I am torn by what I am seeing. I know that we fall short of perfection no matter how hard we try or how much we might think we are perfect. I know that leaders in the church are just as human as the people in the pews and with that humanity comes mistakes and short-comings. I know all of this and yet I feel saddened by things I see happening in pulpits across the country.
It is easy to point at the mega-church madness and, Lord knows, they are getting plenty of bad press (deservedly so for the most part). Bishop Tims in Florida dying from an overdose after not long ago getting a divorce from his wife because he was caught having an affair with an exotic dancer from Paris. Now, at the church he left behind there is a power struggle as Paula White takes over and his ex-wife sues the church because she wants the church.
Then there is Paula and Randy White... Paula and Randy divorced not long ago and since then Randy has been arrested for drunk driving (albeit not falling down drunk) and Paula has seen the "Church Without Walls" decline into bankruptcy or nearly so. Last I read, they were 26 million dollars in debt.
Then here in Atlanta we have Creflo Dollar drama and his constant battle with the government on the way his ministry spends money. If that doesn't keep you sad enough you have Eddie Long and his sexual escapades and now his divorce and all the drama that brings. Pile that on top of pastor Swilley of the "Church in the Now" coming "out of the closet" and the Paulk drama still popping up now and again... Atlanta unbelievers have plenty of reasons why they don't want anything to do with the church.
It isn't just the mega-church though. There are plenty of little stand alone churches in about every little shopping center here in Atlanta. So and So got the building because when they went to Such and Such church they had problems with whomever and whosoever so they build their own congregation in hopes of one day also becoming a superstar! It is proven that this is their goal because everything in their walk mirrors these big-time preachers. They have their "armor bearers" (otherwise known as gophers and water-boys/girls) who carry their Bibles up to the pulpit and fetch them water everywhere they go. They have seats up on the platform that look like thrones and they are treated like royalty.
What in the world is all this stuff? I mean can we even remember what Jesus said any longer?
Luke 22:24 ¶And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called `Benefactors.´
26 "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called `Benefactors.´
26 "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
27 "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Get off the throne and get back up on the cross. Come on guys... give God a break!
REPENT! TURN BACK TO GOD! Redeem the time where there is still time left to redeem!
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