Book Reviews

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© 2004 Joseph Perrello (Josprel)


Excerpt from Josprel's forthcoming novel, "Beloved Apostate."


The Casual Preacher
by
Josprel


Nothing about forty-seven-year-old Darnel Ladner, senior pastor of Highway Christian Center of Clarion, Ohio, came close to the public image of a minister. Not the degree in applied mathematics he earned before a six-year hitch as a Marine jet-fighter pilot. Not his tall, strictly maintained, iron-muscled physique. And, especially not the long, russet ponytail and horseshoe mustache he grew in seminary, after his release from active duty. Conspiring with the ponytail and mustache, his penchant for taking the pulpit garbed in jeans and cowboy boots kept Highway's more traditional members perpetually offended.

From its onset, Darnel's association with Highway was without deception, even to his being interviewed for the pulpit in jeans and a cowboy shirt. Without waiting for the pulpit committee to recuperate from its perplexity at his appearance, he had stated, "What you see is what I am. If that's a problem, reject me now. We'll save time and part as friends. But, if you accept me as a candidate for this pulpit, please know that I'll not conform to the conventional image of a minister."

Despite this, the committee presented him to the church board for consideration as a pastoral candidate. Most of the older members voted against him. However, the younger element - over two-thirds strong in membership - elected him the new pastor. Darnel's opponents made two futile calls for another vote. They even filed a complaint with the officials of Highway's parent body, the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (FCA). When they received no response, the old-timers realized that contemporary hands now held Highway's helm.

Darnel understood, even pitied, the old guard. Like his parents, they were - as he publicly labeled them - "old-era Pentecostals who loved God, but could never fuse with His revival for this generation."

In private, though, "old wineskins" was the tongue-in-cheek tag he placed on the old-timers. When they threatened to leave, he refused to appease them, citing the Bible's warning against filling old wineskins with fresh wine. That was some twelve years ago. Since then, Highway's congregation exploded from some 300 to over 68,000 - mostly young families, not bound by dogma. Its latest facilities, built three years ago on 100 acres of donated land, already required enlarging.

Shrugging off his critics as bigots and second-raters, Darnel cited his success as proof that his anointing came from God. His boasting was not without merit. Highway now was the nation's premier congregation. It owned the New Beginnings Primary Schools, the Darnel Ladner High Schools and Junior Colleges, the Highway Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and the Fresh Wine Seminary for Integrated Religions.

The church's large printing plant, Highway Publishers, with bookstores throughout America, served as the publication arm of the Fresh Wine Movement. Moreover, Darnel's network of fourteen clear-channel radio stations, and the eight television transmitters which the church owned, all affiliates of the National Fresh Wine Network, beamed his programs to Highway's own satellite, spanning America and most of the world with his messages. Free drug rehabilitation programs, sponsored and staffed by Highway, were available to the public, as were shelters for abused women and the homeless. Highway's homes for pregnant teens offered an adoption service for those who desired to use it. In addition, in the nation's larger cities, daily Fresh Wine Canteen Vans canvassed areas frequented by street kids, serving them hot meals. An efficient cadre of some 850 full-time employees, backed by an army of carefully screened, dedicated, church volunteers, staffed this vast religious enterprise.

Multi-billionaire, George M. Jardinette, Highway Ministries CEO, was as complex as the organization he administered. Trained as a corporate attorney, during a long and brilliant secular career, he had scrambled to the pinnacle of the business hierarchy. Making his fortune, he ultimately retired as CEO of the world's major multinational, corporate conglomerate. He had declined several Presidential posts, developing into a philanthropist, who confessed to being an agnostic.

Shortly into his retirement, highly recommended by his friend, Cardinal Prisal, Jardinette contacted Darnel. In his first correspondence he wrote: "I believe that the only hope for world peace is a united world. That's the reason I embraced the multinational business concept. In my naiveté, I had hoped that multinationals would raise the world's living standards, and be a force for peace. This has not happened; nor is it likely to do so.

