The pastor closed with a quick prayer and headed of stage. The dude playing the piano changed his slow, melodious alter call tune to an upbeat, church is headed out the door, tune. Everyone got up and simultaneously headed to the door like a heard of cattle. I glanced down at my watch.' Wow, service didn't even last an hour.' I couldn't complain. I mean, after all, I was praying for the torturous service to stop.
I replayed the Pastor's message in my head. 'Okay, now I know what to do if I start getting lonely at Christmas I...uh...put on The Polar Express?' No that wasn't it. I began to ponder exactly what the intent of that wacky message was. I reached the main doors and shook hands with some guy who must have been important. He let me pass and my eyes caught a glimpse of something truly amazing...the front door. Freedom, at last, was in my sight. I bursted out the door and headed straight for my car avoiding eye contact with virtually everyone in my path. Fortunately for me, everyone else wanted to leave just as badly as I did.
Driving home I began to seriously consider what I had experienced. That is, after I finished yelling a few prayers at God for putting me through this arduent torture. I came to the conclusion that what I had unwittingly stumbled upon was a seeker friendly church. If you've ever gone to church like this then you know exactly what I'm talking about. They're devoid of any spiritual life. Sure the building is brand spanking' new and theirs a starbucks waiting for you on campus after the service, but what about a genuine love for God. Where's the passion and urgency that's needed to make a difference for God in this world? No one was affected that day. In fact, some people going to that church haven't been affected in years.
Monday always comes and it's back to life as usual.
