Telling Our Stories

Talking about God in the midst of our lives. That is the essence of the Christian practice of testimony. It will be the subject of our contemplation this Sunday at Seneca Presbyterian Church. We are in the midst of a series of sermons on the practices of the Christian faith – ways Christians live out their lives that honor what we believe to be the truth of our lives revealed by God in Jesus Christ.

Last week we talked about some basics, what I called the Big Four: prayer, worship, study, and service. This week, we are launching into some practices that have been around forever, even if we haven’t identified them as such. They speak to the reality that faith isn’t an addition to our lives that lingers on the periphery; it is all of life. It touches on all that we do.

It was pleasantly surprised when the faithful seekers who gather with me each week to study the text for Sunday talked about their experiences of testimony. We may think of the tradition as being active among evangelical congregations and especially African – American faith communities. But it was not that long ago when even Presbyterians experienced “lay witness missions” or “renewal weekends.” There persons would share the experiences of their lives: how they came to faith; how they found faith again after times of challenge and struggle; moments when they experienced the clear and powerful presence of God in their lives; and times when that guidance came more quietly, in moments that were only recognized in hindsight.

Testimony deepens our faith just as it deepens the faith of those around us. One of the most meaningful moments I know in being a Presbyterian pastor comes when we prepare our new leaders for service. They are called upon to share their faith journeys in the company of those who will serve with them. We don’t call it a testimony, but it is. Many of them approach the challenge with trepidation, only to discover how deeply meaningful it is in the end.  

Reactivating the practice of testimony in the midst of our times of worship is a hope and dream I have for Seneca Presbyterian and its good people. They need to hear many more voices than just mine each Sunday, and so many of them have such wonderful stories to tell. I know because I’ve heard them – in small groups centered on the study of scripture, in times of illness and grief, in sharing their dreams for God’s world.

We can “practice” the practice of testimony in our small groups and in our spiritual friendships where we hold each other accountable for the spiritual disciplines that enrich our lives. Perhaps then we will capture testimony’s marvelous blessing – and be captured by it: the gift of holy encounter where God is not just an idea, but a living presence. Then we can join our brothers and sisters who offer this classic testimony (as shared in Practicing Our Faith):

Thank you, God, for waking me up this morning, 

for putting shoes on my feet,

clothes on my back, and food on my table. Thank you, God!