21 comments

Lina Abujamra

Seeing Church with Fresh Eyes

Posted on 01.15.13 by Lina Abujamra | Twitter: @LinaMay

Through the end of this week, we're celebrating five years of God's faithfulness here on the True Woman blog with some of our favorite posts from the past. Thanks for contributing—we love reading your thoughts!

Here's Lina Abujamra’s post from July 20, 2012. We love her creative approach to helping us see church and unbelievers and Jesus and all that we so often take for granted with fresh eyes. May her post remind you to share Jesus with others!

If you answer Lina’s questions below by Friday, January 18, we’ll choose one of you at random to receive Vertical Church by James MacDonald (that's Lina's pastor, by the way). 

Church service

Imagine you’ve never been to church before. Never heard of Jesus. Never read the Bible.

You notice a lot of cars pulling into a building. You’re not sure what the fuss is all about. You decide to check it out.

It takes you a while to find a parking spot. The folks next to you rush in. They’re looking straight ahead, some with scowls, others with polite stares. Mothers are pulling their kids along, fathers are bleary eyed.

You’re a bit confused, but you don’t want to miss whatever it is that got them out of bed so early. Some of them are carrying a book with a handle. Strange, but you’ve seen stranger things in your lifetime.

As you walk through the door, a couple of folks have a smile plastered on their faces in stark contrast to those walking in. You smile back, but you still don’t have a clue what the buzz is about. Then you hear someone saying: “Good morning, welcome to our church.”

Church. So that’s what they call the building with the steeple.

Everyone is walking into a big room set up like a stadium with a platform in the middle. A guitar stand and a drum set are on it surrounded by a couple of mics. For a split second, it strikes you that church may be another word for concert, or band.

Someone guides you up an aisle and directs you to sit. No one asks for your ticket. It must be a free concert.

You glance to your right, but the woman is staring at her phone. She won’t return your glance. You look to your left, and the man is so preoccupied in a conversation with his wife you can’t squeeze in a question. What time does the concert start? How long does it go? Who’s playing? Is the opening band any good? Why do they have the concerts so early on a Sunday?

You look around and notice that some people look like they’re still sleeping. Their eyes are shut. Others are reading that book with the handle. You make a mental note to buy yourself one of those books next time you come, if there is a next time.

Nothing happens for a while and you’re about to leave when you suddenly see a countdown clock pop up on the big screen. Five minutes before take off. You might as well stay.

The lights dim, the music is about to start. But a second before it does, the guy up front says “Hi, and welcome to our church.” He then closes his eyes and talks to an invisible person. It’s weird. You’ve never seen anything like it before.

Then something strange happens. The folks on your right and on your left stand up and it’s as if a whole new person has taken over their bodies. They start singing with everything they’ve got. A few minutes into it, their hands are lifted high and tears are streaming down their faces.

You feel oddly out of place. Everyone knows the words to the songs, but you’ve never even heard them before. Some songs are better than others, some singers much better than others. But they don’t seem to care. It’s almost like they’re singing to someone else.

This goes on for twenty minutes. Then the guy up front closes his eyes again and talks to the invisible person. He calls it a prayer, but to you it sounds like any other conversation you might have with someone. The main difference is that the guy praying seems to be worshiping the one he’s praying to. It’s kind of eerie.

On cue, some folks walk up the aisles and start passing out a bag. People take out their wallets and start dumping money into the bag. No wonder no one collected tickets earlier. No free concerts around here. But wait, the guy up front is talking again. He says this is a part of worship not meant for visitors. Things couldn’t get any stranger.

The concert goes on a little bit longer. Then the band leaves the stage. You think it’s over, but no one makes a move to leave. And then another guy gets up front. He’s kind of average looking, but when he starts talking he sounds a lot smarter and a lot more confident and convincing than anyone you’ve ever heard before.

As he starts talking, everyone around you opens the book with the handle and starts flipping to the same page. You remind yourself for the second time to get yourself one of those books if you ever come back.

You’re a little distracted, until the guy up front mentions a name.

Jesus.

And everything suddenly goes into slow motion.

Jesus.

Your heart skips a beat.

Jesus.

You’ve never heard that name before, but there’s something about it. Your ears perk up, your heart starts to race. You feel like you’ve just run a mile. You hang on every word. Sinners set free. Hearts made whole. Freedom granted. Love poured out on a cross. Eyes opened now see. Lives set free. A Savior crucified and risen from the dead.

