In a Foreign Land
The cell phone rang as I was pulling into my apartment complex. I had just enough time between church services to eat a sandwich and relax on the couch for thirty minutes. I told the person on the other end that I was thinking of attending a Hispanic service at our church in the afternoon.
“That’s the kind of thing that would turn most people off, but it attracts you,” she said, chuckling and sighing at the same time.
“Yeah, I guess.” I said, somewhat bewildered, “What do you mean?”
“Well, we left a church because of that very thing - a church supporting illegal aliens.”
“Wait, who said that they were aliens?” I said, defensively. Most of the people I knew at the church seemed actually pretty well-off, not the migrant-worker type.
“Oh, come on, Jeff. You’re not that naive. If they were American citizens, wouldn’t they go to an English-speaking service and try to assimilate?”
The conversation went on, and it left me rather frustrated. I told the person that what they were saying sounded racist, and they said that it’s just reality. She said that having illegals in America is a big economic problem, and we in the Church shouldn’t cater to and coddle Hispanic immigrants who won’t leave their culture and language. It left me wondering what was the Christian thing to do.
Before I proceed, I want to admit that I don’t know much about the politics involved in recent issues of immigration, especially in regards to controlling the influx of Latinos coming through the Mexican border. I know that it is a hot topic, and there are a variety of opinions out there. I don’t profess to know the answer to such political dilemmas, but that’s not what this conversation was about. It was about Hispanic places of worship and the white American Church “catering” to them.
A worship service consists of more than going through familiar motions. A really good worship service involves feeling. The multitude of believers (some more multitudinous than others) gather in one company, in one voice, lifting up the one Lord, Jesus Christ. It can be incredibly moving and inspiring.
Now, the ever-present question is, how do we worship? And the answer is different in every culture. Hispanics worship in a much different style than white Americans do. Africans worship in a manner that is very distinct from the way in which an Asian believer would praise God. It is important to not only allow the freedom of different worship styles in context, but to make sure that we do not impose burdens of style on churches that we plant or support in other cultures. The Holy Spirit is very relevant to different cultures, and there is nothing wrong with following his lead in such relevance.
I bring this up because I believe it is appropriate and befitting to allow Hispanics to gather and worship in a manner that suits their culture and adheres to biblical principles. In contrast, it is most certainly not the will of God for us to force a bunch of Mexicans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans into a dry, lulling service of pasty-white Anglo-Saxons, devoid of tambourines, dancing, and the songs to which they are accustomed merely because we are trying to create good, American Christians.
What a horrid injustice it would be for us to take such a passionate culture with such “undignified” delight towards the Lord and stick them into our biased prototype of what a “good church” looks like. I admit that the fact that I don’t get a bulletin or that someone may randomly call upon me during the Hispanic service is a bit uncomfortable. Yet, it’s what keeps me coming back for more.
I know that I don’t have everything figured out; in fact, I’m quite sure that the American church does not have everything about Jesus figured out (despite what the top-ten best-selling Christian self-help books might claim). And so, I am searching for pieces of Jesus in different cultures, hoping to see a larger picture of the mosaic called the Body of Christ. Let’s drop our facades and prejudices, please; it’s time to start learning from immigrants.
I wish it were as simple as white and Latino worship services. But, there is something deeper at work here, and it makes me ill - racism in the Church. We fear the things we do not know, and that is a large part of why we fear other cultures “not assimilating” into the American way of life. I think that this whole Christianity-becoming-a-worldview fad is overall a good step for the Church. Our faith is very relevant in culture, politics, and daily life. Men like Nehemiah teach us this. Yet, this kind of proactive political forwardness needs to be done in humility, and I’m afraid that we’re falling away from this. Having a biblical worldview does not mean taking your Republican or Democrat ideals and justifying them from a pulpit.
