Not the Kool-Aid

I had an interesting experience yesterday.

Background information: I am not happy with the “seven blessings” doctrine many churches are teaching now. Supposedly you give a big cash offering to your church on Pentecost, Passover, or Yom Kippur (“the Atonement”), and in return, God gives you seven blessings. This is supposed to come from Judaism, which required all believers to show up in Jerusalem three times a year and give their “very best offerings.”

Problem: Judaism only required men to show up.

Problem: there were no big cash offerings.

Problem: God didn’t promise anybody seven blessings on the Jewish holidays.

Problem: Christians are not under the Jewish law, and even if they were, it would be unlawful for them to show up among Jewish men during Jewish holidays and try to horn in on the observance.

The “Seven Blessings of Passover/Seven Blessings of Pentecost/Seven Blessings of the Atonement” fad is completely invalid. Near as I can tell, these doctrines were made up fairly recently by a pastor named Steve Munsey. They were never part of Judaism.

With all this in mind, I’ll write about my experience.

I went to Ayts Chayim Messianic Synagogue in Boca Raton, because I wanted to see my friends there and enjoy their Yom Kippur service. I got some friends from church to go. The service was amazing. First of all, there was no mention of big cash offerings. In fact, I don’t they mentioned money at all. Second, the rabbi taught about the real meaning of Yom Kippur, and he discussed appropriate teachings from Hebrews, linking Jesus to the most important Jewish holiday. Third, the Holy Spirit showed up like a thick cloud of peace, and we got to spend some wonderful time in his presence.

At one point, the rabbi said that people could present themselves as offerings if they wanted. They were encouraged to go to the front of the room. I went up there with the rest, and while I was there, I talked to God about the inadequacy of the things I do for him. I said any offering I might give him was tainted and corrupt, and I said I was offering myself, because it was “the best offering” I had.

Of course, when I heard that phrase in my mind, I thought of the Seven Blessings nonsense. “Very best offering” is what they tell you to bring. I wasn’t thinking about that when I went forward, but after the phrase appeared in my prayers, I could not miss the similarity.

I believe the Holy Spirit was underscoring the difference between dying charismatic churches and the synagogue. Many charismatic churches are losing God’s presence and favor. They’re wooing people by offering worldly garbage instead of the power and cleansing of the Holy Spirit. They have to rely on gimmicks and drives and so on. God isn’t blessing them, so they use worldly means to get what they want (usually high attendance and bigger collections), and then they claim God did it. Godly people who know better are growing frustrated, and they are leaving churches.

While the Holy Spirit was resting on us, I marveled at the difference between the synagogue and my church. We just don’t get that kind of response from God any more. I get it at when I’m alone, and sometimes it happens in my prayer group, but not in the services. I had forgotten what it was like to experience it in a service.

Now, naturally, I’m wondering if it’s time to change churches. Pastors like to say, “Grow where you’re planted,” in order to discourage people from moving around. They call people “church-hoppers.” In reality, the Bible doesn’t back them up. Over and over, great Biblical figures moved around. Abraham left. Noah left. Jacob left. Moses left. The Jews had to leave Israel for Babylon, and God told them they would suffer if they remained. Jesus left Israel for Egypt. Paul left Israel for Arabia. Lot left. How many examples do you want? Ruth left. Peter left. Timothy left. Jonah left.

“Grow where you’re planted” is something pastors say to keep people–and their money–from leaving. There is nothing godly about it. They ought to say, “GO where you’re planted.”

My friends are telling me I’m getting a lot done right where I am. They’re telling me I’m helping the church change. Maybe so. I would really miss the people. Maybe the answer is to start going to the synagogue twice a month, while cutting back at church.

It’s very refreshing to see that there are healthy houses of worship out there. No church is perfect, but some are very good.

If you don’t sense God in a very direct and palpable way in your church, you are missing out. His presence is something you need, and you should not hesitate to work hard to find it.