I went to Good Shepherd for worship (see, when you make suggestions on my blog I sometimes follow them---see comment 2 on April 28) and heard David Israel preach on being a Christ follower, not a "Christian" (in quotes). He talked about a variety of types of Christians that feel pretty much un Christ-like. On of the Christians he spoke about was the "Pinata God" Christian. If you just get the right pole, and keep hitting God with it over and over again and with enough conviction, and in just the right place in God's consciousness,then, eventually God will spill out his candy on you. I thought that was pretty clever and pretty interesting. I also thought about how you really are supposed to wear a blindfold when hitting the pinata, which makes one feel a bit self-righteous when you really do hit it. Hmmm.
8 comments:
David Israel rocks. Good Shepherd is a great home for anyone who wants to stop whacking blindly at the pinata.
I agree, Good Shepherd is a great Church, with many wonderful folks. One is even my daughter. I too want that kind of God Rev. Israel spoke of, an I want a big stick with no blindfold. Rock on David.
I will never invite people to visit there again. My (older) friends dressed up a bit more than jeans and t-shirts and were very embarased when everyone laughed at people who dressed up and I wanted to crawl under a chair and hide.
have a good, good point. I felt a little funny myself becaue I was wearing a cross Sunday (and a comment was made about Christians who wear a cross, and not a very positive comment either)...but I chose to think that David was exaggerating to make a point..Your comment helps me remember that the spoken word in worship can be heard in a variety of ways, some of which may be unintentionally hurtful. PS I am usually in hose myself when I am there, so she is not alone. Part of me will always hold myself to a standard of wearing the best I have for worship---not to impress others, but to honor God..but I am REALLY OKAY with whatever anyone else wants to wear. The holiness strain in me, of which I am proud, says it's okay to make a witness by wearing crosses (I almost always wear some kind of cross jewelry--helps me to remember whose I am); to not buy lottery tickets; to live outwardly a witness as to my faith. However, I don't want anyone to think that is a judgment I place on others. It is simply who I am and how I choose to live my faith.
Though I've only been about ten times, I've worn a tie and slacks every time I have been to worship there. I have never felt judged or ostracized, ever. I am very sorry that anyone would have others feel embarrassed, especially at Good Shepherd, one of the safest places I have ever been. I hope your older friends visit again and find it fit to wear whatever they want.
To "Anonymous" who said "I will never invite people to visit there again." Apparently I wasn't as clear as I wanted to be in what I said. I may even have been a bit harsh. I apologize for not being more clear and would welcome you listening to it again to inform me where I can clean up my delivery more.
http://www.goodshepherdumc.org/Music/StopBeingAChristian.wma
My point had to do with legalism and how it was harmful to sharing the faith with those who pre-judge us based upon certain stereotypes of legalistic and small-minded "Christians." Your friends need only to look at the way I was dressed to find that I was not critiquing the dress code as much as I was critiquing those who use dress as a way of judging others. (I was wearing green Dockers, an Orange plaid button down shirt (with sleeves rolled up since our broken air conditioner was not keeping up) and a pair of brown shoes. Clearly not blue jeans and a t-shirt.)
If in the future you dislike what I have to say, please know that I am open minded and I won't hide from my own words. Call me, email me, drop by. I'd be glad to have a deeper conversation with you than I can in response to an anonymous criticism allows.
Please feel free to speak the Truth in Love just as the Bible commands.
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in wearing my Cross - my current one is a Cursillo cross, which says on the back, "Christ is counting on you.", and I know that statement to be true. Glad to know you were there at GS - I hope you felt welcomed, and invited a friend! :)
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