So, my question is not, “Should the Church shun immigrants?” I’m afraid that’s too big of a question and nothing real would result from this little conversation that we’ve been having. For some churches, it wouldn’t even matter; politics have polluted much of the infrastructure of American churches to the point that someone piping up and saying, “That’s not biblical!” makes little difference in the grand scheme. My question is, “Should you, should I, shun immigrants?” Let’s take off our institutional hats and speak from our hearts. What does Jesus tell you to do about it? Not George W. Bush. Not Jerry Falwell. Not even Tony Campolo.
You see, we in America have too many options. Too many choices of cereal. Too many ways to give to various charities. Too many radio stations and TV channels. We are crippled by indecision. How many times have you thought, “I’d really like to sponsor an orphan or missionary, but I don’t know where to give my money”? And what have you done? If you’re like me, probably nothing. You put the checkbook away for another day - you may have even resolved to pray more about it.
If you’re in this group with me, can we just quit with the hypocrisy? Let’s stop hiding behind what our preacher says. Let’s stop hiding behind the safety and security of our Western comfort. Let’s stop hiding behind our limited giving to charitable organizations. Let’s start really doing something about the injustices in the world, in our communities, and in ourselves. Let it begin in our individual hearts, as they break for the other, the least, and the deserted.
The Israelites were commanded to welcome the stranger, remembering that they, too, were once strangers in a foreign land. The New Testament calls us to a deeper understanding of who we are in this world - aliens. Jesus sent out his disciples as wanderers and vagrants - truly homeless - as if to point them to acknowledge their true homeland. And we are to entertain visitors in this world, never sure of who may be God’s messengers in disguise.
I went to the Hispanic church this afternoon, and it was full of profound and meaningful sharing - a true time of worship and edification. Afterwards, we ate a meal, and I was amazed at how many people approached me and greeted me in fluent English. I was amazed at the shiny Mustang parked beside my corroded Buick. It took me back to a small evangelical church in Seville, Spain, where a community of believers embraced me with besitos and warm fellowship. It also reminded me of a Christian church called The Olive in Palenque, Mexico, where a pastor and his wife invited a group of twenty-five Americans with less than a day’s notice to sleep in their church and take over the facilities for two weeks.
This afternoon at a small church in Franklin, Tennessee, I laughed at myself as I watched the warm, tan faces around me, realizing that it was I who was being welcomed yet again as the foreigner into a group of loving Christians.
Editor’s Note: Check out wreckedfortheordinary.com, a website Jeff works on.
Posted on April 9, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
Having read a number of Burnside articles over the past nine months or so, I've really enjoyed the balance and introspection that accompanies so much of what is posted here. Until now, I've just been satisfied to enjoy the dialog of others, but this particular article was hard to ignore--on a few levels.
First, Jeff, I'm not sure what you mean when you say "a really good worship service involves feeling." Could you maybe elaborate on that? Is that the only thing a "really good worship service" should be? It seems that worship is a lot more complex than relative feeling. This subject (worship) has baffled the greatest of theologians since time immemorial. I was a little taken aback with such a bold statement unaccompanied with scant explanation (despite the remaining text, which seemed to only explain how flawed white American churches are in comparison with other ethnicities).
I do agree with you that Christians, especially Americans (white? gasp!) can be a bit stiff when it comes to worship. I'm from the Midwest, so I see it a lot - and often find myself wishing I were more joyous when worshipping. But just because I don't raise my hands in adoration or bring my tambourine or dance in the aisles doesn't mean I'm not adoring my God. You seem to invalidate any form of worship that isn't obvious. This seems shallow.
-- "And so, I am searching for pieces of Jesus in different cultures, hoping to see a larger picture of the mosaic called the Body of Christ."--
Jeff, my understanding of Christ is that He does not exist in an incomplete form - no matter the church. The Trinity doesn't exist in "pieces."
We can, all of us, regardless of ethnicity, take something from the bounteous styles of worship that exist. The Sprit moves in all directions, and transcends formality and exuberance alike, wherever it is found.
Lastly, I'm not sure how it's possible to have "too many options," or how options can be deleterious to our faith. Given your essay's context, I'm stunned you would make such an absurd statement.
