the entrance, I noticed many people walking in, with the Bible in their hands. "That's good" I thought. But as I made my way into the "sanctuary", I got the funny feeling in my stomach. There were large screens all over the wall, with a picture of motorcycle and a ticking clock, counting down toward the beginning of the service. There was a rock music playing in the background. It was as if I was walking into a movie theater. People were dressed casually in Jeans, I must have been the most well dressed person (dress shirt and a gray pants) besides my SDA friend, including the pastoral staff of the church.
Then it began. Very loud music and the drums. Everyone on their feet. Hands up in the air. Then it caught my attention. "Wait a minute...!" The song was "Born To Be Wild" with some lyrics replaced by "Christian" languages. I couldn't miss it, because my coworker has this crazy rat doll that dances to this tune on top of his desk. I sat down. I was furious, sad, in disbelief, offended, and felt like crying all at the same time. "This is what they call the house of God and a house of worship??"
The music went on, longer than I could stand. I was the only person sitting. (My friend stood, to witness to this invitee despite the disgust she felt also). I noticed that most of the lyrics sang of our feeling and actions in the first person. "I am" this and that.
Then the preaching started. Attractive and casual, but well spoken lady pastor. (Her husband is a minister too). She spoke of "living by faith" and "making sacrifices" based on a lesson from a group of motorcyclists who went to this big biker's gig in South Dakota. "It takes faith to ride a motorcycle without a helmet." "We have to be a bald Christian, not timid, just as such in riding bikes." ...etc.
The Bible was made available to everyone in the audience who didn't bring it. She opened the Bible and read from a story of Jesus calming the storm and a few more passages. But somehow, the words left me feeling empty. She said all the right words that we too often hear being preached. "We have to believe in God's promises", "You have to let go of things that prevents you from serving the Lord." She had the right text from the Bible to back them up too. But I felt empty. Was I biased? Maybe. I have thought before, "Okay, as long as the word of God is being preached...". But I couldn't feel like that. At least not this time. It was missing something, despite the fact that she used familiar phrases and texts, even the Bible.
What was missing? This is my humble observation and a personal conviction. First thing that was missing was the power. The life-changing power that is contained in the word of God. When the word of God is preached with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is power. It changes our hearts and lives. This is not about emotions of "conversion experience" but the true change in our lives. None of that were mentioned as she spoke of "faith". The preacher spoke of claiming Gods promises that brings success in our lives. But what about a faith that endures even the hardships? What about the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us power to live a changed life by faith?
Second thing that was missing was the spirit of obedience and self-denial. "Making a personal sacrifices for God" was being preached, but what about "total surrender"? What about taking up our own cross to follow Christ?
Then the third. What about living this life with eternity in view? There was one brief mention of the return of Christ in Second Coming, but it was just briefly added as "F.Y.I." literally. What about the hope we have in Jesus Christ as our Savior, who has saved us and is coming back soon? Isn't that what our faith is based on? Isn't that what gives us the power to live changed lives? We HAVE this HOPE. We have to talk about it -- over and over again. ...Every chance we get.
And the thing was, that the people there, and the church staff or the ministers, I'm sure, are all sincerely seeking Christians. Trying to do God's work. But whatever it was, led them to be in that place at that time. This church, booming in popularity, is growing, and VERY FAST. and I felt helpless at that. But when Elijah felt that he was utterly alone and helpless being hunted down for his life, God told him that "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." God has His people who stand up for His work, in this very town. Can we be a part of that army?
After all, I realized, it's not what the church offers to the congregation that makes a difference. Ultimately, the way that the message is presented or style of worship is not what attracts people. It's how we live changed lives by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the word of God that we receive, and the way we share it with others that makes the difference. Friends, as we just heard from our pastor, "We HAVE this TREASURE." We have this HOPE. God has given us a message to share with the whole world. It's a message that has power - power that changes lives, and it's in the word of God. The disciples took the messages and went out, and changed the world forever. We too, can do the same. " Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:9-20."
We live in this world, this nation, and in this town, where so many people do not have this HOPE, or have hope or faith in the wrong things. They may read the same Bible that we read, but do not realize the TREASURE they have in their hands. Many do not realize the awesome power of God that can work in the very lives of ours when we surrender wholly. Yet, thousands by thousands of people are attracted to the form of Christianity that offers comfortable message and merely scratches the surfaces of the powerful word of God. We are called to be co-laborers with God, and few are answering the call. We are called to serve in this largest-scale rescue mission in the history of mankind. The task is not easy, and our rescue work may not be well-appreciated, but our rewards are in heaven. And if God is on our side, who can be against us?
"Why hover about the churches? Study the parable of the lost sheep, and go forth as true shepherds, seeking the lost ones in the wilderness of sin. RESCUE the perishing -- Ellen G. White".
