by Emily Howsden | Jun 26, 2017
I recently read an article by The Telegraph that encouraged me. In this article, it stated that through a survey, it was discovered that teenagers and younger people are actually open to faith, rather than rejecting it.
In this article titled “One in six young people are Christian so visits to church buildings inspire them to convert,” the main discussion was that the allure of cathedrals and church buildings are proving to be more successful than traditional church efforts in drawing younger audiences to church.
While America doesn’t have as many cathedrals as a European country does, I think this is an important topic of discussion. Aesthetically-pleasing environments are comfortable. They don’t seem so foreign. They make you want to come back.
This is something the modern-day church should consider while racking their brains about how to reach those “ever-puzzling” Millennials and Generation Z people.
I’m not saying you need to go rip up the green carpet in your sanctuary and completely rid your church of any and all pews. In our college Sunday School class, we sit in couches and larger chairs in a circle, rather than school chairs in a line.
Why is that you ask? It makes for a more comfortable environment in which people can freely share and let their guard down, rather than feeling like they are sitting in, yet another, lecture hall.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to all ages. I know many that prefer to sit in organized lines and listen to a teaching for Sunday school. That’s what makes a church such a great place for a body of believers.
In a church building, the actual Church (body of believers) can freely “come as you are” to worship and learn more about the Almighty God and experience community in Christ. We don’t have to be perfect; we don’t even have to be wearing our Sunday best. He just wants us to come.
So when things like carpet color or, in European countries, the cost of admission to enter into a church building get in the way of the reason why we gather in a church building, that is where we lose generations.
The future of the church is in upcoming generations. Not all decisions made in the church about how to decorate need to be 100 percent catered to those generations, but aesthetic is important. Take and apply to your church how you please.
Sometimes aesthetics can be added in lighting choices, warm versus LED. Other times, aesthetics can be added by adding a coffee bar or drink station. As long as the Word is taught and the Lord glorified, I don’t see anything wrong with changing things up a bit.
Remember, the church building isn’t as important as the Church, the body of believers, inside it. A group could meet in a field in the middle of nowhere to sing His praises in a prairie, and that would be the church.
The Lord says “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) He doesn’t say for where two or three gather in a church building that is meticulously decorated in pastels and florals there am I with them.
As we go into the world and make disciples who make disciples, we want the world to come into our churches and feel welcomed. Let’s not lose sight of the ultimate goal, the Great Commission along the way.
by Emily Howsden | Jun 19, 2017
As someone who has recently been through the part of life where one decides what you want to be when you grow up, I know, it’s tough. There are so many things to take into consideration when making such a monumental decision.
One thing I would suggest you keep in mind is, what has the Lord created you to be? This is something that almost seems a little bit silly, right? Your parents might tell you you’re good at everything, if they’re anything like mine, and support you in whatever decision you make.
The world will tell you that you can be whatever you want to be, as long as you put your mind to it. That may be true, but is that what the Lord has created you to do?
This question comes up frequently in my life. My husband is the college pastor at our church, and I serve alongside him in that ministry. Here I see students stressing about their futures week after week. They are faced with wanting to be successful by the world’s standard, doing something they love, doing something they are good at or, just in general, graduating.
Then, at the BGCO Women’s Spring Retreat, I heard one of the speakers in a breakout session talk about, “You can’t be whoever you want to be.” It sounds harsh, but bear with me for a second. Her point was that God has created us specifically to be good at certain things, and you might not be good at other things.
She made the point that some people were just born to be a stay-at-home mom. That’s where they feel most successful; the Lord has blessed them with the heart to do so. Others might be born to not get married, not have children; it’s not something the Lord has planned for them.
Some people are meant to be mathematicians, doctors, artists, musicians, working mothers, stay-at-home dads, etc. He created people to be talented in different areas.
I personally love to write. I love grammar; I love how my words can affect people in a positive way; I love being creative with sentence structure. I am not going to try to be doctor. You wouldn’t want me diagnosing you or stitching you up, trust me.
Where has the Lord blessed you? Take a second and think about some of the things you enjoy doing. Do any of those point to a potential career path? The “real world” is most definitely not all rainbows and butterflies, but if you love what you do, it makes life so much better.
That sounds really “millennial” of me, but if you will hone your talents, the Lord can readily use you in the ways that He made you to be successful, long before anyone told you what you should or shouldn’t do.
