Amazing Moments in Church - Welcome & Prayer

Writing about “Amazing Moments at Church “ there are many memories of moments that flood my mind. Last week I wrote about that lady who stood up and praised the Jesus for during the song How Great Thou Art. The amazing moment happened because no one else stood with her and the tradition of their church didn’t embrace that type of expression in public worship. Research is an important part of writing and I’ve interviewed a lot of individuals over the years to gain insight, opinions, and information covering a large array of subjects and topics. Meeting and talking with people can be a scary moment for some, and I am guessing those of you that know me are thinking you are not concerned about this being an area I need to work on. Nevertheless meeting people can be a bit awkward even for those of us who are out going and love meeting new people and striking up conversations. Since I shared my first moment of amazing church experiences in my last column about my recent visit to a Methodist Church, I thought it only fair that I write about an experience I had in an Old Fashion Southern Baptist Church. I knew immediately it was an old fashion church because throughout the church I could see small pillows or cushions laying on different pews and I knew this meant that someone was use to always sitting in that spot. I also knew in Baptist Tradition that meant that you didn’t sit there either. So I was looking for a spot and I thought I would go against the grain and sit at the front of the church. Another thing that all traditional Baptist know is that no one sits in the front pews. No one normally except maybe a musician who plays the piano, the preacher or a staff member. The one group we expect to sit up front would be the deacons and they sit there only long enough to take up the offering most of the time. With all that said, I decided I would go sit up front and this would surely guarantee I would not be taking someone’s regular seat. Now this was going to be an “Amazing Moment at Church” because I sat down on the 2nd pew and within seconds an elderly lady sat down directly behind me in this large church. Immediately this lady said hello and asked how I was doing. My response was that I was great, thanks for asking. Thinking quickly if this would be our only conversation I was wondering if I should ask a question and try to strike up a conversation. I decided to go to the next level and I did so based solely on the fact she seemed to be so lively in spirit. My mind was spinning with what would be an appropriate question and so I just shot from the hip and said, I noticed there are a lot of seat cushions, you reckon I’m sitting in someone’s reserved seat? Immediately she said “sitting up front you will be just fine, and I’ll move if you want to sit where I am”. Totally amazing considering that most of us don’t like to be inconvenienced especially after we have settled in. Seeing a big smile on her face I thought I would ask if there might be a deacon that would want to pray with me and I prefaced my comment by saying you sure are nice and friendly, what about these mean old deacons around here? She proceeded to share with me that she was sure the deacons would pray with me, and she began to name deacons that were “mighty fine” deacons. Our conversation grow quickly as she asked about my need for prayer and if I was visiting. To say I was being encouraged is an understatement, I was also excited. Excited to meet someone that seemed to be most genuine and I loved her smiled and her sense of humor too. This is an “Amazing Moment at Church” without a doubt. If you have ever been a visitor to an unknown church it is amazing how unwelcome you can sometimes feel, but not this experience. Totally welcomed and even prayed for. Until then

