Essay 38 – Dear Brother K.
Dear Brother K!
I am elated to hear you are doing great.
The roses must be in full bloom, like the cheeks of a shy young woman looking over a fence.
After receiving a mail from one of our members in June, it reminds me of the early summer time once again of Korea which I almost had forgotten.
The letter started something like this:
“I took a small hike for the first time in awhile, and smelling the fresh Acacia scent reminds me that June has once again arrived.”
June is already the halfway point of this year. As a car overcomes the hills and gains speed, after passing the age of 40 the time just flies on and on.
As you have replied to my other letters, after hearing the news of choosing and attending certain church that you desired, I probably knew of questions you had, but I wanted to give my suggestion. First, I was surprised at how accurately you pointed out the problem of churches today.
I wish to also tell you of my early life as Christian. The very first church I attended after accepting Christ about 30 years ago was a hugely blessed church. I always waited impatiently for Sundays to come back. I was always impressed how serious the members were, and for other elderly members of the church trying to get to the front as closest to the podium to listen to the reverend who spoke passionately of the Christ. I was always worried there might be not enough room for the Bible Studies, nor of the youthful gathered under the banner of “50Million to Christ!” by participating in many evangelism campaigns, and of volunteer works. My youth in the church was simply of no regret but of happiness. It could be because I was naïve with young age, but one certain thing is: I give thanks to all those ahead of me in Christian life and most of to God who had led me to such a church for my foundation in Christ.
Brother K!
I wanted to summarize at that time what Christian life was like so I had read many books of that context. One of the most inspiring book was by C.S. Lewis “My Faith in Christ” and book of Reverend KyungJik Han’s broadcast booklet called “What is Christianity?” and one more book I do not remember the author but published by the Laymen’s Theology called “What Is Church?”
Brother! I remember you telling me, “I sometimes have skepticism of goings on churches as of current situations,” and, not only did you feel it as well, but of other intellectuals who are trying to start in their faith. “There is nothing to gain nor loose, so would I rather not attend churches anymore.” I have met many people who told me such.
Brother, as in one life, there are families that need protection and growth, a newborn child in Christ would need also growth and protection? Even if the parents are not perfect, they are needed for the child to grow. Even if the church has many faults and wrongs, the existence is essential in growth in spirit. There is no need to talk twice about that fact. The Bible tells us that we are the Body and the head of the Church is Christ. As we are attending the church, as the members of the Kingdom of God, as we wait for it to come, the church we attend now is of meeting of members of that said Kingdom. We realize and sometimes block off this glory, but since the church in the world is made by him, this community and of the church are much more glorious than anything.
But, this world has not only the good grains, but of also empty shells as well as the Lord said. In the history of church, there are times again and again when the church seemed to fail, and of desperate attempts to resurrect it. It is about the time when I tell you of what is good of going to a church.
We all attend the church to give praise to the Lord. As we praise and offer worship unto our Lord, it is the reason why we attend (Leviticus 1:12). The most important worship is with worship and praise, offering our lives as the offering. When we attend services with our best of our life, skills and wealth etc, is when we receive of the most grace. The presence of the Lord then will be amongst us and when we are blessed and in awe of it, then we give our best attitude to devotion. When you say, “I get nothing from this worship.” Is like saying, “I give nothing to the Lord.”
Worship is simply not just for our God, but share also amongst our members. First we share our fullest service to other members. (Examples in 1 Corinthians 8:5, Galatians 6:5, Romans 12:10) But today the world is all self centered, and for “me” instead. It is easily over sought to be for my need, my peace, and my growth. Being a church member, one can suppress the need of “me” and self-center ideals, and to strike one’s self to submit it, and to grow into the spirit. Without having an intimate relationship with other members of the church, there will be no life in the church. God works his spirit when there is unity and sharing amongst the members. By attending a church, we learn of various spiritual talents and to learn and share, and to glorify God through this experience.
When the members of Christ fellowship with each other, there is a moving of the Holy Spirit within them, then other people want to also join in worship. Also through community of the Christ, we can see what God wants in the present and be able to understand and define it. We are more attuned to the worldly things every week. Through worship, and with the fellowship of fellow Christian brothers and sisters, we can cleanse of our worldly temptations and clear the poisons in spirit. Also through evangelizing, we are able to learn more of the spirit and are able to truly repent. We also have to even thorough the difficulties of life, accept of the providence of God and give true worship. How amazing is that we have this special privilege of being able to join in worship as Christians?
Through worship, we listen to the words of God, and also react to the words of the God. Usually we react with praise, prayer, testimony and of repentance naturally. The current world of church’s most urgent problem is to search and find of this foundation from the start again.
Brother K!
As you choose your permanent church to attend, I hope this would be of little help, and would like to tell you how I feel. As you know, there are many denominations in the church, and their way of serving is all different. Some like to have strict and devout ways. Some however, even in the same denomination would be less strict and be more open. One type is rather more reverent toward God, but others would have much more openness in worship service.
The attitude of ministries is also very different in every denomination. There are two groups in laymen and church staffs. So there is more commandership with them but not so much with laymen. There is a teaching that the laymen or not, everyone is equal in their ministries. Certain churches say the works within the church is all different, but both factions must co-operate. Also, every denomination’s view on woman’s duty within church is different as well. Also there are many different views in how they co-relate to the society. There is strong points into the church itself, but some churches emphasize on worship, growth, evangelizing and of volunteer works.
It may sound strange, but some churches say absolute to the power of the Bible, and some churches are more critical of the Bible. Even politically within the church, there is power for the center, some are more cooperative, and some even say the church should be wholly owned by its congregation. I hope you can take notice into those selections of churches mentioned above.
I hope that there is absoluteness to power of the Bible, and find that the church is aiming to the truth. Hopefully the church helps you in spiritual growth, and in sincere heart would worship. Also please make sure that the church has small groups and bible studies a well. Also, please meet up with the senior pastor.
Please have a discussion with his view of laymen and the direction of the church going. Someone very precise and minute-detailed like you would check that denomination’s faith and history as well.
Brother K!
I know it feels like I’m nagging, but there is one more thing I would like to add. When you do have finally decided to attend your selected church, please consider instead of judging, have love and willingness, to encourage other members and in congregating as well. All the staffs that spend their time and effort in tears for the church, the praise team members, deacons and elders, and of the reverend, please encourage and pray for them. Also when you pray daily, pray that through that your church would grow in numbers in children of God through evangelizing and would fire the church up in revival. Please find some other members who would be in part of this effort.
Brother K!
I earnestly hope for you in Christian life, in the study of the Bible, in honest prayer and with beauty unto the meeting of the members and would have a great fulfilling life in Christ, to bear large amounts of fruits of this effort.
Cordially,
June 17th, 1990
From San Jose, United States HeungGu Lee (Paul Lee).
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What is a healthy church? 
Dear Brother K.