"Sir, you know kung fu?"
It's been a bit. What's going on? ("Harold, don't you like to know...what's going on?!"--Maude to Harold, in my mom's favorite movie, Harold and Maude.)
Last Sunday, I was given the opportunity to preach at a small local church I attend with Wesley. Charlie recently began attending a small francophone service, led by some students. I was asked to preach the Friday night before that Sunday, so I spent much of Saturday preparing a simple message about the value of service and sacrifice in the Kingdom of God. I worked from Mark 10:42-45 and concluded with two summarizing points--we must be willing to be served by Jesus, and we must follow Christ by serving others. So many sermons here are from the Old Testament and devoid of reference to Christ that I thought a simple message about Christ and Christianity might be encouraging and helpful.
I arrived early at the church to let my interpreter read my manuscript. Half the congregation speaks English; the other half, a local dialect. While I was discussing the sermon with the interpeter (named Theodore), a deacon walked in and asked for the sermon's title, in order that he could write it on a chalkboard at the front of the congregation. "Uhm...'Greatness in God's eyes' would be fine," I answered. Ten minutes later, Theodore and I met with the pastor of the church in his office. The deacon entered and asked for the title once more. I repeated, "Greatness in God's eyes." The pastor seemed to correct me--"'Greatness in God's sight' would be fine. Very fine." I guess there was room for improvement with my title, but the evolution was not yet complete. I sat at the front of the church the whole service, facing the congregation, so I wasn't able to read the chalkboard. After the service, I found out from Wes the final product presented to the congregation: "Greatness in God's Side." Just about what I intended, I guess.
It felt a bit awkward preaching with an interpreter. I didn't feel like I could build up any momentum or enthusiasm because of the consistent long pauses. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the opportunity and experience. People were appreciative afterwards; I hope it was edifying for the congregation. I caught many of them got a kick out of seeing the white preacher dance up front during the offering. (Everyone was dancing, so I wasn't getting too charismatic on them.)
It can be difficult to transform Sunday services here into worshipful experiences. As said earlier, many sermons are not only moralistic, grace-less, and Christ-less, but they're loooong, too. Coupled with almost interminable announcements, the 90-degree wooden pews begin to change the curvature of your spine. Without printed bulletins, email, or telephones for communication, and without any other venue for more-general community announcements, all church-related and community-related news must be given on Sunday mornings. That includes Sunday school attendance and lesson reports. Add to this dedications of choir uniforms or other segments, and the rice and stew waiting for you at home can become a filet mignon smothered in steak sauce.
With that said, I have grown in appreciation for the church I attend (named Calvary Baptist), and Sundays are becoming more enjoyable and worshipful. I've become familiar with the services and recognize people every week, which allows me to better focus on why I'm gathering with these people. Every Sunday, I'm reminded of the work of Christ in creating and gathering a people for Himself, resulting in my traveling around the world to a completely different culture to find a community of people I can join and with whom I can identify.
One more newsworthy item. This has been a difficult week at the seminary. Students were expected to pay off remaining tuition dues, and many were not able. Some did not have any plan for paying their tution off; they were praying for God to provide. Others came with plans, only to find them once again submitted to the unreliability of Africa. Wesley was able to help a student who has had recent serious medical problems that created massive debts. Charlie and I were able to help a student who's financial stability was destroyed by a monkey in the garden (literally--that's not an African expression).
Thanks you all who are enabling us to give to these students. Without your support, they would not be able to finish the last month of the semester to receive credit. We hope we're being good stewards of your resources, thoughts, and prayers.
--Tommy
PS. Just so I don't lose my youthful edge--two days ago, I told a student to say to Charlie in the middle of class, "Sir, does your black belt in karate help you with our class, Research Methods?" Surrouding students raised their eyes and began chattering softly about kung fu and Jackie Chan. Charlie felt embarassed. When he recounted the tale to me, I, on the other hand, felt triumphant. That's what he gets for trapping me in my room.
