What belonged to the theater was brought into the church, and what belonged to the church into the theater. The better Christian feelings were held up in comedies to the sneer of the multitude. Everything was so changed into light jesting, that earnestness was stripped of its worth by wit, and that which is holy became a subject for banter and scoffing in the refined conversation of worldly people. Yet worse was it that the unbridled delight of these men in dissipating enjoyments threatened to turn the church into a theater, and the preacher into a play actor. If he would please the multitude, he must adapt himself to their taste, and entertain them amusingly in the church. They demanded also in the preaching something that should please the ear; and they clapped with the same pleasure the comedian in the holy place and him on the stage. And alas there were found at that period too many preachers who preferred the applause of men to their souls’ health.
[Gregory of Nazianzus, late 4th century]
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from wikipedia:
Presently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church team members travel across the nation, presenting programs in large stadiums to a paying public. The event titled "A Night of Hope," includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a testimony by Joel's mother Dodie and a sermon from Pastor Osteen. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel.[12]. Osteen released his second book, entitled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007 under Simon & Schuster publishing, which has also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List.[13] Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added.[14]
OK, so Osteen plays to the crowd. We all jump to think of him first when we read Jed's post. I admit I did, too.
But then it hit me.
Hard question: Being totally honest, how many of *us* do this (if we're pastors / elders) or support this in our *own* churches? We love to confess other people's sin, but I think there is a point to be internalized here. The minister's job (at least during corporate worship) is to proclaim the Word of God to the sheep entrusted to him and then instruct those people upon it's meaning and upon how it is to be kept. It is not to be funny, or entertain people, or whip them into a frenzy, or whatever. It is not to garner human praise. It is not to receive pats-on-the-back after the service, or get recognized in the local paper, or boost the local Christian radio station's ratings.
It is easy to dismiss what Jed posted by embodying it in a circus like Osteen puts on. But aren't we tempted to do the same thing?
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