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Nashville, TN: Technically, I decided to try out Immanuel Church because I felt guilty for parking in their lot and not actually going into their building. Immanuel is located directly across the street from Radnor Lake, which has become my favorite new place to walk or hike and talk or think. My friend, Patti, and I have spent a few Sundays musing about life and love amidst trees and deer, but sometimes the only free spot to leave a car during this highly traveled time is across the street at Immanuel. In order to ease my personal fear that we might get ticketed by the church police, Patti and I attended the 11am service this past Sunday for the latest in The Great Church Search.
Aesthetics: The Immanuel sign is easily noticed - mainly because it serves as a landmark to turn left when entering Radnor. The building sits up on a hill and reminds me of an old Southern home, with white pillars and a red door.
Greeting: We were greeted by a friendly woman who introduced herself to us and asked us our names. She was delighted that we were newcomers and offered us each a small brown card as a welcome gift. Inside, a friendly female face smiled at me and I was touched that they already seemed to know me. (Not that woman (whom I also love), but that other one.)
Community: There were around 200 people at the service. A lot of 20-somes and a few families; with one African American person and one Asian American person (the rest being Caucasian). The dozen-or-so children were dismissed halfway through the service.
Music: The five piece band played very typical Christian-rock / worship music, which I'm getting more familiar with while being in the South. Made up of five players (drums, bass, EG, EG/AG and fiddle), the songs were easy to follow along to (thanks to two video screens with lyrics) and people seemed to be moved by the music, as some raised their hands in the air. They did what I was waiting for last week's band to do: cover a secular song but change the words to something religious. As soon as I heard the bass line for one of the grooviest tunes ever, instead of hearing "very superstitious" as the first line, I thought I picked up something like "goodbye to the children...." Actually, I'm not 100% sure of the exact words (though it was when they were dismissing the kids), but I had to smile a little since that's what I was waiting for last week. Guess I was just a step ahead.
Service: The service started with 40 minutes of a mix of music, announcements and tithing. Which, from my perspective, is a little strange to ask for money before you rev up their hearts with a big ol' sermon. However, immediately following another bit of music, came the big ol' sermon, which lasted about 35 mins., and a final recessional song.
Message: Initially, they had me at Starbucks card. Then, I could feel my head nod in agreement with their mission statement: "Making the real Jesus non-ignorable in our city and far beyond." But right before the pastor wrapped up the seemingly positive message, he spoke the following words (and this is verbatim, thanks to the podcast on iTunes):
"Now we sometimes think 'yeah, but I want to keep my options open, I want to listen to Jesus but I want to explore other spiritual paths as well.' And when we think that way, we think we're being sort of above all controversy and narrowness. We think that we're being objective and so forth. The truth is the very fact that we think that way is not a function of objectivity, it's a function of our own culture and our own moment of time. That's how Western Americans think."
I could feel my back stiffen a bit. He continued.
"If you reduce Jesus, the son of God, the Christ of God, the pathway into an eternal world, to just another voice, even a prophetic voice:
you're going to hell."
I waited for the laughter. I waited for the "just kiddin', who am I to be able to say you're going to hell." But nothing happened. He was serious.
I looked at Patti, whose eyes were wide. I scribbled down the best thing I could think of in that moment and showed her my notepad, full of hopeful reflections.
WTF.
Denomination: Immanuel started as a bible study then morphed into a non-denominational church whose "doctrinal statement condenses The Confessional Statement of The Gospel Coalition."
Overall: It's difficult for me to talk about the overall experience of the service when that last sentiment was so negative. I think everything leading up to that moment was great: the people were friendly, the music was contemporary, the goals of the church were apparent. It's just hard to believe that someone would be so certain that one would be condemned to hell for exploring other spiritual paths. And say it out loud. I believe the God of my understanding can handle our questions and wants us to seek truth. And I'm pretty sure that same God wouldn't tell anyone they're going to hell. In public.
Contact:
5253 Granny White Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
www.immanuelnashville.com
Facebook page
One More Thing: Instead of hitting a local food joint post-church, Patti and I headed across the street for a walk/hike around Radnor Lake. Of course, we had MUCH to discuss after our shared experience at church, but it was also cleansing to sweat out some of the toxins from my body and my heart.
Reflections on the Journey Thus Far: The journey of seeking God and seeing how God's followers worship Him continues to surprise and amaze me. During this visit, specifically, I feel like I got more out of the nature walk and talk with Patti post-service than I did from the hour and a half church experience.
As with other discouragements along the way, I will take a deep breath and continue to move forward. Perhaps this means I will go to hell. But in the meantime, I'll spend my time reflecting with friends who also want to know God in a personal way.
If I do go, at least I know there will be a few familiar faces down there.
Community: There were around 200 people at the service. A lot of 20-somes and a few families; with one African American person and one Asian American person (the rest being Caucasian). The dozen-or-so children were dismissed halfway through the service.
Service: The service started with 40 minutes of a mix of music, announcements and tithing. Which, from my perspective, is a little strange to ask for money before you rev up their hearts with a big ol' sermon. However, immediately following another bit of music, came the big ol' sermon, which lasted about 35 mins., and a final recessional song.
Contact:
