Jason Kircher - Church Visit #1

Church Name: Iglesia del Pueblo
Address: 27W500 North Ave, West Chicago, IL 60185
Attended on 2/16/14
Category: Different ethnic majority

Describe the service. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

Iglesia del Pueblo is the Spanish-speaking church/congregation affiliated with Wheaton Bible Church. I regularly attend Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton. I have never been to a local church that not only has two or more different styles, but multiple congregations before, so attending Iglesia del Pueblo was going to be a bit different whether the service was in Spanish or not. Of course, that was the main difference - the entire service is in Spanish, from bulletins and outlines to songs to sermon. With very little background in Spanish, I was unable to understand everything on my own. However, my girlfriend went with me - she speaks Portuguese, and because of the similarities of the languages she translated quite a bit of the sermon on paper during service. The songs and prayers were easier to understand - two of the songs were Spanish translations of "Here I Am to Worship" and "Stronger", so I was able to catch the melody and figure out the meaning as well.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

Although I don't speak Spanish, it was amazing how much I was able to pick up from context clues. There was a baby dedication, and I was able to respond with the congregation while also fairly certain I knew what was being prayed for. One or two of the songs had lines that were easily translatable, and so I was able to sing and worship with the rest of the church. But honestly, one of the benefits of going to an all-Spanish church is that I didn't understand everything - but I understood that they loved Jesus. A friend of mine said once that they don't speak English in heaven, i.e. it's not the only language, or even majority language. Sharing a faith with people who speak a completely different language helps me see the different nuances and complexities of the Church.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

I think I was most shocked at how easily I understood what was happening during the service. Iglesias del Pueblo is a non-denominational church affiliated with Wheaton Bible, and I grew up in a denominational church (my dad now pastors one). Throughout the service, I kept thinking that if this were in English, not Spanish, it would feel no different than going to church back home. The liturgy included upbeat worship songs (mostly Spanish adaptations of English songs), an informal baby dedication, an offering and announcement period, a sermon with altar call, and closing power song. The church was undecorated save a single lit up cross high on the back wall, with a contemporary worship band. Even the sermon was a three-point sermon (very unlike the circular or narrative based sermons I have heard dominate in Hispanic congregations)! It was great to hear the Gospel preached in another language and recognize that "every tongue" will worship Jesus; but I was surprised how similar the culture of Iglesias del Pueblo matched that of my non-denominational, white, middle-class American church back home.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

Thanks to my helpful translator, I was able to get the majority of the sermon. What stood out most in the sermon was the emphasis from Psalm 15 on being virtuous and courageous. Pastor Rodriguez preached hard on the morality that comes from the finished work of Christ. The Church (we) aren't to gossip, to ignore the needs of others; rather, we are to stand up for something, namely Christ. Also, the altar call was an interesting moment in the service. The congregation had maybe a couple hundred attendees - but many went up to respond to the message preached. It was a good reminder for me that, when the Gospel and Word are preached, the Spirit invites response, whether it be prayer, repentance, service, or Eucharist as it normally is at Church of the Resurrection. However, the main illumination came from the the language spoken and sung. Every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship Jesus one day, and to hear one more aspect of it now is good and right.