Quiet Resilience

 

In a world full of mega churches and major upheaval it can feel like that the church his under siege in all directions. There can be a temptation to turn our struggles into a great cosmic conflict, and read apocalyptic omens in our offering plates. Sometimes I think about how maybe we need to get back to the quietness, to the small churches in small towns where our Faith can shine brightly, and even crosses rise up aside the rode to proclaim our Savior. The Mega Church model as turned church into a numbers game, when it is about people, the ecclesia, the set apart ones of Christ who should gather not to meet some quota but to commune with the LORD and each other. 

Grand Cathedrals and Mega Churches have their charms. The former are architectural wonders that draw our minds back to the Age when churches were the center of every village, town, and city. Especially St. Peters Basilica, and Norte Dame Cathedral (which has been restored after being destroyed). The ladder, the Mega Churches have the convenience, enough room for expansion, and all modern technological advancements to accommodate whatever ideas the congregation, well the leadership actually, can devise. Then there is those churches that are humble yet beautiful, small with their steeples that speak of a time when towns were no more than maybe 60 or maybe 200 souls. They represent an intimacy that has been lost in Mega Era, when there was only enough pews for the town itself, and vistors had to press in with the others to fit. This is closer to the Early Church, when the apostles and their disciples met in homes, “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47). 

I have been part of these smaller but charming outpost churches, and I can tell you the people in my experience are a great deal gentler and giving of their time. Unlike the Mega Church which cannot not possibly sustain you being able to know 300 to 45,000 souls (Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church); you probably will not see the same people on any given Sunday, the quaint churches have a small number and you can get to know those people and fellowship the LORD. Many of these type churches are called Parish churches, and often the Pastor or Priest only dwells there for five to seven years, before moving on to another Parish (there are exceptions). This actually helps prevent people from developing a codependent relationship with the Pastor, or a cult of personality. Sadly, there are not many who want this vocation, the allure of wealth has made people want to build their own megachurches, “but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.” (Mark 4:19). There have been some major mega church falls, particularly Mars Hill with Mark Driscoll ‘s misogynist & harsh treatment of staff allegations, Hillsong with its funding fiasco, and Gateway Church with founder Robert Morris and the sexual abuse allegations. I reminded in case of such massive followings, the two quotes, “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and “with great power, comes great responsibility.” (Uncle Ben, Spider-Man Movie). We are warned that teachers will face a harsher judgement, “Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].” (James 3:1, AMP). 

I am not saying error and abuses are not found in these smaller churches. Where there are humans, inevitably there will be sin and people who do evil (and they shall be brought to justice). However, the megachurch model especially lends itself to corruption, all that fame, money, and power can go to pastors heads. Many who lead such churches do not answer to anyone save a board or Elders, and even then if they have gotten cult of personality, they can override the board if they wish to. The parish churches make it a tad harder to amass such power and money, because the congregations are small and the pastor or priest has to move on at certain date; this eliminates Mammon’s great pull, and Ego. The biggest problem is you have to make protect the children, because the Roman Catholic Church circulated abusers and kept moving them along into different parishes as they got caught. That must not be tolerated and the innocents must be protected. Accountability is always needed wither its megachurch or parish church. Amen.