Christianity represents only about 46% of the population in New Zealand, most of which are Catholic. I am tasked with the job of finding the church that we will attend. I start with Church, then Christian, followed by Protestant church in the search bar. Perhaps, if I am feeling more confident, I look for Methodist, Wesleyan, Anglican, Presbyterian, or Baptist.
Once I find one within a 25-minute walk (closer is better), I read their mission statement. My only requirement is that Jesus and spreading the good news MUST be part of the stated mission. If not, the Sunday morning “gathering” is just a social club.
Example-copied directly from the internet
We seek to be the “church at the heart of the community”. One of the key ways we love local is by providing spaces where people can connect and belong. We see ourselves as a church family, who are disciples, that care for the last, least and lost. We endeavour to be inclusive and love seeing people use their gifts and talents to serve others. We are a local church with a commitment to one another and to the wider community.
Elim International Church
I decided on a Pentecostal church because at least they would be excited about Jesus as they are known for being vocal and often speaking in tongues. There will be lots of responses like “Yeah”, “That’s right”, and “Uh-huh” with clapping.
This was A BIG mistake because when you give Pentecostal’s a microphone, the sound is deafening!! I wish that I had my ear plugs. My sound meter indicated hearing loss.
The greeting pastor was from Sri Lanka, and he started off with 🎶 If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands 🎶
He encouraged us to fast for 21 days. It isn’t required by God, but it is a discipline that one can use to deepen a relationship with Jesus. If you are unable to fast due to medical reasons, one can fast from cell phone use, TV watching, etc. Regardless of the fast, one redeems that time with prayer. It is more than an abstaining from something which is common during Lent. I was wishing that the church would fast from using microphones!! I long for quiet reflective reverence.
The church has a monthly 5pm service which is an outreach to invite visitors and the unchurched. They would like to have lines longer than the restaurant down the street. Amen to that!
My favorite part is when they had people come down to the front that had something to celebrate. One child had caught his first fish, one man had bought his first car, etc. We all applauded, and they gave them a candy bar.
Michaela Lobin, the youth pastor of the Next Generation, “yelled” the sermon called Get Your Ducks in a Row. She was excellent albeit loud.
The mother duck leads. The babies appear to be following her but, actually, she is doing the work and they are riding comfortably in her wake.
This is like our relationship with God. We can follow the easy leadership of Christ. However, we often strike out on our own and choose the more difficult path and are leaderless. We become our own leader. Will we choose Christian living or worldly living?
We must attain righteousness in God’s eyes not man’s. Don’t bring sorrow to God.
In Genesis God was heartbroken. Noah gave humanity a second chance. He chose a lifestyle.
We do not earn righteousness. It is given to us, but it is like a light switch. We decide to activate.
Ephesians 4 : 22b-24 You are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
There is a big difference between heart knowledge vs. head knowledge.
The pastor referred to the author of the book of James as Dr. James. He gives instructions for holy living much like a doctor gives instructions for health. “Guard your heart.” Would Christ be welcome with what we are doing?
Faith is like a workout. A workout never gets easier, one just gets stronger.
The Word of God shapes thoughts and attitude. Beauty and character are revealed when righteous. You are different and the world notices. It attracts people so righteousness helps to expand the kingdom.
People need to eat and drink. Righteousness is also needed for life.
Fear God. If you don’t fear Him, then you don’t fear the punishment. That is the seed of unrighteousness.
Without the fear of God, we can’t sustain a righteous (holy) life. When we stumble, God always lifts us up and will redeem us from calamity.
Fear God. It will help you to stop sinning.
God wants us to glide on the easy path. Say no to the world and yes to Jesus. Amen
At this point, they asked us to close our eyes and bow our heads. We were asked if we wanted to choose to follow Jesus and reaffirm our beliefs and commit to living a righteous life. The pastor said that no one would see who raised their hands. Rob raised his hand as he thought that everyone would agree to that. He didn’t know that he would be targeted as we left the service as making an initial decision to follow Christ. He declined to talk to the counselor. Even the parking attendant commented about his raising his hand. “So much for that. It seems like there were a lot of people who didn’t close their eyes. I won’t make that mistake again.”
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