Church messed me up today.
My pastor differentiated between people that are "watchers", "followers", or "interns(disciples)" of Jesus. There are people that "watch" Jesus. They observe, but don't necessarily want to go any further than that when it comes to making a commitment of following Christ. There are "followers" who were around Jesus and, for their own reasons, followed Him from place to place. They may have followed Jesus to watch Him perform miracles or for His teachings or maybe it was to be part of the "in" group. Judas Iscariot happened to be a "follower". Judas was called to be a disciple, but didn't take it to the "disciple" level. The "disciples" or (using modern day verbage) "interns" were those who were called by Jesus to be in His inner circle and learn from Him only those things that you can learn by living in close quarters with someone. They knew and learned who Jesus was to such an extent that they were expected to be "Jesus" to those around them. A modern example would be a medical intern learning about being a doctor, then becoming an intern and spending time in the presence of doctors with the particular desire to become a doctor themself.
At the end of the service our pastor gave an invitation for anyone that wanted to look more like Jesus to come forward. I failed to go and I should have. For awhile now God has been putting a deep desire in my heart to serve Him, but on a deeper level than I have been. As much as I can (or as God leads me to), I try to serve by doing things or by ministering to others. I've tried, to the best of my ability, to model the Jesus I see in the Bible. But that's not enough anymore. There's another (deeper) level where He's calling me to go...
Serving Jesus the way I have been has not been a bad thing, but it dawned on me on my way home from church that I have been serving Jesus looking like myself. I need to serve Jesus in such a way that I now look like Him. And now I want so badly to be that person... Jesus, help me to not just resemble you in the things I do, but help me BE You (as much as that is possible). I want people to now see Jesus when I serve them.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Daddy, Where Are You?
Last evening I was sitting outside reading and enjoying the sun. Our next door neighbors were outside as well, working on their yard. The dad had moved around front to work, leaving his two year old daughter in the backyard in the care of his wife and her other siblings. The two year old suddenly realized that her dad wasn't there and began calling out in her little voice, "Daddy, where are you? Daddy, I need you, where are you?" She began searching for him, but because she couldn't see him, she was becoming more desperate. Her cries grew louder and more frantic. "Daddy, where are you?!?" There was a sense of urgency and terror in her voice. Her heart was breaking. She wanted her daddy and she couldn't find him. If she could just be near him, everything would once again be alright.
By this time, my heart was feeling her plight. How many times have I been in the same situation and called out to my heavenly Father the exact same thing? "Daddy, where are you? Daddy, I need you! Where are you, Daddy?" I wanted to run over, scoop her up in my arms, and tell her, "It's okay. Your daddy is right here. He's just around the corner. He loves you. He's never far away."
Do you know where your Daddy is?
By this time, my heart was feeling her plight. How many times have I been in the same situation and called out to my heavenly Father the exact same thing? "Daddy, where are you? Daddy, I need you! Where are you, Daddy?" I wanted to run over, scoop her up in my arms, and tell her, "It's okay. Your daddy is right here. He's just around the corner. He loves you. He's never far away."
Do you know where your Daddy is?
Friday, April 24, 2009
Town Hall for Hope
Last evening, in place of our normal class, we watched the nation-wide broadcast of Dave Ramsey's "Town Hall for Hope".
Mr. Ramsey spoke about how the country has worked itself into a tizzy (my translation) and that a spirit of fear has taken over many. He said that fear is not a fruit of the Spirit and that it is the antithesis of hope.
Mr. Ramsey felt some people are trusting the government to turn things around or to bail them out, but it's really up to us individually to do that. We need to take personal responsibility for the debt we have accumulated or the bad business choices we have made. To me, that's a no-brainer. You wouldn't expect your neighbor to bail you out financially because you made poor choices. Also, I know little about how business, economics, or the government operates, but when people elevate the government to a "god status" and place their faith in it, rather than in God and what He tells us to do, I think we're just asking for trouble.
Mr. Ramsey offered what seemed like sound advice. I have never taken any business or economic classes so I was happy to receive the information he shared about how much money you should have saved, as well as what extra money you should have for emergencies. Since I haven't been able to sock that kind of money away yet, I was wondering how realistic that is for a lot of people? Although we put money in savings, it seems sometimes that we no sooner start to get ahead, when we end up having something major happen that requires us to use what we've accumulated. Good thing my trust is in God.
Mr. Ramsey gave several tips and things to do if you are struggling: 1)Get up. Take action. Be proactive. 2)Don't participate in loser talk. 3)Learn to give again in time and/or talents. I liked this last one especially, for two reasons: 1) It was something that was taught to me, by example, by both my parents; and, 2) It reiterates a sermon series that our pastor did not too long ago. When you are busy giving to others your focus is removed from yourself and your own troubles. It is also another opportunity to honor and worship God through your giving. When our eyes are off ourselves and placed on God, hope is restored.
Because I believe some of what takes place in the physical realm speaks to what happens in the spiritual realm, and is thus prophetic in a bigger way back into the physical, I enjoyed hearing about the Jewish ceremony where they pour wine into a glass that is sitting in a saucer. They fill their glass to overflowing so that it pours out into the saucer as a representation of God's abundance. God pours out to them in abundance so they can give out of the overflow to others. Sweet!!!
Mr. Ramsey spoke about how the country has worked itself into a tizzy (my translation) and that a spirit of fear has taken over many. He said that fear is not a fruit of the Spirit and that it is the antithesis of hope.