Posted by: Crystal | April 9, 2007 7:39 AM
I had no intention of responding to any articles today, but this is one issue that riles me (perhaps more than it should? It takes me out of that nice, calm, intellectual frame of mind that I like to deal with people and issues from). Intentional segregation in the Body of Christ for any humanly contrived reason (economic, racial, national, denominational, worship preference, what-have-you...) brings out a visceral grief/anger that is hard to express. When did it become ok to ignore Jesus' prayer for us in John 17? When did our earthly citizenship become more important to us than the heavenly one we are told to focus our minds on? How amazing that we who can't go to the ends of the earth have those same ends coming to us! Sweet Jesus, I can't wait for the day when the "church" no longer looks like the aftermath of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but like the living union of different (but indispensable) parts, working together for the kingdom of God to come. Please.
Posted by: crystal (not from the midwest) | April 9, 2007 9:51 AM
Thanks for your comments, Crystals. I appreciate both of your fervor.
In re-reading my article, I see areas where I came off as amateurish and even petty. My hope wasn't to contribute to the shallow depiction of God in the West. I don't want to be another evangelical worshiping feeling, but what prompted this article was a mega-conservatism I had been seeing in evangelical churches that really bothered me.
I realize that God transcends raised hands in the air, but let's not forsake the greatest acts of worship: mercy, generosity, and justice.
And yes, I stand by the fact that we in America have too many options.
Posted by: Jeff Goins | April 9, 2007 1:08 PM
Living in a border community (El Paso) has opened my eyes to many great things concerning the body of Christ. I find such freedom in a place where I'm just as likely to hear conversations, sermons, or music in Spanish as well as English (or occasionally other languages). I really agree with your sentiment, Jeff. I don't read it that you are attempting to paint a picture of good worship vs. bad worship in today's churches. I have been in many churches and seen many forms of worship. In nearly every case and style I believe there is potential for selfish conceit as well true spiritual depth.
I also don't believe the first priority of the church should be to judge people in terms of public policy. Let the government do that. I believe we are called to a much higher plane than any government. They must deal with the masses. The church, however, must love the individual, or she cannot truly love Christ. We are not a government. We are a servant.
Should we encourage people to worship in their own language, in their own culture? Absolutely. It is their hearts (and ours) that God appreciates.
Posted by: Rhea | April 9, 2007 7:13 PM
Yeah, that makes sense. I read somewhere that bilingual education is the best way for non-English-speakers to learn, because it allows them to build on what they've already learned, while simultaneously acquiring English. So to say, "Schools should only teach in English [rabble rabble rabble]," is to sentence students who don't speak English to a lot of frustration. I think the same probably applies to church.
Posted by: Jessica Inman | April 10, 2007 8:16 AM
Note to Crystal. You missed the whole point of the article. Read it again!
Sorry, I hated to be the one to tell you, but Jeff's too nice and he wont. Which leads me to another thought. Why is it that everyone thinks they know everything?
Posted by: CJ Stephens | April 10, 2007 1:37 PM
Jeff, I agree entirely with what you are saying, and I see your point. As someone who has lived abroad in Germany, and traveled extensively, I have very often been the foreigner myself. I've worhipped often in various Christian settings, and it was beautiful. That experience had always been my dream. Yet at the same time, I couldn't just let go - because I didn't know the songs or the language or worship customs. And while I did learn learn them (in Germany anyway), there were many times I wished to worship as I knew how, so that my inhbitions could be lifted and I could be focused on God, and not on my grammar or whether or not I was singing on key. If I had had a familiar worship experience available to me, I certainly would have attended - maybe not exclusively, but I would have attended. That wouldnt have meant that I couldn't speak German - I am and was near-native fluent. But somehow in German the worship just seemed too forced to me - and that wasn't the Germans' fault. So I can completely understand why Hispanics living here, illegal or not, would choose to worship in Spanish language services. I can also understand why the Koreans, Chinese or anyone else would choose to worship in their language, as has been done in this country for the longest time. And if someone argues that attending a worship service in one's native language would inhibit learning English, let me just say that they have all week to learn English in their everyday environments, in everyday life. As a language teacher, I know that a few hours on the weekend isn't going to make any difference.
