Why I Am Against Homogenous Worship Services (Especially In America)

Recently I've been reading John Piper's book Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian.  This book talks about his plight in fighting racism in his own life and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ broke that chain.  In the book, I came across this sentence:

"If Christ died - mark this, Died!- to make the church a diverse, reconciled body of Jew and Gentile - "red and yellow, black and white," and every shade and shape in between - then to glory in the cross is to glory in the display of the fruit of that cross."

In the context that Dr. Piper is referring to, he's talking about what I would describe as the big "C" Church as opposed to the little "c" church*.  Jesus' death and resurrection unified the Church; there is no more Jew or Greek, there's only of Christ and not of Christ.  That's Dr. Piper's main point.

I'm taking it a step further: because of Jesus' death and resurrection, church's should not be seperated by race, ethnicity, or worship styles.  Now admittingly, I'm only a worshipper.  I'm part of the worship team at my current church and I've been a gospel choir director for my alma mater Messiah College and Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church.  So I'm not too deep into church politics.  However, what I do know is that there probably isn't a much larger battleground in church structure than worship.  As a worship leader, I've been in the mix of some of the wars, so take my comments with that grain of salt.

With that being said, we are called to unify.  To declassify.  To shed off our own skin and become united with Jesus and when we do that, we are united with the body and when we do that, those in the body are no longer just my friends, they are now my brothers and sisters.  

So I ask this question: How can [honestly] I love my brother and sister if I don't take the time to understand them?

Now Michael, what you're saying is that all believers should just join one (small "c") church!?  No.  That's not what I'm saying.  Obviously there are legitimate reasons for SOME denominational splits, especially when theologies are on different ends of the spectrum, aka Protestant vs. Catholic/Orthodox.  But, despite those differences, there is absolutely no reason why there shouldn't be diversity in two ways (with one leading to the other).  Firstly, there needs to be diversity in the congregational body and that leads to diversity in the worship styles.

I will probably never find a church that I agree with it's theology 100%.  Probably because I don't even know what I believe sometimes (other than the core of Gospel -- Jesus lived, taught, was crucified, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is coming back).  But if I can find a church of which I agree with 75% of the theology, I feel secure.  As a result, I would surmise that most protestant congregations, theology-wise, I would be comfortable in.  

So why do we only stay with our race, ethnicity, or group that makes us feel "comfortable?"

There is absolutely nothing comfortable about being a Christian.  In fact, when we feel comfortable, we run the risk of becoming complacent or lukewarm, and that is not what we are about.  If you are comfortable every day of your Christian journey, then there is probably something wrong with your Christian journey.

This boils over to a homogenous congregation.  When I'm around people that look like me (racially and/or ethnically), think like me (culturally), and act like me, I'm probably not going to grow.  I'm not leaving room for my faith to be stretched.  This is why when I came back home from Messiah College, I could not join the largest African American Church in Philadelphia, PA called Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.  No knock on Enon, but I didn't feel comfortable being around people that only looked like me anymore.  I needed to be challenged...

When the congregation structure begins to change, worship styles are going to have to change. One of the largest challenges in the diverse church is worshipping on a song style that just isn't your cup of tea.  But, it's necessary.  Many cultures are best defined by their music.  In many ways, it's our identity.  Wait a minute, Jesus should now be our identity, not the worship style...I digress...

In an effort to shorten this blog post, I'm going to reiterate what I said earlier whether you agree with me or not:

There is no way I can [honestly] love my brother and sister if I don't take the time to get to know them.

If I just stay in my comfort zone in church, I won't grow as much as I could.  

Oh, and newsflash, when we get to heaven we are all going to be together worshipping Jesus, our Lord and savior anyway.  So let's start now!!

-MJA

-I may need to write a part 2 on this one, but we'll see.-

*Big "C" Church is referring to the entire body of Christ.  Little "c" church is referring to the individual worship services.

When Ushers Become Bouncers

Recently my heart has been stricken with the realization that things just aren't the way they should be.  I'm not necessarily talking about the world we live in, but I'm talking about how we, Christians 1. Treat each other and 2. Treat others.  To increase the scope of this discussion even further, I'm talking more about the church.

A little less than a week ago one of my brothers in Christ posted a blog talking about Grace in the Church (which I encourage all of the readers to read; its very short).  The church is supposed to be one of the greatest proprietors of grace and ironically, at times it feels like it's the most against it.

When I think about what church, the first absolute first thing should come to mind is Grace followed by Mercy.  When you come to church you are acknowledging that you have fallen.  You are hurting.  You need to be surrounded by other people like you.  You need to go to the hospital and see Dr. Jesus in the ER.  Jesus reminds us in Mark 2:17 that healthy people aren't the ones that need the doctor; rather its the sick.  Not just the sick, but the professed sick.

When you become a Christian, when you decide to be in the fellowship of other believers, you are acknowledging that you need help.  That living this life in isolation is desolate.  That you absolutely need Jesus.  That you absolutely need to be Taken the The King!

I pray that this isn't taken by deaf ears and I will be as respectful as I can possibly be, but, with that premise, why are we turning people away from the building?  A free clinic will not turn away people regardless of their insurance policy but the church, the ultimate free clinic will turn away someone because they haven't been "churchified" yet.  It is one of the most disheartening things to me, when I hear stories of church ushers that should be defined more as bouncers.  We shouldn't be turning away people that sin differently than us, we should be embracing them.  We should have our church doors open to those that think differently than us, dress differently than us, think differently than us.  That's what the beauty of Christendom is.

