CHURCHES HAVE CHANGED — GOOD

There is something pretty cool about church today (is cool still an OK word). Actually there was nothing very special it was just how things stuck me.

Churches have certainly changed. My next-door neighbor at The Home turns 90 tomorrow. Unlike most around here, she is excited and looking forward to the event. Her daughter brought a cake (delicious) and we sang happy birthday. It was fun and felt like a celebration. During his message the pastor celebrated the ministry of three people. The thrill of that is strongly felt in a small congregation. Rather than being exclusive it felt like and encouragement to join the team. When you know a little about the lives of these people and where they have been it is exciting.

When I began getting paid to minister back in 1964 there were very strict rules church volunteers about who could be a lay minister, what they could wear in the ministry and how they lived. To my shame, I accepted many of those extra Biblical guidelines while unsuccessfully challenging others.

Certainly no one who smoked or drank could have a public ministry. Divorcees could have a ministry if they moved on to another church and no one ever found out they had been divorced. If divorcees wanted to be remarried, our church would not perform the wedding, but if they fund another way to be married we would accept them back as attendees (this made my blood boil).

Never get caught drinking – better yet, never drink. Behavior was always an issue. No new believer should ever be allowed in ministry. They aren’t mature enough. What maturity does it take to usher, greet, handout bulletins. Not all are called to be teachers. There was always to be a waiting period. I was never sure what we were waiting for, but the waiting period varied from church to church. Five to ten years seemed about right. Acceptable music instruments were the piano and organ. A guitar could be used at camp and with the youth. That really was a big mistake. Youth grow up and become leaders in the church and –guess what – they want guitars, drums, bass guitars, etc. Heavens, the church is falling apart. No really. You’ll see.

If you are an evangelical Christian you recognize some of these “guidelines” that we added to our own writing of Leviticus.

My church has an ashtray outside the front door. People finish their smokes before entering and some come out during the break for another. Halfway through the service there is a break to get coffee and a donut. People eat and drink during the preaching (Yikes, crumbs, spills in the house of the Lord). Today we had cake and donuts. Naturally we have all those forbidden instruments.

For us of the older evangelical crowd, this place is rather strange. The music is loud. I don’t really see a problem as many of us are going deaf anyway. But God is real and God is at work. To me the foundation of this church comes out of an addiction recovery group. This congregation understands lapses. Two steps forward, one step back. They celebrate every return to the right path rather than condemn the trip and fall.

A young man returned to church today after a brief time in jail. He was hugged and loved and welcomed. He is on his way back. There is at least one unmarried couple living together and with the conviction of God in their heart, are now making plans to marry. Others have done the same thing. See God can work in a life without us handing them the church rulebook.

This church is a spiritual hospital. The broken, bleeding and seriously damaged walk though the doors and are welcomed with open arms. No one looks down on them. No one condemns them. Most believe they are in exactly the right place. There are many spiritual doctors and nurses and aides available to help! And when you fall, caregivers weep and longs for the healing to begin again. A crash and burn is the norm. Not just here, but everywhere. What draws me is knowing that does not mean God is done with you nor are you done with God. They just had an accident and have returned to the place of healing.

I need to go and cut more pieces of cake and put them on plates. It will be easier to get all if they are already served up, besides Cindy brings a busload of folks from the senior center where she works and her arm is in a cast today. She is struggling to get her wards coffee and cake. I can help her because I see the need.