Thanks, Jeff, for your article. I really enjoyed reading it and, just for the record, none of your statements were absurd, but right on target.
Posted by: Kim Gottschild | April 10, 2007 1:40 PM
It seems "the person on the other end" suffers from typical American nativism and certainly out of step, at least in this respect, with the heart of the gospel.
Posted by: Mike Radcliffe | April 10, 2007 1:59 PM
Good article, Jeff. I am requesting another essay from you on the following topic: "Should the church support illegal immigrants?"
I'm not talking here about worship style.
I think it was the Archbishop of Los Angeles who announced last year that he would not comply with state and federal laws requiring him to give information to the INS about the illegal aliens who receive care from his church charities.
Jeff, what do you think about this? How do the rest of you feel?
Posted by: John Pattison | April 10, 2007 5:36 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, all. I appreciate it.
John, great idea. I've already started. Thanks for the request and challenge.
Posted by: Jeff Goins | April 10, 2007 8:20 PM
Great article. The fact that God is multi-cultural is one of the most beautiful attributes of our King. I think it is tragic that we often feel that people have to assimilate to our culture in order for there to be unity; in fact Jeff's article is a great example of what unity within the body of Christ should look like: we don't have to worship the same way, but we must still accept and love each other, just as the people in the church he visited welcomed him with open arms. Personally I think Heaven is going to be the greatest example multi-cultural worship as every tribe and nation worship our Lord and savior in our own language and our own culture, togeather.
Posted by: Andrew Hedinger | April 11, 2007 7:40 AM
I can only assume that the comment which begins, "Note to Crystal..." applies to me, as the other Crystal only added to what Jeff was saying...or intending to say. I have read the article--many times, CJ--and feel as strongly about it as I did when I first posted. But perhaps you've mistaken my fervor for ambivalence. Or perhaps you just like to pick fights over the internet. Or perhaps you enjoy playing your own odd version of a Devil's advocate. So, since the gauntlet has been thrown, allow me to clear my name of any ill-wll.
First, the conversation Jeff reports is one of political porportions--not spiritual. The "person on the other end" seemed to be speaking of illegal immigration--not the spiritual growth one can enjoy via exposure to experiences outside one's own postage-stamp-sized life. Instead, Jeff takes this conversation, which seemed out of context, given the thrust of his article, and makes it into something entirely different: i.e. the supposed attack of a xenophobic Christian on her brothers/sisters in Christ.
I think Jeff's points would have been clearer if he'd stuck to his some-what original intent: "...how do we worship?" and then gone from there.
Also, in the beginning of his essay, Jeff asserts that he's not intending to write anything political in nature. But paragraphs later, he attacks those who use their politics--whatever persuasion they may be--to forward their version of what the body of Christ should look like. (I agree, by the way--I just don't think this was the right place to make this point.)
"I think that this whole Christianity-becoming-a-worldview fad is overall a good step for the Church."
I'm not sure what this means - it's my understanding that Christianity-as-a-worldview is not a "fad" but God's intense design for Creation. "Let us make man in our own image" didn't refer to 21st century Christians only. History is linear, with a distinct beginning and a distinct ending - based on the creation story and the extremely interpersonal conversation of the Trinity. I'm fairly certain the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit didn't have a "fad" in mind when they set the world in motion. But I digress...
Lastly, I still can't ignore the most non-sequitur argument: "You see, we in America have too many options." First, this comes out of left field. Second, I don't know how Jeff can say this given the fact he's spent the past 1,000 words advocating that the Church embrace all sorts of worship--regardless of race, or any other measurement other than a desire of the worshipper to praise God in a collective community.
Jeff, I wish you would explain why this fits into your essay. I really, really want to understand why you said this.
