Selling Jesus

I attended a funeral in Atlanta this past Saturday at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip for a gentleman by the name of Robert Whitaker.

Mr. Whitaker was an executive with the Ford Motor Company for many years before his retirement. His son Brad was a classmate of mine at Young Harris College and the University of Georgia. Brad later became an Episcopal priest.

I was struck during the service by a story the rector told while eulogizing Mr. Whitaker. His work with Ford often caused Mr. Whitaker to move from town to town. Whenever Mr. Whitaker settled in a new place the first thing that he did was to locate the nearest Episcopal Church and would promptly request that his membership be transferred to that parish. Often times he transferred his membership before he even attended the church.

Mr. Whitaker wasn’t one to visit churches and decide which one he liked best.

He didn’t approach being a part of the church by asking questions such as, “Who has the best music?” or “Which youth program provides the most opportunities for my kids?” or “Who has the nicest sanctuary?” or “Which clergyperson’s sermons are the most enjoyable?” Rather, he simply said “Where can I serve?”

Folks, that’s an old school approach to faith but it is also refreshing. All too often in our consumer driven society people look at church as just another product asking, “What can the church do for me?”

In reality the question should be, “Where can I serve God?” Jesus never envisioned the church as a place of entertainment or recreation. Rather, Jesus envisioned the church to be his hands and feet in ministry to the world.

I understand that the church must constantly look for new ways to present the gospel. After all, even Jesus warned us about pouring new wine into old wineskins.

However, all too often the church in contemporary society has become too obsessed with making folks comfortable instead of creating new servants for Christ.

When Jesus walked among us he didn’t market himself. He didn’t alter his message to make it more palatable. He simply talked about love, justice, and salvation. He told the truth and said it would make us free. He also called us to follow him in service.

In the end, it isn’t about God selling himself to us. Isn’t it more important that we sell ourselves to him?