Today, my best friend and I attended a multiracial/cultural church! It was such an amazing experience! I noticed the diversity of the ministry upon entering the sanctuary but I didn't realize just how ''international'' it was until it was time to receive the welcome. It was translated in Spanish and Korean and the translators were pastors in the ministry. Not only were they pastors but a musician and a praise and worship leader. The Korean pastor played the keyboard and the Spanish pastor led the song for the choir, which was also sang in Spanish. I had no clue what they were saying but I was completely blessed by their energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Someone in that service knew exactly what they were saying; and I'm sure they were blessed even more! Then when it was time for the message, the bass player walked up to the podium wearing a lapel microphone. Yep, the bass player was also the pastor! At this point, I am for real floored at what I'm witnessing! It was such a beautiful site! On top of ALL of this, the Word was AWESOME! Now, had I judged this ministry from the outside-in I would have missed it all. It is, what we call today, a "store-front-church", meaning that it is in the same plaza with stores and such. This was not a 3,000-seat auditorium with balcony and an overflow. It did not have cameras everywhere with VIP seating either. In this ministry, I saw what some "mega-ministries" have spent years trying to accomplish and that's to become a place where all races/nationalities can come together and worship God! This place had the necessary components for everyone who was anyone to feel like someone and not out of place! This place had vision beyond huge edifices and large congregations. Please don't misunderstand me as someone who criticizes other ministries that have those desires. I'm just saying that size shouldn't matter as much as I know it does to some pastors. What should matter is whether what we're doing is advancing the Kingdom of God. What should matter is that we become pastors after God's heart, not worrying about attendance on Sunday but how many will come into relationship with God through our ministry. Who will be honest and admit that you thought from the title that this blog had a physical connotation? If not, then that's great! If so, then it just really illuminates my point. We can't make decisions based on what we see on the outside but what we experience from the inside. Who or what have you judged from the outside-in? Try seeing them/it through God's eyes. Peace, Blessings, and Favor
Ronnie, this is so true from every aspect!!! We do have a tendency to be way too critical and or judgmental. I must admit that I was one of the ones who were wondering what you were talking about, but I didn't judge i came to see for myself. Thanks for your insight and keep doing what you do cause you're good at it!!!
ReplyDeleteJune B.