I'm not sure if I've simply become horribly jaded and cynical with age but I can't dispel the deep dislike of everything that tries very hard to be christian.
That whole thing of an evangelism campaign and doing certain things for others with lots of coverage because these poor heathens need to hear it.
I haven't lost my faith or even forgotten Jesus' last words on earth before he teleported to heaven but I just think that He wanted more for us. He wanted us not to make a mission out of it and a thing out of it or a campaign (incorporate) out of it, but simply to be it.
For our very core to be shaken to such disgust at the evil in the world that we do not need anymore snazzy branded ministries to join the good race.
For it not be another cleverly PR'ed staged event, with flashing lights, smoke machines and at times incredibly corny music.
But perhaps to simply meet these people on their own turf, without the fanfare and glimmer at the good work that's being done and simply slipping in the background and loving them so profusely but never for a minute becoming the headline act.
Gracious, I probably do sound dreadfully biting here, but I have seen so many gimmicky, cheesy and tummy turning objects that have Jesus's name, a branded scripture and apparently the power to change someone's life, I'm about ready to burst.
This isn't to say all these numerous ministries are solely money churning machines with the added benefit of doing a good deed. There are some amazing, truly amazing souls sacrificing their very hearts to love those overlooked and receiving no glittering praise for being a 'mega church Pastor' with a ministry named after themselves. And for all of those that go unnoticed by us, I know God sees them. He always has been about working in secret and loving expansively.
Quite simply put, perhaps people just want to be befriended and loved not to join ranks and become something but because they are God's creation.
And honestly, we really don't need stomach churning objects to do that.
I feel like that every time I see stuff like those cheesy t-shirts at the Family Christian Store or that new "Christian energy drink" 1in3Trinity that advertises itself as being "fused with fruit of the spirit". I have to wonder what God thinks about those kinds of things. And I wonder what it would be like if we put as much effort into just talking to people as we do into coming up with cheesy ways to force God on people.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought on the 'mega pastors' (evangelists, bible teachers, worship leaders)
ReplyDeleteI don't think they all start out thinking they'll be 'celebrities'. It's just that most of them have a gift, which ministers to a great many people. Eventually, the people (us) start demanding more and more from them and they feel 'pressured' to serve and reach as many as they can with this gift. Unfortunately in the modern world - you've got to pay for things - hire of venues, studio time for producing CD's, publishing books, distribution networks. There is nothing free.. occasionally someone might give a gift... but this is rare. The 'faithful' are offended when asked for financial help. So the 'celebrities' set up legitimate businesses to raise money which is almost always ploughed back into the ministry. Similar to Paul and his tent making. Then the media reports on their extravagant lifestyles and we believe it all- no matter how negatively slanted it is(if it's in the papers then it must be true right?)
Let's not be quick to judge. Sometimes there is a lot more going on behind the scenes.
And let's also get off our backsides and 'out there', not leaving all the work to the 'celebrities'
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ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying Kim. Even though I'm not convinced with the machinations of our modern world we need to name our ministries after ourselves. The whole thing still makes me gag. Perhaps I did come across horribly judgmental, forgive me. Living in the bible belt and seeing Christianity spun the way it has been does that to you. Indeed let's give of our hands and time but blimey, can we not as Amanda perceptively highlighted, do such profoundly strange things like create a Christian energy drink-1 in 3 Trinity and other such oddities.
ReplyDeleteYeah the energy drink is cheesy.... only in America ;-P
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