Batteries

I have a friend who years ago convinced me his granddad, who was a Pentecostal preacher, could charge up batteries by faith. It intrigued me so much I went to one of his miracle services. There was lots of dancing and twirling, tambourines and a good bit of screaming in tongues. It was quite an experience. And actually it did look to me like he was charging car batteries. It couldn’t be, but it sure looked like it.

I can’t really imagine Jesus charging batteries. But He did feed a couple of masses of people with ease. So, I suppose he could. I have an easier time believing He would charge batteries than he would sing in a gospel quartet to get his message out. When you think about it that’s a pretty odd thing to call a ministry. I really just can’t see the disciples keeping step, singing gospel arrangements on the road out of Jerusalem.

I am sure they sang, in fact the New Testament describes them as singing hymns. But I don’t see them trying to reach people with snappy arrangements. I saw a gospel group recently. And they had all kinds of choreography. I just sat there thinking this is good singing but is it really a ministry? It was good music. And there were some praise songs. But it seemed to be more a cultural experience than anything else.

When you get down to it it’s a bit like charging batteries.

I like Rock and Roll. My favorite band is a group called Switchfoot. They are Christians with a rock band not Christians who do Christian rock. I like them better for it. Bono of U2 has stated they are his favorite band too. Their father is a Calvary Chapel Pastor in San Diego, John Foreman. He also has a new book out that is worth reading. They seek to show their faith by doing the very best they can in the genre they have chosen as artists. Excellence is the essence of being a Christian artist in my opinion.

I think there are two ultimate statements of faith. The gospel is most seen at these very practical points. The first is giving money. And the second is suffering and pain. Anyone can learn a few steps or convince people they can charge a battery. But impacting people usually gets down to these two points.

Giving money is the bottom line for me. Anyone can sing or dance. Anyone can give a sermon. Anyone can talk a good rap. But it’s tough to write out that 10% tithe check. I am a pastor and know the real cost of doing ministry. And I know that most of church folks these days react like customers rather than disciples. They try and find the lowest amount their consciences can live with when they give.

Churches not only need money but so do benevolence projects. I read a lot of statements that the U.S. church attendee gives way more than most people in the world. But how much could we really give ought to be our measure.

I hear a lot now about how hard churches are going to be hit in this deep recession. Most are in fact seeing downturns in contributions. But the truth is about 1/3 of the folks in church give less than $25 a year when times are good. And the lion share of the rest give about 2 to 3% of their income. If everyone just half obeyed the plan we would double our income.

Pain is another point of faith outreach. Being Christian means “becoming” when you hurt. You can have all the Christian art you want in your house but the definer of your Christianity is who you become in your pain. I have found that pain makes or breaks the soul.

We live in a society committed to pain avoidance. But to be Christian in truth is to embrace and find God in the pain. All the bold and courageous heroes of the faith suffered. They didn’t seek comfort they sought, through Christ, to impact directly the state of a fallen world.

So you can charge all the batteries you want for me. Or, you can have the best church music known to the church world. And you may have a great quartet. But what I want to know is how has your faith lightened your wallet and how have you found Christ in your pain.