As we walked slowly in from the church’s lobby, Dad craned his neck looking through the crowded pews for Larry. I knew that Dad had spotted him when a big smile washed over his face. Larry had been looking for us to come and when he saw Dad, he hurriedly excused himself from the pew where he and his family were seated to meet us in the back of the church. Dad introduced Mother and I to Larry who was a very warm and friendly man. I could sense that the Lord was very important to him and that he was thrilled that we had come to visit his church. Larry promised we’d talk later but was anxious for us to join the service. We followed Larry to where he was with his wife and two daughters who looked to be close to my age. That’s good, I thought. It’s always fun to make new friends. The congregation was standing while they sang. The church’s music director was leading a small choir at the front of the church. Several singers with beautiful voices that were heard above the others sent chills down my body. The songs they sang were really cool—songs I had never heard at our church—and just about everyone was swaying and moving to the music and some were close to dancing. The people were definitely feeling the spirit! I looked at Mother who was just clapping along with the beat. I knew she would tell Dad later that the congregation shouldn't be allowed to dance, that doing so didn’t show the proper respect for the service and for the Lord. But I was kind of liking the atmosphere. It felt like people were really participating in the service rather than just sitting in their seats like wooden sheep.
After several more rousing hymns, the musical director bowed respectfully to the congregation and took a seat along the wall behind the altar as did the members of the choir.
Finally, it was time to meet the visiting evangelist. "Good morning... isn't God good?" Evangelist Art Shell began. Everyone responded with happy sounding voices all offering affirmation to the Evangelist’s question that God indeed was good. I really liked the interaction between Evangelist Shell and the congregation.
"I noticed you didn't take prayer requests this morning, Pastor Shaw... Jesus didn't take them either, did He?" he continued. I liked the evangelist immediately. He brought Jesus right into the room. And isn’t that why we were all there? But I had a strong sense that Mother had a different opinion. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her lean over to say something in Dad's ear. I was certain that “should” and “should nots” had begun just after the first few words from the evangelist. My mother did not seem to be open to the new church and evangelist and started off looking for things she didn’t like.
"It has been close to a year since I was here and Pastor Shaw has shared with me some of the changes that have occurred during that time. Is it true you threw out those old hymnals?” The evangelist had a big smile on his face as he hesitated and scanned the faces of the attentive congregation. I was pretty sure he knew the answer to his question. I heard one person say, “Yes, praise the Lord,” and another say, “Amen,” and the air was sprinkled with a lot of chuckles. I thought to myself that the people were happy with the new music because they probably used to hear old worn out songs like our church does.
“Well that was a stupid question, wasn't it?” Everyone really laughed then. There are not many preachers who will admit to asking a stupid question.
“The songs I just sang with you didn’t send me running to the doors!” the pastor continued on to more waves of laughter. “And, I don’t feel like slitting my wrists, so I think I can say with a good measure of certainty that, yes, you did throw out those old hymnals!" the evangelist teased the church members as laughter and a smattering of robust “Amens” filled the sanctuary.
But the evangelist wasn’t all about funny remarks and laughter but his approach certainly had the attention of the entire congregation. But then he continued in a more serious tone, as he turned and looked at Pastor Shaw. "How many church members have gone on to be with the Lord in the last year, Pastor?"
Pastor Shaw stood up from his chair near the altar and responded in a faint, rather sad voice. "Two older brothers have passed on and are now with the Lord."
I was fascinated with the genuine conversation that was going on. Nothing scripted—just one concerned preacher talking to another and allowing everyone at the service to hear every word! There didn’t seem to be any secret-keeping here and no worries that some of us might be “too young” to be in on certain discussions. There was a sense of trust that the pastors communicated to the congregation and, in turn, the church members seemed to return that trust. There was a two-way dialog and the feeling that the way to God was through the efforts of everyone. This church seemed to look to their pastors as leaders but there was a freedom and openness that every church member was free to participate and help in serving God. The church seemed to operate like a team.
"What were the ages of these brothers?" the evangelist asked.