"Multinational profit motives are the power behind the national governments; the only reason for their existence. It is a cancer of greed that corrupts government officials and law officers, and caters to crime lords. It fosters cruel, inhuman working conditions and its advocates do not blush at coupling the poor to the juggernaut of extreme profits. They think nothing of sucking the youth from young children and then casting off their hollow shells.

"I blush that I was mired in that filth for so long. What drove me to consult with our mutual friend, Cardinal Prisal (who is of the same faith as were my parents) is the profound guilt that I suffer for having exploited so many helpless lives, while hoping to be of benefit to them. Though it's true I question the existence of a supreme being, I desire to assist in the advancement of the human race, not its exploitation. If this is viewed as being religious, so be it.

"During the course of my international dealings, I have concluded that religion is the true prime mover of our race. Few willingly forfeit their lives for an industrial base, yet countless multitudes gladly sacrifice themselves for their religious beliefs. Truth or myth, religion motivates the human psyche. I cannot explain this phenomenon, but I do recognize its existence. While I do not accept religion, I confess to occasions when even I am captured by pious thoughts and feelings.

"I mentioned these things to Cardinal Prisal. I said to him what I now say to you: I believe that no force, but religion, can unite humanity. I have no idea how it can be accomplished. I leave that to you theologians. I can say, if it is not accomplished, humanity will feed on itself until it is finally destroyed.

"The Cardinal explained the beliefs of the Fresh Wine Movement and outlined for me the beliefs of your church and his; beliefs I consider impossible to accept.

"Yet, the ecumenical factor of the Fresh Wine Movement lures me. If you promise not to attempt to convert me to religion - although I do enjoy friendly discussions on the subject - I will place my abilities at your disposal and vow to remain loyal to your cause, either as a dollar-a-year executive or unpaid consultant. In all tasks I perform for you, your decisions shall be my final authority and I shall endeavor to keep my public and personal affairs above reproach.

"I do not make this offer lightly. We met last year, when I attended a few of your services with a friend of Cardinal Prisal's. I do not expect you would recall that meeting, since it was very brief.

"Though Cardinal Prisal holds you in high esteem, I had you investigated. His high regard for you is warranted. I would be honored to place myself under your leadership.

"Thank you for giving your attention to this letter. I shall await your response with great expectancy."

Soon after, Darnel named Jardinette to the CEO chair of Highway's swiftly expanding pursuits. His record since his arrival was one of seven years of unswerving loyalty. And, woe to any subordinate who did not toe that line!

Tapping into his contacts, the CEO developed a superb executive team. Under his supervision, the Fresh Wine Movement was groomed into a multinational organization, accredited by most of the religious world as a revival of unity, with Highway Christian Center, its Mecca. His name synonymous with religious unity, Darnel was hailed as the apostle of this revival; its spearhead for the new era.

If Darnel was the spearhead of the Fresh Wine revival, Jardinette's hand held the spear. Uppermost in his priorities was the advancement of world unity and it was at this target he aimed the spear. With Darnel's consent, he formed "Religious America United." A tentacle of the Fresh Wine Movement, it embraced American religious leaders sympathetic to the goal of religious and world unity. Its members and officers came from all faiths and worked closely with Darnel and Jardinette to achieve the common goal.

Religious America United was totally financed by Jardinette. He and Darnel held its purse strings. Moreover, they jealously guarded its agenda by a veto power over all decisions and choice of officers. Under their microscopic scrutiny, the organization mushroomed into an affiliation of 118 religious groups, allegedly representing a total membership of some 124,000,000 Americans; the prime movers for the role Jardinette envisioned for Darnel.

Darnel was proud of what he and Jardinette achieved. In it he saw the hand of God, proof that his movement truly was this generation's revival. Nonetheless, some whom he loved and respected most, including his parents, stood among the Fresh Wine's severest critics.

He wondered why.

End of Chapter One

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