There are those who are proving greater effectiveness, competence, scholarship, stewardship, leadership, and authenticity during this time, and it’s wonderful. Leaders are emerging. In the absence of weekly in-person convocations, there are those who can just take a seat (like Jesus did) and minister effectively. Their teaching is solid; inspired; intelligent; sober; substantive. When they’re not online, they’re serving their communities; orchestrating consistent efforts for people to be housed, clothed, counseled, and fed. They’ve realized that this is a time to put into action everything about service that they’ve ever learned. They’re finding that giving has increased, too.
Others, however, are proving that theirs was a mere hustle; a side gig. Sunday was their day to be on; to perform; to gain praise; to be important; to be seen; to enrich themselves. They’ve spent so much time directing, moving, controlling, and pushing their small, warped, denominationally limited idea of God— a god that preferred them, their voices, their habits, their slogans, and fell in line with their self-serving programs, that they persist in providing superficial virtual presentations. Playing at, and trying to replicate “church” is a mistake that’s painful to watch. The hollering, cliches, and ridiculous prayers are comical. They’re proving that they needed the crowd and the building to be effective. Without it, the show is over.
Miss ‘Rona is greatly interfering with, and exposing the hustle. Consumer’s eyes and ears are opening, and the smoke and mirrors they once flocked to, and called “service”, is now showing it’s true self. There’s no busyness to hide behind, and all that remains for some are empty barns, tacky background graphics, and unreliable audio.
Many are proving by their substance-deprived, pitiful virtual offerings, that they never really knew, or cared to know God. Being still—and being filled—and keeping people safe aren’t priorities. They have to appear spiritual; they have to gather in spite of the pandemic and show everyone how faithful and unafraid they are, even as the news daily reports deaths that are the direct results of flaunting guidelines.
Many are demonstrating that they only knew how to DO church, and feel they have no purpose, credibility or identity without carrying on the show. It’s essential to their bank accounts. They have to convince themselves that their god needs, and requires the show and you do, too. To sit still and actually hear Him— HIS agenda, what HE likes, wants, and doesn’t find the least bit praiseworthy or necessary — would be devastating. To actually BE the church would be too much work. Showmanship is their calling, attention is their goal, not service.
These days, excellence—not titles, friendship, habit, or tradition— is the cost of serious viewership and patronage. Everything else is a joke. It is too easy to take one’s business or attention elsewhere without being noticed. It takes no time at all to tune in to what, and who is going above and beyond expectations; who has worked out the kinks, figured out glitches, mastered and invested in technology; and is valuing the time, tastes, resources, needs, intelligence, and hearts of consumers by delivering a premium product. Expectations have been heightened. Details are being noticed. Gone are the days of being bullied or guilted into participation. Mediocrity, desperation, and incompetence don’t stand a chance. With one swipe or click, substance can be found, and hot air can be silenced.
Many have had nine months to quietly, and with clearer eyes, examine what, and who they have been following and supporting, and have concluded that, in some cases, it wasn’t as good, beneficial, authentic, or as necessary as they’d thought.
People have options. Obligations have shifted. Expertise reigns. Information has eclipsed noise. Keeping people engaged demands skill, competence, honesty, knowledge, caring, consistency and truth. Unfortunately, many are still in pre-pandemic hustle mode; they’re still trying to get over; still grandstanding; still playing at entrepreneurship and leadership; still playing ringmaster and trying to keep the circus going in empty tents. They haven’t made adjustments. They haven’t examined what they’re offering to see, or care if it’s actually GOOD, but expect others to overlook glaring, fixable faults, and consume/support anyway for old time’s sake.
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