Nothing Out of the Ordinary (Church #11 Redux)

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This repost shares more about Church #11 of 52.

I didn’t know this church existed until my wife stumbled onto it during her online research for our adventure. Their Facebook page says they’re “a charismatic, faith-filled, and Bible believing church.”

I’ve never been to a charismatic church service. However, I have attended charismatic conferences, so I think I have a general idea of what we’ll encounter. I expect I’ll be spiritually stretched, which is the intent of our sojourn.

However, contrary to my anticipations, the service is much like the non-traditional evangelical churches we’ve attended.

A couple of times I faintly hear someone praying in tongues. It’s reverent and not distracting. As the music set ends, one of the worshipers praises God aloud, which morphs into a prayer and then becomes a prophetic word. It fits in and is a suitable end to our worship time. Aside from these two things, some of the adults are freer with hand-raising and offering verbal praises during musical interludes, but it’s minimal.

Overall, there are no peculiar supernatural manifestations or bizarre behaviors. I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.

Additional Thoughts: Most of the attendees were middle-aged adults. The few youth present weren’t engaged in the worship or the message, as they measured time until they could leave. This disappointed me; they lacked the supernatural fire of their parents.

When I think of charismatic, several words come to mind: passionate, alive, and free. I didn’t see much of that, which left me confused. Sadly, this scenario would repeat at some of the other charismatic churches, too. I call this experience “charismatic lite.”

[Read about Church #10 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

A Thought for Fathers Everywhere

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A friend recently asked for advice about fatherhood. Over the years, I’ve done some things right and some things wrong. I had much to share, but I wanted to reveal the best, the most important thing. Here it is:

There will always be time to work late, volunteer more, take it easy, or do the things we want to do for ourselves, but time spent with our children is precious and limited; we must savor it – for all too soon it will be too late.

Eventually we will run out of time. They will grow busier and have less time for us. Or we will run out of time altogether.

Regardless of their age, we need to invest in our children now. I think it’s the best investment we can make.

Is God Mad At Us?

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The phrase “the Lord’s anger” occurs 29 times in the Bible. Is God an angry god, frequently mad at us for messing up? Does he enjoy punishing those who disappoint him? The answer is no.

This phrase only appears in the Old Testament of the Bible (before Jesus) but not at all in the New Testament, where Jesus places the focus on God’s love.

The Old Testament seems to show God is angry, while the New Testament reveals his love. Is the Bible talking about two different gods? Did God change from mad to loving?

Again, the answer is no. Anger and love come from the same God. We need to keep both traits in mind – and remember that Jesus made the difference.

[See the occurrences of “the Lord’s anger” in the Bible.]

Technology Isn’t Needed to Have a Good Service (Church #10 Redux)

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This repost shares more about Church #10 of 52.

It’s Father’s Day and we visit our fourth Baptist church in ten weeks. Like two of the others, this one is both a small congregation and an older congregation. They’re friendly and welcoming, but an absence of younger people points to a bleak future. Despite efforts to keep the facility nice, there remains subtle reminders of its age and neglect.

At the start of the service, the minister announces things will not proceed as intended. A small technical glitch has large ramifications. The retractable screen over the baptismal is in the up position and refuses to lower. Three segments of the service rely on overhead projection, including a recorded interview, which, based on the bulletin, I suspect was the focal point of the service. However, had the minister not mentioned this, I wouldn’t have known the difference; the pastor makes adjustments smoothly, with a meaningful service unfolding despite this problem. There’s a book for each dad, which we must go forward to receive, but I’d gladly forgo the gift in order to avoid the attention.

The pastor’s message is “a brief tribute to our Heavenly Father.” The minister reads sections of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “God always responds to our prayers.” Sometimes it’s with a “yes,” sometimes with “wait,” and other times with “no.” But regardless of the answer, it’s always for our own good.

This is an important Father’s Day message, one that gremlins cannot thwart. We all have a Heavenly Father who is good and perfect, giving us exactly what is in our best interest.

Additional Thoughts: Although I appreciated receiving a book, needing to go forward to accept it was uncomfortable. Still, the gift of a book is a meaningful gesture to me. Titled 199 Promises of God, it provided, without commentary, 199 verses from the Bible.

My excitement diminished when I saw that it quoted the King James Version of the Bible. I don’t speak Old English and need to work too hard to understand it. Of course, the KJV is in the public domain, so using it avoids the need to obtain permission or violating a copyright.