Mr. Ramsey felt some people are trusting the government to turn things around or to bail them out, but it's really up to us individually to do that. We need to take personal responsibility for the debt we have accumulated or the bad business choices we have made. To me, that's a no-brainer. You wouldn't expect your neighbor to bail you out financially because you made poor choices. Also, I know little about how business, economics, or the government operates, but when people elevate the government to a "god status" and place their faith in it, rather than in God and what He tells us to do, I think we're just asking for trouble.
Mr. Ramsey offered what seemed like sound advice. I have never taken any business or economic classes so I was happy to receive the information he shared about how much money you should have saved, as well as what extra money you should have for emergencies. Since I haven't been able to sock that kind of money away yet, I was wondering how realistic that is for a lot of people? Although we put money in savings, it seems sometimes that we no sooner start to get ahead, when we end up having something major happen that requires us to use what we've accumulated. Good thing my trust is in God.
Mr. Ramsey gave several tips and things to do if you are struggling: 1)Get up. Take action. Be proactive. 2)Don't participate in loser talk. 3)Learn to give again in time and/or talents. I liked this last one especially, for two reasons: 1) It was something that was taught to me, by example, by both my parents; and, 2) It reiterates a sermon series that our pastor did not too long ago. When you are busy giving to others your focus is removed from yourself and your own troubles. It is also another opportunity to honor and worship God through your giving. When our eyes are off ourselves and placed on God, hope is restored.
Because I believe some of what takes place in the physical realm speaks to what happens in the spiritual realm, and is thus prophetic in a bigger way back into the physical, I enjoyed hearing about the Jewish ceremony where they pour wine into a glass that is sitting in a saucer. They fill their glass to overflowing so that it pours out into the saucer as a representation of God's abundance. God pours out to them in abundance so they can give out of the overflow to others. Sweet!!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Unchurched Friend # 4 Interview
This interview was with Erin, a Catholic by faith, who admits she hasn't been to church in years. She is also a housekeeper and has four children, ages 13, 11, 4, and 2.
1) What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Something for kids to do. More community involvement for the kids. There's nothing around here for kids to do.
2) Are you actively attending any church?
No.
3) What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Children. My children. They're my life. I like to read a lot. I like to read anything, as long as it's well written.
4) Why do you think most people don't attend church?
I think a lot of people have lost faith in God.
I made a comment about people maybe needing to be in church in order to receive faith. Erin got this funny look on her face, like a lightbulb went off, and she agreed, that might be true.
5) If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
Acceptingness. Welcoming (We grew up going to Annunciation and they're snooty about the way you dress. I haven't been back because of it). What religion it is.
6) What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Talk to the people; not just during the sermon, but afterwards. Be involved in their lives...not just when they go to church.
After interviewing Erin, my first thought was that she didn't have too much to say and I wasn't sure if I would be able to write too much about what she DID say. However, in thinking back about the interview, there was a lot communicated without words...
Erin was the only person I interviewed who was immediately willing to BE interviewed. She agreed without hesitation; without getting "puffed up" in any way. It seemed as though she was doing it with a servant's heart (I don't know quite how to express the attitude she conveyed when she agreed)...It was as though she was doing it because it was something that was expected of her and part of her job, but she was also putting aside her own need to finish what she was doing in order to satisfy my need to interview someone. If someone had spilled something on the floor and I had asked her if she could mop it up, her type of response and willingness to respond would have been the same. I guess the way she responded makes me think about the passage of scripture (I had to look it up, it's Philippians 2:3-4) that says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." It made me start thinking about that kind of an attitude and what makes us good (or not-so-good) servants when it comes to serving God. It's an area I want to contemplate a while longer...
In reviewing Erin's answers, and in reading between the lines, you can see that she might have that same mindset at home: her concern is for her children (and other kids in the community) and their needs. She's aware of injustice (is that the word I want? Maybe condemnation or judgement. Hurtfulness.), even within the body of Christ, when others look down on you because something about you is different or not up to their standard. It makes me wonder with what measure they will be measured? Or with what measure I might be measured? It makes me wonder if I might have carelessly said or done something that ended up keeping someone out of church or away from God? That's a scary thought(God, forgive me if I have)!
There also seems to be a misconception among alot of people that God is Catholic (or Methodist or Lutheran or whatever or a Republican or...) and if you're a catholic, that's your free ticket into heaven. I don't remember reading that in my Bible...I just remember reading that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It isn't our good deeds that get us to heaven. It's Jesus' good deeds that gets us there.
Erin also seems as though she would like to be pursued. To have someone (pastor, priest, God? Someone. Anyone...)show her that they think she's worth enough to take an active interest in, outside the church setting. In church, there is a certain (distant?) relationship that is expected with the people there; but is that where the relationship stays? Is it only good for church on a Sunday, or is she worth more than that? Is she worth pursuing and building relationship with? Is the Bride of Christ worth wooing? I am, for whatever reason, reminded of Abraham's servant who was charged with going out and getting a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. We are God's servant in this same respect, charged with going out and getting the Bride for God's son, the Bridegroom. God, the Father, sends the Holy Spirit out before us, just as the angel went out before the servant of Abraham, in order that he would have success in his mission. And just as the servant of Abraham was given all kinds of good things from his master in order to woo Rebekah, God also gives us all kinds of gifts in order to woo the Bride He has in mind for His Son. We are only released from pusuit of that particular "bride" if they are unwilling to come. Are we willing to be that kind of servant?
