We had a church visitor from Europe (Spain) last fall, who wrote me about his 'coming to church' experience.
I want to share his note with you today. It's interesting to me for several reasons. One - I'm hoping to visit a couple of European church plants this summer, to see what the Gospel looks like today when creatively contextualized to that continent's thoroughly post-Christian culture (that is proving highly resistant to re-learning about Jesus as the actual Son of God - the attitude is 'been there, done that' culturally and philosophically). So I'm gratified to hear the reflections of a 'given up on church' European who visited our church recently, to help me reflect on our own cultural contextualization of the Gospel and worship.
Reason two its interesting to me - I really love this man's family. His son and daughter-in-law came to Lake Forest Church a couple of years ago saying 'yep, we are exactly who you mean when you say 'given up on church but not on God,' and its thrilled me to see them begin following Jesus as a family, taking progressive steps into serving in the church and risking being known in Christian community. I'm proud of them, and their lives encourage me. So, knowing about their father/father-in-law in Spain and their relationship, I would be hopeful that sharing their newfound church and faith experience would strengthen their extended family ties.
Reason three its interesting to me - in part of his note to me, this poetic man described to me the fact that he darkens the door of the local, formal Catholic church only a couple of times a year, but primarily attends 'church' by walking and seeing nature's beauty, and learning to talk out loud to God for himself. I too enjoy the Lord in this way, and so was all the more curious if 'organized worship' of our type would put him off, or perhaps draw him farther than his solitary prayers.
So here's my new Spanish friend's email, sent after he arrived back home (edited, of course, but I've left in the endearing style he uses in English as a second language, which impresses me):
Dear Mike, I have been a guest in your church, Sunday the 27th of November… That’s already over 2 weeks ago and now “back home” in Spain, I still would like to share my thoughts with you and explain how I did experience that special Sunday morning!
I spent 4 weeks in the United States to visit my five sons, their families and the grandchildren and happened to be in Huntersville during the Thanks Giving Day weekend. I happily accepted my son’s invitation to join him and his family for your early Sunday morning service, however I felt somewhat uncomfortable to do so in a pair -for that matter- clean jeans?
My son just chuckled about that hesitation: “Watch how Mike will be dressed!” he assured me, knowing I still reflected that old fashioned church in Holland, we left that many years ago.
So I entered your church…
I was impressed, astonished…, flabbergasted, you name it!
What an impression! And how surprising were the warm feelings you got within minutes! Yes, minutes! I immediately felt myself home!
Of course the change you undergo, entering your church versus to enter that old fashioned Dutch church years ago is overwhelming! The style of the music; the entourage, the atmosphere …; the big video screens; the band and the group of singers, which to me not only just performed magnificently by their professional voices… No! To me their songs seem to come straight out of their hearts. No wonder we all tried to sing with them or at least to hum with them, like I did?
Mike, I didn´t decide to write you to just give you -well deserved- compliments! No, my decision to write you, is my hope and wish that your people; all members of your church will understand and realize the great advantage, the privilege they do have to be able to be in your church each and every week!
Each and every week to have the possibility to listen to God’s word, presented in a normal, very clear and warm manner and not –as I experienced for so many years-in dramatic , almost threatening or even scary versions. (Sorry to describe this that way…)
How lucky and thankful they should be, to be in a position “to recharge the batteries!” each and every week! I thought of that at time you mentioned a simple expression during your preach. “Empty nesters” … “Empty Nester”… A so typical American solution, to clearly describe a situation by using two words only.
I admit you were talking my category that very moment, but I could smile thankfully when I glanced at my son and his family at my left side from where I was sitting, for that moment I knew him sitting there, in his church would warm that empty nest overseas!!! Surely a nice compensation!
Yes Mike, I have to agree with my son´s valuation of your church: “Our church is awesome!”
But now Mike, I can look and think back of how my son experiences “church”! I can assure you: A good, darn good feeling! And that’s what I liked to share with you, Mike!
Despite my clumsy English, it was good talking to you, Mike! Sincerely yours, L.S.
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