Growing up in church, my friends and I would always chuckle and smirk when we sang the classic hymn with the amusing (to a middle schooler) line: “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” (From Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing) It just feels like a punch line in a comedy movie. Survey your church family some time and see how many know what it really means.
Of course, for those more well versed in the original biblical languages and nuances of Scripture than I was as an early teen, it makes a lot of sense and has strong devotional meaning (though I still think we ought to pause and explain it to our people when we sing it so that they actually get what it is that they are saying). It is taken from I Samuel 7:12, “Then Samuel took up a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’.”
I have been thinking about setting up stones recently. Not literally. More along the lines of ceremonies. In Scripture there was a lot of care to remember important steps and situations where God was present along the journey. Sometimes these were literally ‘stones of remembrance’. Sometimes they were feasts or festivals. Sometimes ceremonies and services.
In our world today such points of remembrance, transition and passage are less frequent and less valued. As such I think that we miss moments of deep worship and opportunities for missional presence. These can be rich moments of worship and mission wrapped together for the glory of the King and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Here is a list of just a few of the ‘stones of remembrance’ moments that we can leverage for Kingdom purposes: Weddings, funerals, graduations, wedding anniversaries, church anniversaries, church groundbreaking services, building dedications, staff installations, ordinations, baptisms and more.
Two examples: I was recently at the National Office groundbreaking service (Project Reimagine). Appropriately there was wonderful worship aspect that focused on vision and provision from the hand and heart of God. Wisely, there was also invitation given to community leaders (politicians, government leaders, business professionals, and construction staff as well as new neighbors). Some who would likely not attend a normal worship service got a powerful dose of the Gospel in a setting that felt safe for them. Worship and mission wrapped together for the glory of the King and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Some churches tuck baptisms away on a Sunday evening or such when only a few will be there (and mostly Christians at that). We did baptisms at our biggest gatherings. And invited the world. For example, I had the privilege of baptizing both of my girls on the same Sunday morning. Obviously, the whole church family was present. It was a worshipful experience. In addition, we invited all of our neighbors, the girls’ friends and their families, the girls’ soccer teams and dance studio, and the girls’ school teachers. Many who may not be willing to attend a regular church service were very willing to come to such a significant point in our girls’ lives. We asked a few church ladies to help us and we then invited all of those guests to our house for lunch following the baptism service. Worship and mission wrapped together for the glory of the King and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Let’s continue to set up and put to use these ‘stones of remembrance’ knowing that “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
Jeff Miller