Of course, the guys quickly asked me what I do and why I am not in the military. I told them that I tried joining the Corps several times, but have not yet felt a release from the Lord to do so. In the meantime, I keep serving in the Heavenly Corps as a pastor and church planter. This, of course, always draws a response...
The Chief at the station shared how he used to go to church all the time, but then felt like he was going "too much" so he stopped all together. He also asked why some churches are like rock concerts and others like funerals? Turns out his comments were two sides of the same coin: religion without relationship.
I explained to him that it is impossible to truly go to church "too much" if the church is truly all about its biblical mission. No one has ever stated that they were spending "too much" time with their kids, their wife, or any other loved one; therefore, it is not rationale to say that we are spending "too much" time with Jesus in church. If we love Jesus and Jesus is being preached at the church, then who could spend enough time in church?
Styles of church should be nothing more than a means of expressing a particular's cultures love for Jesus. For some this is like a rock concert, for others it is a more solemn event: style is simply preference. I have even found that in churches that are not my preferred style I can still have a great time and feel comfortable when it's all about loving Jesus.
We talked for over an hour about faith, Christianity and Jesus. I gave him a bible with my card and email. Please pray for the Chief and his walk with the Lord...and please pray for more chaplains!
