Real Contemporary Church Services
I find them quite interesting. I’ve been through the gambit of meetings, places, people especially when it comes to religion. The current trend for the relaxed atmosphere concerns me though. I know that we are to be “as Romans when in Rome” etc however how far does this go when it comes to the house of God for worshipping the Most High?
The most recent visit encountered large round tables with comfortable chairs, tablecloths, coffee and cookies. Children sat and colored and teens texted during the presentation. I’m sure they call it a sermon, but that too is subjective. The Jumbotrons blare with strobed pictures along with posting up the words to the latest chorus the group will sing. The blare of the horn or the drumroll is so loud the guitar is all but drowned out.
The verses where Christ said that His house shall be called a house of prayer, and His throwing the money changers out of the temple come to mind.
The attendees were in jeans and tees and casual shoes. Sipping their coffee from the Starbucks located within the church entryway, they nod or nod off to the speaker. I guess some of that is no different. But what of the act of learning -and teaching the younger- how to worship God?
It was a surreal experience actually. As I stood at the side back of the meeting a strange sense of “knowing” came over me. I saw the congregation as though it was a ragtag group who had missed the rapture. With a few of the people left over from “real church” (people who pretended to know God but didn’t, and weren’t taken in the rapture) leading them in what they could recall from when the Christians were still on earth, they lead those who realize they have been left behind and have come to the church house to find God at last.  No one really knew what they were doing, but had a deep desire to do it. The presentation is given every night at 7 pm.
I thank God for His salvation. I think I’ll return to that meeting place…though I’m not sure what God has for me there.