Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 32 - Things We Didn't Know

Stephen and Susan Abernathy arrived at the church to meet with Pastor Klein at 5:45 in the evening, following the family's Easter egg hunt on Easter day. The building was open so they went inside, but there was nobody there. Susan glanced at a clock on the wall above the main doors. They were fifteen minutes early. Their appointment wasn't until 6:00 p.m., so it wasn't surprising Pastor Klein wasn't there yet, necessitating that they wait.

Stephen occupied himself reading the notices attached to a bulletin board in the foyer of the church as he waited for the pastor to arrive.

"Do you really believe all this, Sue?" Stephen asked as he read through the 'Statement of What We Believe' posted on the board.

Susan re-read the document she'd read many times. "Most of it," she told her brother.

"But not all of it?" Stephen asked curiously.

"Not exactly," Susan told him.

"Is that the reason you don't go to this church anymore?" Stephen asked.

"That's one of the reasons. There are others," Susan said. "The church I usually go to is closer to my house."

"Is that the only reason?" Stephen asked.

"That is the main one," Susan told him.

"Then you don't believe what they preach either," Stephen guessed.

"I think most people have their own set of beliefs at their core," Susan said. "Mine are close enough to those of the other members at Pastor Oliver's church that I'm more comfortable there ... usually."

Stephen frowned. "I thought everyone who is a member of a church believes the same thing."

"I think they do more or less agree on the big things," Susan said. "Things like who Jesus is, His role in salvation, those sorts of things. But I suspect there is a good deal of variation in what people believe when it comes to the details."

"That is definitely true," Pastor Klein said, joining them from a side hall.

"Hello, Pastor," Stephen said.

"Hello, Stephen. I hope I haven't kept you waiting," Pastor Klein said.

"We've only been here a few minutes," Stephen assured him. "Is what Susan is saying true? Do people who profess to be Christians believe different things?"

"Yes, they do," Pastor Klein told him. "That's why there are so many denominations amongst the Christian faith."

"Who is right?" Stephen asked.

Pastor Klein arched a brow. "I believe anyone you asked that question to would say what they believe is the truth."

"I've always believed there was room in Christianity for individual variation in what to believe," Susan said.

"Up to a point, of course that is true. The Lord made us as individuals. He values our ability to think and search for the truth ourselves. It's the way he made us. I have always believed trying to negate that quality in human beings does us and them a disservice," Pastor Klein said.

"Why is that?" Stephen asked.

"People who believe something because you tell them to, are not nearly as committed to their faith as those who come to that place through study and searching for the truth themselves," Pastor Klein explained.

"I see," Stephen said thoughtfully.

"Now, how can I help you?" Pastor Klein asked.

"I've come searching for the truth," Stephen told him honestly.