1) What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Something for kids to do. More community involvement for the kids. There's nothing around here for kids to do.
2) Are you actively attending any church?
No.
3) What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Children. My children. They're my life. I like to read a lot. I like to read anything, as long as it's well written.
4) Why do you think most people don't attend church?
I think a lot of people have lost faith in God.
I made a comment about people maybe needing to be in church in order to receive faith. Erin got this funny look on her face, like a lightbulb went off, and she agreed, that might be true.
5) If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
Acceptingness. Welcoming (We grew up going to Annunciation and they're snooty about the way you dress. I haven't been back because of it). What religion it is.
6) What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Talk to the people; not just during the sermon, but afterwards. Be involved in their lives...not just when they go to church.
After interviewing Erin, my first thought was that she didn't have too much to say and I wasn't sure if I would be able to write too much about what she DID say. However, in thinking back about the interview, there was a lot communicated without words...
Erin was the only person I interviewed who was immediately willing to BE interviewed. She agreed without hesitation; without getting "puffed up" in any way. It seemed as though she was doing it with a servant's heart (I don't know quite how to express the attitude she conveyed when she agreed)...It was as though she was doing it because it was something that was expected of her and part of her job, but she was also putting aside her own need to finish what she was doing in order to satisfy my need to interview someone. If someone had spilled something on the floor and I had asked her if she could mop it up, her type of response and willingness to respond would have been the same. I guess the way she responded makes me think about the passage of scripture (I had to look it up, it's Philippians 2:3-4) that says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." It made me start thinking about that kind of an attitude and what makes us good (or not-so-good) servants when it comes to serving God. It's an area I want to contemplate a while longer...
In reviewing Erin's answers, and in reading between the lines, you can see that she might have that same mindset at home: her concern is for her children (and other kids in the community) and their needs. She's aware of injustice (is that the word I want? Maybe condemnation or judgement. Hurtfulness.), even within the body of Christ, when others look down on you because something about you is different or not up to their standard. It makes me wonder with what measure they will be measured? Or with what measure I might be measured? It makes me wonder if I might have carelessly said or done something that ended up keeping someone out of church or away from God? That's a scary thought(God, forgive me if I have)!
There also seems to be a misconception among alot of people that God is Catholic (or Methodist or Lutheran or whatever or a Republican or...) and if you're a catholic, that's your free ticket into heaven. I don't remember reading that in my Bible...I just remember reading that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It isn't our good deeds that get us to heaven. It's Jesus' good deeds that gets us there.
Erin also seems as though she would like to be pursued. To have someone (pastor, priest, God? Someone. Anyone...)show her that they think she's worth enough to take an active interest in, outside the church setting. In church, there is a certain (distant?) relationship that is expected with the people there; but is that where the relationship stays? Is it only good for church on a Sunday, or is she worth more than that? Is she worth pursuing and building relationship with? Is the Bride of Christ worth wooing? I am, for whatever reason, reminded of Abraham's servant who was charged with going out and getting a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. We are God's servant in this same respect, charged with going out and getting the Bride for God's son, the Bridegroom. God, the Father, sends the Holy Spirit out before us, just as the angel went out before the servant of Abraham, in order that he would have success in his mission. And just as the servant of Abraham was given all kinds of good things from his master in order to woo Rebekah, God also gives us all kinds of gifts in order to woo the Bride He has in mind for His Son. We are only released from pusuit of that particular "bride" if they are unwilling to come. Are we willing to be that kind of servant?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
New Believer # 4 Interview
This interview was with Phil.
1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
I always had faith in Christ. I was brought up in church. God always showed me He loved me. I've been shot, stabbed, and was in a bad car accident. God has a plan for me.
2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
I was sitting in jail...a couple of the guys got drugs in. I asked myself if this was it? Should I do something to change? The mother of my youngest son wrote a letter and we got back together. God gave me a reason and a purpose to change.
3) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
I'm free of all the devil's bondage.
4) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
Living by His words when I still want to do my will. Every moment. Every day. I pray and pray and pray.
5) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
The guys in the House help me a lot. showing me how much people DO care. How God works in their lives. I can have that happiness, too. When I don't feel like going out and doing something, they make sure I do.
He also voiced that there is accountability with the guys at Freedom House.
6) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
Talk to them. Talk to newcomers. Be welcoming.
This interview was short and interupted several times because Phil was trying to watch two of his sons, but I believe that I learned some valuable things. One of the things that I learned was about myself. I had made the assumption that Phil didn't know God because he was at Freedom House. That was hugely wrong on my part. I shouldn't have assumed anything of the sort. You can have knowledge of God and still make wrong choices; which, when I think about that, realize we all do that everyday to some extent. I think it comes down to how serious a person is in wanting to make a true commitment to that relationship with Christ. It was also a reminder to me not to judge. Or at least not to have pre-conceived ideas about people, which maybe I do more than I was aware. Sorry God.
The second thing I got, was Phil's sincerity in wanting to do what was right in God's eyes, even when it was opposite of what he wanted. I was impressed by his desire to put God's will above his own. Every moment of every day. Wow. I try and do that, too, but I don't know that I'm as focused on the moment-by-moment submission to God as Phil seems to be. I don't know why, but that seems like a really big thing I need to think about. Maybe I need to be asking God to help me with that.
