On Sunday we were able to attend a Jamaican church service. I don't even know what to think. There were many things that I admired and appreciated about how they worship here but there were also things that were hard to sit through and watch.
When we asked what time the service started we never got a straight answer. We were told that it was sometime between 9:30 and 10:30. Pretty much whenever the pastor got there. I found that to be really funny. It's so Jamaica.
We were fortunate that the church service actually meets in the building that we are staying at. The reason I say that is because it lasted no less than 3 hours. Not exaggerating. There were multiple people who were up front speaking. Tons of singing. At one point the leader had all the children come line up front to yell, "Jesus." She warned them that the devil would get them if they didn't (I warned you there were painful parts to sit through). It went so long that I even had to slip out and make lunch for my kids!
I was saddened when I found out that a lot of people don't come to church because they don't have nice enough clothes. This is a picture of Christianity in Jamaica though. There is so much legalism and an expectation to be cleaned up and have your life in order if you are going to go to church. While there is a deep spirituality and recognition of God in this country, they really miss the reason Christ came to die. He came for the sick, not the healthy. He came for the poor in spirit not those who feel righteous because of something they have done on their own.
On the surface many people who visit Harmons think that these people are admirable in their boldness to proclaim faith in God and their recognition of Him as the giver of life and all things good. While this is true I am seeing the culture here through a different lens. I am more and more seeing the repercussions of a belief in God without understanding his grace through Christ. I am seeing how paralyzing and hopeless it would be to rely on yourself and your good works for eternal life.
While the spiritual condition of Jamaica may seem bleak there are glimmers of hope for these people as well. For example, Won by One has hired a wonderful, gospel-centered pastor. Despite fighting an uphill battle against culture he's made a lot of progress in the community and his church numbers are growing. He's put a lot of heart into developing the church in Harmons and the fruit of his labor is beginning to show. I also know of another great church about 30 minutes away that people speak highly of. So despite my initial impressions I do know that God is at work here.
Anyway, this post is more for my personal reflection than to update on our trip. Going to church here was such a unique experience that I couldn't let it slip into the bank of memories without thinking it through a bit more.
More fun stories and photos to come!
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