Maybe I shouldn't have gone to Cuba

JUST AS I was becoming more comfortable with our westernized, sanitized and undemanding brand of Christianity, I went to visit the Methodist Church in Cuba. In our country, we so frequently blur nationalism and the Gospel that we can hardly distinguish between civil religion and Jesus religion. Apple pie, the flag, motherhood and the cross are all celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Easter is a time for new clothes, chocolate crosses and bunny rabbits. July 4th is a time for hotdogs, flags and watermelons. Our blend of patriotism and Christianity make for an accommodating culture-adjusted faith. Almost everybody sings "Amazing Grace," and our coins declare "in God we trust." Where else in the world would political leaders line up on the capital steps and affirm that we are "one nation, under God"? So just as I was making my final adjustment to this diluted religion, I went to Cuba.

In Cuba, faith does not reflect the government or society. In Cuba the church does not argue to put prayer and Bible reading into school. That would be impossible. Cubans understand the responsibility for teaching prayer and faith rests squarely with the church. In Cuba it costs something to be a Christian. In Cuba the church does not conform to society's norms or mores. In Cuba I found Methodists decidedly committed to Jesus Christ. They are determined to follow Jesus even when it costs them their jobs. Their crusade isn't against the government. (Jesus didn't focus on secular Rome.) They experience the transforming, reconciling grace of God through Jesus Christ and then witness to that experience, unapologetically calling others to the same redeeming life.

Here is what I observed about Cuban Methodists:

• Jesus Christ means more to them than anything on the face of the earth.
  
  
• Worship is centric. Cubans worship as frequently as possible and as long as it takes to be spiritually nourished and challenged.
  
  
• They give sacrificially. Almost every Methodist Cuban is poor, but they tithe and give additional offerings for missions.
  
  
• Their Christian faith is paramount. Job security and a cozy relationship with the government are a distant second to faithfulness in word and deed to Jesus Christ.
  
  
• Mission – witnessing and leading persons to faith – is more important than structure and organization.
  
  
• Starting new worship communities is a priority. They train preachers, give them bicycles and send them forth under the Holy Spirit's anointing to start new churches.
  
  
• Cuban Methodists don't argue over worship styles. They are expected to embrace a range of worship experiences. In Cuba, I witnessed the most powerful drama portrayal of the Gospel in my life.
  
  
• They are Wesleyan in doctrine and practice. They believe in holiness (going on toward holy living in thought, motive and action). They are committed to caring for those left behind in society.
  

I was blessed, challenged and changed by my visit to Cuba.

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