The third thing that struck me was what Phil said at the end about what I could do for helping others to grow in their faith. Talking to newcomers and welcoming them. That seems like such a simple thing to do, but he's right. There are an awful lot of people walking around, oppressed by the enemy, feeling depressed, dejected, angry, biter, rejected, etc.. All they need to get them started on the road to Christ is to have someone show that they genuinely care and maybe walk that road with them. Showing interest in someone is an easy thing to do. It's something I can do.
1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
I always had faith in Christ. I was brought up in church. God always showed me He loved me. I've been shot, stabbed, and was in a bad car accident. God has a plan for me.
2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
I was sitting in jail...a couple of the guys got drugs in. I asked myself if this was it? Should I do something to change? The mother of my youngest son wrote a letter and we got back together. God gave me a reason and a purpose to change.
3) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
I'm free of all the devil's bondage.
4) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
Living by His words when I still want to do my will. Every moment. Every day. I pray and pray and pray.
5) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
The guys in the House help me a lot. showing me how much people DO care. How God works in their lives. I can have that happiness, too. When I don't feel like going out and doing something, they make sure I do.
He also voiced that there is accountability with the guys at Freedom House.
6) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
Talk to them. Talk to newcomers. Be welcoming.
This interview was short and interupted several times because Phil was trying to watch two of his sons, but I believe that I learned some valuable things. One of the things that I learned was about myself. I had made the assumption that Phil didn't know God because he was at Freedom House. That was hugely wrong on my part. I shouldn't have assumed anything of the sort. You can have knowledge of God and still make wrong choices; which, when I think about that, realize we all do that everyday to some extent. I think it comes down to how serious a person is in wanting to make a true commitment to that relationship with Christ. It was also a reminder to me not to judge. Or at least not to have pre-conceived ideas about people, which maybe I do more than I was aware. Sorry God.
The second thing I got, was Phil's sincerity in wanting to do what was right in God's eyes, even when it was opposite of what he wanted. I was impressed by his desire to put God's will above his own. Every moment of every day. Wow. I try and do that, too, but I don't know that I'm as focused on the moment-by-moment submission to God as Phil seems to be. I don't know why, but that seems like a really big thing I need to think about. Maybe I need to be asking God to help me with that.
The third thing that struck me was what Phil said at the end about what I could do for helping others to grow in their faith. Talking to newcomers and welcoming them. That seems like such a simple thing to do, but he's right. There are an awful lot of people walking around, oppressed by the enemy, feeling depressed, dejected, angry, biter, rejected, etc.. All they need to get them started on the road to Christ is to have someone show that they genuinely care and maybe walk that road with them. Showing interest in someone is an easy thing to do. It's something I can do.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Church Rater Survey # 3
Developing Outreach and Discipleship Programs
Church Rater Survey
The Church
What Church did you visit?
I visited Beit Meshekaynu at Freedom Valley Worship Center for their celebration of the Passover Seder.
What city or town is this Church located?
Gettysburg, PA.
What date and service did you attend?
Thursday, April 9, 2009, 6 PM.
Evaluating
How would you rate this church?
Please provide ratings based on your own experience. Yes, I realize this is subjective and your '1′ might be someone else's '5′. That's ok. It's your rating and I really want your opinion.
Rate the following from 1 to 5. 1 is not effective, 5 is very effective!
Overall: _____3______ Friendliness ______2_______ Singing ______3______ Preaching ____3_____
First Impressions
Outside:
Was the building easy to find?
It was easy since I go to church at FV, but if we hadn't been invited by Ken and Marcia Strickhouser, I would not have known that Rabbi Ed's congregation even meets at our church. I saw "Beit Meshekaynu" in our bulletin, but I had no idea what that was.
Was it difficult to find parking? No.
How about the interior or exterior signage- what would you do differently?
I would advertise out front that they meet there since Sunday's "King of Kings" service gets billing.
What did the appearance, style, or construction of the building communicate to you?
Honestly?? I love Freedom Valley, and I know why it was built the way it was (in order to be cost effective and so that it could be changed easily, which I appreciate), but pole buildings have always felt to me as though they would blow away if a good stiff wind came along. The only wind I hope that comes in force is the Pneuma of the Holy Spirit.
Before the service:
Did anyone approach you and speak to you before the service got underway? Yes.
If someone did speak to you, how did you feel about that?
Mixed feelings. Only because Rabbi Ed was the only one from Beit Meshekaynu who came up and said hello. Otherwise, we were greeted by people we already knew from our church. Oh! And my longtime friend Chris Abrams and her husband, Dave, who I normally don't see, but of late, we keep crossing paths. Do you suppose God has a reason for that?
Can you share their names?
Sure. As mentioned, Chris and Dave, also Ken and Marcia Strickhouser, Cindy Janczyk, Robin Wilson, John and Jenn Vintigni (sp?), Andy Leister (Chris's brother), and John and Phil from Freedom House. After the seder had started, Julie Stoltzfoos, came in and joined us.
Did you know them before the visit? Yes. All of them.
General observations:
As you observed the people "doing their church thing", what went through your mind?