After prayer and consideration with the Lord, what you decide might not make you a millionaire. He might call you to be a missionary; He might call you to be a teacher, both of which He did in His time on Earth. That is where you remind yourself of Matthew 6:19-21, which says,
“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Now, if the Lord has called you to be a brain surgeon and blessed you with those talents, don’t turn away from the job because of the size of the salary, by all means, follow His will! I just encourage you to urgently seek what gifts He has provided you and follow after His direction for your life.
Don’t try to be someone you weren’t created to be, friends. Be who the Almighty has fearfully and wonderfully made you to be.
by Emily Howsden | Jun 5, 2017
“Marriage, is what brings us, together, today.” Wedding season is upon us, my friends. I have already gone to three weddings this year, and it’s only June 5. I also have two different family members who got engaged to be married in May. Everywhere I go, weddings!
I am in my mid-20s, so naturally at this point in my life, friends and loved ones are getting married almost every weekend. And you know what? I LOVE IT!
As I sit in different variations of white, folding chairs, either inside or outside, I love to take in the glorious wedding details unfolding before me.
I watch groomsmen file in to a wedding they probably wouldn’t attend if they weren’t IN the wedding. Then I watch bridesmaids with large smiles across their faces, sometimes met with tears, but also looking at the groom like they know something he doesn’t know, how gorgeous his bride looks today. And then finally a father escorting one of the most precious things he’s ever known or loved, down and aisle to present her to another man. It’s the same, yet different in every wedding.
But for just a moment, let’s not focus on the bride and groom. Literally just a moment though, because the wedding day is about them, after all.
Let’s focus on the guests. This is something I’ve always taken seriously, and if you plan on attending a wedding this summer, or ever really, you should take seriously as well. Listen closely.
As a guest of a wedding, by your presence, you are announcing your approval, support, encouragement and all other things that go with being a witness to marriage. Have you taken a second to realize that before? It is so important.
To the bride and groom potentially reading this, the people you invite to your wedding are the people who are supposed to be there for you as a couple, in good times and bad, uplifting you, encouraging each of you separately, and together. These people are important.
It is for this reason that at my own wedding nearly two years ago this July, my husband and I had our guests, if they were willing, take vows as well. To this day, it is one of my favorite things about our ceremony. In these vows, our guests said they would help us uphold our marriage and bond with each other and the Lord. They would only speak good into and about our lives as husband and wife. They would be there for us in good times and bad, and in those bad times, remind us of the vows we took that day, and do their best to support our marriage in all ways. This is so important.
Everyone is a critic these days, myself included at times. We pass judgment quickly and harshly. It’s especially easy to do this when it comes to weddings and looking at others’ relationships. But this is where we are called to be better.
As opposed to judging a couple and how they may do things, or the difficult season they may be going through, think of ways to encourage them and point them back to the Lord if they lose sight. Rejoice with them in the good times, and be their comfort in the bad.
These are things I’ve begun to consider while sitting at weddings. While I enjoy the decorations, food, fun times and fellowship with friends, I think about how I could best pray for the couple.
I am not under the delusion that every person at every wedding will be an integral part of every bride and groom’s marriage, for the rest of their days. I do however think that even if it’s just a prayer, it’s important to uplift and honor those around us entering the holy union of marriage. What they are doing is honorable.
So encourage the newlywed couple around you. Encourage the engaged couple. Encourage the couple that has been married for 40 years. There are no limits to how many people you can encourage with words of hope and love from the Lord.
by Emily Howsden | May 29, 2017
Today is Memorial Day, what most people consider the beginning of summer even though the true first day of summer isn’t until June 20.
I come from a family of men who have served our country in the military. Both of my grandpas, Loren Steiner and Johnny Hahn served our country. I know for sure my Grandpa Loren served in the Korean War.
My Papa on my Husband’s side also served our country.
My oldest brother, Jared, served our country most recently in Iraq through the Army. My soon-to-be brother-in-law also served in the Middle East in the Army. I’ll never know how much pain they’ve experienced or fear or loss of comrades, but what I do know is the pride they have for their service to our great country.
Memorial Day isn’t just about grilling food with family and friends; it’s not just about going to the lake; it’s not about having a long weekend off from work. Memorial Day is exactly that, in memorial of our fellow countrymen who never came home.
I don’t say all of that to shame anyone for doing all of the above-mentioned activities, as I have done almost all of those things this weekend, with the exception of going to the lake. I say it as a reminder.
John 13:15 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse serves as a complete reminder of the sacrifice and meaning of Memorial Day. The men and women who leave their families, for any amount of time, and put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of our country and our freedom deserve all of the thanks and respect in the world.