As I read it, some of the verses, although encouraging or affirming truth, didn’t seem like promises at all. Maybe the promises were too deeply disguised in the centuries-old verbiage or perhaps the editor wasn’t diligent enough. Although the book is only a few thousand words long, I gave up before I finished it.

Overall, my experience at this church was positive, but my most lasting impression resides in this disappointing book.

[Read about Church #9 and Church #11 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

Four Questions about New Age Ideas

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I recently listened to some people talk about spiritual matters. Their language perplexed me. While some of their expressions fit within my worldview, other utterings did not.

I resist labeling people, but labels can aid in understanding (though they’re more likely to produce misunderstanding). I wondered if they operated within a New Age perspective, the melding of various Eastern and Western religious practices.

While I respect their search for spiritual enlightenment, their path is not one I embrace. My dilemma, however, was how to react to the things they were saying.

One person asked everyone to “send positive energy” to someone who was struggling. Should I interpret that as an opportunity to pray to Jesus for that person’s healing or dismiss it as heresy?

Then someone suggested meditating to find answers while bowed before an altar and with incense burning. Could I understand that as quieting my heart before God and listening for the Holy Spirit’s direction? Or should I dismiss it?

A third person talked about praying to the divine. Do I apply that as praying to the God of the Bible or reject it as making an impersonal petition to an abstract deity?

These three questions, however, beg a bigger one – one for which I have no answer: When confronted with divergent spiritual perspectives, can I practice my faith within the constructs of that religious structure or should I remove myself from the situation?

What are your thoughts?

Book Review: Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

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Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples

By Francis Chan and Mark Beuving (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

Many Christians – and the churches they attend – skip the part about making disciples. Though Jesus commanded us to make disciples and modeled how to do it, too often we neglect disciple-making altogether. And even when we try to make disciples, we often reduce it to a weekly meeting. True discipleship is more. Francis says, “it’s living life together.”

His book Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples seeks to remedy the dearth of disciple-making efforts in the church today. Divided into five parts, Francis moves from living as a disciple maker, to living as church, to studying the Bible. Then he covers how to understand the Old Testament and finally, the New Testament. Ironically, the intent of Multiply is to cover the material in a series of structured weekly meetings, despite Francis’s initial criticism that discipleship is more than a once-a-week gathering.

Even so, Multiply is a great instrument to move people forward in the practice of making disciples. But the book is just one tool in the toolbox. Supporting Multiply is a complementary website, complete with videos, a blog, and additional resources.

As Christians, we need to be disciples who are making disciples. Multiply can help us on our quest.

[Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, by Francis Chan and Mark Beuving. Published by David C. Cook, 2012, ASIN: B009B246X0, Kindle edition]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan

Remember God in the Good Times

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As Moses prepares the Israelites to enter into the land God promised them, he reminds them of God’s instructions. Moses looks forward to the time when the people will live in cities they didn’t build, drink from wells they didn’t dig, and eat from fields they didn’t plant. They will be satisfied and he warns them to be careful and not forget God.

For many people, the hard times turn their focus to God. They seek answers, relief, and solace from someone greater then they, from God who can help them out of their predicament, whatever it may be.

However, during good times, many people tend to forget God. They become satisfied and think they’re self-sufficient. They forget it’s actually because of God that they’re living a good life.

Just as we seek God when life is bad, asking for his help, we need to remember God when life is good, thanking him for it.

[Deuteronomy 6:10-12]

Methodists Know How to Cook (Church #9 Redux)

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This repost shares more about Church #9 of 52.

This Sunday we visit a United Methodist church with two traditional services. We go to the second and I’m expectant for what I will learn.

Two greeters hand out nametags to the regulars; they offer us welcome stickers and we write our names. The nametags are a first in our 52 churches journey, an appreciated gesture. The sanctuary, with a white décor, is cube-like in shape, seating about 120. Up front is a large, backlit cross. A colorful banner to the right proclaims, “Catch the Spirit.”

The pastor is away and another is filling in for her. There’s also a farewell potluck for their departing organist/pianist. Several people invite us to stay. With an air of pride, they say, “Methodists know how to cook.”

After a ceremonial lighting of two candles, a layperson opens the service with a short liturgy, Bible reading, and acknowledgement of the week’s birthdays and anniversaries. Although most of the eighty or so people present reside in the senior citizen demographic, six kids hear a children’s message from a hand puppet and its partner. There’s no choir today, but there is a guest soloist. We also sing several hymns, using two different hymnals.