I didn't--and still don't--intend for my comments to come of hostile. I was merely curious why Jeff took this essasy in so many different directions. I agree with so much of what Jeff is saying (at least the parts that I can extrapolate a progression of argument), but believe his intent would have been better served--and so much better, in general--if he hadn't been so tangental.
CJ, given that my very first response (to any of the numerous Burnside articles I've read) was one of inquisition and not condemnation, I'm disappointed that it was met with an air of hostility. It seems the prevailing nature in the Burnside community is to come along side one another if there are discrepancies. Hopefully my next comment will enjoy a better welcome.
Posted by: Crystal (the first) | April 11, 2007 8:26 AM
Thanks Crystal (the first). I once again agree with your literary criticism. It seems that this was your original intent and several people (myself included) took it as more of an attack on the content.
Truth be told, this "essay" (never thought of it as that and probably would have chosen my words more carefully with such a weighty description) was written as a sort of semi-dignified rant; it is tangental - no doubt about that.
I don't think I took the phone conversation out of context, but probably didn't give enough details to explain that. The phone conversation was just one of many that I've heard over the past few months in regards to this topic - how the Church treats immigrants.
Yes, I talked about worship, but it was more in an attempt to express that foreigners should be able to keep their own worship styles and native language services without feeling cut-off from the American church. The person on the other end said, "If they were legal, wouldn't they want to go to English services?" I was, simply, stunned.
This service that I attend every once in awhile really baffles me and almost makes me feel guilty. Sometimes, I enjoy it more than my English service (what a paradox, since I'm advocating for native language worship!).
The tangent with options is an attack on American consumerism and how that attitude has permeated the Church - we have 100 different options of cereal, and just as many choices in regards to what it means to be evangelical or protestant. Yet, there is this intolerant attitude of racism in many "white" churches, which totally baffles me.
I've learned a lot from this liltte hispanic church, especially in regards to what it means to share each Sunday. I apologize for not making my argument very clear; I probably should have prepared it more, and most likely would have, had I known it was going to be so closely scrutinized.
Crystal, that's not an attack on you, but this was more of a sharing of my own heart, and something that I am still working through. I don't mean to excuse a lack of excellence or clarity of argument, and for that, I apologize. I totally see where you were coming from.
Maybe my next expression will be a little more well-thought.
Posted by: Jeff Goins | April 11, 2007 1:07 PM
Jeff, thank you for addressing the fact that racism often underlies the ways Christians respond to immigration. Thank you for calling us out of our narrow responses to the unknown. I look forward to the future article on the church's collective response.
Crystal, I agree with you that this article contains a tangent or two. You clearly read it carefully. I'm glad that you didn't withdrawl from this conversation when you felt attacked. However, I belive that the tone of your original post was more judgmental than you think it was. Please read the last three paragraphs, particularly the last line, I think you'll find more fire there than you expect. I believe that your desire for a kinder response was more than met by Jeff. From my perspective his humility and deference should set the standard, even if his tangents shouldn't.
Posted by: Eric Pagan | April 12, 2007 3:05 PM
Jeff, yes--thanks for clearing some of that stuff up for me. I really appreciate it!
And, Eric, you're right--to me, it read as inquisitive, to others...clearly this was not the case. Thanks for asking me to reconsider.
Posted by: Crystal | April 13, 2007 8:43 AM
I saw that a BWC writer had tackled immigration in some form the other day, and I really wanted to read it, but my mind was heavy, so I waited until today.
I was happy to see that your focus was worship and not whether the church should "support" illegal immigration, but I wish the term "illegals," would not be used so freely to describe people.
I've thought about submitting something on this issue to BWC, but I'm such a fringe Christian these days that I'm not sure my views would even work here. Anyway, if anyone is interested further in this conversation, check out this link:
http://laurafern.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/fuming/
A little background -- I'm a community columnist for the Milwaukee paper, and I've written several columns about immigration. The column that triggered the original response from Pastor Mike actually was not really about immigration, but it mentioned it. Anyway, the links and the debate are there if you are interested.
