The Seduction of Power

This past Friday my daughter graduated from High School and the ceremony was held in a large church here in town. The facilities opened about a year ago and it was a nice change from previous graduations held at the athletic field where the audience sat for two hours in the sun on concrete benches. So I was very appreciative that the church allowed graduation to take place in their facilities.

However, (you knew that was coming didn't you?) the pastor of the church simply could not resist the temptation to put himself in the middle of the picture. He sat on the stage on a little elevated platform which held two armchairs. He was totally out of place and a distraction from the attention that was to be on the accomplishments of our children. Like a king on a throne surveying the activities of his kingdom he made sure he was in full view throughout the graduation. Then, even though there are many entrances/exits, only one, with two adjoining sets of doors, was unlocked for the large crowd to exit the building and he stood squarely between the doors to try to greet people as we tried to squeeze through the lone exits.

There is something that happens as men and women rise through the ranks and gain position, prestige, and power. It happens when people suddenly find themselves with wealth; it happens when politicians find themselves with power; and it often happens when pastors build large churches. Somehow, their sense of importance is unrealistically elevated and they have an exaggerated sense of personal appeal.

I've heard from local restaurant owners who cater food to the church and the demands for how the food must be prepared for "the Bishop" is almost comical. I've heard of politicians, who began with such sincerity, but then they get caught up in the political machine in Washington and they are making deals and accepting favors. Recently, there have been charges that Lee Scott, CEO for Wal-Mart, has been accepting favors from vendors and then allowing them to put their merchandise in the stores as a response. Sam Walton would be very disappointed with where Wal-Mart has gone.

The pull of power is so prevalent, and so prevailing, that one is tempted to believe that it is inevitable. The example of Jesus is that one can learn to serve and even empty himself or herself and identify with the least and the last among us. If Jesus is the ultimate example of leadership (and I think He is), then many pastors, politicians, and other powerful people have much to learn.

Work or Worship?

Someone who recently stopped attending our church made the statement that going to church was like going to work. That statement has been rolling around in the back of my mind now for a couple weeks. I believe in sacrifice, and I believe in selfless giving, and serving God through serving others, but I don't believe it should be work. It should be worship.

I am a fanatic for the Word of God. I insist that Word be the basis for all we do or say, teach or preach. I believe in, and strive for, sound doctrine and theology in everything I teach, or preach, or write. But somewhere in the midst of this, there must be a place for joy, for gladness, for singing, for thanksgiving and for praise. There is something in us all that longs to break free from the constraints of time and our self-conscious preoccupation with what others think, and just lose ourselves in the presence and the power of God.

I feel that in many churches (even the one I lead) there is something missing, and it is that "something" that drives people to go from church to church looking for something. Most of them cannot put their finger on it. They cannot even explain with words what they feel in their heart, but they know what it is and they know what it isn't, and far too many aren't experiencing it, whatever it is.

Is it relationship with God that is missing, and the church fails to encourage? Is it the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit? Is it transformational revelation that lifts us above the facts and allows us to see His face? What is it? Whatever it is, I want it!

Some with say that it is not it, but Him. However, He has always been and will always be, so it is not just Him, but it is encounter with Him. It isn't about where He is, but about where we are in relation to Him. ( cf., Martin Buber)

Psalm 100 point us to it. It is about joy, gladness, singing, and knowing. It is about entering, praising, and thanksgiving. Sometimes I think I have it, but at other times it seems to elude me and I find myself at church working instead of worshipping.