“The Man In the Heavens” is one of the tracks off my new record, “Part of You.” I wrote it following conversations with a former coworker, Alina (name changed for this article) who is a 2nd-generation immigrant from eastern Europe.
Alina and her family attend a Slavic Pentecostal church. Slavic Pentecostalism in the United States is growing rapidly as new immigrants arrive and join these strong communities. Sadly, many American evangelicals are completely oblivious to these members of the body of Christ who are often walking the same isles at the shopping market in our local communities. After speaking with Alina and researching her cultural background I realized that Slavic Pentecostals and American Evangelicals both view one another as “other” and may hesitate to associate each other as “Christian.” This is because our cultural differences have shaped our faith practices so differently that we see one another as a threat to our way of life. What I wanted to do with this song, for myself and for Alina, was to offer a new way––a way of humble engagement with Christians shaped by circumstances and experiences so different from our own.
“The Man in the Heavens” is a song about unity in the body of Christ––even when that unity does not result in one common local church (at least not quickly). There can be unity among differing congregations. On the night that he was betrayed, Jesus prayed, “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:22-23, ESV). Paul, as he wrote to the Romans, said, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7, ESV). The point being that our unity is not something for us to achieve, but a spiritual reality intrinsic to our faith. We know that the spiritual body of Christ on earth exists because there is a “man in the heavens,” in a resurrection body which we too will one day put on. There are many opportunities created through our Christian unity which should not be neglected. The theological traditions and historic institutions found in American Evangelicalism can bless the Slavic Pentecostal communities who struggle to train and equip rising generations. The Slavic Pentecostal communities can bring much of the American Evangelicalism’s compromises with culture and political agendas in the light. Their commitment to scripture and the ordinances of God have been sharpened through their years of persecution. Further, both groups have struggled to retain the Church’s mission of “making disciples of all nations.” A commitment of humble interchange between these members of the body of Christ could renew this central calling of the Church. We both have this common calling to proclaim the good news of Christ. Regardless of our different faith practices, we hold the central claims of the Gospel in common and we can join together in this most essential kingdom work. We can honor one another in our hearts and in our individual faith communities. We can lift one another up in prayer. We can welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us.
“The Man in the Heavens” has been intentionally written in a simple and generalized manner. There is no reference to American Evangelicalism or Slavic Pentecostalism in the lyrics. This is because I wanted the song to have a wider reach. There are so many ways we can divide the body of Christ and tell ourselves that we are the only faithful members. Rather than caring for one another, we scorn one another. This song aims to remind all believers of the benefits of welcoming the “other”––especially when they are brothers and sisters in Christ.
-Chris Godley
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“The Man in the Heavens”
© 2024 Christopher Andrew Godley
The man in the heavens is wearing our scars His wounds are our life now
Pierced are his hands
Pierced is his side
For us
So could you reach out
And could I reach back
‘Cause there’s no division in the body of Christ
The man in the heavens will multiply In every tongue and tribe
His hands and his feet
Bring more to his feast
So you can welcome me
As Christ has welcomed you
As Christ has welcomed me
So I can welcome you
And the man in the heavens is glorified
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If you are interested in learning more about Slavic Pentecostalism in the United States, begin with this article here:
Rodgers, Darrin J. “Review: History of Slavic-American Pentecostal Immigration to America.” Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, https://ifphc.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/history-of-slavic-american-pentecostal-immigrati on-to-america/.