"We decided to wait until after the sermon. We didn't want to miss it."
While visiting non-Adventist churches in the past, I marveled that they had so much spirit. How could they, when we had so much truth? How could we worship more in spirit and in truth? That question remained unanswered for years.
I realized that it has happened at my church. We have been transformed from a sleepy place I knew I should attend each Sabbath to a dynamic community I want to attend.
People who used to merely pass in the halls now embrace each other. Visitors find friends, fellowship, food, love, and God. Church attendance reaches peaks unimagined. What made the difference?
I discussed it with our senior pastor. He commented, "I've observed that the top four reasons people connect to a church are meaningful friendships, quality children's ministries, inspiring music, and a relevant message."
I saw those things happening, yet snapshots of past spiritual highs flashed before my eyes. Academy Weeks of Spiritual Emphasis and evangelistic meetings often inspired a high, but soon afterward I felt like I had climbed a spiritual tree-then fallen off. Where did the feelings go? As my experience matured I realized that God's presence isn't dependent on feelings. Yet God invented emotion. He wants us to feel love for Him, not just know we love Him. How could each Sabbath's worship touch our souls without our being dependent on feelings?
I began feeling something during the sermon. I discovered that our pastor had added a moderate dose of emotion to the illustrations and ever-present biblical truth. It made the difference.
Also, scriptures of praise replaced texts about the sermon. Each week we greeted others in the sanctuary. Praise songs and hymns opened hearts and prepared us for the message. Anyone interested came forward and figuratively knelt at the feet of Jesus for the prayer. A few elders slipped out of the sanctuary to pray that the Spirit of God would fall on us.
I'll never forget the day we emerged from the pastor's study after praying. A friend told me that estranged members embraced and tears flowed. Healed hearts felt the presence of the Lord. Now the elders and others often pray from their pew. We don't want to miss the service.
As I have looked back, I see 10 areas that brought a vital difference:
Meaningful worship services. I received most of my spiritual growth from personal devotions or small group Bible studies for years. Imagine my excitement when I added the worship service to my list.
It's easy to doze in a warm and comfortable church even if services are engaging or thought-provoking. Jesus said that all 10 of the virgins would be asleep when the bridegroom arrived. I dreamed of the shaking time. What would being awake feel like?
I now come home from church with a mental picture of an old woman in a wheelchair, her face half eaten away by disease, her eyes blind for 20 years, her mind quick. What comes out of her mouth? Words of gratitude to Jesus for His blessings.
Another thought I brought home was If your religion doesn't make you more loving, what good is it? This reminded me that love and truth must wed-with neither put in a box and stored for safekeeping. Love and truth must march hand in hand inside us as we pray for the Lord to wake us up each day.
Dynamic, consistent youth programs. "My teenager wants to be here. We are changing our membership," I heard in the hall. Why did that young man like our youth group?
Some time ago attendance levels averaged only from four to six, even though the youth-aged membership registered close to 30. Where were they?
Summer programs came and went. About eight kids came to the ball games, swimming/pizza parties, and prayer meetings. Then school started. Our youth pastor contracted to teach freshman Bible. The kids laughed during illustrations as the six-foot-five pastor impersonated Kermit the Frog and Junior Asparagus. He dressed up as Santa and invited them to feed the homeless.
One day the class decided to redecorate the Sabbath school room with a medieval theme. Now it looks like a castle with windows portraying scenes of a dragon fighting a knight, Jesus coming, the heavenly city-and more! Others came to see it.
The aroma of fresh-baked bread reminded many that they had slept through breakfast. That and hot drinks provided fuel to activate minds. Once the gears started turning, the singing began and prayer requests followed. Next a letter appeared from a peer asking for advice about a typical teenage problem-it was tied to the lesson.
At other times segments of videos about the Reformation brought the long-ago world to life. Soon the couches that lined the walls of the castle filled, and latecomers sat in the chairs circling the table in the center of the room. Young people soon overflowed the room. The time came to split off some of the group to make an earliteen division.
Regular interesting programs with creative props and decorations for juniors, primary, kindergarten, and cradle roll helped fill out the choices for parents interested in finding something of value for their children. But meaningful sermons and children's programs are not enough in themselves.
Friends. Why are social connections at church essential? It's not logical, yet neither are emotions. They just are. Shy members and newcomers often perceive the atmosphere as friendly if others greet them. It's difficult for me to reach out, but it became easier after the pastors set aside time during each service to shake hands. It prepared the way for future communication. Activities such as regular church fellowship dinners, the Fourth of July picnic, and the church campout helped facilitate meaningful interaction. But what good is all this without a lifeline to heaven?