Jesus.

You look around. You can’t see Him but you sense He is near. Can anyone see Him?

Suddenly you know. You can’t go on another day without Him.

The service ends. Folks walk out. Nobody stops you. Not a word is spoken, not a glance your way.

But you know without a shadow of a doubt: next Sunday you’ll be back. Because deep in your soul you know that life will never be the same again since you’ve heard that name.

Jesus.

What would happen if someone came to your church for the first time and ended up sitting to . . . you? Would they meet Jesus or just a sleepy Christian waiting for another service to begin?

Comments

  1. If someone came to my church for the first time and sit beside me. I would let them feel welcome and not only myself but others (very friendly church). I will help him/her to understand the importance of who they are worshiping and the meaning behind it. I will explain to them what he has done and by living for him it will and is worth it. I give them some thing to think about and encourage them to come back hopefully continue our conversation next week.
    posted by Tamika M
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 7:16 am
  2. For first timers, I would welcome them warmly, give them a sincere (not plastered) smile, invite them to come back next week to learn more about this JESUS who is the most amazing Person who ever walked on this earth. Come back. Don't miss out. HE will change your life.
    posted by Shirley Smedley-Theiss
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 8:27 am
  3. Powerful blog post as well as convicting! I find that I am often bogged down with whatever transpires prior to arriving at church. With three small children to get up and get ready and to early church by 8:15, someone is bound to have a melt down...sometimes one, two or all of my children, or sometimes me. However, there are Sundays when things at my house do go off without a hitch! On these mornings I would be more mindful to be welcoming to vistors. Regardless of how my morning begins, I am without excuse as I have been called to be the hands and feet of Christ! Thank you for this post and I pray I will be more mindful of what others see not only on Sunday mornings, but every day of the week.
    posted by Alison
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 8:28 am
  4. I remember being that person to attend church for the first time. It was so different than the church I grew up in. I went for many months, trying to take it all in, before making eye contact with the person next to me. Slowly but steadily my love grew for Jesus and I would eventually look at those people around me as family.

    When I invite people to my church I tell them, as my pastor says, it's not a perfect place, but it's a good place. But one thing is for sure....Jesus is there!
    posted by Debbie S
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 8:41 am
  5. I was raised in a very religious home, but knew nothing of a personal relationship with Jesus or that I could go to heaven for sure when I died .I remember the first time ever visiting the church I now attend and being taken aback at the warmth and love that seemed to flow. I remember often how I said to myself that I had to return the next Sunday to see if I would actually get a smile from a person two Sundays in a row. Grace and mercy were bound on the hearts of our pastor and his wife. What godly examples of lives lived for Him. I am now in the business of "passing it on" God bless you.
    posted by kathy
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 9:02 am
  6. Lina I love the creative mind that God has gifted to you. The perspective of this scenario makes me feel excited about this weekend's service and if I can pick out someone new that might benefit from an encouraging word or smile!
    posted by Dawn
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 9:39 am
  7. I was raised in a strick religious family. I was told to go to Harvest. just check it they said. So I did of course my game face on not wanting to talk to anyone. I left the 1st time everything in wanting more of this because it felt like home. Then I met Dr.Lina and her teaching made sense. started biblestudy. I was led to my church for a reason and I love it and the people I have met :)
    posted by Gina N
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 10:25 am
  8. At our church, we are given a few minutes to all greet one another, and I try to make it a point to approach our visitors with a smile and a welcome. On several occasions, I've felt God's Spirit urging me to embrace them and let the warmth of His Love cover them for a moment or two. Many times, the visitor hugs back almost desperately, as if they've been thirsty for His Presence for a long time. Not everyone I meet is "open" to receiving a hug, and I try to discern and be sensitive to that, but I've found that more often than not, visitors are almost relieved to get a hug as they are welcomed. In all, as children of the King, we are to be a reflection of Him at all times; and we have the opportunity to, as Alison so perfectly put it, be His Hands and Feet - and what better place to start than in our own church?...
    posted by Lisa
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:45 am
  9. Very interesting post! I would like to think that if this person sat next to me I'd introduce myself and ask "getting to know you" questions. I'd introduce her to others around us. I'd share my Bible with her. If I was feeling really bold, I might even ask her to lunch afterwards. At least I hope that's what I'd do! That's what I'd like her to do if the roles were reversed!
    Glowininthedark.blogspot.com
    posted by Ann Dunlap
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 12:33 pm
  10. WOW! Thank you for writing such a very insightful post. You definitly have a gift of imagination.