Amazing Moments in Church - Standing All Alone

Amazing moments in church is not a subject that I believe I have ever written about. I have wrote about church many times over the past 20 years but for some reason I cannot recall, the subject matter of ‘amazing moments in church’ I have never put to words until now. I hope the next series of articles will be ones that help to stir within you the value of worship and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Let me set the honest stage of reality. Please remember my traditional church experience is that of a Southern Baptist, which is not a bad thing, but when tradition is added it can be a thing that doesn’t always lend itself to freedom and truth to Him. So there is no misunderstanding, I love traditions. The First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, South Carolina has been traveling to the same geographic location for over 30 years and their impact, because of their tradition, has been powerful and life changing for the thousands they have touched. I know churches that have continually reached beyond their church building walls to the communities they are located and have made impacts because they cared enough to give and go. Traditions that do not yield themselves to a positive experience or relationship with Jesus Christ are those that stop us from expressing our love and thanks to Him. Traditions that keep us seated when we should be standing, silent when we should be applauding, and talking when we should be speaking up sharing what Jesus has done for us. I have had the pleasure of knowing southern gospel artist Shannon Bunch since he was 5 years of age. Having known Shannon and his wife Melissa personally over the years, they recently invited me to travel with them to South Carolina for a three concert event weekend. One of those concerts landed us at the Indian Field United Methodist Church. We gathered on a Sunday morning and walking through the days I felt the onset of tradition immediately. The stain glassed windows (12 in all) were a part of that traditional mindset. The worship area was draped in the prescribed table clothes and matching pulpit drapes added to that immediate idea of where I was. The organ was located in the choir loft and mirrors were properly placed for the instrumentalist to observe the congregation and the song leader which added even another element of tradition to my perceived reality. As the people gathered I observed some of them going to what I assumed was almost assigned seats. Some had pillows for back support and as the children ran around, they seemed to also know exactly where they would be sitting for the service. Again all these things added to my thoughts of a very traditional service indeed. My amazing moment came when a lady stood alone all by herself in honor and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was obvious she had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and there was nothing that was going to keep her seated in her pew when the song “How Great Thou Art” was song. Shannon Bunch does something really unique when he is leading worship. He takes song request from the audience. This could be something he does because of the traditional prayer request thing we often do, but its impact is powerful when experienced this way. She had asked him to sing and play “How Great Thou Art” and when he did, she stood up all alone in the congregation. It was a truly amazing moment for me. Witnessing her express her faith was so encouraging. Against all the odds, and the traditions, she stood up to acknowledge how great her God was. This was an amazing moment in church for me. Until then

Modern Technology - Call Him Up

I am rather confident that there are only three types of people in the world today when it comes to electronics, computers and all the high tech stuff available. I classify them as follows. #1 - Those that know all about smart phones, dump phones, iPhones, and even pay as you go phones. This first group has iPads, iPods, and they can turn their lights on and off from anywhere as long as they have a wireless internet connection; Group #2 – These individuals own mobile devices, and they believe that modern technology is the future, they understand 4G, portable hard drives, hot-spot, and as is often said about folks with some knowledge, they are informed just enough to be dangerous; Group #3 may best be described by this often overheard statement. “I only know how to answer this phone that’s it”. Of course we smile and laugh with each of these groups in reality. We smile with those that know how to fully operate high tech devices especially when they are able to help fix our phone or computer problems. We stand in amazement because they know exactly what buttons to push, what to turn on and off, and what to download and uninstall. Personally when a ‘pop up’ flashes and ask me if I am sure I want to delete, I get nervous. If you are laughing and smiling with me then I think it is safe to assume you are either in group #1 or you know the feeling I am writing about and are identifying with me. Group #1 has everything their hearts desire. They are always looking for the newest upgrade and product that is about to arrive on the market. For example I have heard of iPhones and I know they were developed by Apple, but until recently I didn’t understand all the different models that had been made. First there was the iPhone1; 2; 3; then the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4; then the 4S and now the iPhone 5. Please no tech questions about the differences but I know with an iPhone 5 you can press a button and ask any question you want and this lady named Siri will answer. Group #2 has both electronic gadgets and knowledge. Growing up when you went to church you took your Bible. Living in these beautiful Appalachian Mountains when going to church you would want to traditionally carry a King James Version Bible and best if it was a really BIG Bible too. Not sure how this became the norm but I’ve done it, and know many who still do. With all the mobile devices and applications you can down load to a capable phone, today’s modern Christians read the Bible through the Bible App or they use their tablet, or iPad to follow along, take notes and can even take pictures. This group has mastered what they use and my hat is off to them for the accomplishment. The last group (#3), I fit in most with. Recently I asked the youngest in my family to help me out with my 1995 computer and he said, “really Old Man” and just laughed. Well modern times for me are coming. I am determined to graduate from this group to at least group #2 where I can look technologically sophisticated at least. Not sure when it will happen, but watch out world I’m going to move into the current time century electronically speaking soon. Change is never easy and there always seems to be more questions than answers at first. When I first decided to follow Jesus Christ I wasn’t sure how things worked either, but I’ve learned so much by continually accessing the source and from my experiences of walking in faith. Growing up I learned the song “Call Him up and tell Him what you want” and I’m glad that technology hasn’t changed. Jesus is still just a prayer away and He is waiting to help. Until then