Emphasis on prayer. Prayer is so obvious, yet it's often neglected. Prayer meetings now meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Friday and Sabbath mornings. Our pastors' goal is to have a group meeting to pray every day of the week.
I looked at my church family one Sabbath. How many years did we pray before one friend's rebaptism? Another family no longer sits on separate pews. I saw children who attend church school-postprayer. I saw inside myself. How many prayers of others have held me together during times of trial? Forgetting to pray is like forgetting to eat, yet it's not the only source of spiritual food during worship.
Inspiring music from the heart. Is there anything more controversial than worship music? Is it taste or sin? You've heard it all before.
"I heard it on the radio. Tears came to my eyes. I pulled off the freeway. I gave my life back to God." How could anyone condemn contemporary Christian music for doing that? My friend would not have responded to classical organ. Now his taste is more conservative, especially for worship music.
Meaningful music releases me from the cares of this life. My heart opens. It's ready to receive the Word of God. Effective thematic praise music requires practice and planning. One hymn is usually included during our service. Special selections are planned weeks, and sometimes months, ahead to match the sermon subjects. Our minister of music logs many hours each week.
Obviously it's not possible to please everyone's musical taste. However, churches target various groups, whether intentionally or by tradition.
Target the youth-the future leaders of the church. Our pastor targets the younger members of the congregation. "Who will lead the church in the future?" he asks. I've watched as the music has become more dynamic and the sanctuary decorations have been updated.
A sermon series on family issues and what the Scripture says about emotions gave practical counsel while pointing to Jesus. Yet doctrinal messages have not been ignored. The Sabbath, the Second Coming, the state of the dead, and other messages of truth never before seemed so loving. Invitations were available to invite business associates, family members, or neighbors to this series. Which brings us to the next point.
Community awareness. How did we get the word out that good things were happening at our church? The popcorn door hanger distribution helped break the ice in the community. A bag of microwave popcorn was hung on doors with a note: From your friends the Adventists. That laid the foundation for door hangers inviting residents to Vacation Bible School, the live Nativity scene, the Becky Tirabassi seminar, and more.
Snoozing or Cruising?
1. Can I connect to something in the worship message?
2. Can I find something of value for my children at church?
3. Do I have, or can I make, friends at church?
4. Can prayer become more meaningful in my life?
5. Does the worship music touch my heart?
6. Does worship at my church appeal to the future leaders of the church?
7. How can I tell the community about my church?
8. Can I help initiate new programs and worship styles in my church?
9. Can I become more active in my community?
10. Am I actively involved in my church?
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Newspaper ads continued to help advertise evangelistic meetings, concerts, and other events.
Other people found out about our church through the Adventist Community Services organization. Those in need receive food and clothing on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Finally, select groups rented our fellowship hall or chapel for classes.
With so many things happening at our church, I marveled that our pastors found time for research.
Use new ideas and start new programs. Our pastors studied other organizations and gleaned resources and methods. Our senior pastor started and led the new earliteen division, then delegated it to willing volunteers. Watching a successful program inspired others to lead. The many good things happening spawned a desire to share it with even more people. But how?
Make nonmember friends in the community. It's easy to remain safe in our subculture. The Jews did that. Jesus reached outside and shocked many. Our senior pastor has been involved in the local ministerial association. His wife made many connections through her Creative Memories classes. Both pastors speak at the Redwood Gospel Mission. A group of seventh and eighth graders join our youth pastor on monthly visits. He also belongs to a local health club. Each encounter leaves its mark.
Involvement. One final thought. It's difficult to snooze through life while involved. I rarely criticize programs I helped plan. I find church more interesting if I have some small part. It doesn't have to be much. I may not pray from the pulpit, arrange the flowers, lead the Scripture reading or music, but I can pray from my pew that God's Spirit will wake up not only me and my church but all His people around the world. So can you.
If you would like to contact the Santa Rosa, California, church to discover more about the changes taking place, you may reach them at 707-578-8883.
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Sue Cummings-Karr lives in Santa Rosa, California, with her husband, Bob, his two children, her cat, and their dog. She enjoys putting in a good word for God wherever He leads.
THOUGHT YOU PLANNED TO GO CAMPING THIS weekend," I said to some friends after church.
