With our journey of visiting fifty-two churches over, I can reflect more on the complete experience. Today, I’ll add to my thoughts about Church #3.
This church set a fine example in how they confronted tragedy in an honest way. I’m encouraged to see the church function as a church should, grieving together and supporting each other.
In the days after our visit, I prayed for this congregation, their pastor, and the family in the midst of heartbreak.
On a personal level, I wanted to return to experience a normal service, but after a while, I realized this wasn’t necessary. I’d already seen them for who they are, not from a typical Sunday but from a remarkable one.
Their character emerged out of calamity, shining as a bright beacon of hope, pointing us to God.
My memories of this church are bittersweet and the lesson they modeled is profound. More churches need to deal with pain in a forthright manner, not glossing over it, ignoring it, or wallowing in it, but by being real.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
We Benefit When We Share Our Joys and Burdens with Others
When God created us in his image,
he put within us a desire for community. Just as God lives in community with
himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—he wants us to be in community with him.
He wants a relationship with us. He pursues us.
Not only do we find fulfillment when we enjoy connection with God and with the people he created, but we also realize two key benefits from being in community.
Community Amplifies Our Joys
When something exciting happens to
us our first instinct is to share our good news with someone else. This may be
with family, friends, or our spiritual community—which for many is their church
family.
But imagine experiencing something
grand and having no one to share it with. Wouldn’t that lessen our elation?
Wouldn’t that diminish our delight?
That’s why community is so critical
to our emotional and spiritual well-being. When we can share our joys with
someone else, the other person celebrates with us, and our joy doubles.
Community Helps Us Bear Our Burdens
In the same way when discouragement or despair hits, we seek someone who will listen, empathize, and encourage. Again, this may be a family member, a friend, or someone in our spiritual community.
This isn’t to dump our problems on another, but to seek support as we go through dark days.
Imagine having no one to talk to
when we experience the downsides of life. How dreadful to need to walk through
that by ourselves. Wouldn’t this amplify our agony? Wouldn’t this double our
despair?
This shows why community is so essential to our overall welfare. When we can share our burdens with someone else, that person laments with us and our burden is cut in half. God created us for community.
Finding Spiritual Connection
Where do we find this community
where we can share our joys and burdens? Family is a great start, but not all
families function as a supportive community. If yours doesn’t, what role can
you play to improve relationships within your family?
Next consider friends. This means genuine friends, not social media friends and not acquaintances, but real friends who are there for you through the good and the bad.
If you don’t have friends like this then either seek new friends, or, better yet, strive to offer this kind of support to the friends you do have.
Last is a community beyond family and friends. As followers of Jesus, this should be our church.
But if you’re church doesn’t offer meaningful community that will celebrate your joys and help carry your burdens, then it’s time to work to improve the one you have, or, as a last option, to find a new one.
God created us for community. May we find that community and nurture it. May we contribute to it and benefit from it.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.” Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.
Today is a doubleheader: a traditional service followed by a contemporary one. Aside from an older crowd, there’s little to suggest a traditional service is about to occur.
Everything gives off a progressive vibe, from the informal space, to the padded chairs, to round tables in the back and large screen up front, to the array of musical instruments.
Accompanied by piano, keyboard, and trumpet, our worship leader stands behind the pulpit, keeping time with his hands. We sing old hymns with the words displayed overhead; there are no hymnals.
Interspersed among the songs are announcements, a prayer, an offering, and a video testimony, foreshadowing the sermon.
Between services is a pastor’s breakfast for guests. We enjoy Belgium waffles, sausage, fruit, coffee, and juice. Besides us, there’s another couple, and the pastor and his wife, with two members serving as our hosts.
After getting to know us and sharing the church’s vision, the pastor excuses himself for the next service. I’d like to talk more with the other visitors, but if we do, we’ll miss the contemporary service.
Aside from different songs and instruments, other contrasts exist as well. The first service was brightly lit, whereas this one uses only indirect and natural light. The stage was rearranged and the pulpit, removed.
An hour ago everyone was our age or older. Now we are among the eldest. We see families and young kids, but aside from the worship team, not many youth. The first service crowd was friendlier, whereas now there’s less interaction.
Today we experienced a traditional service that wasn’t as formal as we expected and a contemporary service that was not as outgoing as we anticipated, but overall we worshiped God and experienced community.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
We’ve discussed whether we should visit today’s church because we went there fifteen years ago. Although they have a different pastor now, we know many of the people, some from our prior involvement and some who we met more recently.
The pastor was out of the country, serving as a military chaplain; today is his first Sunday back after a three-month deployment. We delay our visit awaiting his return.
With snow-covered roads, our trek takes longer than expected and though we still arrive early, it’s not as early as I wish.
People mill about; friends notice us and we chat. Others, surprised at our presence, do a double take, saying “Hi” or waving as they walk by.
A surge of music from the sanctuary alerts us to sit down. Most already have. We end our conversation and scurry to find seats. Among the last to do so, our entrance is more visible than I prefer.
