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Christianity Today, April, 2009 |

COVER PACKAGE

While You're There

How to make a business trip a spiritual experience.

Dean R. Owen | posted 4/06/2009 10:04AM

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Lalibela's 13 rock-hewn churches are a far cry from suburban nondenominational churches in the U.S.—no five-piece worship band blaring selections from WOW Hits 2009, followed by a pastor's alliterative five-point sermon. An Ethiopian Orthodox service lasts more than two hours and follows a strict set of procedures and rituals. But rather than seeming ritualistic, the service was an intriguing compilation of music, bells, singing, incense, chanting, and recitation—a profound form of multisensory worship.

Despite my limited knowledge of Amharic, standing among other believers, I found a universal language of faith in the way Jesus Christ was revered.

Dean R. Owen serves as director of executive communications for World Vision and has published travel articles in the Los Angeles Times and The Seattle Times.

Related Elsewhere:

This story is part of our cover package on the surprising rewards of Christian travel. Other stories in the package include "He Talked to Us on the Road," "Pilgrim's Regress" and "Pilgrimage Today."

Christianity Today has a special section on pilgrimage and travel.

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April 2009, Vol. 53, No. 4

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HarryB

Posted: April 07, 2009 11:12 AM

I was in Geneva last summer with my wife and was walking down to the lake for a cruise, when we heard music coming from the second floor of a nondescript building. The words were in French, but the tunes were all familiar worship songs that we sing in our home church. We wandered over and were warmly invited to come in. I don't think I understood ten words spoken or sung, but we were clearly in the presence of the family of God and were deeply moved by His presence. A very powerful reminder that Christ's church is truly above all nations.

Roger Malstead

Posted: April 07, 2009 2:31 AM

Yes, it's nice to do such things while on business. And there are many other good reasons to travel. But rich Christians (from USA OR Korea) spend untold thousands of dollars on tours to lands where their brothers and sisters can hardly put food on the table. I thought we were supposed to be 'World Christians'...and our brothers and sisters in Orissa, for example, live on a bowl of watered down soup and rice. Where's the balance? Why not at least 'tithe' every tour, every vacation/holiday, dollar to some work that is actively assisting our 'poor saints in Jerusalem' so to speak, as Paul did?

Chip Watkins

Posted: April 06, 2009 10:28 PM

I am a long-time member of and ruling elder in a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. When I am traveling in the US over a weekend, I have made a habit of finding a nearby PCA congregation, and worshipping there. One was pastored by a friend who was formerly on the staff of my home church. I have been blessed many times, and on several occasions, been unexpectedly invited to lunch, once by a pastor and his family who were gracious to this traveler. It's always been a delight to worship with these congregations, and to experience the diversity of size and practice among congregations that share a common creed.

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