That there was still a dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. For the most part, the Jewish congregation sat on one side of the room and the Gentiles sat on the other side of the room. The only exception I saw to that, and I certainly may be wrong, was Chris and her family who were sitting with the friends of theirs who had invited them, Len I-don't-know-who and his family. Len is Jewish. Actually, Dave has Jewish ancestry and was there so they could learn more about that ancestry.
Were you able to understand why they do what they do?
Yes. I really appreciated the "Haggadah" that someone had taken the time to make. It was a very detailed explanation of the Passover Seder, why they celebrate it, the order in which each of the elements are celebrated, and what each element is representative of. It made the Bible become more alive and gave me added insight into both the Jewish faith and parts of the Old Testament that I didn't fully (and maybe still don't) comprehend before.
Do they seem sincere? Yes. Certainly.
What do you think about the overall presentation of the service? (the liturgy, program or flow of the service)
Since it was a Passover Seder, I'm sure it was probably different from their normal services, but the flow was still good. It was a little long...still going after 10 PM...and there was a time or two when Rabbi Ed did some teaching along the way for those of us who may not have known or understood certain things in the Haggadah. He also took the time to share the miracle of his family's torah and how they came to receive it, which is always a pleasure to hear.
Bulletin and communications:
Is there anything in the church bulletin that you find confusing or offensive?
In place of a "normal" bulletin they had the "Haggadah". It was not at all confusing or offensive. It was well thought out and very much appreciated.
If this were your "business", how would you improve the communication part of it- the bulletin especially?
I don't think I could improve on what they did.
Were announcements clear, and interesting (did you want to sign up for anything)?
Not applicable.
Children's Ministry
Does this church appear kid-friendly?
I don't really remember seeing too many kids, but I remember Rabbi Ed having said before that they love children and that they consider them such a blessing.
Did you bring any children with you to the service?
No.
If so, ask them about their experience. What did they tell you?
Not applicable.
Music and Prayer
How would you describe the music?
Different. It was Jewish worship music that Rabbi Ed's son, Nick, sang. It was totally different from the type of worship music that I'm used to hearing since some of it was in Hebrew. One of the songs had "Henani(sp?)" in it, which means "Here am I". The gist of it, I believe, was, "Here am I, send me"...allow me to be Your servant and messenger. I found that song to be very moving.
Did you enjoy any of it? Yes, and humbling in a way.
Did you feel like you connected with God during any part of it? Yes.
How was it different from what you are used to?
Some of it was in Hebrew, so it was not as easy to catch the meaning behind all of it. Yet, it was still powerful enough to make me feel humbled.
Would you enjoy worshiping like that often?
Only if I knew more Hebrew and more about the Jewish culture. Otherwise, not so much.
What did you think of the prayers that were offered in the service?
The prayers were written in Hebrew, spelled out phonetically below, and below that in English. It was interesting because Michael and I were chosen to be the "abba" and "imma" at the table where we sat, and so had to try and say the prayer in both Hebrew and then English. I was so focused on trying to pronounce the Hebrew rendition that I'm afraid not much of the meaning soaked in. One reason I was thankful for the Haggadah...I can go back and look at the prayers. They were all prayers of blessing and thanksgiving.
As you listened to the prayers, what did you learn about how that church might think of people, or of God?
Just from the prayers I would say that they are people who like to "bless" and give thanks to God. I would imagine that they would also be a people who like to "bless" others. If that is the case, I can only imagine that they would be very hurt or perhaps angered, by someone saying something unkind or by the curses that some people habitually use.
The Speaker's Presentation
Did the Pastor or speaker seem likable? Yes.
Is he/she a person you might enjoy having coffee with? Why?
Yes. We have actually had the pleasure of having dinner with Rabbi Ed and his wife, Janet, before. I'd love learning more about Jewish history and culture because of the insight it provides me. I would get a better understanding of who Jesus was, the time in which he lived, the mindset, why they might have done certain things that they did. Some things in the Bible would end up just making more sense.
Did he/she seem engaged/sincere/condescending?
Yes. Yes. No. Rabbi Ed is very moved by the Word of God. He breaks down in tears when he reads it because it has such deep meaning for him. It would be a good thing if more people were so affected by the words of God.
Were you motivated to do or think anything differently because of the talk?
Yes, actually. The next morning I felt as though God was prompting me to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread by removing all things that were full of leaven (representative of sin)from our house. It was difficult to do because we had just gone to the grocery store and it meant tossing out a lot of things what we had just bought. The first thought was to give the loaves of bread, crescent rolls, etc, that we had just bought, to someone else so that they wouldn't be wasted. But I quickly realized that passing "sin" on to someone else was not something I wanted to be doing. There was more to it than just throwing out bread with yeast. There was hidden "sin", too. Anything with baking powder or baking soda had to go, too. I thought I had gotten all of it, but didn't realize that certain things still contained leavening agents/"sin". Katherine, in her ignorance, immediately found and partook of pancakes made with some kind of leaven. I was mortified that I hadn't gotten rid of all the "sin" after all. I took that outside, but didn't at first throw it out. I kept it "hidden" in the trunk of my car until God convicted me and I ended up throwing that out as well. After part of the week went by, I discovered there was still(!) hidden "sin" in tortillas (of all places!)! I had to throw that out, too, and repent. After trying to get rid of all the "sin" in our household and even being mindful about it, I discovered that it was next to impossible to do so. It made me think more deeply about the real sin I allow in my life, knowingly or unknowingly, what I do with my knowledge of sin (do I try to hide it, as I did in my car), or do I make an honest effort to get rid of it? It was a good excercise and I'm even more appreciative of what Jesus did by dying on the cross for me.
