one day at church

Sometimes I think life here in South Africa is very similar (but simpler) to life in America. Other days I think otherwise. Here are just a few examples of just ONE Sunday in our tiny township church this month:

• I have a new group of Jr. Youth (11-13 year olds). So, I did a survey about their understanding of faith and Salvation. Many say they’re Christians because they attend church (or are not of the other predominant religion at the Mosque); they also say they do not think they will go to heaven, even though they say they’re Christians. They are very confused about what it means to be a Christian and Believe in God. I got to teach about the Plan of Salvation (leading to the Easter Story plus the Romans Road) and how we can have a relationship with Christ. (Pray for these seeds that were planted!)
• Children outnumbered adults in Worship. The church is predominantly children and youth under the age of 25. Getting committed adults to lead is difficult in our community!
• Music and “singing worship” are not a priority in our church. Not many have gifts of music, therefore, we’re happy with what we get. Not much is invested in this area.
• A young adult had to be confronted about a Facebook posts about a popular, controversial movie that they went to see in the cinema. Leaders had to explain why Christians shouldn’t go see these movies and why filling our mind with images like that can be detrimental. 
• The one person who teaches Jr. Youth with me told me, “I don’t think I’m a Christian anymore.” … and then backed out of leading Sunday School. She feels guilty about something and now doesn’t want to serve the children. That was a hard conversation. 
• During the worship service, a young adult (high on drugs) came into our service, sat right in front of me on the second row of chairs from the pulpit, took his shoes on and off, and loudly spoke to the man preaching. This guy was a roller-coaster … yelling at one moment, falling asleep another, rustling in his bag another. At times I was on guard and afraid … other times, I was praying for a nonjudgmental spirit and praying for seeds to be planted in his heart for the Gospel.
• Church Leaders are asked for money and donations. Some months we have donations of food that we give out. Other months, no food is available. People constantly ask for handouts. Is this their motive for attending church? I pray that’s not the case. 
• Many people come in half-an-hour late to our service and then leave before speaking to anyone - often before the service has ended. People are not very social and do not necessarily want to be seen or spoken to by leadership or other committed believers. 

As you can see, our church is full of baby Christians and the Lost. The concept of being “set-apart” is hard for our Christian young people to grasp. They are not in a Christian-bubble and often don’t know what is Christian conduct or what is “unhealthy/worldly behavior.” Many of their families do not share their Christian faith … and even if they do, being committed to their faith is not a common thing modeled. The concept of “security in Salvation” is not well grasped here either. One set-back can spiral and they can easily give up on their walk with Christ … instead of repenting, turning from their actions and renewing a pure relationship with Christ. 

While many of these things I’m speaking about ring true in American culture too (uncommitted leaders, young adults wandering, etc), it’s often undercover. Here, it seems our sin and actions are wide open for the masses and thus church leaders have to deal with the hard conversations and discipline. Sometimes I wish I didn’t see or know the things that are so public in our church, but there’s something about the openness of sin and honesty that makes me think this is how God wants us to deal with “the church.” 

We're all broken. We're all being mended. 

Praying for heart transformation of all that enter our worship, which is only by the work of the Spirit!