The service, progressive and comfortable, nicely corresponds with what I expected. Our worship time is enjoyable and the message, meaningful.
It’s most pleasant but does little to expand the scope of our sojourn. They invite us to stay for coffee and cookies.
The minister greets us. He’s aware of our journey and after discussing it a bit, we head towards the snack table. But we never make it, as friends continue to approach us to reconnect.
Though they keep us quite occupied, I’m still able to meet a few new people.
As the crowd dwindles, we continue in conversation, being among the last to leave the building.
Today, we returned to a familiar place, enjoyed the company of long ago friends, and heard a message worthy of contemplation.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Isaiah Tells the People that God Will Choose Them Again, but Did He Ever Stop?
One phrase jumps out from today’s passage in Isaiah’s prophecy to God’s chosen people: once again he will pick Israel. God, through Isaiah, gives his people hope for a better tomorrow.
At this particular time, however, God’s people are discouraged; they feel he has abandoned them. They have no reason to celebrate; they have no cause for joy. God, it seems, has turned his back on them; it feels like he has left.
In reality he’s giving them a timeout, a deserved punishment to get their attention over their repeated disobedience. He wants to remind them of who he is and how they should act.
Yet they despair. They call out for him, desperate for a response.
But God delays.
Yet as he tarries he offers them hope for a better tomorrow. He promises he will choose them once again.
He chose them in the past, and he will choose them in the future. And though they don’t realize it, he chooses them now. But they don’t see it; they don’t feel chosen.
We all have times when God feels distant, when it’s hard to pray, when his voice remains silent, when faith falters. Some people call these the dry times or their desert experience. Yet God will choose us again.
The reality is that God will never un-chose us. We remain chosen by him—even when we don’t feel like it. We are God’s chosen people. May we remember to act like it.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
“Hi, are you the DeHaans?” The usher’s question surprises me.
“Yes, we are.” I nod, a bit confused, but pleased at his acknowledgment.
“I’m Greg.” Then gesturing towards Candy, he explains, “I answered your email.”
I nod again, this time with a smile. “Thank you so much. It’s nice to meet you, Greg.” We shake hands.
Either he took time to Google my wife’s picture or they have few visitors and he assumed the new people matched the name in the email. Regardless, his extra effort honors me.
We exchange some quick pleasantries and then head into the sanctuary. With few people milling about and most sitting, we do the same.
The service leans towards formality but in a casual way. We sing hymns with organ accompaniment. Brief bits of liturgy occur throughout. There’s an upbeat song by the choir, followed by a children’s message, prayers, and a sermon.
The minister concludes the service with a blessing as he dismisses us.
We exit the sanctuary, making our way into the fellowship hall for refreshments. We pick up a beverage and snacks; then we look for a place to sit. Many of the tables are full, with the rest hosting people engaged in closed conversations.
I pick an empty table. After a few minutes a woman asks to join us. We gladly welcome her, enjoying a meaningful dialogue as we share our faith journeys.
Our conversation warms my heart. She readily understands our sojourn and is able to engage in discussing the vast variations we’ve encountered along the way.
Just as with our fellowship experience two weeks ago, one person makes the difference between us feeling welcomed and ignored.
Today marks another memorable Sunday at church, celebrating God in community.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Our Spiritual Health Should Be Our Most Important Healthcare Concern
Many people today worry about their health. This can relate to their physical health, mental health, or emotional health. They have less concern, however, about their spiritual health—if they give it any consideration at all.
But our spiritual health is the most critical of all our healthcare concerns. It’s important for today and essential for eternity.
To pursue our spiritual health, seeking to maintain the status quo isn’t enough.
This will fall short. Instead we must strive for spiritual growth. Here are the
main steps we can take to grow spiritually.
Study Scripture
Daily Bible reading is an important aspect of spiritual health. I encourage everyone to do it, whether in short passages or in a grand plan to read the Bible in a year.
As we read the Bible each day, we hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) and immerse it in our souls.
Just as we need to eat each day for our physical health, we need regular doses of Scripture for our spiritual well-being.
Bible reading, however, is just the start. As we read scripture, we should meditate on it (Joshua 1:8) and study it (John 5:39 and Acts 17:11). Then we should allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the words we read.
Bible reading, study, and meditation is the first step for people who
want to grow spiritually.
Talk to God
Next is communicating with God, which we typically call praying. Yet for many people prayer is one way. They tell God what they need or want. Sometimes they thank him or even praise him (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Yet prayer should be bidirectional. It should be a dialogue. We talk to God, and we listen to what he has to say (John 14:26). It takes practice to hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, but learning to hear from God is worth the effort.
Prayer is the second step that helps us grow spiritually.
Engage in Community
Just as God lives in relationship with himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so too does he desire to be in relationship with us. He created us for community. This means spending time with other followers of Jesus.
We should not neglect this (Hebrews 10:24-25). Wherever two or more hang out in his name, he is there (Matthew 18:20). A unique spiritual connection occurs when we do this.
