I was just reading a blog post that posed the question of whether or not enough Christian college students are being directed towards ministry – the implication being they’re missing out on fulfilling their true purpose if they aren’t working in coordination with a church.
It’s just not that black / white. Working for a religious organization doesn’t make one any better, after all, there are plenty of examples of hypocrites who shouted from pulpits for years only to find out that they were secretly banging a secretary… or even juicier – a male prostitute. Tuning into Christian television shows / networks makes my blood boil – the arrogance, opulence, greed, and sleeziness is out of control … if anything, being part of the establishment for too long can be damaging to oneself and to one’s creativity / passion.
Jesus says in the parable of the sheep & goats that we are not measured by how many middle-class students show up to a youth group, but by how we love & care for our community – especially the poor & outcast.
“I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.”
Jesus himself when placed in the 1st century context was a revolutionist – he upset the status quo spiritually, socially and politically, and invited all who followed him to do the same. On Sunday my pastor told us that the average American church gives 0.29% of its income to the community – we are a shame to the message of Jesus.
Bottom line: Good can come from engaging in religiously motivated action – but ultimately ministry is not a ‘higher calling’. What is a higher calling? Improving the lives of others.
This is pretty crazy – I’m on the new billboard Weight Watchers just launched in Times Square. My face is a bloated to the size of a building, quite literally.
