Christian Living

THE CHURCH GONE FISHIN

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
11/27/22
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

PROLOGUE

I remember when just a small youth, my Papaw’s famous saying was, “I’m gone fishin'.”

I also recount, right after our Lord's resurrection, Jesus manifested Himself to His disciples at the sea of Tiberias.  Peter said he was going fishing and the other disciples went with him, but they caught nothing all night. When morning came, Jesus hailed them from the beach, but they failed to recognize Him. Jesus asked if they had caught any fish, to which they replied no. He told them to throw the net out one more time and they caught so many fish that they were not able to haul the net in. They returned to the beach where Jesus already had some fish cooked up. (John 21:1-14)

So, has the church gone fishin' and caught nothing?  No, I submit to you, the church has not gone fishin' only the people have. The church is made up of people. My old-time religion Daddy oftentimes would say, “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it, for you will ruin it.” Can I still get a big Amen?

Years ago, our grandson who was a university music major, and a few friends, would play church specials to pick up extra spending money, and we would attend in support. When they sang at one large nearby denominational church, the pastor started his sermon with the statement that he didn’t forget his Bible, he just didn’t bring it. He then preached a sermon built around the family cat. We failed to hear any gospel, but became well educated on cats.      

Oh, not all churches have failed the intent of the giving forth the full gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4).   What is the cause of the modern church's stagnation?

Could it be the increased government control by means of allowing tax deductions? Could it be the evolution of our progressive society's lifestyle? Or it might be our spiritual struggle with the evil one? (Ephesians 6:12) All these, and maybe more so, could have an effect on the modern-day church mentality.

What has happened to the so-called community church? This was a church where not only the entire community worshipped, but where they all lived; the mayor, the police chief, the school principal, and the like.

The husband awoke Sunday morning, with the comment to his wife, ” I’m not going to church today. I have two very good reasons. I don’t like the people, and they don’t like me.”

The wife’s response, “I have two very good reasons why you should go. You’re forty-nine years old, and you’re the pastor.”  

Now for our blog, “The Church Gone Fishin'" which sadly declares its fictional content. I trust, however, you will get the gist of its meaning. Please enjoy as you jump into the reading.

How swiftly this thirty years or so of the ministry have passed! I hate to say it, but I’m plum tuckered out. I just don’t seem to have the same faith zeal I once had. Everything involved with the ministry has become one big annoyance and a hassle for me. 

Is God trying to tell me something? Is it time to give it all up? I’ll just need to pray about it, I guess. For now, I’ll sleep on it. That was when a vision, the vision of all visions, came to life. 

I suddenly found myself in the vestibule of a large church. There was a sign hanging over the entrance which read, “Welcome to the Church of What’s Happening Now.” From inside came most unusual sounds for a church. 'If what’s happening now is simply the Old Time Religion worship, this church can’t be half bad,' I thought as I entered the sanctuary.  

It seemed to me that I was a fly on the wall. Taking a seat near the back, it was as if I was there, but I wasn’t. As if I participated, but I didn’t. As if they wanted me to join in, but I wouldn’t. The entire scenario was unusual, to say the least, for a congregation of church believers.

The church layout was rather strange. Seating was arranged in a circle, with a large stage directly in the center. Wall-mounted television cameras were everywhere. The entire décor gave the appearance of a rock and roll band concert. 

The church hadn’t started yet and people were milling around. Some were standing in group conversation. Others were sitting silent. Some stood around unaccompanied, having the appearance of being lost. No one bothered to greet me. It was as if I wasn’t even there. My impression was, I’ve seen ice houses with a warmer atmosphere than this chilly church.  But that was OK for me, I was a little uncomfortable at best.

A series of blinking lights signaled attention, as the people scurried to find their seats. 'What comes next? Could this be a rock and roll band, running up on stage, stirring up the audience? Surely not in a church,' I thought.

I then caught the drift of the service. I was right, it did start with a rock and roll band of sorts, giving out a subtle hint of religious music to the accompaniment of colored, blinking lights, as I sat bewildered.

After the music came the preaching, but not before they took up the offering, which seemed to upstage the entire atmosphere of the service. Young ladies, all in matching scanty uniforms, danced around keeping time with the loud music, as they moved through the congregation.

Then the main event was projected on the overhead screen, It was the pastor’s message. The pastor’s long, flowing black robe announced his appearance, taking out any respectful mood or resemblance of religion. The pastor gave out a wide grin for the television cameras as he walked forward to the pulpit.    

The pastor’s message was certainly unique, to say the least. His dissertation was all about an experience he recently had with his family's pet cat. There was no use of or display of the Bible, obviously.      

Sad to say, at that point, this tired, old, fundamentalist preacher had had enough of this so-called church. I was just about ready to give up on the bogus religious goings-on, when, as if by some divine action, I was rescued.

Suddenly there was relief from pressure. Gone was the church and its attempt at religious display.  I woke up lying across my bed, sweat pouring like a fountain from my forehead, my old King James Holy Bible by my side. What did I do then? Well, you be the judge. I’ll leave it all up to you.

One thing for certain, my retirement from preaching was put on hold that day. Amen!  

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this parable blog. What about the church? What about the future of the church? There will always be at least a remnant of His true church. Our Lord has said so. (Matthew 16:13-18)

I am so proud and thankful for our church. Though not in the community church category, our church still holds to the Old Time Religion principles. The full gospel is taught, preached and lived. (I Cor. 15:3-4) The church participants, when led by the Spirit, will raise a hand of praise, give the preacher an encouraging shout of Amen, and even give a handshake or hug of joy to one another. Sometimes, we may even see a spontaneous testimony erupt, as the Spirit leads.   

(The following is taken in part, from, blog.tms.edu/upon-this-rock)

 “Peter was just a small stone built atop the bedrock of something much bigger than himself: namely, the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Put simply, Peter was not the rock; Christ is the Rock. And as Peter and the other apostles testified to the truth about Christ (which Peter did in verse 16), the church was built upon its only sure foundation."

The rest of the New Testament bears this out.

In (I Corinthians 3:11), Paul wrote that “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

In (Ephesians 2:20), Paul further explained that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone on which the church is founded by the apostles.

Even Peter himself, in (I Peter 2:1–10) compared all believers to small stones that are part of the superstructure of the church. By contrast, Peter noted in (I Peter 2: 6-7), the Lord Jesus is the cornerstone on which the church is built. He said the same thing to the Jewish religious leaders in (Acts 4:11). Speaking of Jesus, Peter proclaimed, “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.”

Now you have it. I trust you are well grounded in a true full gospel (1 Cor 15:3-4)  New Testament doctrinal church which mimics our first church. (Acts 2:41-47)

They continued to repent and be baptized. (Acts 2:41)

They continued devoting to the Apostles' teaching, breaking of bread and prayer. (Acts 2:42)

They continued seeing many wonders and signs taking place (Acts 2:43)

They continued being together and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

They continued selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with others, as anyone might have need. (Acts 2:45)

They continued day by day worshiping with one mind. (Acts 2:46)

They continued taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. (Acts 2:46)

They continued praising God and having favor with all the people. (Acts 2:47)
A far cry from most churches today, wouldn't you say?

Have we, as a body of believers, veered off course here? If so, what will it take to get back to the simple Old Time Religion doctrine and hold to the teaching as did the early church? (I John 1:8-9)

So, the next time you meet in church, shake a hand or two. Talk to somebody. Give someone a big hug. Pray for somebody. Raise a hand of praise. Testify and sing out so your neighbor may be blessed. And above all, give the preacher a little encouragement. Amen!

Please visit my web page below

The Message (ccrobey.wixsite.com)