This morning was a morning of snow. In fact, as I write these words from the afternoon of the same day, the snow has persisted, either floating down from the heavens or being stirred up from the roofs of neighboring homes. What else can be said? Such are the days of winter.
I raise this point of weather to illustrate how easily one can be dissuaded from plans set the night previous. My plan for this morning were an early morning rise and an attendance at the 8:00am service at the church known as Abundant Life. The snow dissuaded me, though it never should have, returning me to my slumber until the eight o'clock struck. I still could have attended Abundant Life, as they did offer a 9:30 service as well; but I opted for the easier way out, a church closer, a service nearer to the time I left my home. The Summit lay just over a mile from my house; and that is where I decided to visit for this Sunday in December.
The first thought to strike me, as I parked my car in the parking lot and began stepping through the snow on my way towards the front door, was memory for a music video which has motivated and inspired me over the past week or so. A group known as Casting Crowns released this video for their song "Nobody", and it begins with a young man on a skateboard approaching a door to a building with music emanating out. Curious, he steps in to discover Casting Crowns performing their song. How compelling it wold have been - for I was tardy in my reaching this church on time - to discover the same here - if the music of the service would have been permeating the walls to pull me within. Once, when at DisneyWorld in Florida, I was told shops would air the aroma of their product into the outside where the visitors to the park would be passing by. This made ideal sense, as my years of frequenting movie theaters can attest. The decision for a box of popcorn often never was made until stepping into the theater and absorbing the aroma which always pushed me to say yes.
So I step through the door to the Summit, and there was the music I could hear. It was good music, displayed on at least two monitors for what was taking place within. I was greeted warmly, by two young men casually dressed. They directed me to the doors that would enter the auditorium, and also shared the option for drinks and snacks I could take with me inside. I opted for a cup of coffee before doing so, pleased at the charming invite.
Inside, though, my eyesight almost went out. All that was visible was the stage along, where the musicians were finishing up the last of that morning songs. The music was beautiful; and as opposed to my previous week's offering, it was not overtly loud, which may be attributed to an auditorium more conducive in size. I would guess the room accommodated twice the number from last week, if not two and half times in size, as four to five hundred souls could probably have comfortably sat within its space.
As with the previous week, I found myself struck by the dark interior before me. Everything was bathed in black, with light solely upon the stage and musicians. Again, I ask why. Why darken things so? It still makes no sense to one, such as myself, who sees Christ as the light of the world. Should not though who adopt His name exemplify this? Perhaps I quibble over trifling things.
After one of the pastors steps out to offer a prayer, the musicians return, assembling in the middle of the stage, for one last song before the sermon begins. It was a Christmas song, and they were all adorned in some manner of Christmas paraphernalia, which was fine. The song was well performed. There was nothing adverse about it whatsoever. Yet, I still find myself wondering if it was out of place. In an assembly of believers who follow Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and Saviour of the world, does a song which makes no attempt to acknowledge have a place? Maybe; but I wonder.
The senior pastor then makes his appearance on stage. A very affable gentleman, probably in his mid-50s, then proceeds to deliver a sermon on peace. He was most enjoyable to listen to; and he weaved teaching from the Gospels into his lesson; yet again, I found myself wondering: am I listening to a sermon by a preacher of the Good News of Jesus? Or am I listening to a good motivational speaker, using the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth into his instructions for the people? Is that a pastor of a church? Is a pastor just a motivational speaker? I cannot say.
This is a church I would return and visit again, though I find myself left with more questions than answers. If church is meant as an assembly of believers, who gather together in the name of Jesus, to worship God, to grow closer to Jesus, to leave behind the old ways of sin and to embrace the walk of righteousness along Christ's side, I'm not certain this church leads the way. I'm not clear on how much more like Christ one can become by attending there. There is certain teaching which would be beneficial to anyone; but to escape this world and abide in the heavens above, I'm not sure what I saw today is any different than anything else I've seen over my Christian walk of years.
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