THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY WORLD (2)

Is this how people worship?


"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.


Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.


Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" Acts 20. 29-31


I was to connect with my brother in Abeokuta this particular Sunday. This means, I will be out of my rural worship centre. I had prayed and left early so I could worship in any denomination as much as it is the house of OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. 


I got there early enough and located the place of our meeting. While waiting for his arrival from another town, I had to get a place to worship. I heard the 'noise' of one where the music was too much that I knew that this is not more than a dancing hall or performing arts studio. Just beside this one, I saw another and was about entering when I noticed some two or three men counting money beside the church. Thereafter, I heard the pastor saying, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE THOUSAND NAIRA JUST COME AND DROP WHATEVER YOU HAVE. IT IS ALL ABOUT 'REDEEMING' OUR CHILDREN. I knew immediately that the Pastor was one of those motivational speaker caressing people to bring money. I concluded, it is too early to start syphoning people's purse in the name of Christ. I quickly put back my native cap and turned back to seek for another place to worship. And just about 2-3 minutes walk away, I located this big church and went in and sat confidently to worship in this beautifully adorned church. 


However, being a first timer, I looked around me when the service was on and discovered practically everyone around were pressing their phones and chatting in the church. Ha ha... What has church turned into? I thought the tide will turn when the preaching comes up. Unfortunately, I miscalculated, all eyes were still on their phones, pressing and chatting. Hmmm... I can't describe my disdain at this ugly situation. 


As that was not enough, when the Church Choir comes up for special rendition, the title was DAMILOLA (BLESS ME). I knew immediately that this would be nothing more than flesh ignited and naturally inspired music than only aroused souls and spur men into useless prayers. The content of the song says, GIVE ME MONEY, GIVE ME WEALTH. MAKE ME RICH. Except for the invited ministers who revived my spirit back to life, I had lost every physical and spiritual appetite I have to worship and connected to heaven. 


What on earth is going on in our churches today? Is this how we worship today? Is this worship really for Jesus? 


Perhaps, I am an old and conventional Christian who pastored only in the village. 


Please, is this how you worship in the city? 


The church where Choir sings only to saturate the flesh? 


The church where people come to just mark attendance and look at the ticking of the clock and leave hurriedly back home?


The church where members have no iota of fear of God but chatting and navigating online while in the service?.


I wait for someone to enlighten my 'darken' mind. 


Will God be glorified in this kind of pleasure ridden church? 



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