Sanctuary

"I can't talk with other people about this. They wouldn't understand."

I've heard words like these many times -- and have expressed them some myself, too -- about addiction, abuse, fear, doubt, family trouble, and all sorts of other troubling issues. Though I don't always say it, my internal response is usually "You'd be surprised."

Working in a residential treatment center, serving in hospital chaplaincy, ministering in churches, and talking with friends, I've found the sentiment to be a common one, and it is based on the lie that everyone else has it all together. In hiding from each other, we hide from ourselves and from God, too. We can create barriers that keep us from reaching out even when we're so close. It's an awfully lonely way to live.

Anne Jackson describes the historical right of sanctuary in the Christian church, which defended criminals from execution or other unfair judgment and provided a place for criminals to find refuge until they received pardon or fair punishment. Churches still call their meeting places "sanctuaries," and I love how Jackson describes it:

"Church is a place for us to claim

the right of a modern-day sanctuary

where we can name our sins or ask our questions

and be protected and sheltered while we search

for grace, forgiveness, and answers."

The Church is not a building; it is people who follow God. And Jackson's word describe pretty well the kind of people I want to be.

Anticipating Together Time

We have been talking about getting folks together from the various Nazarene churches in Utah on a Sunday evening as a united congregation to worship God and enjoy relationships also with each other.  Details are still unknown, but I imagine it will include great music, some time in scripture, a few introductions, food, and conversation.  I am looking forward to this time together.

"There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Big Church

Miss Allison
leading a kids' lesson

Children's ministries has its own language sometimes, and one common term is "Big Church."  It usually describes the main worship service, and distinguishes it from "children's church" -- a separate space where kids sometimes go to worship together with other young people in ways designed to communicate in developmentally appropriate ways.

Big Church can feel like a foreign place to children (and adults) who have not been there before.  It is a different environment with different actions and expectations than they typically experience in other parts of their lives.  As a result, it's not surprising that kids' responses to Big Church are sometimes disruptive.  It takes time and guidance to integrate.

Important relationships,
useful skills

Sometimes the disruptions are frustrating, but I love that we intentionally include children in Big Church.  With investment from their parents and others, kids can recognize that they have a place in the congregation, too, that they belong here, that they are important to the rest of us and to God.  They also can see church as something bigger than their naturally kid-centered worlds.

SLC Impact
worship team

I'm having a Big Church experience of my own this summer as I join in worship with other congregations in our area while their pastors are away.  Each group has its own unique people, congregational culture, and other variations.  Those environments are a little different from Rosewood Lane, and it takes a little effort to integrate.  Sometimes these differences create little disruptions, I suppose.  But, like with the children, it is worth the investment.  I trust each Sunday that I will both find and create hospitable space in my interactions with others, and I love seeing the bigger picture of God at work in other local congregations.  It is good to be in Big Church.

It reminds me, too, of our denomination as a whole, which introduces even bigger levels of "Big Church" -- not just individuals gathering together, but local churches joining to form districts, districts forming regions, and ultimately people of congregations in over 150 world areas uniting together in common purposes of worship, learning, and service.  It is through such partnership that we become able to engage in ministry so much bigger than any individual or congregation, ultimately reaching around the world.

It doesn't stop there, of course, because Big Church is not limited to our global denomination.  Our focus is on God Himself rather than on our organization.  We join in spirit with other Christians, both locally and around the world.

Big Church is indeed really, really big.

Communion

Mark and I went to church in Portland this past Sunday.  Before Pastor Bill served Communion there, he talked about that word.  "Communion" speaks of sharing and relationship.  When we take the bread and juice together in this symbolism-rich meal, it is a powerful reminder of relationships with God and with each other, made possible through Jesus Christ. And it was not just those of us in that room of that church building at that time.  On that morning, I was struck by how the act of receiving Communion connected us with our home church, others with whom we have worshiped throughout our lives, and even people we've never met.  I am grateful for this gift of relationship, and want to honor it.

-- Debi

Abounding

Pastor Joel asked me this past week to help the children learn a Bible verse: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8).  My desire is for the knowledge of God's good nature to become planted in their souls and build deep roots there, so we put motion and tone to the words to help it stick.

Of course, this is not just for children, but for youth and adults, too, so I "invited" the congregation to join us in.  Not only did the congregation learn the verse, but participated with enthusiasm and had fun with it.  We put aside our sometimes-serious selves as we played together, supported the kids, and learned from scripture.  I was proud of the good folks at Rosewood Lane.

The choice of Psalm 103:8 was not random, of course.  Pastor Joel preached a great message on the story of Jonah.  If you'd like to hear it again (or hear it for the first time), let me know and I'll create an audio copy for you.

-- Debi