You never know where God is going to surprise you. It happened to me in Wichita, Kansas! I am here with my family visiting my sister Reneene. We arrived on Thursday afternoon expecting to do nothing but relax that night. But soon after I got here, my old friend, Todd Thurman (brother of Ryan), called me up to say he was taking to “The Hall of Men” that night. Every Thursday night, a group of men meet at Eighth Day Books to eat, drink beer and discuss Jesus. How could I turn down an offer like that?

First off, I have to tell you that Eighth Day Books is an amazing, little bookstore in downtown Wichita. It is an Orthodox bookstore that specializes in early church history, liturgy, and has an entire section called “C.S. Lewis and Friends.” I have linked this place on the webiste since St. George’s started. If you’re ever in Wichita, you have to check it out.

So Todd and I showed up around 7:30pm at an old house next to the bookstore. In it sat a long wooden table surrounded by pictures of people of faith through church history and a bookcase. There were several beers on tap. As men arrived, we conversed for a while. The incredible thing about the men who were there is that they came from different churches. There was a group from the Orthodox Church. By the way, the big Orthodox Church in Wichita is The St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral. I love the connections! In addition to the Orthodox Christians, was another group of Reformed Christians from the Presbyterian Church in
America (PCA) and some non-denominational/Baptist type Evangelicals. I got to represent the Anglicans!

After a little while, it was time for dinner. In the next room was a pot full of pulled pork, some beans, potato salad and loaves of white bread. We grabbed old school cafeteria trays, filled them up with meat and sat down to eat. After dinner came the main event. So we refilled our pint glasses and then sang a hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King.” I have to tell you that stading shoulder to shoulder with 20 other men and singing acapella, 7 verses of praise to our God was a powerful worship experience. What followed next was a presentation and discussion.

A local Methodist pastor stood up and gave a presentation on St. Athanasuis and his great work, “On the Incarnation.” I could write another whole post on Athansius, but suffice to say, he was a warrior for the Faith and the anchor on which the Nicene Creed was written up in A.D. 325. After the presentation, we had an open discussion about Jesus and the Incarnation and its relevance for us today. Again I want to emphasize that around this table were some varied theological viewpoints, but we were all brothers in Christ, spurring each other on to know Him more. Finally around 10:30, we finished. I left that night deeply moved.

I was moved in my love for Christ. I was moved in my love for the Church. I walked away wondering how this kind of inter-Church dialogue was happening in Wichita of all places, and not Phoenix! I also walked away with a copy of Athanisius’ “On the Incarnation.” Most of all, I walked away grateful to my God my Father and how He met me in an unexpected place. God is good.

Shane+