The Unthinkable Church Service
This last Sunday the unthinkable happened, and it scared me.
We had just gone through an amazing service focusing on the story of God, and the music had been great, I felt comfortable with the message God had given to me, and the energy in the room was awesome. Al and the band were finishing up their last song, “All we”, which was rocking my face off (Thanks Darren). The music silenced and people cheered when up onto the stage walked a young lady who had been sitting towards the front and who had come in by herself.
I can tell you this now because she eventually told me, but at the time I had no clue who she was – she had very little church experience and only then had attended Catholic churches. She had told a few people that she was looking for something more.
I noticed as I preached that day that she rarely made eye contact, so I had no idea what she thought about the service, the music, or my message. So it would be an underestimation to say that I was nervous as I watched her walk up the front stairs and take the microphone stand from Al. Here’s what she said:
“Most of you guys don’t know me. Tina and Steve do, that’s why I’m here. I just had tears s come over me, and now tears again. (wipes her face) Let’s just put it this way, I have 3 upcoming rock concerts I’m going to that, you know, you pay for, big names like the Dropkick Murphys, and I didn’t even know these guys were here (pointing to Al and motioning to the band), (Scream/cheer from the audience, so next phrase is unheard), …but all I need to do is come here on Sundays and come to a concert!” (she turns around and shakes Al’s hand, and he gives her a hug)
I talked to her after the service, and she clearly loved what she had just experienced. She filled out a card and signed up for just about everything we have,including wanting to know more about life groups, getting involved in service, and most importantly, she writes that she started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I wonder if trying to focus and reach a younger generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it because (my mindset): “If we just slowed down a bit or put some more piano in the mix, older Christians would come too.” And then I realize…
I’m not a manipulating salesman who does this for the money. I do this because I’m called to reach people like Kirsten, who one day found herself on stage in front of a large group of people she didn’t know, thanking them for their input into her life that day. And I do this for Phil, a 20 something first time guest this last Sunday. Phil came as a guest of a member of our church, and who called her up Sunday afternoon thanking her for bringing him to Fellowship Church. Phil hadn’t stepped foot into a church for about 10 years, since he last left the catholic school he attended then. And I do this because of the group of 50 and over friends who made their way to my office on Sunday morning to pray for our service and to ask God to work in the lives of people that morning.
And we’re called to reach people like Kirsten or Phil so that one day they will grow to be Christ followers like Garret or Keith and Dawn or Steve or Ian and Katie or Al, Billy,Jeff or Pam, all of who are maturing in the Lord and who understand that we are not a part of the Kingdom of God so that we can start programs to make church people happy, but to reach and teach other people to grow in Christ. This ensures that the real church of Christ will last far beyond my time here on this earth. Nothing makes me more excited than this!
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I have to say that both the worship music and the preaching were pretty awesome on Sunday.
well said my friend. It’s a thrill and motivating to continue and to become stronger and better Christians so that we can help lead these people into that growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Hanging around people like this reminds us what Christianity is all about and what real community is suppose to do. It’s just plain exciting and it feels like we’re making forward motion and making a difference. I think there are a lot of Christians who have come to a tipping point in their journey of moving from light service or just consuming for personal gain to becoming leaders and consuming in order to lead others in this amazing relationship with JC. Yet they are unsure of making those steps. Becoming leaders doesn’t mean you’ve arrived, but you are humbled that perhaps you don’t know it all as you lead others through issues they raise. These kind of relationships help strike away criticism, grumbling and expectations of others to “fill them up.” May we all be reminded of why we exist.
An amazing relationship with JC? That’d be me, right? Jeff Campbell?
Steve, it’s so nice of you to say that, but really, it’s not all about me.
Hate to be that guy, but I challenge you to think maybe that “Fellowship Church played with my emotions” rather than “Fellowship Church brought me closer to God”. I wasn’t there in person, but watched on the net, and having come from a background where crazier things happened literally every weekend, all weekend, I just encourage everyone to 1 John 3 – “test the spirits” or what have you. Agreed that music/speaking can help shed (God’s) light into people’s souls, but don’t EVER get that mixed up with “good music” or “heart-felt preaching”.
Sorry if I offend, this is just where I’m at in my life, and I encourage others to always look at both sides of something before making their final decision.
That said, the music was pretty sweet, but it *could* be sweeter, if you know what I mean…
I’m so happy we are engaged.
No offense taken Burns, I don’t think you’re on the right topic. And you’re clearly misguided by what’s going on at Fellowship by your own past. We never manipulated anything or asked anyone to do someone they didn’t want to do, or even used my words as a launching pad for someone to make some change they didnt want to do. I simply preached on who God is, and we had some sweet music, that some people could enjoy for the excellence and some people could worship to, and that was that. So while you extremely accurate when you quote the verse on “Testing the spirits”, you would be inaccurate when you used the term “played with my emotions” unless of course you believe Peter played with emotions as he preached to thousands of people in Jerusalem on Pentecost, in which case, you can take that up with Scripture, not me.
And you’re w-2 came in from WPI.
Peace.
Not accusing, just asking each person to check themselves. I agree, that my past affects how I am affected by things of God and of man. And I agree, knowing you personally, it is not your intention to do those things. But that doesn’t mean that the people don’t misinterpret your actions or Fellowship Church according to their own personal motives or experiences. Obviously you can’t be a catch-all church. And I’m very glad you’ve found your (plural) niche in Christianity. And it’s always great to have positive feedback like that.
I just gotta give the negative, “as iron sharpens iron” (I’m pretty much the devil for using Scripture against you bro) And I’m laughing out loud.
Anyways, why do I have a W2 from WPI? last time I “worked” there was in 2007. Unless it was significant, (>1500) then huck it.
peace
PS darren: homosexual marriage is also legal in Germany