What could they have done to make it more enjoyable or useful?
Shortened it just a bit.
Please erase any of the following descriptors that did not apply to the talk: Enjoyable, Thought-provoking, Boring, Relevant, Energetic, Credible, Slow, Sad, Upbeat, Useful, Life-changing,
The Message
What was the main idea of the message?
The reason for celebrating Passover: God "passing over" His chosen people because of the blood of the Lamb that was poured out as a sacrifice, placed on the doorframe of the houses where they ate the lamb, and their deliverance from death. It wan't really mentioned, but it's easy to see that God does the same thing with us today if we believe in Jesus dying on the cross as a blood sacrifice for us and how His blood is then used to cover our "spiritual" doorfames so that God passes over us, sparing us from death.
What action did the speaker want you to take or consider taking?
There wasn't so much an action that we were encouraged to consider taking, but, as I mentioned earlier, I felt as though God prompted me to take specific action.
Did the talk itself (the subject matter) hold your attention? Yes.
Did any part of the talk stand out to you in a positive or negative way?
Yes. It made me more thoughtfully consider sin.
What is the one thing the speaker could do that would improve his/her presentation?
Perhaps shorten it just a bit.
Do you think that you particularly will remember anything that was taught?
Yes. The sin thing.
Do you understand God or people better because of it?
I hope so. There are sinful areas in our life that we are both aware, and unaware of; the initial reaction is to not let go of the sin because it will cost you somehow; there is sin that we enjoy and don't WANT to get rid of; there are areas in our life where we think that a little bit of sin won't hurt us, or if we keep sin "hidden" that nobody will know and it still won't hurt us. The sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and paid for me, is so beyond my comprehension; there are no words that adequately describe how that makes me feel...
Did it make you feel like you wanted to preach someday yourself ?
This one just makes me feel too humbled to think I could even do that.
Church Rater Survey
The Church
What Church did you visit?
I visited Beit Meshekaynu at Freedom Valley Worship Center for their celebration of the Passover Seder.
What city or town is this Church located?
Gettysburg, PA.
What date and service did you attend?
Thursday, April 9, 2009, 6 PM.
Evaluating
How would you rate this church?
Please provide ratings based on your own experience. Yes, I realize this is subjective and your '1′ might be someone else's '5′. That's ok. It's your rating and I really want your opinion.
Rate the following from 1 to 5. 1 is not effective, 5 is very effective!
Overall: _____3______ Friendliness ______2_______ Singing ______3______ Preaching ____3_____
First Impressions
Outside:
Was the building easy to find?
It was easy since I go to church at FV, but if we hadn't been invited by Ken and Marcia Strickhouser, I would not have known that Rabbi Ed's congregation even meets at our church. I saw "Beit Meshekaynu" in our bulletin, but I had no idea what that was.
Was it difficult to find parking? No.
How about the interior or exterior signage- what would you do differently?
I would advertise out front that they meet there since Sunday's "King of Kings" service gets billing.
What did the appearance, style, or construction of the building communicate to you?
Honestly?? I love Freedom Valley, and I know why it was built the way it was (in order to be cost effective and so that it could be changed easily, which I appreciate), but pole buildings have always felt to me as though they would blow away if a good stiff wind came along. The only wind I hope that comes in force is the Pneuma of the Holy Spirit.
Before the service:
Did anyone approach you and speak to you before the service got underway? Yes.
If someone did speak to you, how did you feel about that?
Mixed feelings. Only because Rabbi Ed was the only one from Beit Meshekaynu who came up and said hello. Otherwise, we were greeted by people we already knew from our church. Oh! And my longtime friend Chris Abrams and her husband, Dave, who I normally don't see, but of late, we keep crossing paths. Do you suppose God has a reason for that?
Can you share their names?
Sure. As mentioned, Chris and Dave, also Ken and Marcia Strickhouser, Cindy Janczyk, Robin Wilson, John and Jenn Vintigni (sp?), Andy Leister (Chris's brother), and John and Phil from Freedom House. After the seder had started, Julie Stoltzfoos, came in and joined us.
Did you know them before the visit? Yes. All of them.
General observations:
As you observed the people "doing their church thing", what went through your mind?
That there was still a dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. For the most part, the Jewish congregation sat on one side of the room and the Gentiles sat on the other side of the room. The only exception I saw to that, and I certainly may be wrong, was Chris and her family who were sitting with the friends of theirs who had invited them, Len I-don't-know-who and his family. Len is Jewish. Actually, Dave has Jewish ancestry and was there so they could learn more about that ancestry.
Were you able to understand why they do what they do?
Yes. I really appreciated the "Haggadah" that someone had taken the time to make. It was a very detailed explanation of the Passover Seder, why they celebrate it, the order in which each of the elements are celebrated, and what each element is representative of. It made the Bible become more alive and gave me added insight into both the Jewish faith and parts of the Old Testament that I didn't fully (and maybe still don't) comprehend before.
Do they seem sincere? Yes. Certainly.
What do you think about the overall presentation of the service? (the liturgy, program or flow of the service)
Since it was a Passover Seder, I'm sure it was probably different from their normal services, but the flow was still good. It was a little long...still going after 10 PM...and there was a time or two when Rabbi Ed did some teaching along the way for those of us who may not have known or understood certain things in the Haggadah. He also took the time to share the miracle of his family's torah and how they came to receive it, which is always a pleasure to hear.