    I have often caught myself day dreaming in church. I feel terrible - but sometimes it's boring. This is just such a reminder to me that God's Word can never be boring! I needed to be reminded of this.
    posted by Mandy
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 1:15 pm
  11. Lima, thank you for reminding me what I should be focused on when greeting others with a warm smile. church should not seem like a club with a secret handshake or language. Love is more than a hello. Welcome is more than a gladness your guest showed up.
    posted by gina
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 1:46 pm
  12. Great blog, I was that person, by the alter call during a News Year eve service, I gave my heart to Jesus that night instead of going out to party. It's been years now since that night. I still remember the elderly lady who met me at the front door and welcome me as I entered. She made me feel more at ease as she explained to me about the service (I still stayed,lol) It was that same lady who later took my hand and asked me if I wanted to know Jesus, and walked me to the front where the Preacher explained salvation, the HolySpirit took care of my Heart. Great reminder! It's so easy to get into the routine (The enjoying the Church routine.) that we don't step out and meet the next Salvation walking through the front doors. Very Good reminder, Thanks
    posted by J
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 2:13 pm
  13. If I go to church with the attitude "Who can I be a blessing to today" I will be looking around to welcome people I've never seen or met or try to encourage someone. But, if I go with the attitude "What can I get out of this" I miss many opportunities that the Lord would have for me to bring glory to him, and point others to Him.
    So, for me, I need to prepare my heart and ask the Lord to show me where He wants to use me.
    posted by Kim Zolman
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 2:34 pm
  14. At a time I was really praying for the Lord to use me, I met a gentleman at church who was there for the first time. I gave him a tour of the church, a seat next to me in service, and my phone number in case he planned on returning the following week. I eventually gave him my heart, as we are now married. These days, I continue to seek to encourage (female :) newbies to the church, as well as invite my unsaved friends to hear the unchanging message of Jesus.
    posted by Amy D.
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 5:37 pm
  15. After reading the above scenario I thought about the many churches I visited the last 7 years in search for 'home'. There have been small churches, large churches, friendly ones and indifferent ones, but where my heart stopped is where Jesus was present. Grant you, I wasn't a brand new Christian, but I was in my baby stages. I pray that any visitors coming to my church would feel something special and want to come back for more. I pray that the message given would penetrate their minds and hearts and keep them wanting more. After reading the above though, if I am sitting next to someone that is new, I will now make myself approachable. Being in a large church, it's hard to know if the person sitting beside you is a visitor or not but this blog has made me think that maybe I should be finding out. Thanks Lena for making us all think. From now on, I'm Passing it Forward....... one seat at a time.
    posted by Susan Sintichakis
    on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 8:53 pm
  16. Wow that's deep. Very insightful! It makes me examine myself in every area when there is a new comer or should I say visitor. Thanks for Sharing!
    amamaslifep31.blogspot.com
    posted by Tamara
    on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:27 pm
  17. I remember when I was brand new at my current church and how some members were aloof and uninterested, while some just took me and my children right in and really tried to get to know us. If a new person came into my church and sat down next to me I would do my very best to make that person feel welcomed and loved. I would do my best to be the hands and feet of Jesus to that person so that they would want to learn more anout Him.
    posted by Arian
    on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 9:32 am
  18. Yikes... I am often running around with my head cut off... pull checks out of my church mail box. Get them to a deacon. Get my kids seated with juice, a snack, a picture to color or devotional paper to read. Sneak into the choir practice room. Hope and pray my kids are sitting still... at least until children's church starts.

    All I can say is that my church is so small that a visitor will indeed be noticed and greeted. I hope we take such good care of members who are no longer part of the busyness. ?? Invite someone to lunch?? My kids will be lucky to get peanut butter and jelly before I crash into my Sunday afternoon nap.

    God, I need grace to be a better minister of mercy.
    posted by Karen
    on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 1:00 pm
  19. Congrats to you, Shirley Smedley-Theiss! You just won James MacDonald's "Vertical Church." Check your inbox for more details.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 4:45 pm
  20. Dear Shirley,

    Your email address came back as undeliverable. Unless you leave a comment here by tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 22 with your correct email address, I'll choose another winner.

    Hope to hear from you!

    paula
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 1:27 pm
  21. Congrats, Alison! You just won James MacDonald's "Vertical Church." Check your inbox for more details.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 12:49 pm

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