Church Without Pulpits

~A church without a pulpit~

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you ato observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“And whoever exalts himself will be ehumbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 13“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14g“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 15“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hhell as yourselves."
Matthew 23: 1 - 15 NKJV

I ran across a post from Wayne Jacobsen this week which was appropriately titled "Pedestal people."  What was interesting about Waynes post was that this was a subject which our Sunday group has broached from one time or another.  Just what is a pedestal person?  Well, a pedestal person is one who seeks out and finds glory and pride in a position of importance.  Be it a management position or a position of authority over others, a pedestal person will definately find enjoyment in these surroundings.  They will feel right at home.  I've been in these situations myself, and I can honestly say that being that center of attention is indeed a powerful feeling.  Some have compared such situations as intoxicating or addicting.  I wouldn't argue with such comparisons.  A few discussions Dennis and I have had have centered around pedestal people in christianity.  Of course, I am of the opinion that the pedestal persnonality has no place in christianity, but that's just me.  For once we take it upon ourselves to place ourselves above others, then we lose sight of just who it is we serve.  That position of importance switches from our heavenly Father to that of ourselves.  Suddenly, our own abilities, talents and desires take priority.  We feel that need to be the center of attention for those around us.  Now, how well does this work in a church environment?  Well, one of the main reasons I've heard from people who have become dissatisfied with the church is that they were tired of the politics of the church organization.  Really?  Think about that statement for a minute...the church ORGANIZATION.  We're not talking about some Donald Trump boardroom here but the recognition and worship of our heavenly Father.  Politics, power plays and organization are just a few things which should never be seen in a church.  It would also seem that I am far from alone in feeling this way.

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Romans 12: 3 - 5 NKJV

One cannot look at the woes of the Pharisees we find in Matthew 23 and not immediately draw comparisons to more than a few modern day pastors.  I know I did.  Indeed, how these Pharisees were conducting themselves certainly drew criticism from Jesus for good reason.  For here were the religious leaders of the people lording themselves over Gods children.  The attention of the people was drawn not to God, but to these men.  If one were to poll these Isrealites as to their opinions of their church, we might just get a similar response as those christians of today.  Tired of the politics, tired of the organization.  It seems to me that little has changed in the structure of the church over time.  Same structure, same organization and the same pedestal people.  Obviously, this was not how things were supposed to be.  I would suggest that at the very heart of each and every pedestal personality lies the mistaken belief of our own independence.  That fractured trust in our own independent self which was the lie which Adam and Eve fell victim to {Genesis 3: 1-5}.  Indeed, it is this very same trust in our own independent selves which still hampers many pedestal people today.  It's not God who has importance, but ourselves.  Again, can anyone see the issue with this line of thinking in Christs church?  Instead of focusing on our heavenly Father, we set our eyes on Gods "Anointed" leadership.  Modern day Pharisees.  Sunday after Sunday, our attention is drawn to the man in that pulpit screaming "Look at me, look at me!!"  Pedestal people.  This morning I forwarded a comment to Dennis about Waynes recent post.  He responded by saying "Thats't why there are no pulpits at McChruch."  Well said my friend.

1Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3“but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ 4Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3: 1 - 5 NKJV

~Scott~