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Wayside_Wisdom Heard Along the Way
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ITINERANT WORSHIP United States’ church history of the 1800's is filled with stories of itinerant preachers. Methodist, Lutheran, Brethren, Presbyterian clergy – and others – traveled west to share God’s Word with those migrating into the uncharted wilderness across the Appalachian mountains and the Mississippi River. They traveled on foot or horseback, carrying their Bibles and a few other necessities in saddlebags or backpacks. Arriving in a pioneer community, they would find hospitality in the home of a family eager to hear the Word. There the traveling man of God would preach to the faithful who gathered, and baptize babies or new converts. Then the itinerant minister would mount his horse to ride on to the next inhabited clearing in the wilderness. We are 21st century itinerants! Six months ago we sold our house, moved into a 32-foot fifth-wheel, bought a big truck to pull it, and took to traveling from place to place. Which means, that when Sunday arrives, we’re likely to be far from the church we call "home." So we have become itinerant worshipers, temporarily joining the faithful in a church wherever we may happen to be when Sunday arrives. We’ve been temporary Baptists, Brethren, Episcopalians, Methodists, non-denominationals, Presbyterians and Unitarian-Universalists. We’ve church-hopped from Texas to Ontario, and from Kansas almost to the east coast. As itinerant worshipers, we’ve gained from personal experience some insights we’re happy to pass along to you. First, where churches are concerned, we’ve discovered that size doesn’t equal success. Church growth may, indeed, be an admirable goal in our society which offers so many other choices on Sunday mornings. However, if God still calls the church to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed, numbers alone cannot measure a congregation’s faithfulness. A tiny congregation in rural Louisiana welcomed us and swept us into the very presence of God as they worshiped and gave thanks. Secondly, people are more welcoming than programs. A large, prestigious city church in Texas had obviously learned well the lessons of church-growth techniques! Our hands were shaken in the parking lot, at the front door, and at the visitor’s table where we were asked to sign the guest book. No one, however, directed us to the front door, introduced themselves to us or helped us find a seat in the sanctuary. After worship we must have become completely invisible. Not a single person greeted us as we stood waiting to get out through the crowded aisles and finally made our way back home. But in a little, small town church, old and rich in history, the story was different. The style of worship was new for us and the Communion beverage was wine, not the grape juice we expected! After the benediction, we were greeted pleasantly by several smiling worshipers and one jovial gentleman insisted that we come with him to the social hall for "fellowship hour." We were strangers when we entered. But before we left an hour later, we knew the first names of perhaps a dozen members of that congregation, a bit of the church’s history and that we would be warmly welcomed if we ever returned. Community is catching. We learned this third insight in a medium-sized congregation located in a winter tourist area. The building was relatively new, of simple but functional design, and well suited to its setting with a pre-school building adjacent. Worshipers were of all ages, singles and families. They – and the pastor – were casually dressed. We were welcomed by smiles and words of greeting from strangers before we had entered the building. The prelude music was loud, but enthusiastically played by a middle-aged guitarist, a pre-teen drummer, a 70-something man on bass, and a woman on keyboard. Worship was informal and relaxed, but invited participation with visual cues for hymns and scriptures and a thorough review of the church activities for the coming week. The offering was collected in the silence of a meaningful interpretive dance. After worship, we were greeted by many who introduced themselves and invited us to join in gatherings of the congregation during the coming week. It was clear to us that we were in a church family that enjoyed being together. We were sorry that travel plans meant we had to refuse their invitations. Finally, an insight which requires a prior confession: there are some Sundays when we do not go to church! After thirty years of church leadership, we sometimes take Sundays off! Sometimes we are traveling; sometimes we are touring a place of interest or visiting. Those are the times we discover that God is global. Driving through miles of Illinois cornfields, we realize that God is not confined to church! Standing beside the gentle waves of Lake Huron, we know that God is on the move in this created world. Listening to the wisdom of common folks we see again that there is, indeed, "that of God in every person." Touring the restored missions south of San Antonio, Texas, we are reassured to see that God was at work through faithful ancestors, giving wisdom needed for survival. Watching loons play hide-and-seek in the lake, we are reminded again that God has a sense of humor – even on Sundays! Even in resting on the Sabbath, we know we are in God’s good company, for we cannot go where God is not, nor become a stranger to the One who created us! |