Is Everybody Happy?

Anytime I travel down interstate 270 at the Glen Carbon / Edwardsville exits, I am always fascinated by the huge church billboard that reads: 'A Church for THIS Generation!' Accompanying the message is a large family photo of the church's Pastor, wife and two kids; attractive folks with warm smiles. The very first time that I noticed the billboard-photo it reminded me of the 'Brady Bunch.'

There is some thing troubling about the billboard-message...at least that's my take...let me wrestle with the thought in this rant. All Christian Churches embrace (1) the teachings of Jesus Christ and (2) the members adhere to the Church-belief doctrine. If there is a Church for THIS Generation then the Church of my generation must have had some thing wrong. Did we old-time-religion-folks interpret Jesus' words incorrectly? Perhaps the way we went about our worshiping was a wrong-minded approach.

 I came to a conclusion and as many of my resolves, I am likely all wet and it's not from my Baptism. Consider, if you please, there are many new ways of this NOW GENERATION. Once upon a time (in my generation) medical doctors made house calls. Today, I sit in a waiting room for long periods of time to see my doctor. Then my doctor tells me I need to see a specialist or have test and this requires me to talk with someone in another State to get 'insurance approval.' My generation was in awe of policeman and respectful of teachers. This 'New' generation has figured out the policemen are 'pigs' and teachers are at fault for underachieving children.

I notice a lot of now generation folks have a common concept; they grew up thinking the sun pops out of their ass every morning giving us light. Today's NOW church-going generation expects and only accepts 'comfort!'

Many Church leaders came to believe that folks were not going to attend church if the preacher kept telling people they would go to Hell for unrepentant sins. That message creates uneasiness and watch 'checking' in God's house. Also, suggesting that a good church member tithes is an unpopular concept. Therefore, we began hearing those 'feel-good' sermons and less talk about giving money.  On the 'road-to-the-now-generation-church, we brought 'Junior's' drums and guitar so e could have contemporary music instead of those old gospel songs. Many 'Now' generation church messages are somewhat like Fox News, 'fair and balance,'  Matter-of-fact, the  Fox News theme usually suggests that 'white' Republicans are  born again Christians headed for Heaven and Democrats are heathens headed for Hell.

I'll look for you in church this Sunday...I go early so that I can eat some donut holes and have a cup of coffee and take it into the sanctuary before all the 'good' seats in the back pews are taken. I sure do like those 'new' pew cushions.