Eddie Long's sex scandal. Texting while in church services. The choir can sing (or, even ‘cut up') for an hour or more while the pastor cuts his sermon short because the hour is getting late; and a minister of music tases the pastor who fired him, which caused a deacon to stab the minister of music's mother. Lord (or Lawd) have mercy. What is happening in the modern-day church!?
In short, the above involves people obsessed with or addicted to their cell phones, even in church. Musical performances, and violence. I'll handle the easy stuff first.
Texting/tweeting while in church? (I mean, really, people? Put the darn phone down and give God some time and attention.) Violence? What God do you serve that you even have a taser on your person at church?
The music? I think the proliferation of music videos and the financial success of pop stars caused many Christian singers to cross-over in order to make the big bucks as they try to sell records. But do worshippers really need to have the chorus repeated a dozen times during church service...while dancing hip-hop? You're not performing; you are singing praise to God as part of a worship service, not as the headliner--that should be the sermon. If you're having a concert, call it that; but, in my opinion, a worship service doesn't require much of the ballyhoo that is so pervasive in churches today. I used to direct the choir (for years); and I love music, but I feel that some of these churches have gone music performance-crazy, to the detriment of the meat of the service--the Word of God.
To this point I have a suggestion I'd like for many churches (especially those in the Black community; and even those who now only have "contemporary" service styles and music) to try: Yes, have a concert and call it "Don't Forget the Lyrics." (Or do it for a month of Sunday morning church services.) Let the music be only old traditional gospel hymns and gospel songs from days of yore. No hip-hop tunes. No hip-hop dance moves. No mime teams, praise dance teams, or any of that other stuff. For just a little while, go back "to the ol' time way." Just praise God through 2-3 verses of traditional hymns of praise; return to a more sacred worship. (Provide a mini-song book if needed.) You talking about the Holy Ghost dropping by and fallin' on some folk? I am sure the spirit would show up then, and it wouldn't be forced to come based on how many times the choir sings the chorus, or how long it takes before people start to shout.
Sex...(i.e., 'down-low' activity by clergy): I'm sure many of you heard of the Eddie Long sex scandal. Long is a self-appointed "bishop" who is the pastor of the megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Some still "love" their pastor and remain faithful to him despite a huge sex scandal involving Long and four young (yes, heterosexual) men who wanted, but didn't have, a father or strong male figure in their lives.
Long assumed that role for them, took them under his wing; and according to the men, Long seduced them with money, gifts and trips, while reportedly engaging them for sexual favors. To some he sent pictures of himself in very tight spandex in which he posed in "interesting" ways. Long denied the allegations and vowed from his pulpit (with his wife standing at his side) that "this thing I'm gon' fight!"
But, wouldn't you know...instead of fighting the charges, Long cowardly (yes, I said it) wanted secret, private mediation sessions--details never to be revealed--and each man received a huge settlement. There was another man who was also paid a large sum, though he was not officially named in the lawsuit. (That guy even has a tattoo of Long's name.) Most media reports characterized the fifth man as being "decidedly more ‘flamboyant' than the other [heterosexual] men." Well, that was an understatement, but well understood by most, if not all.]
The Eddie Long story has mostly faded from the national airwaves, with a few remaining ripples in the Atlanta area: Long's wife, Vanessa, recently filed for divorce. The New Birth Academy school will soon shut down. Church membership is down. I'd guess that Long's not getting many invites to other pulpits, and he took a temporary leave of absence from his pulpit, though he's now returned.
Long's saga and disgrace didn't shock me. He was someone I never felt good about in the role of preacher/pastor. Years before this happened I'd told some friends--some, his members who worship him--that I've always felt he was "either a pimp or a punk"; looks like he may be both.
But that scandal was just another black eye for God's church and His people. To many in the Black church across this nation and beyond, the Eddie Long faithfuls appear as blind sheep, choosing to not believe what even a blind man can see. I actually hurt for the members of that church.
His is just one case, but why is there so much mess in churches these days? What has happened, not just in Black churches, but many churches? The Catholics have their mess with pedophile priests, and that Church acting true to form, making excuses for them all. Other denominations have their messes as well. Is it power? Sex? Money? A modern-day lack of decency? What?
I've so much I want to say about this topic, but, as I write, the hour is late and my eyes need toothpicks to stay open. For now I'll leave you with a poem I wrote a few years ago which has twice been printed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Initially written with the Black church in mind, much of it can apply to many churches and megachurches in these modern days. Give it some thought. If you reply, remember to be respectful. I allow comments of people who disagree, but I don't allow people to be rude and disagreeable. Civility and decency is the order here.
Be Healthy, be Blessed, and make sure you are Living Well in 2012!
TODAY'S BLACK CHURCH: GOD'S HOUSE?
How sacred Your House used to be,
with Word and prayer and hymns.
Your spirit, miracles did abide,
and cleansing from ones' sins.
It no longer is about Your Word
Or living a life that's true;
From the pulpit to the door
"Church" has forsaken You.
The biggest structure to be built
Is, now, "how God did bless!"
Yet within the fancy walls
Is one huge sinful mess.
A better "step," the longest "shout,"
"Most members on the roll";
The loudest "whoop," or flashiest robe
For sure is now the goal.
A TV spot? Now that's a must--
On radio, at least.
Never mind more of the Word,
on music souls must feast.
When folk depart from what's called "church,"
There's one thing on their mind:
Not the lessons in Your Word,
But "Child, we had a time!"
If you ask, as they depart,
What the sermon was about
They're not too sure, but they know
Who sure did dance and shout.
And when the choir sings the chorus
For the fifteenth time
My spirit grieves; I doubt, my Lord,
That's what You had in mind.
A one-hour concert each Sunday morn
Is not what my soul needs.
I want the Word--broken down--
On which I grow and feed.
No time for family, nor the sick;
For sure, none for the poor.
So busy shoutin' and meetin' and carryin' on
Behind the church house doors.
The same ol' meetings every week;
What exactly is the point?
Same stuff, different day;
Yet they trust You do anoint.
The choir "guys" oft' coalesce
At the minister's place.
Some now dropping off like flies,
My God, send Your grace.
If all that works for you, fine.
Go, and do rejoice.
My spirit's in a different place;
Praise God I have a choice.
Don't need a church considered "high,"
Nor dance or lengthy "jams."
Give me song, prayer and the Word;
Just speak, oh great I AM.
Along this path, we all must go
As we feel our spirit led;
Don't want a place just to pat my feet,
But be where my soul is fed.
Lord, guide me to a holy place
More sacrosanct and true;
Until then, on Sunday morns,
I'm home...just me and You.
