By Gods grace, I have written this column for over a year and a half now. During this time, many readers have asked where is a church that preaches the doctrines found in this column? The inquiries go something like this made-up letter below.
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To Whom it May Concern:
I'm looking for a good Christian church. I don't want to sing songs from an overhead projector, the same five notes, over and over and over again. There's a record of the hymns of God's people that spans 2,000 years. Why are we so arrogant as to think we don't need those wonderful songs any longer? Have we gone through more suffering, more affliction, more pain for Jesus than those who wrote these enduring hymns? Does a semi-secular songwriter in Nashville with a multi-million dollar music contract have more to say to us about God and the Christian life than the 17th-century hymn writer who lost four children and his wife during the 30 Year War?
I don't want to have my eardrums bashed in by the three kids in the "worship band" who can't be bothered to bathe, shave, dress or comb their hair on Sunday morning. If it's really all about the God that Scripture describes as ineffably holy, shouldn't that be reflected in attitude and dress for those who serve in church music?
I don't want a vampy "praise and worship" leader who is flaunting her wares at every male within view as she does her worship moves on "stage." If we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, as Scripture tells us, then what's all the flesh about? Can we no longer discern the difference?
I don't want to see people in beach attire with their backsides peeping out of their shorts because they think that God isn't worth their best efforts at dressing. "God doesn't care about clothes, only man," they say. But the real reason is that it's just plain easier to cruise into church in dirty blue jean shorts or whatever is still lying on the floor from the night before. Dressing up for worship of the Lord would cost them a little bit of time. It is said that time is money. If this is true they show God is not worth their time or money. It is as if they are saying, "It's only church, the house of God, there is no need to dress up. Its not like it's for a business meeting or a date or something like that."
I also don't want to see all the variations on lovers' back rubs where Chuck and Sue take turns massaging each other's neck and shoulders during the sermon so everyone behind them is completely distracted. Behavior affects other people. Are Christians so self-absorbed that they never think about the people behind them trying to hear the message?
I don't want to hear announcements during "worship" about the youth group pizza blast and laser tag event next Tuesday night, the need for grills for the upcoming church funfest or jokes about how Bill burned the wieners last summer at the church picnic. Why can this not be done before we begin our "worship" service?
I don't want Christian karaoke for "special music." Screeching females trying to imitate their favorite pop stars belong at the local bar, not in a house of prayer.
Let me tell you what I am looking for in corporate worship of believers.
I'm looking for a spirit of reverence among God's people, a sense that we have come to join in with the company of angels, archangels, and the church triumphant who gather before God's throne in that never ending heavenly worship.
I'm looking for a service that is founded upon and completely focused on God and His Word. I want to begin the worship in prayer and end in prayer. I want to hear the Bible preached between these prayers. I want to hear the name of God invoked at the beginning and as often as the speaker can say it.
I need to be reminded I'm a sinner and that God is holy. I want to corporately confess my faith with my fellow believers. I need to sing of God's holiness, His attributes and His greatness through the hymns of the faith that have been handed down through the ages from the pens and the lips of those who have gone before us.
Why? Because God is truly "Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise, in light inaccessible, hid from our eyes." Because God is "Holy, Holy Holy," our Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. because it is right and fitting that our souls should praise the King of Heaven. He is worthy of all our praise because He is "Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor".
I need to hear the Scriptures read out-as much of it as possible. The Bible is God's Word, is it not? Three Scripture lessons are hardly enough. Why is Scripture so often limited to the text of a message, if it's there at all now? The Old Testament Lesson. The New Testament Lesson. The Gospel Lesson. I need all the lessons that God's holy Word can provide.
I need to hear the Scriptures preached and I want to hear doctrine preached. Why do I want preaching? Because faith comes by hearing, the Bible says, and hearing by God's Word. I need conviction of the Holy Spirit in my own heart and life. I want to be reminded who God is and my duty before Him. I don't want a pastor who spews vulgarities and crude talk to show how "real" he is, or who feeds on Hollywood so that the only thing that comes out of his mouth is foolishness in his pathetic attempts at cultural relevance. God's Word is eternally relevant.
I want a time of serious prayer in church, seeking God for His help and wisdom in these dark times, for the needs of the congregation and for the witness of the fellowship in the community. As we kneel, we're reminded of our utter helplessness without the Lord.
Outside of the corporate worship, I want a church that believes in evangelism and outreach. There is a world out there that needs the message of the Gospel. It is our responsibility to take it to them, and churches should facilitate and train members for this critical mission. Truly saved believers have a burning heart to share it with others. I want to be part of a church that has this burning heart.
If you know of such a church in my area, would you please contact me at your earliest convenience. I would be grateful.
Sincerely,
A Christian
God has entrusted a Church for us to meet in and worship Him and in honor of Him and His holy Word. The church is in Hamlin WV.
I trust someday you can visit us. For now we are meeting only once a week at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.