John's Story
By John Armstrong
My name is John Armstrong. I live in Chicago, Illinois. My spiritual journey took a decisive and memorable turn one Sunday morning.
It was an ordinary Sunday morning worship service. We were reciting the words of the Apostle’s Creed, words I had said hundreds of times before. As an adjunct professor of evangelism at Wheaton College, I knew the words. As an evangelical (Reformed) Protestant, I believed them. But I had never been particularly moved by them. They were just words recited in a service.
But on this Sunday things unfolded very differently. As I said the creedal words, “I believe in the holy catholic church,” something stopped me. At that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: “Do you really believe these words? If you believe them, then why don’t you act like it?”
The conviction was powerful and true. I was so shaken that I had to sit down. I wept. Questions flooded my mind. I knew God had spoken. But I had no idea how it was about to change my life. As I unpacked the insights the Holy Spirit was giving to me, I sensed two things.
First, I realized that I couldn’t love what I didn’t know. I knew very little about the whole Christian church, even though I had a good grasp of church history. I knew there were three different historical Christian churches – Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. But I knew very little about what these three great churches believed and why. I knew something about the intra-Protestant differences via disagreements and schisms. But I knew much less about the core truths shared by all Christians everywhere. So I began to read what churches had written about themselves rather than what others had written against them. What my reading uncovered was nothing short of amazing. It became clear that there was much to learn from the wider body of the Christian church. Eventually, I discovered a wonderful liberty in letting go of the need to always be right!
Second, I knew that I couldn’t be satisfied with loving a concept of the church. So I set out to find God’s people, to get to know people outside of my own tradition. At first, this seemed like a daunting task, but I began by taking one small step at a time. I made it a personal priority to meet with Christians who were different from me. Before long, I was related to an ever-widening circle of new friends.
This two-fold approach may seem obvious to those who love the church. But it has practical consequences for those who consider themselves evangelicals. It means I can no longer be anti-Catholic. With deep conviction, I am compelled to regard both Catholics and the Catholic Church with love and esteem. This personal commitment for oneness has enabled me to draw great blessings from the Catholic tradition and develop any wonderful friendships with Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.
Your experience may be different from mine. But wherever you are in your understanding of the church, I believe God wants to tear down walls that keep you from other Christians. A small view of the church limits our ability to love as God loves and affects our ongoing witness to the watching world. I pray that God will use my story to inspire you to undertake your own journey, so you will embrace a richer and fuller understanding of the church of Jesus Christ. Becoming involved in Wittenberg 2017 is a valuable way of embracing that richer and fuller understanding.
It was an ordinary Sunday morning worship service. We were reciting the words of the Apostle’s Creed, words I had said hundreds of times before. As an adjunct professor of evangelism at Wheaton College, I knew the words. As an evangelical (Reformed) Protestant, I believed them. But I had never been particularly moved by them. They were just words recited in a service.
But on this Sunday things unfolded very differently. As I said the creedal words, “I believe in the holy catholic church,” something stopped me. At that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: “Do you really believe these words? If you believe them, then why don’t you act like it?”
The conviction was powerful and true. I was so shaken that I had to sit down. I wept. Questions flooded my mind. I knew God had spoken. But I had no idea how it was about to change my life. As I unpacked the insights the Holy Spirit was giving to me, I sensed two things.
First, I realized that I couldn’t love what I didn’t know. I knew very little about the whole Christian church, even though I had a good grasp of church history. I knew there were three different historical Christian churches – Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. But I knew very little about what these three great churches believed and why. I knew something about the intra-Protestant differences via disagreements and schisms. But I knew much less about the core truths shared by all Christians everywhere. So I began to read what churches had written about themselves rather than what others had written against them. What my reading uncovered was nothing short of amazing. It became clear that there was much to learn from the wider body of the Christian church. Eventually, I discovered a wonderful liberty in letting go of the need to always be right!
Second, I knew that I couldn’t be satisfied with loving a concept of the church. So I set out to find God’s people, to get to know people outside of my own tradition. At first, this seemed like a daunting task, but I began by taking one small step at a time. I made it a personal priority to meet with Christians who were different from me. Before long, I was related to an ever-widening circle of new friends.
This two-fold approach may seem obvious to those who love the church. But it has practical consequences for those who consider themselves evangelicals. It means I can no longer be anti-Catholic. With deep conviction, I am compelled to regard both Catholics and the Catholic Church with love and esteem. This personal commitment for oneness has enabled me to draw great blessings from the Catholic tradition and develop any wonderful friendships with Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.
Your experience may be different from mine. But wherever you are in your understanding of the church, I believe God wants to tear down walls that keep you from other Christians. A small view of the church limits our ability to love as God loves and affects our ongoing witness to the watching world. I pray that God will use my story to inspire you to undertake your own journey, so you will embrace a richer and fuller understanding of the church of Jesus Christ. Becoming involved in Wittenberg 2017 is a valuable way of embracing that richer and fuller understanding.
What “conversions” have you experienced in your life that have profoundly shaped your own story?
Do you think the American church has become preoccupied with various methods for building the church rather than with worshipping the Christ who builds his own church? Why or why not?
Why is understanding the past so important to the present and the future of the church?
What happens when we ignore the past and plunge into a vision of the future?
Do you think the American church has become preoccupied with various methods for building the church rather than with worshipping the Christ who builds his own church? Why or why not?
Why is understanding the past so important to the present and the future of the church?
What happens when we ignore the past and plunge into a vision of the future?
