Why She Walked Out Of Church
Mickey McLean at WORLDMAGBLOG writes about Julie R. Neidlinger’s response to a recent WORLD cover story on NextGen worship. Neidlinger writes:
“The cover photo alone enraged me, with the pastor wearing baggy jeans and untucked button-up shirt with flip flops and an ear microphone. Later, the same guy is shown out front of a church holding a paper Starbucks-like cup of coffee. Could he try any harder to be lame?”
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22 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has also rejected you. . . .” (1 Samuel 15:22-23, ESV)
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” – Augustine
“Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.” – John Calvin
- “And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail, in exclusion of religious principle.” – George Washington
“The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.” – Ronald Reagan
“One desire has been the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul. And sooner should I seek escape from the sacred necessity that is laid upon me, let the breath of life fail me. It is this: That in spite of all worldly opposition, God’s holy ordinances shall be established again in the home, in the school and in the State for the good of the people; to carve as it were into the conscience of the nation the ordinances of the Lord, to which the Bible and Creation bear witness, until the nation pays homage again to God.” – Abraham Kuyper
The purpose of Samuel at Gilgal is to assess politics and culture through the lens of a Christian Worldview.
ABOUT ME
- Samuel Cain
- Retired Educator
- Reformed Presbyterian
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- Passions: History, Theology, & Teaching
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I AM CURRENTLY READING:
The History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer
John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion edited by Burk Parsons
A Scottish Christian Heritage by Iain H. Murray
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So this is the age of hip, trendy pastors? I’ve visited many different churches in my time and I have seen pastors go to extremes in their dress code. Some dress in 1950’s three piece suits and quote from the King James Version of the Bible that few understand these days. 16th century English is barely intelligible if your trying to reach pagans with the Gospel in the 21st century. I have also met “pastors” who dress like hobos, sip coffee during a sermon, and don’t shave for three days. I can understand their desire to be “mainstream,” but if you are trying to be a hip preacher and look like you’ve just been fired out of a cannon, then people will focus on YOU and not the message.
I see women and young girls in my church dressed like hookers. I’m not kidding. The problem is, nobody knows how to dress appropriately in the Lord’s house these days. Catholics seem to have a better grip on appropriate apparel than most evangelical churches. Yes, I know the Lord looks upon our hearts and not on our clothes, but let’s be sensible here. Men have got to stop wearing torn jeans, shorts, sandals and “muscle” T-shirts with the arms cut away in church. Women have got to stop wearing shorts and skirts that disappear whenever they sit down. That includes tight T-shirts and short cut blouses that would make the demon of lust blush with embarrassment.
I don’t know about you, but I’m easily distracted due to my adult ADD, and it can be a real challenge to focus on the sermon when the married woman seated three feet away from me is dressed like an exotic dancer. If we are to be the bearers of truth and ambassadors of Heaven, then we must not just walk in His light, but we must dress modestly everyday and appropriately for church. Now, I’m no killjoy here, but stop for a moment and carefully consider how you dress. Sure, wear shorts and T-shirts at home or even during grocery shopping, but dressing in church that leaves little to the imagination not only draws attention, but it encourages lustful thoughts in others around you. Men and women alike. I hope to address this issue with my pastor shortly. But I won’t be wearing shorts at the meeting!
I agree. Great comment.