Thoughts on culture

I am in the midst of a month long journey in a different culture and I have a couple of observations as it relates to our faith.  First, people are essentially the same in every culture.  Beyond the obvious differences people have hang ups, hurts, family issues, laugh, cry and have a hunger for a genuine reality of the presence of God.  All people are made in the image of God and sin is what separates us all from God.  Our outward sins may differ some but the causes of sin are the same, each of us fights the same enemy and it is only through Jesus that any of us can gain the victory.  The economy is bad virtually everywhere so people are praying for jobs and provision.  There are health needs and we all have the same healer.  It is easy to communicate Jesus because it is love that binds us together and as long as we keep Jesus at the center though we do not speak the same language we are one in the Lord.  Second, Americans have their methods and programs in order to do church and so does the culture of Italy.  It is not the same and in some churches we have pushed God aside in order to hold to our traditions.  The people are very proud and hold on to their culture but we all face the danger of having a form of godliness but denying the power of God.  That clearly is an American problem and it is a concern here as well.  Only the power of God can transform a life, only the power of God can change the unchangeable and only the power of God will save people from their sins regardless of their culture.  As a Pentecostal I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is necessary to do church the way that God has design.  It is clear the people of this culture are not going to church and a new program will not draw them in but the God of love, grace and miracles that can be experienced in a personal way is our best and only option to reach people.  Third, when a person is genuine and humble they will be accepted.  The people respond to love and that is consistent in any culture.  I am sure before I return home I will have some other observations, God is good and His presence makes the difference.
May the God of all love and grace bless us with His transforming power.

Pastor John