Bulletin and communications:
Is there anything in the church bulletin that you find confusing or offensive?
In place of a "normal" bulletin they had the "Haggadah". It was not at all confusing or offensive. It was well thought out and very much appreciated.
If this were your "business", how would you improve the communication part of it- the bulletin especially?
I don't think I could improve on what they did.
Were announcements clear, and interesting (did you want to sign up for anything)?
Not applicable.
Children's Ministry
Does this church appear kid-friendly?
I don't really remember seeing too many kids, but I remember Rabbi Ed having said before that they love children and that they consider them such a blessing.
Did you bring any children with you to the service?
No.
If so, ask them about their experience. What did they tell you?
Not applicable.
Music and Prayer
How would you describe the music?
Different. It was Jewish worship music that Rabbi Ed's son, Nick, sang. It was totally different from the type of worship music that I'm used to hearing since some of it was in Hebrew. One of the songs had "Henani(sp?)" in it, which means "Here am I". The gist of it, I believe, was, "Here am I, send me"...allow me to be Your servant and messenger. I found that song to be very moving.
Did you enjoy any of it? Yes, and humbling in a way.
Did you feel like you connected with God during any part of it? Yes.
How was it different from what you are used to?
Some of it was in Hebrew, so it was not as easy to catch the meaning behind all of it. Yet, it was still powerful enough to make me feel humbled.
Would you enjoy worshiping like that often?
Only if I knew more Hebrew and more about the Jewish culture. Otherwise, not so much.
What did you think of the prayers that were offered in the service?
The prayers were written in Hebrew, spelled out phonetically below, and below that in English. It was interesting because Michael and I were chosen to be the "abba" and "imma" at the table where we sat, and so had to try and say the prayer in both Hebrew and then English. I was so focused on trying to pronounce the Hebrew rendition that I'm afraid not much of the meaning soaked in. One reason I was thankful for the Haggadah...I can go back and look at the prayers. They were all prayers of blessing and thanksgiving.
As you listened to the prayers, what did you learn about how that church might think of people, or of God?
Just from the prayers I would say that they are people who like to "bless" and give thanks to God. I would imagine that they would also be a people who like to "bless" others. If that is the case, I can only imagine that they would be very hurt or perhaps angered, by someone saying something unkind or by the curses that some people habitually use.
The Speaker's Presentation
Did the Pastor or speaker seem likable? Yes.
Is he/she a person you might enjoy having coffee with? Why?
Yes. We have actually had the pleasure of having dinner with Rabbi Ed and his wife, Janet, before. I'd love learning more about Jewish history and culture because of the insight it provides me. I would get a better understanding of who Jesus was, the time in which he lived, the mindset, why they might have done certain things that they did. Some things in the Bible would end up just making more sense.
Did he/she seem engaged/sincere/condescending?
Yes. Yes. No. Rabbi Ed is very moved by the Word of God. He breaks down in tears when he reads it because it has such deep meaning for him. It would be a good thing if more people were so affected by the words of God.
Were you motivated to do or think anything differently because of the talk?
Yes, actually. The next morning I felt as though God was prompting me to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread by removing all things that were full of leaven (representative of sin)from our house. It was difficult to do because we had just gone to the grocery store and it meant tossing out a lot of things what we had just bought. The first thought was to give the loaves of bread, crescent rolls, etc, that we had just bought, to someone else so that they wouldn't be wasted. But I quickly realized that passing "sin" on to someone else was not something I wanted to be doing. There was more to it than just throwing out bread with yeast. There was hidden "sin", too. Anything with baking powder or baking soda had to go, too. I thought I had gotten all of it, but didn't realize that certain things still contained leavening agents/"sin". Katherine, in her ignorance, immediately found and partook of pancakes made with some kind of leaven. I was mortified that I hadn't gotten rid of all the "sin" after all. I took that outside, but didn't at first throw it out. I kept it "hidden" in the trunk of my car until God convicted me and I ended up throwing that out as well. After part of the week went by, I discovered there was still(!) hidden "sin" in tortillas (of all places!)! I had to throw that out, too, and repent. After trying to get rid of all the "sin" in our household and even being mindful about it, I discovered that it was next to impossible to do so. It made me think more deeply about the real sin I allow in my life, knowingly or unknowingly, what I do with my knowledge of sin (do I try to hide it, as I did in my car), or do I make an honest effort to get rid of it? It was a good excercise and I'm even more appreciative of what Jesus did by dying on the cross for me.
What could they have done to make it more enjoyable or useful?
Shortened it just a bit.
Please erase any of the following descriptors that did not apply to the talk: Enjoyable, Thought-provoking, Boring, Relevant, Energetic, Credible, Slow, Sad, Upbeat, Useful, Life-changing,
The Message
What was the main idea of the message?
The reason for celebrating Passover: God "passing over" His chosen people because of the blood of the Lamb that was poured out as a sacrifice, placed on the doorframe of the houses where they ate the lamb, and their deliverance from death. It wan't really mentioned, but it's easy to see that God does the same thing with us today if we believe in Jesus dying on the cross as a blood sacrifice for us and how His blood is then used to cover our "spiritual" doorfames so that God passes over us, sparing us from death.
