Live From Revival In The Bible Belt: Night 2

After an intentionally slow and relaxing day, I was picked up mid afternoon to be taken to one of the church member’s houses for dinner. They have a schedule for me. Every night, I’ll be going to a different family house for dinner. Southern Hospitality is no myth. The food was good, but I think I was more blessed by the fellowship. A few other members joined us and over biscuits, chicken, and string beans, I really jumped at the opportunity to learn more about those who invited me. After asking them what they were reading, I thought I’d mix it up a bit by asking their opinions about what God was doing in this southern town. Ironically enough, the first answers were about some of the hardship that the city had experienced. Murder, youth violence, deprivation. Some of the same tragic stories that I’m accustomed to in Baltimore. Then stories were shared about how the local Christian Community had responded to the unrest. They came together. I think they said about 32 churches which were all within a few miles of each other came together for prayer and street walks. They seemed to be effective.

Then I was asked about my thoughts on the evangelical movement in America and why it seemed to be growing while other Christian sects were shrinking. The inquirer referenced the article that I raised the night before in my sermon published by USA Today and other media outlets. I didn’t remember seeing growth in the evangelical community, but nonetheless I posited that perhaps that growth could be attributed to the evangelicals broadening their message. In 2000/2004, they seemed to only be concerned about homosexuality, abortion, and gay marriage, recently however, some have taken note that they have expanded their issues of concern to include “creation care” (being good stewards of the earth and its resources) and poverty. This led us to a conversation about methodology and the examination of the question of whether or not the church needs to change its presentation of the gospel in order to reach people today.

It was a really good exchange. It was the type of exchange that would have been hard to have at the local restaurant. It seemed more personal…more critical…more authentic – while sitting around the dining room table. I pray for more of these types of experiences this week. While I appreciate being in a hotel and having the luxury of wireless internet and patio space by the pool to study/read, I also love meaningful exchange – true community fellowship. I’m proactively looking for more of these opportunities this week…especially with people outside of my “Christian Bubble.”

Worship tonight was great. The singing was off the hook! The choirs really set the tone for the night and some of ya’ll preachers know that when the choir is right; it really helps make preaching easier. I guess I did okay, but of course there is much room for growth. I’ll try to do better tomorrow night.

Reporting live from the Bible Belt, I’m a slightly hoarse preacher who is strangely developing a country twang.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 1:09 am and is filed under African American Christian, Africans in America, Beloved Community, Christian, Clergy, Culture, Faith &/or Religion, Kingdom of God, My Story, Religion, preacher. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.