Cleveland Christianity

Granny Here,

Quite a while since I've written anything but last night at church I received my subject for this blog. What I learned while there has raised my righteous indignation to new heights but not so high as to sin.

My local church has an assembly here in Cleveland Tn every year and although we are a small group compared to others here in town we have managed to pay for a venue in which to have our gathering. There are several places that we have rented in the past but for some unknown reasons we were not able to obtain any of those places this year.

New venues were sought out by our presiding Bishop but when the fee asked was $17,000.00 for a few days rental it just blew our minds. Whatever happen to brotherly love, love your brother as yourself and numerous other scriptures that would fit well into this situation.

We were not asking for charity but mercy, a reasonable fee for a few days of using a building. In my view as a "christian" I would see this senerio in this way "Sure Brother, we are glad that we can be of assistance to you and your congregation. All we ask is that our facility be returned to us in the condition in which you received it and that you pay for all expenses incurred during your stay including any damage that might occur while you are there." This makes a lot more christian sense to me but I guess I'm different that the average "christian" here in Cleveland.

This has so discouraged me in my viewpoint of Cleveland that my heart has been heavy since hearing of this situation. I can't imagine God opening the pearly gates wide for such an attitude which belongs to the world and not the christian community.

My Bible tells me that if we see a Brother in need, do not bid him God speed and send him on his way but rather fulfill that need if at all possible and be a blessing to him by doing so.

There are so many large facilities that would serve our purpose and although it would possibly mean that a weekend at said facility might be sacrificed, we more than welcome any to participate in the event with us. Worshiping God should come easy for those who love Him and we should be able to assemble ourselves together in such a manner as to give God glory.

This is not the first sign of Cleveland Christianity that I have seen in my 18 years of living here but it just adds a brick to the load I am already carrying while trying to make Cleveland my home.

It is hard to watch people who classify themselves among the redeemed of God and do this to another group. How will we ever have unity in the christian community until we learn to love each other as we love ourselves.

When the almighty dollar is the deciding factor in whether one church group can help another we are certainly on the wrong side of God's wrath. Another situation I heard of was a certain minister was ask one time to come and preach on a Saturday night at one of the assemblies of a church group and his asking fee was $25,000.00. Since when does the preaching of God's word carry a dollar sign with it.

The ministry of God better take a good look at themselves and see if their ego has outgrown their calling. The dollar has become man's god and God will bring us into account for our doings.
He will hold us acountable and rest assured He does keep a record. We can't do wrong and get by.

God have mercy on us. The christian communities better take a good look in the mirror of God's word because it is certainly coming up short.

Granny here, just saying!