An Amazing Church Experience

I just returned from an amazing church experience.

It was very welcoming.  Before the service, everyone kept saying, “Welcome.  We’re glad you’re here.  It’s about to start.”  These comments seem to take down some of my barriers as a new person.

During the music portion of the service, I overheard a conversation that someone from the church was having with a guy named Bryan.  Bryan was asking a ton of questions about faith.  His main question was centered around God the Father.  He wanted to know if Jesus (The Christian Faith) and Mohammed (The Muslim Faith) were prophets who both pointed to the same God.  I listened (and watched) at how Tyler – a Christian man from the church – walked Bryan through the Christian belief about God.  It was loving, and filled with grace.  It was also filled with biblical truth.

Then, I heard Bryan make this comment to Tyler:  “I just thank God that He loves me, even though I’m gay.”  The music was getting softer, so I could experience their conversation fully.

Tyler’s response was amazing:  “I used to struggle with that too.  But Jesus set me free.”

Tyler went on to lavish grace and truth all over Bryan.  It was absolutely amazing.

As they were finishing up their discussion, a self-proclaimed atheist sat down near me, and began a conversation with a woman from the church.  By now the sermon was starting, but I still found myself trying hard to listen to this conversation.  He was very open about his doubts, but also very kind and gentle.  He said it was the first time he’d been to this kind of church, and admitted that he was nervous.  They talked about God’s love, demonstrated in the Person of Christ Jesus.  The atheist seemed like he was listening.  I couldn’t believe that God was allowing me “in” on the beauty of the life that was happening next to me.

The pastor taught everyone about the Holy Spirit.  He took a very balanced view, which I appreciate.

By the time it was over, I felt like I had just participated in a true mish-mash of humanity – the kind of crowd Jesus spoke to when He was on the earth.  It strengthened my faith to simply be a part of the discussion, even though I didn’t say anything.

I left inspired.

Just one more thing.

The entire church experience was online.