Monday, August 04, 2003
Paid to Pray?
This recent Charisma News Service article sure brings back memories.
Observing that "churches are too segregated," the pastor of a black congregation in Shreveport, La., says his church will pay white people to attend services this month to increase the fellowship's diversity.
Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church Bishop Fred Caldwell said he will pay $5 per hour for Sunday services and $10 an hour for the Thursday service, "The Shreveport Times" reported. The idea came to him during his sermon last Sunday.
"Our churches are too segregated, and the Lord never intended for that to happen. It's time for something radical," he said.
Back in the '60's, the "all-white" church that I grew up in in Flint, Michigan, paid a young black man to attend our Sunday services. While I agree that a racially diverse congregation is desirable, I really don't think this the way to make it happen. It seems far better to me that people would be brought together by the Holy Spirit rather than the promise of cold, hard cash. Taken to the extreme, I can envision "contract negotiations" and "signing bonuses" for those who are "paid to pray." While this might create an appearance of diversity, in the end it does nothing to create real unity.
I believe many churches appear "segregated" because of cultural, not prejudicial reasons. This is nothing unusual and should not be a source of undue concern. We are naturally drawn together with those who are "most like we are." Yet there are those who are so hungry for God's Word and His presence that they are willing to venture beyond the comforts of race, tradition, and culture, and join with others...red and yellow, black and white...to worship together in spirit and in truth.
Whatever the racial profile of our congregations, I pray God will help us stop judging one another by outward appearances and love one another in sincerity and truth! This is the message that the church needs to give to the world..."WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM COME!" The love of God sees no color; it only looks at the heart. When we start giving God's love freely to others, we will find a colorful mosaic of diversity in our unity in Christ.
Observing that "churches are too segregated," the pastor of a black congregation in Shreveport, La., says his church will pay white people to attend services this month to increase the fellowship's diversity.
Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church Bishop Fred Caldwell said he will pay $5 per hour for Sunday services and $10 an hour for the Thursday service, "The Shreveport Times" reported. The idea came to him during his sermon last Sunday.
"Our churches are too segregated, and the Lord never intended for that to happen. It's time for something radical," he said.
Back in the '60's, the "all-white" church that I grew up in in Flint, Michigan, paid a young black man to attend our Sunday services. While I agree that a racially diverse congregation is desirable, I really don't think this the way to make it happen. It seems far better to me that people would be brought together by the Holy Spirit rather than the promise of cold, hard cash. Taken to the extreme, I can envision "contract negotiations" and "signing bonuses" for those who are "paid to pray." While this might create an appearance of diversity, in the end it does nothing to create real unity.
I believe many churches appear "segregated" because of cultural, not prejudicial reasons. This is nothing unusual and should not be a source of undue concern. We are naturally drawn together with those who are "most like we are." Yet there are those who are so hungry for God's Word and His presence that they are willing to venture beyond the comforts of race, tradition, and culture, and join with others...red and yellow, black and white...to worship together in spirit and in truth.
Whatever the racial profile of our congregations, I pray God will help us stop judging one another by outward appearances and love one another in sincerity and truth! This is the message that the church needs to give to the world..."WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM COME!" The love of God sees no color; it only looks at the heart. When we start giving God's love freely to others, we will find a colorful mosaic of diversity in our unity in Christ.
// posted by theChurchGuy @ 8/04/2003
