Be a Non-Conformist

Every year at this time I reflect on being a congregationalist. You see, the Pilgrims who stepped onto Plymouth rock in 1620 were the first Congregationalists to set foot in the New World. Congregationalists (Puritans) also later founded Boston and most of New England. But it was this first journey that captures our imagination.

Early on Congregationalists were not called Congregationalists. In England, they were known as “non-conformists.” Having just been set free from the authority of the Catholic church, these believers were not willing to simply be subservient to the official state church of England either. They would not exchange one master for another. They believed they were free to worship their only Master as their conscience dictates in accordance with Holy Scripture.

King James did not agree. He was now the head of the church in England (not the pope) and as such he expected obedience from his subjects. Including how and where to worship.  As a result, his government persecuted all those who would not conform to the Church of England. They were harassed, fined, arrested, jailed, and even executed. All for the crime of not worshiping in the Anglican way.

These non-conformists would not relent. They continued to meet in secret. Always on the lookout for the king’s soldiers. Such persecution from fellow so-called believers eventually convinced them that maybe they weren’t Christians after all. No follower of Jesus would persecute a brother or sister-in-Christ for such things.

It was scripture that finally led them to conclude that it was time for them to leave. In Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth we read, “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). So, they left. First for the “low countries” (Holland) where they stayed for twelve years but eventually, 102 passengers and 30 crew made an arduous trip across the Atlantic in the fall of 1620, seeking the freedom to worship in the New World.

Over half of the company died the first winter and without the aid of the local Wampanoags, the rest would have starved. The second season in Plymouth colony, however, was a success and these pilgrims and native people rejoiced with a harvest celebration. We know that today as the first thanksgiving.

So, you see, as a congregationalist, I feel deeply connected with thanksgiving – with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ whose faith did not fade when it mattered. I wonder sometimes. Would I have done that? Would I have left everything I knew and headed off to an unknown, dangerous land? Or would I have conformed?

It is not easy to be Christian today. A lot of what God has to say is outright rejected by our culture and society. I get it. It certainly would be easier to go along and get along. Will we stand strong in the faith or conform? Will we serve Christ or the world? Serving God will often not make us popular. However, as Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” The Bible also says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world” (Romans 12:2). Be a non-conformist for Christ.

As you enjoy thanksgiving with your family and friends this week, remember. It’s not about turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, or even football. Pilgrims, non-conformists, Congregationalists, came in order to worship God freely and thanked Him for the native Wampanoag and the bounty they had before them. Stay strong in your faith and be a servant of Christ and win God’s approval. That’s what really matters, right?

-----------------------------------------------------

Remember you can email praises and petitions to southchurchprayer@gmail.com. I lift them up every Wednesday at 4:00 pm on Facebook Live.