For this intuitive introvert, the past two days of been full: energies have been greatly expended (and by the end of the day, greatly depleted); and yet, not seeking to be either paradoxical or contradictory, I know that I have been filled.
Sunday worship provided very positive, memorable moments, not the least of which was our still remaining engaged after three-and-one-half hours. Admittedly, some of that engagement was our sharing in a Pentecostal worship service (although some might question: How Pentecostal can they be, if they allow a Presbyterian like me to preach?); but much of that engagement reflected its African/ Ugandan shaping. At 8am we arrived at the church, stepped into the sanctuary, and, when once at our seats, sought to sing with those already gathered; but during the next hour, we also began to observe the partially filled sanctuary swell to near-capacity: approximately one thousand.
At the time we did not realize: Sunday, July 29, at Ilira Community Church was “Youth Sunday.” Thus, perhaps more than usual, the service might have had greater energies vis-a-vis songs and dancing, and the up-front presence of the children. Nonetheless, in my view the service felt very African: the rhythms, the enjoyments, and the smiles, in combination with a leisurely cadence (i.e. Ugandans will quip: “Americans have watches; Africans have time”) bespoke a common message: in the presence of our Living God, we desire and appreciate community with one another.
At 9:45am, I knew that our service would be at least two-and-one-half hours: I had not yet preached (which required the addition of translation); the offering had not yet been received; and our pastor had not yet offered an altar call. As I preached, I was struck by the great number of young people (life expectancy in Uganda is 59); during the offering, the harvested, first fruits of their crops were received and then auctioned, the monies then given to the church; and the altar call (and I seek neither to minimize nor homogenize its significance), functioned as a time of confession, or even as a confessional.
In sum: just as in the US, a Pentecostal and Presbyterian service will be clearly American, so too here: denominational differences will still reflect the pervasive culture. I know this is not rocket science, but it does raise the question: Are denominational difference in one culture equally those of another?
However we answer this question, we have known of our Lord’s Presence throughout.
Faithfully,
Stan