Why the Church Doesn’t Need Any More Coffee Bars

More and more on my social media feeds I have been seeing a lot of churches boast of the cool, trendy new initiatives that they have begun. I have seen pictures of coffee bars that resemble Starbucks. I have seen lighting that resembles one seen on Broadway. I have read catchy sermon titles and have seen how people have brought the movies into their sermons.

My husband passed away February 14th, 2017 after a two year battle with cancer.

 
(the last picture I took of my husband and I. He was so tired yet forced a smile)

To say he battled cancer is an understatement. He was hospitalized two weeks out of every month during the first year. He was hospitalized a total of 18 times. He was rushed to the emergency room 8 times. He spent hundreds of days separated from his two children. And eventually the chemo, designed to get rid of the cancer, caused him to be paralyzed. And for the last four months of his life he was paralyzed and confined to a bed.

My husband endured cycle after cycle of chemo. He was separated from his children many nights. He was hooked up to chemo for 24 hours at a time. He listened to the doctors tell him bad news after bad news. He was left paralyzed and unable to get out of bed. And he never said how much he appreciated the coffee bar at the church. Never once did he say he loved the lighting in the sanctuary. He never told me how cool it was that they put a couch on the platform. He didn’t boast of the graphics and props on the platform. He talked about Jesus. He quoted scriptures. He reminded me of sermons we had heard. And in the middle of the night he sang songs of praise and worship to God and he spent his time praying. Because nothing a church  does to strategize to bring in members helps you in the time of the storm. It is only Jesus.

(My son holding Mel’s arm the day we had to put him on life support)

On February 13th I had to most difficult task of telling my children their dad was not going to make it and the next day at 7:24 the doctor’s declared him dead.  And as I lay next to my children at night listening to my daughter sob uncontrollably because she misses her dad so much I am not thinking about how trendy my church is. I am thinking that my strength comes solely from God.


Kimberli Lira
Kimberli Lira
Kimberli Lira is a mom of two and a recent widow after her husband Mel's courageous battle with cancer. She blogs about their fight and faith in God at Peace In the Midst of the Storm. You can learn more about her family's journey at their Facebook page, Prayers for Mel.

Related Posts

Comments

Recent Stories