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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write CONTEMPORARY FICTION (10/30/14)
I was about to start preaching. As I glanced at the congregation, the words of that old preacher, now deceased came to mind...

“The preacher should prove that the Bible is ancient yet it speaks to us today. Be true to your call.”

Nothing was going to slow me down now. With a membership of close to 20,000 and growing why would anyone want me to change the message?

At the time of this writing, we have been in operation for just a decade. When I say that we’re a young vibrant church, I mean that very literally. However, there are some who feel that we have strayed from the true significance of the cross. I think they’re just haters.

Anyway, the high energy music had died out and I made my way to the platform amid the euphoric applause. It felt good to be appreciated. Surely we must be at the very center of God’s will. All these people cannot be wrong.

“Lord we thank you,” I prayed into my microphone. We had new, state-of-the-art equipment and everything sounded and looked just right. “We rejoice because you have blessed us and now as we go into the preaching guide us Lord. Thank you again – and all the people said...”

“Amen!” thundered the congregation.

Most people, if not everyone here, thought I was the funniest, coolest and most relevant preacher ever.

Like always I started with something hilarious which paved the way for proclamation of blessings upon the faithful and finally wrapped it up with...

“Many today are in torment from thoughts of purposelessness, lonesomeness and poor sense of worth. But, that emptiness within you can be filled, when you say sorry for your sins and commit your life to Jesus. God has great plans for you – plans to prosper your life. Your happiness matters to God and so He sent Jesus to die for you. Your debts were paid on that cross. All else has failed why don’t you try Jesus today? You don’t have to do anything else - just ask Jesus to be your personal Savior. Would you please pray this prayer after me...”

You should have seen the number of people who came to accept Christ. Plenty!

***

I don’t like sounding too preachy. The older preachers always seem to constantly speak about sin and evil. They preach hellfire and brimstone. I don’t know how they do it but I know that Jesus commissioned His followers to preach good news to everyone (Mark 16:15). People want to hear good news – and that’s why I deliver the message the way I do.

***

After that great service I took a nap and had a dream...

An airplane was flying a gigantic banner with my face on it. I was the preacher with an aerial banner – there’s nothing traditional about that. New things were happening and I was glad to be a witness. As the plane glided the skies, multitudes on the ground were following it – running. All these people were thirsty for the gospel and I was able to help. The thrill was unfathomable.

Suddenly the plane crash-landed into the masses and my excitement ended. There was not a single survivor. I fell to the ground, weeping.

“Why God? Why?!”

Then out of the ashes the smoke formed letters, which turned into words and then sentences. Their appearance was like the closing credits at the end of a movie.

“The vision has been polluted; the issue is righteousness not happiness. Your fashionable message of the cross begins and ends with man. Be sure you are fulfilling your role in proclaiming the Word. Be true to your call.”

I woke up panting, shaking and sweating profusely. It was for certain that I had been warned.


Inspired by 2 Peter 1:3-11, 2 Timothy 4:3-5 and Acts 3:19
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 628 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Kon Michailidis
11/07/14
A powerful message. The dream of the plane and the banner which crashed was a powerful image that told it all.
Thanks for sharing
C D Swanson 
11/08/14
This was excellent and profoundly true! A good portion of the "mega-churches" preach "manly doctrines" of happiness and such, steering clear sometimes of the "word" altogether. So this was spot in terms of reflecting a very true scenario.

Excellent writing as well!

Epic message.

God bless~
Toni Babcock 
11/09/14
Loved your entry! It's scary how a little twist here and a little turn there can completely change the essence of the gospel in the hearts and minds of an audience. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel Barrett
11/10/14
Wow. That was striking and strongly written. And very much applicable to any life, even if one is not a preacher.

I liked how the main character was never given a name or "identity" (beyond being a preacher), and so the reader could see themselves in it, in a way.
Helen Carr
11/11/14
Yes, an excellent message and wonderful, oh so powerful conclusion. Regrettably, I was completely lost from the very start of the anti-mega church message so clearly pushed. When we swap our judgement of the "sinner" for that of other church members who may do things differently to ourselves, we are still choosing to judge; and to be honest this issue is rife through more than big churches! I applaud your courage in addressing this issue, and apologise if my words are harsh, but as an attendee of a 1000+ member church I with bright lights and awesome sound systems,etc,it is close to my heart; and all the more so given that I have been caught up in the very same kind of judgement based on outward appearances in the past, too. (I'm in my phone and can't go back to reread my comments; please know that they are spoken in love, and I am certainly open to you PMing Ne if I have caused you any offence as that is not my intention at all). Blessings, Helen.
Helen Carr
11/11/14
Yes, an excellent message and wonderful, oh so powerful conclusion. Regrettably, I was completely lost from the very start of the anti-mega church message so clearly pushed. When we swap our judgement of the "sinner" for that of other church members who may do things differently to ourselves, we are still choosing to judge; and to be honest this issue is rife through more than big churches! I applaud your courage in addressing this issue, and apologise if my words are harsh, but as an attendee of a 1000+ member church I with bright lights and awesome sound systems,etc,it is close to my heart; and all the more so given that I have been caught up in the very same kind of judgement based on outward appearances in the past, too. (I'm in my phone and can't go back to reread my comments; please know that they are spoken in love, and I am certainly open to you PMing Ne if I have caused you any offence as that is not my intention at all). Blessings, Helen.
Larry Whittington
11/11/14
Yes, I hope the whole article is fiction. We should be humbly searching the word to see if what is taught is true.

Well written and put together. Keep your heart in heaven and your eyes in his word.*-
Dee Kyalo
11/13/14
The scene of the story is a mega church BUT the message in the story has nothing to do with the mega church – it has a lot to do with the message and the deliverer of the message (whether it is a lead pastor, guest speaker or deacon). The truth is it could have been the 20 member church down the street.

Helen, you completely missed the point!