Soul Food Revolution

I remember standing in front of a gathering of people known as a ‘church’ Sunday after Sunday and Wednesday after Wednesday. Compared to many men and women in the world my experience of this weekly happening is small. I know people that have preached tens of thousands of sermons and have stood in front of millions of people. You can turn your TV to the local inspirational channel and catch the newest, hottest fad of a preacher in our country and at that very moment millions of eyes are watching and ears listening to every word this person says. But have you ever wondered while watching on TV or listening to your local church’s pastor…….’does this guy really believe what he’s saying?’ I know, I know some of you are gonna hold fast and stern and say, ‘I never wonder! He’s a man of faith! He’s our leader (aka pastor)!’ But come on, let’s be honest, have you ever wondered? I have. To be perfectly honest there have been times that I step on to that stage and think ‘Do I really believe?’ If I’ve done it…if I ‘ve wondered….. then I know you have.

There is a stereotype in our culture that I really would like to destroy. It’s a stereotype that religion has created. It’s a stereotype that all of the nice suit wearing, fancy background building, smooth word crafting preachers have either purposely or incidentally caused to come about. It’s the stereotype of perfection. I’ve seen many church buildings that are so perfectly kept that I’m afraid to even step in! I’ve seen preachers that wear suits that cost more than my car! Now I know there are ‘thoughts’ and ‘spiritual disciplines’ and ‘principles’ to this madness yet even with all of the good intentions this persona religion has created still leads people to believe things have to be perfect. And that is what leads me to wonder. What would it be like if during the middle of a pastors sermon someone stood up, raised their hand and spoke, ‘Preacher! I really have no clue or relation to what you’re talking about because, well, it’s not the real world. Could you relate it to what really happens in everyday life?’ I can guarantee you this: in 80% of churches across America if you did this you would either A- be escorted out, B- get stared at like you’re an alien that recently landed in a UFO or C- be allowed to speak and the answer that followed would be either, ‘I would love to visit with you after our service (in other words he has no answer), or the pastor would give an answer that really wasn’t an answer. Religious folks hate to be vulnerable. Pastors HATE to show you they don’t know everything. It’s the way we are all brain washed in seminary (schools for special chosen people JK). You see as pastors we are taught, mostly through example, that we have all the answers and wisdom. This leads to the ‘perfection’ presentation that religion shows to people.

The answer to our question, ‘Have you ever wondered’ is yes. You have. I have. Every pastor has as he steps on that stage. If he says he hasn’t he’s lying. I challenge you to question your pastor if you’re a church going person. Ask them questions. Challenge them to stop giving all this biblical gubbly gubbly stuff and help them understand how to be a teacher. And pastors, stop it with the ‘wise’ demeanor. A few friends and I have a game we play when we are at a resteraunt. We love people watching and we try to guess what someone’s profession is by the way they carry themselves. Many times we will start a conversation with these people to find out if we were correct. It’s a fun way to meet new friends. And by the way, pastors are the easiest one’s to spot. Sorry guys but it’s true. The arrogance. The aura. The persona. And we don’t recognize them because these traits are godly…no we recognize them because 90% of the time these traits aren’t real…………….It makes me wonder.