Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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Studying in Rome
about 42 years ago, I asked Ireland's Father Fachtna McCarthy, "When
will the RCC move beyond some of its traditions into this century?"
He said,
"Some cardinals will have to die."
The same is true
for too many denominations, churches, clubs, organizations, and the
like that long for the way things never were or maybe were but are no
more.
The same holds
true for the problems with our VA, health care, public education, continuing
segregations, and...
It's the problem
of wineskins.
Matthew 9:16-17.
Dolts who idolize
past "processes" as if life doesn't evolve from #2 pencils to
computers for the glory of God and advancement of civilization like to
rearrange the deck chairs of the Titanic while it's sinking.
Tired analogy.
Pathetic reality.
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Art Pace was one
of the most authentic preachers/pastors that I've ever known.
Fresh out of
seminary, he was called to a small church in central New Jersey that epitomized
the worst of the preceding section; longing for the way things never were or
maybe were but are no more.
Also troubled by
the increasing apostasies from Jesus by the book in his franchise, he left the
church and became a career chaplain for the US Army.
When I connected
with him some years ago at one of our big denominational meetings, he said he
could talk more about Jesus in the Army than in that small church in
central New Jersey and his franchise.
Take that
MMOwazzyourname!
I don't know if
Art wrote "The Meeting" but he gave it to me about 35 years ago
and I think it still has something to do with death by bureaucracy.
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"The
Meeting"
P - I now call to
order this meeting of the Brandex Presbyterian Church. Is everyone here?
1 - I guess so.
2 - More or less.
3 - I think so.
P - Good!
Let's look at the first order of the day. As you know, we're losing lots
of members.
1 - Right.
2 - We used to
have 54.
3 - But we lost
51.
P- Remember,
wherever God is, there's a majority.
1 - Being a
majority is lonely.
P - Anyway, I
believe we need to attract new members. Any ideas?
1 - How about
saying you'll cut off your beard if we invite people to church? Or how
about a sermon without quoting dead German guys?
2 - No, I like
the sermons as they are.
3 - Yeah, I've
really liked our pastor's year-long series on the new book from Cokesbury about
The Grass is Always Greener
Over the Septic Tank.
P - Thank
you! Erma Bombeck was always my favorite theologian. But, ya know,
I think we do need more of a sharing or evangelistic approach.
1 - Movie
night! We can show movies and blanket the town with ads.
2 - No, that
costs money. Let's spend money on billboards and ads with catchy sayings.
3 - TV spots!
P - Good!
Keep going!
1 - We could hire
a sky-writer to puff our name across the sky. It would be very symbolic.
2 - How about a
dozen elephants? We could march them through town with our church name
draped on them!
P - Yes!
Yes!
3 - Excuse me,
friends.
P - Yes?
1 - Yes?
2 - Yes?
3 - Don't you
think the best way to attract people is to talk about who our church is really
named for? Don't you think it would be best to just invite people to meet
us and meet Him and...
P - Out of order!
1 - I'm no
Jehovah's Witness!
2 - You must have
fundy fever!
P- Let's
vote! All in favor of the elephants say aye.
1 - Aye!
2 - Aye!
P- Opposed?
3 - Nay!
P- The ayes have it.
Onward Christian soldiers!
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Selah.
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Blessings and Love!
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