For several months
I have been scrolling through TV programs because most of them are
boring. The themes are always the same, thereby making you feel like
you’ve seen this show before. If people aren’t killing each other,
then they are engaging in sexual exploits all over the place, not to mention
the constant profanity that seems to be part of every script. So as
a change of pace I decided to check out some of the ministry
channels. Many of them, in my opinion, are just fronts to make money
for the person standing up doing the talking (preaching) on stage.
For example, Joel
Olsteen seems to have gained quite a bit of popularity among the wealthy with
his fanciful sermons about how we will all gain wealth beyond our wildest
dreams because that’s what’s been promised to us. Then there is
Joyce Meyer, who is okay, but her style is kind of bland to me. I
could go on and on about the many so-called preachers that are out there that
are very obviously in it for the money. Copeland, for example, makes
no apologies for having a couple of Gulfstream jets, fancy cars and homes while
he accepts donations from poor people. He claims to have worked for
it. Interesting. I don’t recall hearing about anything in the
bible that said this was okay. Haggerty is another preacher that has an
angry face that makes you feel like running away when he speaks. His
speeches are all Bible-based, accompanied by fire and brimstone.
Recently I came
across a minister named Allen Jackson. An unassuming type of guy
that has a very kind face; the kind you look at and feel at ease. But that’s
not what attracted me to listening to him. He does what I call plain
speak and talks about things going on in our country, either in politics, or
other religions. He has a quality that I like, to wit, he sits and
listens to a person he may be interviewing on his podcast without
interrupting. When he does speak it is usually to add to the conversation
or bring up another topic to discuss. He dresses modestly and although
I’ve seen him in suits, there is no flash about how he is put
together. And the church that he is head of in Tennessee is not a palace
but large enough to hold the large congregation that he ministers to.
My gripe about the
hundreds of churches that sprout up each year is that there are so many that
believe in larger, over the top design buildings to serve their
congregations. We don’t need people in fancy outfits with chants to get
the message out. However, I can understand why some of them do things this
way. And to have churches that have what I call rock bands starting off
the service is a bit off putting. I don’t mean we have to act like the
Presbyterians that sit quietly, sing a few hymns, then listen to a minister go
on and on about theology. But I believe that in the interest of
getting more of the youth into churches we have gone way too far to please one
segment of the population and have totally forgotten about the rest.
I recall visiting
several churches when I was in Texas to see how each one worshiped. It
was very interesting to see how some churches were so active with music, even
when the minister was speaking to make a point, and people were dancing in the
aisles, while others were solemn. I couldn’t help thinking that there had to be
a better way to get everyone interested without all this added stuff. For
example, I have no problem with music, however, it’s gone way beyond what
should be used to start the services because it’s turned into rock
music. And the person speaking should direct their sermons to things that
are relevant to the present day without getting into the weeds of theology that
can be confusing.
During this
holiday season the way we worshiped and spoke about Jesus Christ seems to have
changed. We had the LBTQ community that decided they would put up a
manger scene that was totally inappropriate. Although, to them, it was
acceptable. Most of their display was a political position on what
is going on with the ICE patrols in their cities. Our culture seems to be
looking for ways to cut out the church and what it stands for, in order to
allow some folks to inject nihilism into society.
I admit that my
quest for comfort in a higher place is still in the embryotic stages. I may not read the Bible every day, as many
others do. And I may not visit churches every Sunday like others
do. But it’s my feeling that God and his presence can be felt, even by a
few people seated around a kitchen table, discussing the scriptures. A huge
church, with hundreds in attendance, can make one feel lost. I’ve been to
services and noticed people with worn Bibles, stacks of paper inserted
throughout, in which passages were highlighted, indicating that they read their
Bible often. Those are the people I admire because they don’t think going
to church once a week is all that’s required to be a Christian.
In my opinion,
reading the Bible regularly is only part of one’s commitment to God. Saying Grace
before dinner, silent prayers for those in need, and being honorable in our
interaction with others, are all essential traits to complete the image of one’s
devotion to Christ. Sadly, many of today’s religious practices have been taken
over by those with different versions of what religion represents, often
causing it to be vague in its messages. Until we all sit down quietly without
our phones, TVs, computers, the news and other distractions, and take a moment
to consider what we really need, and where we’re going, I’m afraid this will
only get worse.
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