Someday I’d like to be flipping by the token “Christian” channel and hear, instead of (and I loosely quote) “send us your special Passover double portion blessing seed gift of $200 or more today, and we’ll send you this plastic Jewish Mazuzah for your doorpost with the 7 promises of God written on a scroll inside,” –instead, I’d love to hear, “but please, if you’d really like to thank us for this programming, don’t send us anything unless or until you’ve supported your local congregation first. Then, and only then, donate to us if you wish. But your local church family comes first. And no, we don’t have any operators standing by to pray with you–please call a friend from your local congregation and go for a chat over coffee–or better yet, share your prayer needs with your small group, and pray about them on the spot. And finally, if you want to help feed the hungry or clothe the naked, call your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter first–then, if you wish, call us afterward. Fight the inclination toward anonymity, and the tendancy for easy-bake relationships. Do not forsake the gathering together of your local church community.”
That, indeed, would be grand.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Laur // Apr 4, 2006 at 11:33 am
yep, that would be nice. it’d also be amazing. but what would be more amazing is if people actually did it - if they did decide to get personal with their faith instead of anonymous.
2 pastorjbstone // Apr 4, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Why is it that people find themselves shelling out hundreds of dollars for “holy garbage” but can’t bring themselves to deposit even a few dollars in the offering plate on Sunday? I guess it’s all about what you can get. What’s in it for me. Sigh. It’s a sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in today.
3 Luke Middleton // Apr 4, 2006 at 6:09 pm
(*Blanket statement / generalization warning*)
Folks who aren’t committed to their local congregation probably won’t use their air time to tell others to do what they haven’t. Besides, if they did, then their tv ministries would go unfunded. Then the cycle of “send us more money so we can have more programs asking for more money” gets broken and everyone goes to local church — which is widely viewed as incapable.
However, I agree, that would be wonderful.
4 Spinney // Apr 4, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Ah, community. Real community.
But let’s face it. “Easy-bake” relationships (very nice term, btw) require a lot less work and are not near as scary. If you are anonymous, when the level of vulnerability is too high, you hang up (or log off, oh ye bloggers of the world).
The heart of the matter could be compared to that of idol worship. It is human nature to desire to control the relationship and set the terms. A god of stone or metal is safe. You and I both know that God is not (thank you, CS Lewis). But oh, how we miss out when we worship God as we think He should be and not as He is.
5 Allison Ricks // Apr 5, 2006 at 11:42 am
AMEN!
6 Donflew // Apr 7, 2006 at 12:14 am
What have you done lately to support your local congregation? Tithed? Prayed for your Pastor(s)? Your family? Lugged furniture for Martha and Mary’s? Turned around and gone back to help that woman with the flat tire on her van?
Lewis made it quite clear to us (and Lucy) that “we never get to know what would have been… ” and thus, shouldn’t dwell on it. (DawnTreader) Perhaps that premise could extend into “Wouldn’t it be nice?… ” as well…
I encourage you to do as Mr. Blackaby suggested and find out where God is working around you… and see if He’ll let you plug in!
I know… you were only complaining about certain TV preachers and their “ministry”… you weren’t expecting a sort of Spanish Inquistion… (no one does). But I do see the need for you and your bloggers to rise to this challenge! Put down your keyboards and get on board locally!
Rise up, O Man of God! Great Blessings await thee as you rise up and meet the challenges of your own community!
Don’t know where to plug in? Look for a children’s ministry… :)
7 Bob // Apr 7, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Oooh, that’s just too good. I quoted you in full over at gratitude & hoopla. Hope you don’t mind!
8 Aron // Apr 11, 2006 at 10:54 am
Thanks for all the added words of encouragement, everyone! Donflew, I certainly appreciate your zeal. It’s my opinion that ‘local congregation’ and ‘local community’ goes well beyond ‘local denomination.’ I think it includes all who call upon the name of Christ, who eagerly await his appearing - and the stranger on the street. But forgive me if I don’t list off my activities here in attempt to justify myself before my peers. I try not to keep track anyway, and would discourage any kind of mentality that has a list-of-deeds always on tap for display to others, or especially to our own consciences…
9 The Flim Flam Man // Apr 13, 2006 at 3:09 pm
This is my Bible, there are many like it but this one is mine….
10 Aron // Apr 13, 2006 at 3:51 pm
?
11 The Flim Flam Man // Apr 13, 2006 at 4:22 pm
Guess you didn’t get that playful jab at the Osteen church unison prayer. I hear easy bake, I think of this wonderful man.
My jokes have always been bad or of poor taste.
12 Aron // Apr 13, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Ha! I guess I’m just not as familiar with The Osteen Declaration©…that was a legitimate good one.
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