NY Times Quote of the Day
"It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us. When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors."
THE REV. A. R. BERNARD, pastor of New York’s largest evangelical congregation, on the economic downturn.
1 comment:
Hi David.
You are probably waiting for responses that will rant that the Reverend is an opportunistic spiritual leech.
Sorry to disappoint...
Whether it be concentrating more on spiritual aspects of life (in whatever faith one adheres to), family life or community life - it sometimes DOES take a good 'shaking' to put aside the consumerism and time wasters and realize that there is more to life than having the latest video game, gadget and fashionable Starbucks mug.
During the 1990's and 2000's, churches were getting more and more posh - with their warehouse sizes, plush carpeting and activities which made them feel more like private clubs than places of worship (I used to attend Christian Church services as a member at various congregations throughout my young adult life - I know of what I speak).
Family life seems to revolve around shopping (mostly paying on credit cards).
Community life is almost non-existent - unless it revolves around the pursuit of some sort of organized pleasure - be it a hockey club, night club, laser tag or, again, that strangely ubiquitous and omnipresent activity called SHOPPING.
Now that people see that easy credit is not all it is cracked up to be and people are financially trying to cut back - it is really hopeful that some things, such as spirituality, true worship together (without the crescendos and frills), good ole family life (where it might include building a snowman in the park and playing boardgames and drinking hot cocoa instead of playing grand theft auto), and real community involvement which might mean visiting with friends, helping a neighbour, volunteering or even becoming politically aware and joining in on activities that will help encourage politicians to take specific actions.
In this regard - being "shaken to the core" can certainly be a silver lining to a dark economic cloud.
Sincerely
Linda Yuill
Post a Comment