Sunday 8 August 2010

The least in the Kingdom

I'm quite intrigued by Reverend Robert's sermon today.
Based on Luke 12, he took the reference to sell what you have "and give alms" and applied it to his own church. He explained how, thanks to the Biblically-inspired giving, sacrificial generosity and souvenir sales of the 15th Hallelujah Church of Glory, he can be sent to spread the Light in the darkness of this green and forsaken land. And in the process go Business class and stay in nice hotels. Whereas if I accept the offer to preach to the Bude Unlikely Grace fellowship in the autumn, I'll be staying in a tent at the "Atlantic Gales" campsite.
What kind of church is it, asked Bob, that allows its pastor to stay in a tent while the pagans are in air-conditioned motor caravans? A fellowship that truly believed the Gospel would be able to send its pastor first-class in the knowledge that, by doing so, they would be declaring the glory of God and their own transparent holiness.

So by giving graciously, they'd be sending a message about what good Christians they are. And yet simultaneously they'd be working for the Kingdom.  And I might have a comfy week in Cornwall into the bargain.

As Archdruid Eileen used to say, in those days when I struggled to keep the Beaker Folk somewhere in contact with Fundamentalist Christianity - this needs some unpacking.

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