The House of the Lord (THOTL) is what I guess would be called a "black" church.
Let me digress: I hate race. I hate the fact that people bring it up. I hate the fact that it's an issue. Can we just get to the point in the world that people are people? No matter where they're from, what color, what continent, we're all just people trying to figure it out? Trying to find out who God is what He has in store for me?
Okay, I'm done.
THOTL is located in southwest Akron, near Rolling Acres Mall (RIP) and Hawkins Plaza. The first thing you'll notice upon entering is that the people are very friendly. For a large church (I'd say about 500 or so in attendance), there were people walking around, shaking hands, and saying they were glad to see you. Wow. Personal touch is something that you don't see a lot of times at a big church. I felt very welcomed and at ease.
They opened with worship time and it was great. They had a good size band but it wasn't overbearing (see The Chapel in Green entry, and its super orchestra). The singers were amazing and it felt very sincere. People were waving their hands, singing aloud, and yes, there was some actual dancing in the aisles. Some brought their own tamborines. My only complaint is that they were lax in putting the words up on the big screen, so I really wasn't able to sing along. I'm all for extending the song out and letting it go but at least let me get the words down first. Honestly though, a small complaint for what was an overall awesome experience.
The preacher is a guy named (get ready for it) Bishop F. Josephus Johnson, II. Yes, it's a mouthful of a title but I think a guy with this much charisma needs a big title to hold him. He is one of the best preachers that I have ever heard speak. Serious, witty, and challenging, he brings out the Gospel message with fervor and sincerity. He has what would be described as the typical baptist preacher persona, however he doesn't come off as showy. I loved how he got the crowd into the message and challenged them to think about the lesson in their own lives.
His message came from Genesis 19:14-38. It tells the story of when God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (sound familiar? Momentum talked a little about this a couple of weeks ago). However, he focused on how Lot's wife looked back longingly for Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt. You see, she didn't just glance back to get a look at the action, she looked back because she longed for the sinful, debaucherous life they had lived in the city. The lesson takes on full form when we read in the next section that her daughters get their father drunk so that they may "lay" with them. Oh. Snap.
The lesson: kids hear us talk and see our actions, more than they hear our lessons. When they see us longing for those "days of yore" when we were drunk and promiscuous, they're going to get the sense that if we could, we'd go back to that life. . . instead, we should set our gaze upon the present and look toward the future, not longing for what we once were but what can be through Christ. Man, I needed to hear that.
After the sermon was the offering. I have never seen an offering like this. Most churches kind of go through the offering quickly, not wanting to seem like the stereotypical money hungry church. Not these guys - they make an event of giving. He prayed for the offering, for the people giving it, for the people using it. Then he prayed for the financial situation in everyone lives, mentioning promotions, job hunts, peoples health, etc. While he prayed, people waved their offering envelopes in the air. Wowza. Offering time lasted about 15 minutes. But again, it didn't come off as cheesey or the stereotype - it was people being joyful givers.
Finally it was prayer time. They had everyone hold hands with the person next to him - normally, I'd be kind of creeped out by this but I was having such a good time, I was down for whatever. He was praying and then asked that we pray for the people we were holding hands with, and as a reminder, to go ahead and give their hand a squeeze so that we know. Ha! I'm squeezing a 50+ year old mans hand in church! But again, it was awesome! When it was over, we gave each other a hug and it was over.
I left this place with a renewed vision and pumped about going out and serving.
If things with Kenmore CoC don't work out, this would be the place for me to land for a while. I just love the style, attitude, and level of sincerity that I felt there. It's been a long time since I've felt moved physically by the Spirit. I highly recommend The House of the Lord.
Until next time,
The Rev.
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