This morning our staff talked about and even laughed some about the challenges of plucking sinners right out of the world and getting them into church.
I shared three memorable experiences from Chile. All three involved things that were brought to the worship assembly by Chileans.
- At our inaugural service one of our invitees brought her tambourine.
- One palm Sunday one of our new Christians, steeped in a Catholic background, brought a palm branch to services.
- At our first potluck one of our regular attenders brought cerveza (beer) to share!
Each occurence required tact, sensitivity and grace. Yes we still retained our a cappella, Protestant, and non-alcoholic character. We also found some positive things to affirm about our Chilean friends’ offerings: a refusal to come into the Lord’s presence empty-handed, a desire to remember and retell the story surrounding the last week of Jesus life, and a willingness to share.
It’s unreasonable for us to expect that those who are new to our assemblies will automatically know and understand our doctrines, expectations, preferences, and church culture. A few weeks ago a gentleman stopped by my office to visit with me about a ministry idea that he had (He was a new, recently converted Christian from a sister congregation). I think he cursed three or four times during the course of our brief conversation - I don’t even think he was aware he was doing it. Old habits die hard. The glory of transformation is an “ever-increasing glory” (I Cor. 3:18).
Monday night I went out on a couple of visits with one of our shepherds. We made a couple of stops speaking with individuals who are looking for a church home. Both have broken lives – both are searching – both bring baggage. That’s the one thing all of us bring to church – baggage. Some of course bring more than others.
Can we deal with people with tact, sensitivity, and especially, grace? Can we trust that the Spirit can bring about transformation in a person’s life? Will we be alright when it doesn’t always happen on our time schedule?
Keith, I appreciate your love for the brethren. Compassion like Christ’s drives us to do more. We can’t let fear hinder our compassion for the lost. I’m so glad you are a man of compassion.
By: Jerry Lynn Gadberry on April 21, 2010
at 1:09 pm
Thanks Jerry Lynn! Great comment about not allowing fear to hinder our compassion – Its easy to do.
By: kkilmer on April 21, 2010
at 1:42 pm
Keith, I thank God for the broad view He’s given you because of your experience here in Chile. There are so many things that we don’t recognize if we resign ourselves to our own little “box” of what we define as the norm. Thanks for helping others to see that the job of transformation belongs to God, and that we are all in the midst of it. God bless you and yours.
By: Jeff Hatcher on April 21, 2010
at 11:16 pm
We all need to be reminded to extend grace to those who come with different life experiences. Being patient, as the Lord is patient, is one of our greatest challenges.
By: Mom on April 23, 2010
at 7:59 am
Jeff – our experiences in Chile certainly did broaden our view. We’re so proud to have played a small part in such a great work. Keep it up!
Mom – Patience is a challenge. I’m tyring to be patient just waiting for you guys to get here on Friday! Hurry up!
By: kkilmer on April 28, 2010
at 9:13 am