I went to a funeral yesterday. It was the mother of a woman in our congregation. She was a pastor’s wife. She spent years and years in ministry. The preacher, her son in law, tried to find out what her favorite verse was. He couldn’t find out from her because she said that they were all good. Finally, after she’d died, he found one verse written in the front of her bible. It was 1 Chronicles 28:20. It is a part of a passage of David encouraging his son Solomon to continue his work for the house of the Lord. Here’s what it says, and this is what the preacher read yesterday:
Be strong and of good courage, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.
The church was packed. So packed that we had to stand at the back. I was there mostly for my friend who lost her mom. I didn’t expect anything to happen. But when he read this verse, I was shaken. Shaken to the core. It was a sudden and shocking reminder of what I feel I am to do: serve the house of the Lord. I had been getting overwhelmed lately… confused and exhausted. I was constantly contemplating living the life of an artist. But this verse thundered through all my confusions and reminded me of my task.
I’ll try to share it in a nutshell. I think that Christians have the right to assemble, just like any other religious group. So I am not only concerned with people. I am also concerned with what happens when we assemble. I have experienced, witnessed and am aware of how much coercion, manipulation, abuse and plain silliness goes on in the assembly. I want to see people, all people, set free. But too often, if not always, the assembly prevents this from happening. Is it possible for people to be completely set free and also to assemble without jeopardizing this freedom? I remember the story of when St. Francis came across a ruined church building, all grown over and crumbled in upon itself. He heard the Lord ask him to rebuild his church. That started his ministry. Unapologetically, I think the church is in ruins. When the preacher read that verse yesterday, it reminded me that I have a job to do, and a worthwhile one: to provide a safe place for truly free people (the first arduous task) to gather in true freedom (the second). Complete freedom.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
David Hayward is a pastor artistically stripping to the essential.
This sounds like a real milestone for you, and a strong message. Your readers are backing you all the way:)
True.
We all have work to do for His purpose.
God always seems to wait until the last minute to say this stuff! I’m glad you’ve found some clarity. Praying for you as I type. Go well.
Oh dear.
LOL…Darren. You are incorrigible:)
hope this brings you peace and reaffirms your purpose for your people
yes, sometimes God is silent. and sometimes He’s not
Bravo for you, David…
Someone (not really knowing me beyond a couple of blog comments and an email or two) recommended a book based on my current struggle with all things “church.”
I enjoyed it and found it to be a relatively quick read.
Although it’s written by a researcher who focuses his analysis upon American believers and churches, and although he sometimes gets a little too “visionary” and formulaic for my taste, you might find a couple of nuggets of truth in his words. The book did inspire me to start seeing myself more as a revolutionary and less as a rebel. It also encouraged me to continue to think outside the church box but inside the Kingdom structure.
It’s called “Revolution” by George Barna.
Amen! David. Amen!
HI David, I love how your emotions are so alive. The path freedom is taking me now is feeling alive. And music is leading me there. Several months at L’Abri makes me hungry for community and deep conversations. YOur post give me a taste of that. Father set us free!
Thanks for sharing that today. Your life is impacting more people than you know.
Thank you.
Look out. Live man walkin’…
That is one of the best descriptions that I have read of the same struggle that I have unexpectedly found myself within this year, that being the way the church as an institution manipulates and forces and excludes and becomes all about itself instead of about people. When the church begins to consider itself the Kingdom of God instead just a part of God’s Kingdom, then advancing God’s Kingdom becomes all about advancing the church instead of about relationships. My wife and I have suffered greatly growing up in such an institution finally had the courage to leave a church that is all wrapped up in itself and find a more healthy place where we can be free. We had worked for a couple of years to help change what I have described above, but it just made people more exclusive and got us the label of bitter and angry and unChristian. It is so good to know of others who are struggling similarly. Thanks for sharing.
“Is it possible for people to be completely set free and also to assemble without jeopardizing this freedom?” (David)
Yes, and even more so – at least this is my truest hope. What is the use of being free if all we do with freedom is ‘chain’ others? Freedom needs to find expression – and one that allows the free person a chance to experience what ‘that all means’. I can be freed from former decision making processes – but unless I develop new ones and work those out – then my freedom is not being used. I guess I want to see the church become that place where we all meet and talk, work, and share with one another so that we make differences all over our communities (namely where the help is needed). Let’s spend some time in the ghetto this year or maybe a reserve! Real problems out there – and a lot of free people in here – hmmmm.
About a million years ago I was flying in a Marine helicopter over a village in Croatia and I couldn’t get over the damage in the area from the recent war. As I flew over a church that was about 300 years old with a big bomb whole in the roof, I thought that that community must just be devastated. We flew over it again later and I could see about a hundred people holding hands raised over their heads and singing. They were free! Even the intrusion of our helicopter noise couldn’t make them waiver. All that big hole in the roof did was let more light in. There is freedom……….. when we gather for the Lord.
I don’t know if I will be visiting here any more. I think you are where you are supposed to be now. I believe God wants you in a church leading it. But deconstructing it, to build anew. You finally got on the path God wants you on. You walked through the fire once again, and came out on the other side. Good for you. I will continue to pray for you.
Oh my goodness. I love your insight. I am going to be here reading for hours.
I see my feelings in your comments. How could the establishment of the church, as it is today, be what Jesus set in motion?
The last time I set foot in a church building I watched the ‘body’ arguing over their rights and responsibilities to themselves… what about Jesus?
If I could find an established church that loved Jesus rather than themselves, I think I would have restored hope.
I noticed you referenced David’s advice to Solomon. I thought I might share some other advice he gave to his son Solomon on his death bed.
“Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave [a] in peace.” 2 Kings 2:5-6
“And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD : ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” 2 Kings 2:8-9
This may be why a Bible believing people might not be the safest people to know. You can still get killed on a technicality.