Last Sunday, I was given the opportunity to preach at a small local church I attend with Wesley. Charlie recently began attending a small francophone service, led by some students. I was asked to preach the Friday night before that Sunday, so I spent much of Saturday preparing a simple message about the value of service and sacrifice in the Kingdom of God. I worked from Mark 10:42-45 and concluded with two summarizing points--we must be willing to be served by Jesus, and we must follow Christ by serving others. So many sermons here are from the Old Testament and devoid of reference to Christ that I thought a simple message about Christ and Christianity might be encouraging and helpful.
I arrived early at the church to let my interpreter read my manuscript. Half the congregation speaks English; the other half, a local dialect. While I was discussing the sermon with the interpeter (named Theodore), a deacon walked in and asked for the sermon's title, in order that he could write it on a chalkboard at the front of the congregation. "Uhm...'Greatness in God's eyes' would be fine," I answered. Ten minutes later, Theodore and I met with the pastor of the church in his office. The deacon entered and asked for the title once more. I repeated, "Greatness in God's eyes." The pastor seemed to correct me--"'Greatness in God's sight' would be fine. Very fine." I guess there was room for improvement with my title, but the evolution was not yet complete. I sat at the front of the church the whole service, facing the congregation, so I wasn't able to read the chalkboard. After the service, I found out from Wes the final product presented to the congregation: "Greatness in God's Side." Just about what I intended, I guess.
It felt a bit awkward preaching with an interpreter. I didn't feel like I could build up any momentum or enthusiasm because of the consistent long pauses. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the opportunity and experience. People were appreciative afterwards; I hope it was edifying for the congregation. I caught many of them got a kick out of seeing the white preacher dance up front during the offering. (Everyone was dancing, so I wasn't getting too charismatic on them.)
It can be difficult to transform Sunday services here into worshipful experiences. As said earlier, many sermons are not only moralistic, grace-less, and Christ-less, but they're loooong, too. Coupled with almost interminable announcements, the 90-degree wooden pews begin to change the curvature of your spine. Without printed bulletins, email, or telephones for communication, and without any other venue for more-general community announcements, all church-related and community-related news must be given on Sunday mornings. That includes Sunday school attendance and lesson reports. Add to this dedications of choir uniforms or other segments, and the rice and stew waiting for you at home can become a filet mignon smothered in steak sauce.
With that said, I have grown in appreciation for the church I attend (named Calvary Baptist), and Sundays are becoming more enjoyable and worshipful. I've become familiar with the services and recognize people every week, which allows me to better focus on why I'm gathering with these people. Every Sunday, I'm reminded of the work of Christ in creating and gathering a people for Himself, resulting in my traveling around the world to a completely different culture to find a community of people I can join and with whom I can identify.
One more newsworthy item. This has been a difficult week at the seminary. Students were expected to pay off remaining tuition dues, and many were not able. Some did not have any plan for paying their tution off; they were praying for God to provide. Others came with plans, only to find them once again submitted to the unreliability of Africa. Wesley was able to help a student who has had recent serious medical problems that created massive debts. Charlie and I were able to help a student who's financial stability was destroyed by a monkey in the garden (literally--that's not an African expression).
Thanks you all who are enabling us to give to these students. Without your support, they would not be able to finish the last month of the semester to receive credit. We hope we're being good stewards of your resources, thoughts, and prayers.
--Tommy
PS. Just so I don't lose my youthful edge--two days ago, I told a student to say to Charlie in the middle of class, "Sir, does your black belt in karate help you with our class, Research Methods?" Surrouding students raised their eyes and began chattering softly about kung fu and Jackie Chan. Charlie felt embarassed. When he recounted the tale to me, I, on the other hand, felt triumphant. That's what he gets for trapping me in my room.
posted by Charlie, Tommy, and Wesley | 1:54 PM
7 Comments:
thanks john!
i'm so sure that he ment to trap you in your room Tommy,but it must have been fun to do that to him.Was it?i know it would be for me
Tombo-I think you might have a little monkey in your garden--It was one of Harold's dates from the National Computer Dating Service that his Mother lined up that asked if he "liked to know what's going on."
I want to see The White Boy Dance when you get home!
Just for your information - Anie just lost the train game. That's all -
Tom-Tom, luv to see the white man dance!! Your having to sit thru long Sunday services only makes u appreciate what u have and will make others go thru during some of yr sermons!!!
ok whats with the instant messaging type?just wondering???????????
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