Is Roof-Sitting OK Or Is There A Better Way
Posted By Paul on November 22, 2005
In my last post, I pointed to an article about a pastor who was sitting on the roof of his church until people gave x-amount of turkeys for the poor.
When I posted it, it struck me a cute, humorous story and I even joked about starting a campaign to get Byron to do this at our church. Since then, I have talked to Byron, and gotten a comment from Steve, and it has got me to re-thinking this whole article. Perhaps it’s not quite so cute and humorous as I first thought.
I’m not sure at all how such a stunt can be in line with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:2-4. The whole point of the stunt seems to be to call attention to itself and the intended result.
Now it could be that their thought was to let the community know they care and are doing something for the needy in their community. But is this the best way to accomplish this? This story was carried on every ‘News Of The Weird‘ aggregator out there. The perception of the very ones you are trying to impact is that this is a weird story; a stunt.
And so, the lasting impact is that this is another of those weird churches, certainly nothing relevant to the community.
How much better would it have been for the pastor to do as Steve suggested and take on a part-time job to raise the money to buy x-number of turkeys and quietly give them to those who have need?
Which choice would make the truly lasting impression and bring glory and honor to Jesus’ name?
yeah, amen to steve on that one. it really does feed into the “what will those goofy christians do next?” kind of thinking. it’s a sideshow; maybe a well-intentioned one, but a sideshow nonetheless. the pastor might be “harmless as a dove”, but he isn’t being as “wise as a serpent” on this one…
Wisdom is a funny thing. I just seems like an odd way to call attention to the plight of the poor and afflicted.
I’m sure he’s a good man who follows God and tithes his money, but I agree, so many would wonder why the church, with so much money, percieved or otherwise, doesn’t simply pay themselves.
We took some money to our local mosque (in a pakistani community), for the earthquake appeal, said we took a donation, and we are praying for those affected. They simply didn;t know what to do with me, but I bet it’s begin to change their opinion of those who follow Jesus.
Giving says so much more than protesting…;
Steve
Hi
You know, I did what I should have done the fiurst time, and popper over to the bible link.
I read that as about wanting to be seen, and I think wanting to be seen may not always be bad. Sometimes it’s the best way to bring freedom to the afflicted, which must surely be a party of our mission, as it was part of Jesus.
I guess I felt more it was lots of talk, without action.
Ineresting one - Steve
ps - I finally did then meme…
yeah so i think that you have no room taking about what Jesus would do and you shouldn’t judge other people either…yeah that’s my opinon thanks