The congregation stands as the minister reads Mark 1:14-20. Her sermon is “Come, Let’s Go Fishing.” She smartly compares fishing for fish with fishing for people, which is what Jesus invited his followers to do. After the sermon we sing a closing number, the candles are extinguished, and we move to the fellowship hall to eat.

The food is ample and delicious. I eat too much. Sharing a meal is a great way to form community and get to know people. The potluck did that for us today. I’m not sure if all Methodists know how to cook, but this congregation sure does.

Additional Thoughts: In a word, the potluck was epic. Between delicious food and making connections, it remains a significant memory of our journey. Although an older congregation (which doesn’t excite me), many of them act young (which does excite me). Theirs is a busy church, with a lot of community outreach. On the fourth Friday of each month they hold a community dinner, which is well known and anticipated by many.

I wanted to make a return visit to meet their pastor and hear her speak, but a few months after our visit, she retired. I do, however, want to check out one of their community dinners. When we visited they had two Sunday morning services; now they have just one. I wonder if they’ve lost members and are on the decline. I hope the situation is temporary.

[Read about Church #8 and Church #10 or start at the beginning of our journey.]

What I Learned From a Baby Bird

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This week I found a baby Robin stuck in a 40-inch deep window well at my house. He was too young to fly. If I didn’t rescue him, he would starve to death.

This isn’t the first time something like this happened. I knew what to do.

I tied a rope to the handle on a pail, lowered it down, and tipped it on its side. Using a tool with a long handle, I nudged the baby bird into the pail. As I returned the pail upright, he panicked and hopped out. I repeated the process but a bit quicker. This time he stayed in the pail as I lifted it up.

Pleased at how easy this was, I gently tipped the pail on its side and let him slide into some groundcover. Once free, he jumped back into the window well.

I again rescued him. This time I took him to the other side of the house to release him. Soon one of the baby bird’s parents joined him, staying with him on the ground until he learned to fly.

This reminded me of my relationship with God.

  • God wants the best for me, but I can’t always see what that might be. He provides freedom when I don’t fight his efforts to save me.
  • God helps me even when I don’t realize I’m in trouble. His perspective is beyond my comprehension.
  • God rescues me, but out of panic or habit, sometimes I return to what I know. But he loves me, helping me again and again.

Thank you God for using a baby Robin to teach me.

Book Review: Dallas and the Spitfire

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Dallas and the Spitfire: An Old Car, An Ex-con, and An Unlikely Friendship

By Ted Kluck and Dallas Jahncke (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

With a sordid past and running out of options, ex-con and former addict Dallas Jahncke acquiesces to enter a drug rehabilitation program at a homeless shelter, one with a Christian perspective. In addition to avoiding more jail time and becoming clean for the first time in years, Dallas also has an encounter with Jesus. To aid him on his journey, Ted Kluck is recruited to provide some ‘discipleship” – whatever that means.

Thirty-something Ted and twenty-something Dallas are about as unlikely a pair as imaginable. They emanate from different backgrounds, neighborhoods, social strata, and experiences. Yet the two of them collaborate in life – and for this book, Dallas and the Spitfire: An Old Car, an Ex-con, and an Unlikely Friendship.

Discipleship, Ted discovers, is raw and unpredictable. Sitting in a coffee shop to pontificate faith or reading a book about God is not going to cut it. Dallas needs more. Dallas needs a friend and a mentor; he needs acceptance and stability; he needs someone who will listen without judging, answer the phone at any hour, and pray at all times.

For their discipleship to work, they need an activity to do. So Ted buys an aging European sports car, a Triumph Spitfire, for them to coax back to life. As Dallas teaches Ted about auto repair, Ted shows Dallas how to be a follower of Jesus.

Written as memoir, Ted’s story is interspersed with Dallas’s own words. The tale is gritty and honest. It’s a guy’s book about a guy’s world, avoiding pat answers or reducing discipleship to a methodology. The result is a compelling read and an inspiring example. Truly discipling another person is not easy, but it is most rewarding.

Read Dallas and the Spitfire to vicariously live it – and then do it, if you dare.

[Dallas and the Spitfire: An Old Car, an Ex-con, and an Unlikely Friendship, by Ted Kluck and Dallas Jahncke. Published by Bethany House. 2012; ISBN: 978-0-7642-0961-1; 184 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan