After attending several different churches both in the city of San Juan and its surrounding villages, I have some insights into what makes these churches different from those in the States and, in some ways, what I think makes them better.
1. Start on your knees
The first thing I noticed is at every church service, every Bible study, every time one enters a church building, they hit their knees at their seat and pray for at least 5 minutes. Before they greet anyone else, they greet Jesus.
2. Greeting is not an assigned task.
These churches don't have "greeters". Everyone greets everyone and, occasionally, give hugs that beat the ones your Grandma gave you. You're part of their community. You're part of their family. Why wouldn't they make sure you feel welcome?
3. Above all things, be thankful.
Here, a member of the congregation is invited up to pray for the service. This is not a short, 30 second, "Lord bless our time here today." It is a deep crying of gratitude for our Lord which is usually accompanied by a chorus of grateful hearts in the congregation as well. Very rarely are there individual prayers. You're praying, I'm praying. Very rarely are we asking for anything in return. We just want to let Jesus know we love Him dearly. I may not even hear the one who's praying, but I know the One I'm praying to.
4. The Light still shines.
For the past few nights, the power has gone out during the middle of the church services. "Well, that's it for tonight," I thought. Yet we continued singing in the darkness that prevented us from seeing one another. The Pastor soon brought in a single candle and set it up on the bongo stand to illuminate his congregation. Another church started clapping when their microphones, overhead projector, and ceiling fans went dead! This was quickly followed by the appearance of many cell phones with a built in flashlights on the back and pointed toward the speaker who had already continued with his sermon. No excuses here. We'll still praise God!
5. Don't just show up.
I admit, this one has taken some getting used to, especially as it usually pertains to me. As a guest, I'm frequently called upon at a moment's notice to sing a song, preach, or close the service in prayer. If not, I am to greet the congregation and offer blessings as well as a brief introduction. I have sheepishly said "no" many times I've been asked to sing. "It's ok, you can sing in English." Still this does nothing to comfort me. I am usually then upstaged by a 13-year-old who plugs in their cell phone to the speaker and sings at the top of their lungs, even if it's off key, to a song they've prepared. The congregation usually joins in so that you forget the one who's singing. Or there have been the many Haitian guests who when asked, rise from their seats, stand up front, sing a cappella in their own language, their bold vibrato filling the room. It didn't matter that we were there. I hope this attitude overwhelms me, quickly.