This could happen at church, or it could happen in other places. While Church should be a great place for Christian relationships to develop, many gatherings lack this opportunity for meaningful connection.
God created us in his image to thrive in community.
When we engage with intention to connect with other followers of Jesus,
we grow spiritually.
There are limitless opportunities for us to help others. These can be to meet the physical needs, emotional needs, or spiritual needs of those around us. Often addressing one of these three areas connects with the other two.
Serving others can occur through giving our money or our time. Either way
it’s an investment in their overall physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health.
And as we help them, we grow spiritually.
Summary of How to Grow Spiritually
The first two elements of spiritual growth—Bible study and prayer—relate
to our relationship with God. Our spiritual health starts there.
The third element—intentional Christian community—relates to our relationship with other followers of Jesus.
This is essential, but for us to get the most out of our time with other believers, we must first pursue God through Bible study and prayer.
Christian community looks internally at the body of believers.
When we put all three of these steps together the goal is an outward look
towards others to serve them and point them to Jesus. This is the purpose of
the first three steps: to help others with their own spiritual health.
To grow spiritually we must study Scripture, pray, hang out with other Jesus followers, and serve those outside our community.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.” Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.
Peter returns to Jerusalem, amazed at what God has shown him: God doesn’t just want to save Jewish people, but non-Jews (Gentiles), too. He has a heart for all people. Imagine that.
The Jewish believers, however, are quick to criticize Peter. Even though Jesus set the tradition-breaking precedent of embracing non-Jews, when Peter veers from their Jewish beliefs to go into a Gentile home and eat with them, his friends become critical.
His actions do not fit their worldview, and they are quick to disapprove. They criticize what they don’t understand.
Throughout church history, we often see people who are critical of what they don’t understand, of spiritual practices or movements of God that are different. In too many cases, people are killed over these theological nuances.
Today, this would cause a quick division, breaking friendships, destroying relationships, and even splitting churches.
These people close their ears to the truth, when they should listen with an open mind, willing to accept God at work—even when it challenges their practices or confronts their status quo.
This, however, is not what happened two thousand years ago. The people listen as Peter explains the situation, and once they understand, they adjust their perspective and praise God.
We will do well to follow their example and not criticize what we don’t understand. They deserve it, and God deserves it.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Sunday we visit another small church. I expect a traditional, liturgical service. The sanctuary is simple, filled with color and symbolism. Several lit candles mesmerize as incense fills the air.
A worshipful instrumental piece, courtesy of a CD, plays in the background.
The music stops and the opening liturgy begins. We hear the minister but don’t see him. He enters the sanctuary and performs a series of rituals, perhaps preparing the altar for worship.
His actions produce a mystical aura, both comforting and confusing.
Ornately attired, he wears a combination of what I suspect a priest and a rabbi might wear for their respective services. The liturgy progresses and we follow along in the Book of Services: The Celtic Episcopal Church.
One member has already prepared us for the liturgy. Now, each time the service jumps to a new section in the book, she slides up behind us, whispering the page numbers. We appreciate her assistance.
To start his message, the minister looks at the congregation for the first time. He smiles, suddenly affable. The service, once solemn, now becomes casual.
The sudden switch from the formal to informal confronts me with a contrast I can’t fully grasp.
His concise message lasts only ten minutes. Then we celebrate communion and with more liturgy, conclude the service in the original reserved manner. Without any singing, the meeting ends an hour after it started.
Although most foreign to me, this tiny church and their worship intrigues me. I want to learn the meaning behind their rituals, understand the history of their practices, and discover the rhythm of their liturgy.
It’s there but will take repeated exposure for me to grasp and then to embrace it.
Though they worship God much differently than is my normal my practice, it’s no less viable and offers valuable illumination. I want to learn more.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
We arrive at the church to a bustle of activity. Only a few people are sitting; most mill about, socializing. Many make a point of introducing themselves, genuinely interested in meeting us.
Names are important to them. They repeat ours, deliberate and intentional.
When they share theirs, they pause, allowing time for us to truly hear.
The minister’s losing his voice and almost had to find a replacement; I’m glad he didn’t. Today’s message is on loving the world. He establishes the foundation for this.
Then, to save his voice, he invites the congregation to complete the sermon by sharing examples of what others have done for them by showing love and providing care.
What each person relates is appropriate and relevant, heartfelt and often poignant, sometimes with halting voices and occasionally, tears. Acts of kindness, often done in obscurity are now proclaimed.
They do this with sincere humility, lacking self-aggrandizement or calling undo attention to the person mentioned.
This congregation is a true community. They prove it in the quiet ways they help one another. Caring for each other is their witness.
The engaging community, present before the service and confirmed during it, continues afterwards. The pastor chats with us briefly and then excuses himself. Perhaps it’s because he doesn’t feel well, but more likely because he doesn’t need to be present.
The congregation envelops us into their community.
My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
