"It has been our policy in the Ambassador Fellowship not to wear shirts with contrasting buttons, especially not for church"... the bishop reads seriously. Our church has gathered to go over the standard, a delightful and unifying tradition we indulge in several times a year. I got here late, and am sitting in the back row, so I'm watching people. Some are nodding, blessed by the security of having every tiny detail of their lives decided for them, happy in the knowlege that they are completely kosher, and therefore completely godly. Some look bored. They've been doing this all their lives. It's not something they really think about anymore. A good few, mostly youth, look absolutely expressionless. They have been hiding their feelings for so long that it has become instinctive for them to look 'blank' at occasions like this.
...."We have accepted utilty vehicles for work purposes only", he continues, and than pauses ."Would driving a gator to the end of a long lane to get the mail be a work purpose?'' he asks . After a little discussion they decide that would be OK. All the ministers look cheerful at having helped provide the direction we need. It's obvious they are feeling blessed by the unity and security and spiritual safety of our church. If only they were right! If only the hearts of their members were as perfect and peaceful as their expressions.
How can they be so blind? The ministers are not stupid, they mean well, but come on!!! Behind those sweet, innocent, attentive faces are: Ben and Faith... here only until they are old enough to marry, and get out. Judy, suicidal. Anita, depressed. Mark, miserable. And on and on and on. Some are fed up, frustrated,desperate to be free, waiting for the right moment to get out; by which time they will be so angry and reckless they will make very poor decisions.Some are leading double lives. ...breaking the standards ( and their vows) regularly and gleefully, and getting a big kick out of the whole shebang. They have almost no concept of God's view of right and wrong. Water-skiing and hard-core porn are equally sinful in their minds, because both are out-lawed in the all-important standard. Others are just sad and confused. They have a vague idea that something is not right, that they shouldn't feel so hopeless and discouraged all the time; but they figure it has a lot to do with the fact that they don't feel as submissive all the time as they ought to. After all, they have been taught from babyhood that peace and submission go hand in hand. Which is close enough to the truth to be devastatingly dangerous.
That is the worst! Truth twisted just a tad. It is all so close to right, and it is presented as the real thing. Many of the members sincerely think it is. So people try it. It doesn't work. And they give up on God. But God is not the problem. When we get to know Him and follow the Bible, it always works. Always. It's only when we get "smarter", or "more spiritual" and start adding and taking away, that things get disastrous.
We have 'improved' Christianity to the point that it has lost all the things that make it alive, and powerful, and life-changing, and glorious.
Even people who despise organized religion respect people with Christian characteristics...integrity, humility, compassion, justice, wisdom, peace....those people make the best friends, bosses, employees, spouses.
"If CHRIST is lifted up, He will draw all men unto himself". That is a fact. So, if our religion, personally,or as a church disgusts, frightens, discourages, or repels people, we don't have the real thing, no matter how righteous we think we are.
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