Out of curiosity, I woke up Sunday morning and turned on the TV to see what sort of religious programming was playing. I was not let down. At 7:30 am the preaching began. 3 different pastors from different churches broadcast their 1/2 hour sermons. These guys are the best...some would say. Each of their churches are well into the thousands of attenders (10,000 plus), and one of them was recently named the most influential evangelical in the country.
I couldn't help but think about how convenient this was. You could get up early and get church out of the way for the day. You didn't have to shower, drive or park. You didn't have to mingle with people you didn't know or tell others you were doing great even if you weren't. You didn't have to pay attention or be quiet. If it got boring, which it probably wouldn't because these guys are some of the most polished speakers around, you could flip the channel. You weren't asked to say hi to the person sitting next to you, stand up and sing or put any money in the bag as it passed by. As I sat on my comfortable couch, sipping my coffee and watching church by myself I couldn't figure out why the 20,000 people gathered in the church stadium didn't just stay home and watch like me.
Isn't TV what we do? If we are sick we turn on House. If we are lonely we watch friends. For work we tune into the office, for motivation it's Oprah and for legal advice its Boston Legal. Why go to a concert when we have American idol and who needs to date when we can catch the bachelor? C'mon, seriously. House is not going to cure cancer. The office will not serve as a substitute for your job. Watching a dating show will not land you a date. We still believe hospitals are worthwhile. If we want to stay employed we get up and go to work. If we want to date we mix and mingle with people in lots of places.
And as much as I believe church is more about being, I don't think that negates going. If you want to pursue things of God, get off the couch, turn off the TV and go to church.
See entry, on going to church, as a follow up
embracing life
Another perspective on life, worldviews, and God - and how they all fit together in everyday experience. Simple stuff.
1 Comment
1:37 PM
This is an interesting blog coming from you. Not quite what I expected. I think it's a strong analogy, and one that necessitates further thinking. What would help would be a blog fleshing out your thoughts on the phrase "go to church." I find it surprising you chose those words and would like to hear more about what they mean to you.
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