Spiritual Profiling
The nation has just went through a long drawn-out "made for television" court trial (similar to the O.J. Simpson trial) - and at the heart of the matter was the issue of "profiling".
There is something more sinister going on inside many churches today --- spiritual profiling - that's where one's worth and contribution to that church is judged by how they look - whether they can sing on the platform (even though they are extremely talented) or not is determined by the local "profiling police" (AKA - the critics on the pew who complain to the leaders and basically "call the shots")
If someone doesn't look just right -- then they must sit down. No - we won't sit down and talk to then, to inquire if there is or is not a problem -- we'll just judge them - and if they don't match our criteria of "platform worthy" -- then off they go. We've got to keep our platform "holy" - don't you know!
What does that mean anyway?
From our pulpits we hear the cry -- "everybody is welcome here" -- but that only means, you are welcome to come and sit -- welcome to give -- but not welcome to minister (unless you pass the test of what is holy or not). Better not dress too well -- be careful to not look too "worldly" or "pretty" -- someone might not think well of you.
This foolishness is damaging to people. It is demeaning and not worthy of the Kingdom of God. It's time to give it up in the Church world -- and NOW !
What do you think?
2 comments:
James 2:1 My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, never think some people are more important than others. 2 Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes. 3 You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes and say, “Please, sit here in this good seat.” But you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or, “Sit on the floor by my feet.” 4 What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, and with evil thoughts you are deciding that one person is better.
We must challenge ourselves to rise above pettiness. I've prayed for God to help me put aside the petty perceptions that cripple purity of motivations. Self-examination without being self-absorbed is a must for believers.
Charles Hill
Thanks for your words Charles! Good word!
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