I Grew Up In Church

This is not a confession, just a fact.  I have my “Cradle Roll Certificate” hanging prominently on my office wall that was awarded to my parents when I was taken to the Madera, CA, Methodist Church for the first time at the ripe age of EIGHT DAYS OLD.  It is signed by an uncle who was the Sunday School Superintendent (another uncle was the choir director). I have very, very rarely missed a Sunday since, and I am now 23,890 days old (65 ½ for those who are challenged mathematically).

My family roots were planted deeply in the south (Tennessee, Alabama and West Texas).  My church culture consisted of pot luck dinners (home fried chicken in a cast iron skillet), revival meetings and a good amount of southern gospel music.  I loved the church…still do.  Oh, I don’t love everything about it, but I do love the church.  It’s in my blood. My great-grandfather, Silas Oliver Jennings, was an old Methodist preacher and church builder.  There is still at least one country church building that survives somewhere in the hills of southern Tennessee.  My gospel music roots are just as deep.  My paternal grandmother, Cora Lucille Jennings Morgan, was a first cousin to Mom Speer, of the famous gospel singing Speer Family.  I think you get the picture.  It is what is commonly called a strong Christian heritage.  I am thankful for it. 

I write this to illustrate that I am not a malcontent, occasional church goer.  I know church.  However, at this point in my life I am feeling what I think is a holy discontent growing inside of me.  I have been fortunate (we would call it, “blessed”) to have been part of several dynamic churches during my lifetime.  Most of them I have served in some leadership capacity from teen group leader to senior pastor.  I have planted one church from scratch (starting with 5 people in my living room).  I am the recipient of a few great mentors and a couple of leaders that emphatically showed me what not to be!  I have the experience of having attended and served in three church denominations/movements (Methodist, Nazarene & Vineyard).  I have loved, and still do love all of them.  That is rare.  Each one made contributions in my life that are immeasurable.  Why then do I come to this point in my life when I am feeling the need for something different?  Good question.  Let me see if I can unpack it enough to share some understanding.

I am longing for simplicity.  My desire at this point in my life is not for long sermons with special effects and PowerPoint illustrations.  It isn’t for intriguing and complicated music, whether sung from a hymnal or projected in HD quality on gigantic screens (with complimentary LED colored lighting, etc).  Don’t get me wrong.  I still love good Bible teaching.  I still love good music of various genres.  I just have this desire for a simple, organic church service (or what would be considered one) that focuses on some very simple realities:  1. Devotion to God 2. Inner transformation. 3. Mission…letting those I encounter each day get a sense of who Jesus is by hanging around me. 4. Hearing other’s stories, on a regular basis, from the current days and weeks of their busy lives. 5. Allowing the timeless, tested and true wisdom of the Bible to illuminate the pathway we are traveling. 6. Lots of dialogue and not much monologue. 7. Simple fellowship together, and compassion for every human being no matter how marginalized or how gifted they happened to be. 8. A safe place to be for a few minutes each week where true Christian love and charity abound. 9. A challenge to be even more fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ in all areas of life. 10. As little as is possible to keep up with in terms of buildings, payments, organization, programs, structures and equipment.  I am longing for SIMPLICITY.

If you read into this article a disgust, distaste or critical attitude toward the current church, you are missing my intent by miles.  We have different needs at different points in our lives.  Young families have different needs than older adults.  I am simply trying to explain what I would love to try as “church” for the next 10 years.  It wouldn’t be for everyone, but I am wondering if it is for some?  Does this ring true with anyone else?  I welcome your comments, thoughts and even criticisms, as long as they are meant to be constructive and not negative rants.  Really, folks….we do not need more of that kind of dialogue.  If you feel the need for that, please consider what my cousin, Jon, calls a “PoliPost.” 

Blessings,

Mark Morgan

(The Gatekeeper)