One more quip about the giant idol that burned in Southern Ohio. According to reports some people showed up at their services last Wednesday and were disruptive, calling the statue a "graven image" (which it is). I don't condone people shouting and causing a ruckus anymore than I condone a half million dollar idol in a pool. I did read a couple of interesting things in the article. First when the disruption started, "church security" got involved:
Ushry “stated that he and Andrew began to publicly protest during the sermon and were advised to leave by Church security,” the report says. As Ushry and Braden were being escorted out of the church, Ushry told police that a church member grabbed him, shoved him and threatened to beat him.
The accused church member told police that the pair were cursing and yelling during the service and “they continued to protest (while) he and other security members began to escort them out of the church, and at no time did he threaten or shove” Ushry or Braden, the police report says.
A co-pastor of the church, Lawrence Bishop, told police that he had asked church security guards to remove the two men because they were disruptive during the sermon.
What kind of church has a designated security force? That might be taking 1 Cor 14:40 a bit too far. I am pretty sure that "church security officer" is not one of the roles in the church. Perhaps this is what Paul meant to write:
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." church security team to crack skulls if needed. (Rom 12:19 remix)
The second interesting thing was this quote:
Bishop says a man shouted out that he had some questions to ask her. She said he told him: “We don’t answer questions during service.”
Of course you can’t ask questions during the sermon! You can’t for the same reason you don’t talk during a movie or a play, it interrupts the performance. Church is not about us edifying one another, it is about me edifying you. Sit down, shut up and listen!
Sometimes you get the most honest statements from the kookiest sources.
1 comment:
This preacher has not exposited 1 Cor. 14 on "orderly worship" where where orderliness specifically allows for "interruptions" and that the first speaker should stop and allow the second to speak.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Wow!
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