Doing Church

The longer I observe how the church we’re staying in operates, the more differences I see in how church is done here in Nome as compared to the many churches in the lower 48. I realize the difference could also be attributed to being in a small community versus a large city, but I almost wonder if Community Baptist Church of Nome and Pastor Bruce Landry understand church in a more authentic way.

The building is nothing special. The lower level contains a small sanctuary, some offices, bathrooms, and a few dorm-type rooms. The upper level is the pastor’s house and more dorm rooms. There’s no steeple, no stained glass, and no pews. The carpet is old, the paneling is plain, the bathrooms are small, and the walls are freezing. But everything works well enough…most of the time. A hot water pipe burst this morning – no hot water. Out back is a shed where freezer type things are kept alongside the snow machines that are essential to survival in the typically subarctic conditions. A point of advice, the lock on the shed will stick to your fingers if it’s cold enough and the chill is something you don’t even recognize as cold but is something more like a searing pain that shoots up your arm.

People come and go into this building as they wish. Kids come to play games, students come to get help with homework, elders come to string beads, and you never know who will show for dinner. It’s a safe community place where the pastor can always be found.

Everyone helps one another, they watch out for one another, they love one another even if they don’t share the same religious beliefs. There is a sense of real compassion for the people of Nome here. This is not to say there isn’t frustration over the drunkenness or incest or suicide rates, but these problems might be why it’s that much more important to function as a community.

What is it like at your church? Are the doors open for anyone to come and go as they please? Will there be people there to love on those who just need an ear? Are you being the real authentic church?