Normally on Monday's I don't do much of anything. I try to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate for the week ahead. Today however, was a little different. My day began a 6:00 at the hospital where I had some tests conducted. Everything looked real good! Worthy is the Lamb!!! As I was waiting, I was reading the headlines of the morning news, and like any other day, it was filled with negativity. I'm no expert, neither have I done any serious investigation on this matter, but it seems to me that the media loves to exploit Black crime and violence!
What troubles me about this is the stance or lack thereof that many churches take on the matter. Instead of being pro active, most of us are reactive. We buy better alarms, stronger bars, and brighter lights, instead of sounding the gospel alarm through biblical preaching, keeping our young black males from behind bars, and being the light of the world that Jesus has called us to be! To quote one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, "We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now! This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism"
It seems as though some of us are Missing in Action. I would to God that we could move from this to Mission in Action. Most church goers don't have a problem with attending church meetings or something on the inside, but most do not want to go further than that. When we went out into the community for the 1st time, we only had 6 people show up. It was at that moment that the scripture was made clear to me that said, "The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few."
What is even more tragic than this is that 80% of the people that we deem failures in life, live in areas where 75% of the black churches are located. We can no longer have a "heaven bound" attitude while the communities that our churches are located in are going to hell. I was involved with a community group that was discussing some of the ills of society. During this meeting, someone brought up that if we were more active in social reform, our communities would be better. I quickly interrupted and quoted the late Dr. Adrian Rogers when he said" All that social reform will do is make the world a better place to go to hell from!"
The answer to the moral decline of our community was, is, and always will be the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Paul said in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Child of God, let us do all that is in our power to move from Missing in Action to Mission in Action. The words of Christ demand an immediate response from us," Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Are you missing or about mission?
What troubles me about this is the stance or lack thereof that many churches take on the matter. Instead of being pro active, most of us are reactive. We buy better alarms, stronger bars, and brighter lights, instead of sounding the gospel alarm through biblical preaching, keeping our young black males from behind bars, and being the light of the world that Jesus has called us to be! To quote one of my favorite preachers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, "We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now! This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism"
It seems as though some of us are Missing in Action. I would to God that we could move from this to Mission in Action. Most church goers don't have a problem with attending church meetings or something on the inside, but most do not want to go further than that. When we went out into the community for the 1st time, we only had 6 people show up. It was at that moment that the scripture was made clear to me that said, "The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few."
What is even more tragic than this is that 80% of the people that we deem failures in life, live in areas where 75% of the black churches are located. We can no longer have a "heaven bound" attitude while the communities that our churches are located in are going to hell. I was involved with a community group that was discussing some of the ills of society. During this meeting, someone brought up that if we were more active in social reform, our communities would be better. I quickly interrupted and quoted the late Dr. Adrian Rogers when he said" All that social reform will do is make the world a better place to go to hell from!"
The answer to the moral decline of our community was, is, and always will be the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Paul said in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Child of God, let us do all that is in our power to move from Missing in Action to Mission in Action. The words of Christ demand an immediate response from us," Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Are you missing or about mission?
4 comments:
Its funny that you posted this message today about the media. I was just having a simalar conversation with one of my co workers today about this same issue. We were discussing what the mayor could do, or what the police should, or what city should, but never asked ourselves what can we do! This blog really hit it on the head.
AMEN!!!! Your post reinforces the fact that blogging allows us to speak truth to power, even the power that resides within the four walls of our own churches. Bless your life elder.
Lance
Dr. Spoon,
You have one of the sharpest minds in Lord's church today. This post is right on point and challenges both pastor and people to take inventory and respond immediately .Outstanding post
Thank you for this post! I'm in the process of formulating thoughts on the CNN Documentary special; "Black In America" that aired last week. I agree, Christians need to move beyond the 4 walls of the church to the streets. I always say, and it's not original, that in Los Angeles no church should be empty and no church should be fighting for members because there's enough sinners to go around for everybody. God bless you brotha and stay encouraged!
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