Easter in enemy territory

Easter Sunday has always been interesting to me. My religious education was so woeful that it was not until I was an adult that I learned that Easter was not about bunnies and sun dresses. When I think back on it, all my Christian knowledge was tied into legalism of some form. There is no room for the cross when legalism rules.

Anyway, my ban on all things Church that I started several months ago was lifted for yesterday. I agreed to go with my in-laws to church because I knew how happy it would make my wife's mother. Admittedly, I kind of miss the routine of church, so I didn't mind too much.

Just last year my inlaws left the church they had been at for 20 years. A church where legalism is practiced with a vigor I have seldom seen. Every sermon I ever heard from the pulpit revolved around the evils of denominationalism. Families that had problems were looked at harshly and systematically disfellowsipped. It was a bad place.

That brings me to yesterday and their new church home, also very conservative. My expectations were very low. I prepared myself to get offended. It wasn't looking good when the powerpoint presentation before the sermon listed those who denied Jesus's divinity including all of Islam and Judaism. And those whose lifestyles denied him ex: Rosie Odonnell (Which I assume was for her lesbian lifestyle rather than her horrid personality which is far more offensive to me). The sinister way it was done was very off-putting.

Though I can't excuse that part of his sermon, I have to admit I was stunned by the rest of what the preacher said. He talked of his trip to an LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) conference at DFW where the kids at the church participated and competed for awards. He said he felt that many of the kids at the conference had the wrong theology. However, the experience reminded him of something Jesus said:
"Unless you become like one of these, you will not enter the kingdom".

He said his heart was touched by the genuine search for God that the kids exibited. That they weren't looking for "the conservative Jesus or the liberal Jesus, just Jesus."

I could not believe what I was hearing. The preacher went on to say he hoped the kids would not become like him and the other adults who are cynical and cranky. That he used to believe theological purity was essential, but now he is so sure. I nearly fell out of my chair.

During the invitation a woman came up and asked for prayers because her father's illness was causing her a lot of pain. She wondered if the purpose for her pain was God's way of convincing her to be a better christian.

To my amazement the very conservative preacher said that that might be the reason, but who's to know. He said it was a worthwhile goal anyway. He then said and I quote

"It is always a cop out to quote scripture in times like this". He went on to quote a scripture in Romans, but the fact the he said the first part at all was shocking to me.

After the service was officially over they had a presentation of awards from the conference the kid's had been at. Pride and joy filled the room as kid after kid in this small church came up and collected their awards. Clapping and standing ovations for the kids! Again I was stunned!

The group that got the best response was the DRAMA TEAM! Yes, I said drama team. Hell is in danger of freezing over!!

I am not sure what the point of me sharing all this was. Maybe a part of that had given up hope finally had a reason to believe again. I know it is only a glimmer of hope and I probably would disagree with them on most things, but the experience was wonderful and I will cherish it.

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