Something Smells Rotten.

On the radio this morning, I heard a brief interview with a leader of a religious event calling for a couple of days of fasting and praying of parents and children at an upcoming place and time. As I listened to him answer questions to promote his event, a few things really creeped me out. In fact, these are the things that I find creepy about most mainstream churches today. It’s sad; but it’s true.

William Holman Hunt - "Morning Prayer"

It didn't bode well that, at the beginning of the interview, he was asked how the event got started and he said he prayed that God would help him change the world. After catching himself, he said “I know I can’t do it...but we can all do it together.” Where, I ask, is God’s glory, Mr. Preacher Man? If you think that switching out your pronouns will make you look less glory-hungry, think again.

Then he went on to say that some lady not only paid his salary but also gave him $100,000 to put on this big event (because she believed he would change the lives of young people). You know, I work in marketing and I do graphic design for advertising, so I have a pretty clear understanding as to how much time and money it takes to reach even one customer. But preachers and organizations like this would put God on the same level as an advertisement for Camel Lights. God’s love, grace, and mercy are not products to be sold. God does not need money to reach His sheep. They will hear His voice. (No matter how much social media you throw at it!) After all, they heard His voice long before Facebook and Twitter.  Jesus didn't have a website and marketing budget in preparation to feed the five thousand...yet they still came.  Imagine that.

Just the idea of a huge event with thousands of people fasting and praying sent chills up my spine. There was a time when I would applaud anyone getting a big worship service together, but this morning, something seemed very rotten in the state of Christendom. Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the word “Pharisee” when they hear about that sort of stuff? Does not the Bible say pretty clearly:

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt 6:5-6, emphasis added)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I pray ardently that our country and it’s people will turn back to God. I desire that more than anything. I just think it’ll take a whole lot more personal conviction – and a changing of the heart and lifestyle – and a whole lot less of these huge concerts worship services to "reach the lost for God". Singing and fellowship can do wonders to lift the mood and certainly has it's place in worship, but I think the modern church today has taken it too far.

Be still, and know that I am God.  That says it all for me.