Posted by: Laura | April 13, 2007 12:08 PM
Jeff, it's fun to see you write about being part of churches in Mexico and Spain. I'm studying abroad in Chile right now and have found a great non-denominational church just 5 blocks from my house. It's a huge blessing in my life -- the preaching is great and the worship style is very similar to what i'm used to. i love learning their songs and understanding the words they're singing, but when they start a song I know from the US that's been translated into spanish, i can't help but let loose and sing loud (in English) and worship more than ever because i can connect with God without having to labor over translation or hesitate to follow the tune. So i definitely understand why people seek to worship, pray, and commune with God in their own language, and i say go for it. :)
Posted by: Laurie | April 17, 2007 8:36 AM
Brothers and Sisters,
Do you want to know what brings me tears as I read all of this? Do you want to know the one truth which is the answer to all of these problems, but yet was never mentioned? It is the most simple truth of the Christian faith and yet WE ALL constantly miss it. Because we miss it, we continue downward into a self-centered Christianity.
Let me explain. Christianity has never been about emotions, feelings, the Bible, prayer, worship, preaching, Bible studies, etc. THOSE THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN APART OF THE GOSPEL!! They are only benefits from what Jesus did. We are forgetting what the Savior did and dwelling on what we think that we can do!
What is the Gospel? It's not us! WE ARE NOT THE GOSPEL! This is the simple truth that has been overlooked. This entire page never mentions the Gospel. This is also the reason why worship services are only "great" when there is "feelings" and "emotions". We have made Christianity about ourselves.
The Gospel is simply that we have this amazing God and Father who sent His exact image to become like us; the innocent was declared guilty of sins that He didn't commit. WE ARE SICK, TWISTED, SINFUL, HORRIBLE, Christians!! We NEED a Savior!
This Gospel is not just for the unbeliever, but for the believer as well (1 Corinthians 15:1-6). It says there that we STAND in the Gospel.
So Churches shouldn't have to have differences whatsoever. There should be no difference in the way a Christian church is in any culture. They should all be the same! Church is a corporate gathering of God's chosen saints to declare the greatness of what the Savior has done and to declare that we are not deserving of it, but yet God who is so kind and loving forgave us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit! That is the only thing that churches are supposed to do. How that practically works out in various situations is just as simple. "Christians shouldn't be apart of illegal aliens in America." What does the Gospel say about this? I believe that it says that we are horrible, wretched sinners but yet God who was rich in mercy passed over our sins and forgave us through the brutal death of Jesus Christ. I should preach the Gospel to these illegals no matter what citizenship they have on earth because we don't know what citizenship they have when this earth is no more. To say that we should turn our backs on them is the same thing that the good samaritan didn't do. Rather than letting politics or whatever else dictate Christianity, we should let the Gospel do so. Another practical guideline for the Gospel is this one. "I want to leave my husband." The reply is not, "Has he committed adultery? Because if he has then you have Biblical grounds to leave him." The answer is the Gospel!!! "You who want to be divorced from your husband for whatever reason, Jesus will never divorce you. You are so full of sin that you thought that your marriage was about the way that you feel about your spouse, when marriage is a presentation of the Gospel, namely, you don't deserve each other but God has intervened in this world to make it that you could actually be together. What an amazing Savior we have in spite of how amazingly sinful we are!!!"
I have only learned this Gospel-centered truth in the last few months and it has brought victory from countless sins, because it has taught me how to live in the death of Christ instead of my abilities to hide myself from my sin. The place that this truth has been preached was at a Sovereign Grace Ministries Church in San Diego, Ca called Grace Church of Rancho Bernardo. You can check out Gospel-centered messages and amazing worship centered on the cross at www.sovereigngraceministries.org
MAY GOD BLESS YOU US AND TEACH US HIS GOSPEL!!
Chad
Posted by: Chad Brewer | April 28, 2007 1:39 AM