Often, it is hard to fully realize the sacrifices made, and what our military friends and family had to witness and bear in their service for our country. What we can do is offer our thanks.
This type of sacrifice reminds me of another sacrifice I know.
Jesus selflessly entered this earth, sinless, blameless and full of love for the people who would eventually crucify him of Calvary’s hill. The sacrifice of serving one’s country, while isn’t the same, mirrors this type of love and sacrifices from Jesus Christ our savior.
His sacrifice was the greatest the world has ever known. It is because of his loving sacrifice that we will one day be able to join him in a place we do not deserve, Heaven.
On this Memorial Day, as you celebrate with your families and friends, take a moment to think about those who first, didn’t come home to their friends and families. Say a prayer that the families that have experienced this loss, can find comfort and take refuge in the Lord.
Second, share the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins and us. We are to go tell all the nations of the Good News. There is no better time to do so over fellowship and fun.
Lastly, tell a service man or woman around you “thank you” for their service. No words will ever do justice their sacrifice and bravery, but “thank you” is a good start.
by Emily Howsden | May 22, 2017
Graduation season is upon us. That means family, friends and loved ones have completed some level of education, whether that be high school or at the collegiate level, and we congratulate them on their accomplishments.
Completing a level of education means that the student has in some way, advanced their thinking, gained knowledge on a specific subject, or an array of subjects, and come out of this educational experience wiser than before, or so we should hope.
I end that last sentence due to a commencement ceremony over the weekend that has taken the internet by storm. You may have seen it already. I’m talking about commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, let me do my best to share the facts. Vice President Mike Pence was selected to address the class of 2017 in front of their friends and family. Some graduates got up and walked out of the ceremony before Vice President Pence delivered his address. Vice President Pence then delivered his message to graduates. Those are the facts.
Now, whether or not I agree with Vice President Pence politically, I do respect the office he holds and country he serves. In Romans chapter 13, Paul calls us to respect the laws of the land, saying that those who serve as authorities do so because God allows them to, and they are His servants (v. 4).
In the same chapter the Lord tells us, “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” (v. 9).
As Reverend John Jenkins introduced Vice President Pence, he challenged students to look past the differences they have in people who don’t think like they do and to hear what it is that those unlike them are saying. He encouraged dialogue among disagreeing parties.
I specifically enjoyed when Jenkins made the point, “At Notre Dame, we must strive for something higher. We must speak the truth we know and challenge the injustice we see. But we must also listen to those who disagree, care for the bonds that join us together and find ways to build a society where all can flourish – even the people who don’t look like us, think like us, or vote with us.”
So beyond disrespecting what the Lord calls us to do as Christians, these students who walked out disrespected Vice President Pence, Reverend Jenkins, their school and the principles on which it was founded and now stands.
Furthermore, what does it say to future employers about how these students as employees will face adversity or handle a situation in which they disagree with a co-worker, client etc? To me, it says they will either quit when pushed to their limit or a be a nightmare for that company’s human resources department.
Granted, some of those who walked out may have done so more as a statement to President Trump, and Vice President Pence was the messenger. But how do we as Christians address these situations in which emotions are through the roof?
First, I suggest loving the people with whom you disagree. Whether they are not your same skin color, or homosexual, atheist, etc, they have been crafted by our Lord and Savior. He cares about them; you should also take time to care about them as a human being, rather than an opinion.
Next I suggest hearing your opposing party out. Have you taken a second to stop shouting at those who oppose your view to hear what they are shouting back? We have all too many shouters today and not enough listeners. Be a listener and people will more readily listen to you. That isn’t a guarantee, but if you can make a small difference, why can’t the change you want to see start with you?
The Lord says in Matthew 5:5, “blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” He goes on to say, “blessed are the peacemakers because they will be called sons of God.” He does not say blessed are the loudest for they will be heard. No, His approach is one we should emulate.
Last, I suggest you think. This sounds like a given, right? But let me assure you, in today’s world that does most of the thinking for us, just think. Take a second and think about what your actions, your next words, even your thoughts will cause.
We learn in science that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; the same goes for the social justice warriors of today. Don’t think your actions can’t and won’t catch up with you. Consult the Lord in all things. Especially in the most important decisions of your life, which you will likely be making post any sort of graduation.
As Christians, we are to hold ourselves to a higher standard than the world. We are not of the world, merely in it. We are not called to blend in to the sin-saturated cultural norms, but rise above them and standout as His children. I challenge you to do just that and change as many hearts as possible on along the way. Show the love of the Lord and have His voice be heard, not your own.