If you see a young person with their pants hanging half way on their waist, hat on backwards, walking up to your church building you have every right to tell them respectfully that it's not proper etiquette to wear the hat in the building.  I have absolutely no problem with that.  But when you, as the "church goer" gets to the point where you talk down to them and say that same phrase snarlingly.  That, I have a problem with.  With the former situation, you are talking out of love.  You are not asking for a huge commitment and you are respectful.  With the latter, you are just talking out of plain disrespect and animosity to people different from you.

Jesus didn't make people change in order to be in his presence (and this man was the Son of God!).  No, he came to the level where the most hurting where at.  He took a lot of criticism for it. But he went after their heart, not their outward expression.  He let the people be changed through constant interaction not forceable interjection.

Now let me be clear.  I again have no problem if a church has specific policies for leaders.  For example if both men and women can't wear clothes that reveal too much while they are on stage because when it comes down to it, leadership is a privilege   But when church-folk try to super-impose a second form of salvation; that you have to be just like us or you can't be taken to the King, we have a HUGE HUGE HUGE problem!

No wonder Christians have this bad reputation of being judgmental   No one, I repeat NO ONE should have to feel like they have to "get right" in order to go to church.  I pray that this doesn't fall on deaf ears because it's something that we need to take into serious consideration or I'm afraid that insituation that we know as the church may crumble to pieces (especially in the Western Hemisphere).  We need to extend that Grace & Mercy that Christ has given us because if we are completely honest, we are just as consistently broken and torn down as some of these people that get turned away.

--MJA

You

Hey, it's me again.  The one that felt deserted.  The one that felt unappreciated.  The one that never quite seemed to fit in because my family raised him a lil bit different.  Just because you may not have liked my parents doesn't mean it has to go down on him.  I wanted to help out...I wanted to desperately get involved, to feel wanted. And yet you shoved me out.  And now you are surprised when you find out where I am. Who I'm trying to become? How God is using me??

I used to hate you.  I used to absolutely loathe your presence.  Every week I would dread that day were I would face your presence.  If it wasn't for my loving parents forcing me to attend you once or twice a week I guarantee you I wouldn't have visited.  When I was in your presence I felt judged, looked down upon, and used.  Yes, there were parts of you that I loved.  Parts of you that welcomed me, that loved me.  But, the nasty parts..the mean parts always seemed to overtake me...to consume me.  But yet...yet...my parents still forced me to go see to you at least once a week.  There were times where I would act like I was sick just so I wouldn't have to engage you.  Yep, I said it...I lied just because I couldn't stand your presence.  You were supposed to love me.  You were supposed to care about me..for me.  You were supposed to be part of my family.  I was supposed to be happy to be around you..at least most of the time. But, I never wanted to be near you....

Once I graduated high school I felt free!  I never had to see you again.  I never had to see you or any of your cousins again!  But wait...I went to a college that was based off you.  Why?  Why would I spend the next four years of my life learning more about you!?  I initially didn't know why God pointed me in that direction, but soon I would find out...

My first year in college I did everything to avoid you and your cousins.  I would never go visit you unless I was forced to because of my love for music or some older people required me to.  I enjoyed my sleep. (I am NOT a morning person).  I mean seriously, why would I wake up early to visit you when I didn't even like you.

My next year I dated a girl who was in love with your extended family.  Wow...it was contagious.  She actually got me excited to go meet your 2nd-cousin-twice-removed!  Once I entered into her presence...I felt something different.  I didn't feel judged...but I didn't feel loved either.  But my girlfriend was in love with your family.  So, naturally I kept going.  The more I went, the more I learned.  Your 2nd-cousin-twice-removed is a smart lady.  She really knew how to keep me interested...to teach me.  But soon I lost the fire to visit even her.  I eventually broke up with my girlfriend and was left in the same place...

But then, I saw something.  You was struggling...Here was my chance to feel loved...To feel wanted! I had the tools to help you.  Yet you refused me.  Once again you looked down on me.  After that, I never wanted to see you again!  You scarred me for my next year (Junior Year of College).  Until...

I was coerced to come meet another one of your family members...It had to be God that introduced us because once I met this beautiful relative, I felt loved.  I didn't feel judged.  I felt anew!  Even though I still was unsure about this Beautiful Monster, I kept going because I couldn't get enough of her!  She wasn't perfect, but then again, no one is. She, however, loved me.  And I started to love her.  She had one of the best brains I had ever seen and the rest of her body was great as well (it gets a 9 out of 10 if you know what I mean!).  I never thought I could learn so much from someone like her.  I've fallen in love with her.  Eventually, there may come a day when I have to leave her.  But I want to say that thanks to her, I've been restored and replenished.  I've been restored in my faith in God.  And I love your family, flaws in all.

Now, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry.  I'm sorry for lying to you.  I'm sorry for hating you.  Before I just saw all of your flaws and denied the good in you.  Though you may be surprised where I am now, (aka trying to become an important part of your family) I hope that you continue to pray for me.  I just want to ask for your forgiveness.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am now. Thank You You!

To my readers, if you havent figured out who you is.  You is church.  That's my church journey in a quick snippet.