Worshiping When Traveling

Yesterday, Norma Jean and I worshiped with the brethren on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kona. Two weeks ago we were with the Leeward church in Waipahu on the island of Oahu.

In addition to the opportunity to engage in Lord’s Day worship, we thoroughly enjoyed meeting the local brethren, as well as other guests from the mainland.

I figured that I’ve attended over 10,000 worship services and Bible studies in my life time. If I factored in Gospel meetings, special classes and personal in-home studies it would be many more.

Over 7800 times I have engaged in Lord’s Day worship. Most of those have been with a local church where I was a member. However, a number have been during times when we’re traveling (more so in the last 5 years) and holding gospel meetings. In one 33 month span, we visited 36 states, 10 countries and 48 different congregations.
Norma Jean and I have experienced many serendipitous blessings worshiping when we are traveling.

There have been rare occasions when we’ve found ourselves unable to attend a local church. For instance, when we were taking a Bible lands tour a few years ago and worshiped with fellow travelers in a Jerusalem hotel. We also found ourselves in this situation a week ago on the island of Moloka‘i,  On such occasions, we always worship together in our room. Last week we read the book of 1Corinthians, took communion, listened to Bible lessons from Don Truex and Jonathan Banning at the Temple Terrace church. And sang praises to God. But it’s not as the same as being there.

When we assemble together there is a unique connection. Heartfelt worship, “in spirit and in truth” that is passionate and purposeful connects us with our Creator. And it also provides a powerful connection to our brethren as we “exhort one another” and “stimulate one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24-25).

When traveling we often meet brethren with whom we share common connections back home, from college days, or even back to the congregation we grew up in. Numerous times, I have met people who knew me or my parents from Plainfield, Indiana. Sometimes, we’re able to share a meal with new friends, either in a restaurant or their home. There is a commonality in Christ like no other bond that is special, unique, and unifying.

Additionally, we often learn something new about different means and methods churches employ to do the Lord’s work. Each church has its own culture and customs. It’s good to get outside the comfort zone of where you normally worship and engage in new experiences.

If you are traveling with children, there is a great benefit in your kids seeing your priority in worship while on vacation. It is a lesson that is better caught than taught. Spending the morning at the beach instead of going to worship is also teaching them a lesson as well.

Please be advised that ThePreachersWord is NOT setting itself up as the church attendance and worship police. The point of this post is to encourage you to seek out a local church to worship with when you’re traveling. In the midst of sight-seeing, entertainment and recreation, you will find the time spent to be refreshing–not just spiritually, but also mentally, emotionally, and even physically.

Lord’s Day worship when offered in spirit and in truth always exalts God, elevates our spirits, and edifies fellow believers, This is true whether we’re with our church family. Or visiting another congregation.

Worshiping while away from home is a good way to remind us of our true purpose and reinforce our spiritual priorities.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman