Fascism has come to America, wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. His name is Trump.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. - George Orwell...The New GOP motto.
I think of a spirited movement that affected my mother and her crowd even though they are Catholics. E brought emotion to what can be a boring and repetitive church going and praying. I think that is its appeal, a chance for everyone to get involved. When we were kids we would walk by the Black churches after mass, they were often only shacks, and the singing and praising the Lord always amused us. They knew how to get down. LOL
My youth and my mom. It seemed before rock and roll it wasn't cool not to be identified with that word.
"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers."
---Thomas Jefferson (or as Al Sharpton calls him: Grandpappy)
Big suburban churches with very big car parks which are full every Sunday. Groups of people who are well dressed, casually, not overdressed. And the group is usually a man, a woman and perhaps two children, again all smartly dressed.
In the church itself a charismatic pastor on a platform or a stage. Lots of music, perhaps a small band but definitely someone playing an organ. The music isn't in the classical liturgical style but might be fairly boppy and uplifting. I see a lot of very demonstrative behaviour, by the pastor and by the congregation. Lots of smiling, laughter, very loud prayers and exhortations to God.
And I see absolutely no real theology. I see no meditation, no pensive thoughts, no discussion about belief, no addressing of doubt, no personal prayer, no self-examination, no self-inquiry, no deeper connection being sought between the individual and their God.
It's McDonalds religion.
"Unbloodybreakable" DCI Gene Hunt, 2008
Fascism has come to America, wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross. His name is Trump.
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. - George Orwell...The New GOP motto.
For the most part I think we agree on this point and a counterfeit only serves to prove that there is the genuine article out there.
For the most part mega-churches are just people stealing machines where no one really knows anyone or holds anyone accountable. They just go out and plunder other churches so they can grow.
I have no problem with large congregations that are built by evangelizing the lost and I don't consider those mega-churches regardless of size.
My church is fairly small church, and by todays standards very old fashion. We are running about 175 people Sunday mornings. We could be a much larger church if we were willing to compromise but we won't and we grow slowly as a result of it. We don't take transfers or people from other Independent Baptist congregations. We actually prefer people who have no church background at all.
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
Samuel Adams
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Why do folk assume popular churches aren't "authentic"?
“… the greatest detractor from high performance is fear: fear that you are not prepared, fear that you are in over your head, fear that you are not worthy, and ultimately, fear of failure. If you can eliminate that fear—not through arrogance or just wishing difficulties away, but through hard work and preparation—you will put yourself in an incredibly powerful position to take on the challenges you face" - Pete Carroll.