Covenant Church

Grandson Caleb, our daughter’s eldest, all of 8 years old, piously shared with his mom that he wanted to go back to the school he went to for First Grade. When she questioned him as to why he would be so nostalgic and reflective, he responded quickly: “They sing songs and raise their hands to praise Jesus.”

Dana was quite moved by the devotion of an 8 year-old talking about such love for Jesus. “Caleb,” she shared with him, “That is really special!”

“Mom,” he said, “We also made space helmets!”

You would have to know Caleb to understand this bent. The ceiling of his bedroom is stars. The walls are papered with a variety of spaceships, etc. Though he has a room to himself, his bed has a ladder suggesting the future. He wears clothes that speak of the universe. He may zone out while at any event and suddenly speak up saying, “There are 411 tiles in this ceiling,” or some other numbering of things. One does have to wonder if the pilots and engineers in his daddy’s family have passed down distinctive DNA.

When Dana shared about Caleb, one of my first thoughts was about the difference between Caleb and his 6 year-old brother Ethan. Ethan thinks he will smile and charm his way through school. He likes girls. He is physical. He likes horses, with his room being decorated with horses.

Yes, we are each different.

The second thought that came to my mind was Caleb’s desire to go to a church that lifted hands and praised Jesus and makes space helmets. In his mind there was not much difference.

This latter thought took my mind to the challenge of our world in which only about 40[%] of Americans go to church regularly. Regularly, by sociological definition may mean two or more times each month. Regularly, by scriptural definition is at least every Sabbath. If we remove from the equation those who only go to church two or three times each month we have a much smaller number than 40[%].

Further, there are those who have no home church. They go where they want to go when they decide to go. It is a whimsical life of whichever way the wind blows. If someone happens to call on a Sunday morning and say, “Let’s go picnic, or riding in the mountains” then there is no church. If someone calls and says, “Hey, they are having a singing group, homecoming, or revival at a certain church,” then that is the way the wind blows.

There is no loyalty or devotion; it is just based on which church is making space helmets today. If the church happens to raise hands and praise Jesus, then fine. However, the real question is whether there is any show with fireworks and spectaculars that would compete with Super Bowl half-time. If there is no entertainment, then another church will be visited the next time there is convenience of opportunity (meaning nothing else to do) to go to church.

In reality, the 40[%] of church-going America is a sociological number that lacks definition in relation to Bible-believing, sin-confessing, Christ-living, tithe-paying, loyal Christians who practice with intent the name they bear.

The real measure of a church is not its state-of-the-art technology. Thank God for tools that are useful in promoting the gospel. Thank God for people dedicated and gifted to use modern technology for Christ. Covenant Church is blessed with wonderful sound-technicians, audio-visual, and light technicians. Just think how airplanes, computers, fax, e-mail, internet, etc., have sped missionary work! Praise the Lord!

Back to the space helmet and Jesus: We must ask ourselves daily whether our lives are intended to go to heaven or whether our Jesus talk and religion is in hopes that the Great Spirit above will not curse us -- but give to us earthly treasures and much pleasure. “Please, Lord, give us thrills! Lots of thrills! Titillating! Esoteric! Let us have lots of humor when we go to church, lots of fellowship, lots of feeling good, lots of dancing and singing, and clapping of hands. And then, Dear Jesus, when the offering plate is passed, or when we see a need in the Kingdom of God, help us not to feel too guilty about having spent all our money on pleasure and investments. And, Dear Jesus, if we do not make it back next Sunday, know that we intend, as soon as possible, to visit another church somewhere…wherever they will be making space helmets!”

Oh, of course, I see the humor in my grandson’s comments. However, I find little humor in observing multitudes of people who have no church home, no commitment to a church body, no faithfulness in stewardship, no loyalty in fellowship, and who avoid using their God-given talents for the Church.

I warrant you, the greatest joy ever to be found on earth is in doing the Father’s will. The only peace that will pass understanding comes from obedience. The only disciple that Jesus recognizes is the one that takes up his cross and obeys the commandments of Jesus.

Thank God for saints who enjoy making space helmets, but who have learned the greater joy of faithfulness and service to Jesus and His Church.

With love and hope for more disciples,



Pastor Bare
“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).