No Wonder They Make Fun Of Us
I have wrestled with posting this thought…but I have to—I can’t get it out of my mind.
This past Sunday was hard for me—really hard. I was going to stay at home and not go to New Spring—this is not normal—but I was told to try to “take it easy!” But I did want to receive some sort of inspiration—to hear someone teach God’s word in a creative, relevant manner…so I thought, “No problem—I’ll just cut on the television and watch some good ‘ole TV preaching.”
I have not yet recovered from the trauma that took place!
Let me be very clear—there are about two, count them, two television preachers that I like. The first is TD Jakes—seriously, I would listen to that guy talk about how to sell shoes. You might not totally agree with his theology—but hands down he is one of the top communicators in America.
The second one I like is Ed Young. And no, it’s not because he is a friend of mine…but because he has a way of taking the Bible and making it creative and relevant to the audience to which he is speaking to. And—in my opinion—he is the coolest dresser ever! Seriously, when it comes to my personal wardrobe selection I always catch myself asking the question, WWEW? (What Would Ed Wear?)
But as far as the rest…well, I have five suggestions…
#1 - Please get in touch with reality! I felt as if I needed a theological dictionary to keep up with many of these guys. They used words like “anointed” and “redeemed” and “in the Spirit” which all have a very significant meaning to the mature believer; however, the lost and unchurched person has no idea what these words mean.
#2 - Can I just say two words—BAD HAIR! Oh my gosh, I make fun of bad hair TV preachers sometimes—but I had no idea it had gotten that bad.
#3 - Stop begging me for money! And no, this is not just “the faith movement.” I was so bothered by people saying that God wanted to bless me…but that His blessing on my life was dependant upon whether or not I “sowed a seed” into their ministry. (Seed sowing can be done by check or credit card—ONE GUY ACTUALLY CLAIMED THAT BY PUTTING “YOUR SEED GIFT” ON YOUR CREDIT CARD—IT WOULD CAUSE GOD TO RELEASE HIS BLESSING MUCH QUICKER!!! I wanted to go through the television!!!)
Also there was a dude saying how his show was going to have to be discontinued because they were not receiving the support they needed. You know what I always say—if the horse is dead—let it die!
#4 - Give me something I can use in my life—today! Yeah, it’s awesome that David killed Goliath, I’m pretty proud of the guy. But honestly, if I am at rock bottom and in desperate need of a relationship with Christ—I don’t really care about David and Goliath—but I am interested in a God who can help me slay the giants in my life—tell me about that.
#5 - Get the choir out of the picture. Seriously—those people look mean and mad. I honestly don’t think I saw one happy person in the choir! If you are going to allow them to sit back there then have a sign put in front of each of them that says, “Smile—please—I will be done in less than 5 minutes!”
I am not trying to be mean…it is just that I deeply care so much about people who are outside the kingdom—who do not have a relationship with Christ. I know these people are surfing their channels and they see the same things that I do—and what is worse—they think all Christians are that way.
Please don’t take this post the wrong way! I KNOW I am not the best communicator in the world…and I know that I have a lot of growth opportunities in this area of my life—but it is my passion to be able to communicate in such a way that the mature believer in the room can get it and the lost and unchurched person can get it as well. This comes through preparing as if all the work depends on me and then praying as if all the work depends on God.
Speaking of that—maybe I will post in the future how I feel about sermon preparation…and how my opinion has changed over the past three years.