A Part of Integrity, part one
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If we think the visitor traffic to extend and the visitors to revisit Lake Evangelicalism, we are going to have to deal with the unattractive ducklings. Someone should’ve tarred ‘n’ feathered the first tightfisted board member or strung up the entire squint-eyed, stingy council way back when.
They—and the long line of people who follow in their train—are those who erroneously confuse excellence with extravagance. Somehow, by pious-sounding put-downs they achieve success in convincing God’s folk that God’s work should not look too nice. That style calls for apology, and a hint of class belongs only to the earthly.
“If it’s spiritual,” they assert, “it should not be too tasty or terribly expensive.”. For years we’ve lived with this reputation. There are some amazing exceptions on this gigantic lake, I am happy to point out, but not virtually enough. Generally, if the religion of a ministry is conservative so is its design.
Do you question that? Check with a missionary who latterly opened a grab bag of clothing from the States.
That is one of the explanations missionaries need a great humorous personality, incidentally.
It helps keep them from crying when they shake out the threads the traditional-thinking evangelical church sends their way. I know ; I have been there when they wear those things for their yearly costume party. Late one night, thousands of miles from America, after all the fun ‘n’ games were over ( when the children were down and our privacy was secure ), a few God’s choicest saints on foreign soil told me a couple of their techniques.
One couple related they had latterly received a box of clothing at least 20 years outdated, stained, with missing buttons and damaged zips. But the final story was told by the family who said their home church once mailed them a box that incorporated a container of used tea bags. Why have we welcomed the assumption magnificence and class have no place on the range of spirituality? Since when is it more religious to play a beat-up old upright than a fine baby grand? What makes us less snug working and worshiping in beautiful environment than in plain ones? Who ever asserted that modesty and beauty can’t coexist? I am fair ; I have searched the Scriptures to find statements that support such an extraordinary stress on cutting every business corner.
The sole place I find support for that ( you are not going to love this ) is in the personal realm, not in the field of God’s work. God’s Word inspires us to be careful individuals but generous ( dare I say extravagant? ) with Him. Time after time in the pages of the Lord God’s Book, the saints are cajoled to be magnanimous, liberal, openhanded. To such an extraordinary that some today would find themselves virtually unwell at ease trapped by such opulent loveliness. Do you see yourself in these words? How are you able to be a partner with the Lord in a pursuit of excellence and a dedication to beauty?
