I am writing this from Joliet, Illinois, where Sherry and I have settled after my retirement. Since we lived in Joliet from 1991-1996, there's a sense in which we have returned "home," and most importantly, our granddaughter lives just 2-3 miles down the road. Relocating (which we've done several times) is never easy and this one hasn't been particularly easy either... but we're blessed to be here. Thanks to our daughter, we are living in a great place in a great neighborhood... but the time has come for me to find a church.
I haven't been in church since I delivered my last sermon on September 13 and I'm feeling a strong need to hear God's word and become active in a church. But which one? I love the people I know at the church I once served here, and I know that I would be welcomed by a small group of friends (some of whom accompanied Sherry and I to Israel). I consider their Senior Pastor and their Associate Pastor to be personal friends... and I know that both of them are excellent teachers. However, they don't really need me there... and it's hard to go home again. There's a small church close by, but when small churches claim to the "friendliest" church in town, they sometimes forget to add... "to people we know." Big churches, which are hard to find in my denomination, are generally not places "where everybody knows your name." Too small? Too big? Can any church be just the right size?
Probably not... but I also need to decide on the denomination. I'll probably settle on the ELCA because I was baptized there (as an adult), married there, and our daughters were confirmed in a Lutheran church. It would make sense to become a Lutheran again... but I've come to believe that our so-called "mainline" churches have watered-down theologies. They are good at welcoming all comers and they are also good at not judging others (both of which are assets)... but being nice is not going to save anyone. Since I came to my faith by accepting Christ when I was completely bankrupt spiritually, I am convinced that he is the source of any transformation any of us will ever receive. He is the source of our hope and our salvation, and without Christ, we are much more likely to be a churchgoer instead of a disciple. I'm sure that I won't be fed in a church that is not Christ-centered, but the more conservative churches are often unaccepting and judgmental. They preach and teach Jesus, but they are sometimes filled with the Pharisees who plotted to kill him.
Churches differ in their beliefs and in their way of doing things... but the purpose of any church is to welcome people in Jesus' name and to help them grow in Christ so that they can enjoy and serve Him throughout their lifetimes. This is the church's job. It is the church's only job, and it can't be done if the church is not preaching Christ crucified and risen... or if it is driving off the very people Christ came to save. In my view, many liberal churches don't lead others to "rebirth" in Christ and many conservative churches don't act as if they really know Christ. However, there is a porridge that is just right. There are churches that preach and teach Christ... and who welcome, love, and minister to ALL people... precisely because they know Him! Years ago, my spiritual mentor reminded me that there is no "perfect church" and that any person who seeks one is bound to be frustrated and disappointed. Thanks, Lu! I couldn't agree more. But there are FAITHFUL churches.... and it is my prayer that God will lead me to one. Amen!
