On Wednesday Night, we found ourselves at a strange point as we were preparing to head into worship.
We came out of Acts 1 where Jesus gave the disciples a bit of a game plan for what would be next for them.
Wait for the Holy Spirit.
Be witnesses in...
...Jerusalem
...Judea
...Samaria
...The ends of the Earth
We talked about what these locations might look like in our lives.
Jerusalem - Our schools, our homes, our church, right where we're at.
Judea - The nicer parts of our greater community.
Samaria - The neglected and frowned upon parts of our Community.
The Ends of the Earth - Those ministries around the world we are partnering with.
Everyone seem to be tracking pretty well. We were going to close with an extended music set, but before we did, I asked the studetnts to bow their heads. I asked for all who were would say, "I want to be a 'witness' to my 'Jerusalem' to raise their hands."
It was a basic invitation where I expected the majority of students to raise their hands. What actually happened was about 25 out of 200 students raised their hands.
I stood on the stage a little dumbfounded. I think I actually said out loud, "That's it?"
Several thoughts ran through my mind.
We came out of Acts 1 where Jesus gave the disciples a bit of a game plan for what would be next for them.
Wait for the Holy Spirit.
Be witnesses in...
...Jerusalem
...Judea
...Samaria
...The ends of the Earth
We talked about what these locations might look like in our lives.
Jerusalem - Our schools, our homes, our church, right where we're at.
Judea - The nicer parts of our greater community.
Samaria - The neglected and frowned upon parts of our Community.
The Ends of the Earth - Those ministries around the world we are partnering with.
Everyone seem to be tracking pretty well. We were going to close with an extended music set, but before we did, I asked the studetnts to bow their heads. I asked for all who were would say, "I want to be a 'witness' to my 'Jerusalem' to raise their hands."
It was a basic invitation where I expected the majority of students to raise their hands. What actually happened was about 25 out of 200 students raised their hands.
I stood on the stage a little dumbfounded. I think I actually said out loud, "That's it?"
Several thoughts ran through my mind.
- Did they not hear what I said?
- Did they not understand what I said?
- Are they so innoculated to the "raise your hand" thing that they just aren't going to do it?
- Are there honestly only 25 students in here ready to live out their faith in their everyday life?
(*edit* - in case you're wondering, after a couple days of processing, I think all the first 3 possibilities came into play in that moment.)
In the split moment that I was standing on the stage processing, I looked over at Jeremiah (worship leader). We both realized we were in an awkward spot.
It just didn't feel right to move on. It didn't feel right to try to re-explain the "invitation". To do so would run a high risk of manipulating a response.
I prayed, looked over at Jeremiah, and said, "I don't think we should do any music." He nodded in agreement.
I looked out at the students and said, "If I'm not willing to live out my faith across the street, how can I call myself a Christian. Something to think about. You're dismissed."
As we walked off the stage, everyone just sat motionless for about 30 seconds.
It was a mix of confusion and shock. But at the same time, there was a real holy moment.
I know there were students who walked out offended, frustrated, and confused. I also know there were others who walked out challenged. I think everyone walked out thinking at a deeper level.
I honestly feel like it was one of our best Wednesday Nights in a long time. I sent out an email to our leaders afterward and closed it with this thought.
It just didn't feel right to move on. It didn't feel right to try to re-explain the "invitation". To do so would run a high risk of manipulating a response.
I prayed, looked over at Jeremiah, and said, "I don't think we should do any music." He nodded in agreement.
I looked out at the students and said, "If I'm not willing to live out my faith across the street, how can I call myself a Christian. Something to think about. You're dismissed."
As we walked off the stage, everyone just sat motionless for about 30 seconds.
It was a mix of confusion and shock. But at the same time, there was a real holy moment.
I know there were students who walked out offended, frustrated, and confused. I also know there were others who walked out challenged. I think everyone walked out thinking at a deeper level.
I honestly feel like it was one of our best Wednesday Nights in a long time. I sent out an email to our leaders afterward and closed it with this thought.
Was it awkward? Yes.
Was it uncomfortable? Sure.
Was it a little messy? You bet.
Did God have a purpose in it? BOO YA.
We often think that we're supposed to walk out of church happy, encouraged and motivated.
I value that "every once-in-a-while" where I walk out of church, uncomfortable, challenged, and maybe even offended. In fact, I think that's the way most people found themselves walking away from when Jesus talked.
That' when I really find myself wrestling and processing with what I've heard and where I'm at with God.
3 comments:
In case there is any doubt...from one pal to another, one leader to another, one youth guy to another, one brother from another mother to another....well done.
I think you handled it perfectly. I think it's completely healthy to send our students away feeling uncomfortable...in my experience those moments precede growth moments, both personally and collectively.
Congrats on becoming a dad too. I've been reading for a while, and never commented.
Uncomfortable is not a bad thing...I would like to see something like this a couple times a year during our mid week service (for "committed" believers)I know I could use it ever once in a while.
B-Rad
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