"Brother Walker was eighty-two and Brother Schultz was eighty-one." Pastor Shaw said.
"How did they die, Pastor Shaw?" Evangelist Shell asked. I couldn’t believe that the two pastors were holding this conversation so openly. It was such a difference, a positive difference, from our church.
Responding to the evangelist’s questions, Pastor Shaw’s shoulders slumped just a little and I thought I detected a slight huskiness in his voice. "Brother Walker passed away in his sleep and Brother Schultz was enjoying a picnic lunch reunion with his family when he slumped over and passed on," Pastor Shaw replied. It was a tender and moving moment and it was obvious that these men had meant a lot to Pastor Shaw. I would have guessed Pastor Shaw’s age as in his seventies. He probably had known the two men who died for many years.
"Cancer didn't get them?" the evangelist asked.
I watched Evangelist Shell closely. His smile hadn’t faded and his voice was strong and positive.
"No," Pastor Shaw answered. A slight smile broke out across his face. He probably had a good idea where the evangelist was going with his questions but I didn’t so I listened closely, not wanting to miss one word.
"Sure it wasn't a heart attack?" the evangelist continued.
"No," Pastor Shaw said. His smile was widening.
"The Brothers could not have left us in a more joyful way. I’ve heard of many of our Christian brothers and sisters take the same journey. Why I’m fairly certain that I could have written out the autopsy report on those two Brothers myself!" Evangelist Shell said as he was turning up the volume and increasing the feeling of excitement in the room. I was really into the spirit that I felt was surrounding me. I took a quick look at Mother. She still looked skeptical but she wasn’t whispering in Dad’s ear and she sure was paying attention. Progress! I said a quick prayer that my mother’s heart would open up to the new pastors and new church. I quickly turned my attention back to the evangelist who was about to take everyone to a new level.
"Here’s how my autopsy report would have read: All organs healthy, cause of death: spirit separated from physical body. This is exactly how a believer departs this earth, not in pain or gasping for breath! I’m happy to see that no young people in your congregation died this year. I think that shows that the Lord is looking kindly on this congregation because your folks are serving the Lord the way He wants us to.”
The evangelist hesitated a moment to allow everyone to take in his words and think about them—even us thirteen-year-olds!
“From everything I have observed—from the songs you sing to the enthusiasm you show for our Lord—I feel joyous and satisfied that this congregation is well taken care of. I would like to offer my congratulations and thanks to Pastor Shaw but also to each and everyone one of you in the congregation for doing your part in believing in Him and in serving the Lord the way He asks us to.”
Wow, I thought. It sounded like the evangelist was doing my work for me. I quickly got out my pen and notepad and started taking notes. I wrote as quickly as I could so I didn’t miss a word. My mother turned and looked at me for a moment. I don’t think she approved but at least I wasn’t doing a crossword puzzle!
The evangelist continued, “It is apparent that you have been taught well and that Pastor Shaw has been preaching to you from Isaiah 53:5, which I will now quote: ‘By His stripes you were healed’ and Psalm 91:11 tell us: ‘For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.’ That scripture has a very close place in my heart.”
To my continuing surprise, the two pastors maintained an open dialog, in front of one and all.
“Yes, Preacher Shell, I have followed your lead this year and I know in my heart that our beloved congregation has grown with the enlightenment of the Word.” Pastor Shaw spoke as he looked out at the happy faces of his congregation.
The evangelist continued. “These two verses tell us we can't get sick and we can't be harmed.”
I could literally feel the excitement that had been ignited in the room. Mother was sitting quietly and seemed to be one of the only few people who did not seem to be moved. I knew that she was weighing everything she heard and would not easily be swayed from her own convictions. But that was her way and again, I was happy that she came to the church and thrilled that she had been listening. . . at least so far. But unfortunately that would soon change with the next words of the evangelist.
With his next words, the evangelist spoke in a clear and loud voice so there wouldn’t be any doubt as to the meaning of his message.
"From His Word, we know that it is not God's will for any Christian to die with cancer, heart problems, or disease of any kind.... Amen?"