What action did the speaker want you to take or consider taking?
There wasn't so much an action that we were encouraged to consider taking, but, as I mentioned earlier, I felt as though God prompted me to take specific action.
Did the talk itself (the subject matter) hold your attention? Yes.
Did any part of the talk stand out to you in a positive or negative way?
Yes. It made me more thoughtfully consider sin.
What is the one thing the speaker could do that would improve his/her presentation?
Perhaps shorten it just a bit.
Do you think that you particularly will remember anything that was taught?
Yes. The sin thing.
Do you understand God or people better because of it?
I hope so. There are sinful areas in our life that we are both aware, and unaware of; the initial reaction is to not let go of the sin because it will cost you somehow; there is sin that we enjoy and don't WANT to get rid of; there are areas in our life where we think that a little bit of sin won't hurt us, or if we keep sin "hidden" that nobody will know and it still won't hurt us. The sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and paid for me, is so beyond my comprehension; there are no words that adequately describe how that makes me feel...
Did it make you feel like you wanted to preach someday yourself ?
This one just makes me feel too humbled to think I could even do that.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
New Believer # 3 Interview
This interview was with Deon, who prayed the prayer of salvation February 7, 2009, when Johannes was here, and plans on getting baptized. She wants Gabe to help dunk her.
1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
"It started when Becky (her girlfriend) took me to youth group to date Ben and with going to church. It really developed here (Freedom Valley) and with reading the Bible. It sunk in more here. Heart and soul paying attention and internalizing everything."
2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
"When Jon and I separated. All the pain I was going through helped me to connect better. A deeper level of belief. It was a process."
3) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
"The hope and freedom I have. Knowing that no matter what I do, I'm forgiven. I have a clean slate every day. I feel like I have a higher purpose."
4) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
"Keeping a routine going. Making sure I pray and read my Bible every day. Staying connected with everything that's going on in my life. It's the hardest thing I've ever done."
5) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
"Having people around me like you (Elizabeth) and my friend, Heather, at school, to keep me focused. To keep looking ahead."
6) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
"To have patience for people you're trying to bring to Christ and quiet persistence. For new believers: have a time and schedule to read and pray. Surround yourself with people who love you and support you and help you get to church every week."
Deon holds a special place in my heart since she's the mother of my grandson. She feels like one of my own and I connect with her in a way I can't explain. Her hurts have been my hurts; her joys my joys. The feelings I have for her in no way take away from the feelings I have for my son and his wife, although I think it's a little difficult for them to understand sometimes. It has been my great privilege to be her second mom, to be someone she could turn to, the person who's shoulder she's cried on, a person she has turned to for guidance and for prayer. It gave me a lot of joy when she came and grabbed me by the hand to go up front with her to say the prayer of salvation and ask for baptism in the Holy Spirit when Johannes was here. This may sound strange, but I feel as though I gave her away in marriage.
It also gives me pleasure and satisfaction knowing that my grandson has a mom, a dad, and a second mom (in my daughter-in-law), all of whom love Gabe and desire to raise him up knowing the love and admonition of the Lord.
It is my desire to continue to be an influence to Deon (as it is with all my kids)and to watch her mature in Christ. It feels to me as though anyone you invest in spiritually, becomes your child spiritually. It's wonderful to know that you have been part of the process in influencing someone for Christ. I hope to have a million more.
1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?
"It started when Becky (her girlfriend) took me to youth group to date Ben and with going to church. It really developed here (Freedom Valley) and with reading the Bible. It sunk in more here. Heart and soul paying attention and internalizing everything."
2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?
"When Jon and I separated. All the pain I was going through helped me to connect better. A deeper level of belief. It was a process."
3) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?
"The hope and freedom I have. Knowing that no matter what I do, I'm forgiven. I have a clean slate every day. I feel like I have a higher purpose."
4) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?
"Keeping a routine going. Making sure I pray and read my Bible every day. Staying connected with everything that's going on in my life. It's the hardest thing I've ever done."
5) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?
"Having people around me like you (Elizabeth) and my friend, Heather, at school, to keep me focused. To keep looking ahead."
6) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?
"To have patience for people you're trying to bring to Christ and quiet persistence. For new believers: have a time and schedule to read and pray. Surround yourself with people who love you and support you and help you get to church every week."
Deon holds a special place in my heart since she's the mother of my grandson. She feels like one of my own and I connect with her in a way I can't explain. Her hurts have been my hurts; her joys my joys. The feelings I have for her in no way take away from the feelings I have for my son and his wife, although I think it's a little difficult for them to understand sometimes. It has been my great privilege to be her second mom, to be someone she could turn to, the person who's shoulder she's cried on, a person she has turned to for guidance and for prayer. It gave me a lot of joy when she came and grabbed me by the hand to go up front with her to say the prayer of salvation and ask for baptism in the Holy Spirit when Johannes was here. This may sound strange, but I feel as though I gave her away in marriage.
It also gives me pleasure and satisfaction knowing that my grandson has a mom, a dad, and a second mom (in my daughter-in-law), all of whom love Gabe and desire to raise him up knowing the love and admonition of the Lord.
It is my desire to continue to be an influence to Deon (as it is with all my kids)and to watch her mature in Christ. It feels to me as though anyone you invest in spiritually, becomes your child spiritually. It's wonderful to know that you have been part of the process in influencing someone for Christ. I hope to have a million more.
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