It's Christian Union Jim, But Not as We Know It
Yesterday, when I could have been doing productive things like studying for my upcoming Greek test, or working on my semi-neglected novel, I took a nap, followed by much TV watching. I watched parts of The Haunting, which was lame, and most of Enemy at the Gates, which I loved, almost as much as the first time I saw it.

In my channel surfing, I found two things that particularly captivated me, both courtesy of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

The first was a news story about United Church pastors seeking to unionize (read it here). Being a pastor myself, I understand some of the issues that are bringing about this decision, but I had trouble understanding completely. While I don't think I'm completely void of those problems, I do feel that Mennonite Church Canada structure is different enough that I have less to worry about. I'm sure my friends in the Emerging Church would have a hay-day with this one (maybe they already are, but I didn't see anything about it at Resonate.ca, the Canadian hub of EC'ers). It does bring to mind the relevancy of the position, and questions the nature of the "job" of a pastor. After I pondered the necessity of unionizing pastors, I started to visualize certain ways that it could act itself out. People generally unionize so that they have more collective power, and that power is ultimately realized in a strike. Picture with me what would happen if United Church pastors across the country went on strike. Is the image of a pastor (sometimes the sole employee) picketing outside of his church funny to anyone else? What kind of confrontation would take place if scab workers were called in? Could I as a Mennonite preach the occasional sermon there, or wouldn't I get through the picket line? Would the parishioners get through the picket line? Could regional pastors get together and sing "So we march day and night, by the big church bell tower, they have the church, but we have the power."

The other CBC item was a documentary on the life and work of Pastor Benny Hinn. It took a critical look at his healings, how he backs them up, and the flow of money in and out of the ministry. Trying to be fair to my friends who support his ministry, I watched critically, but it's tough to deny the financial records. He claims on his program, that none of the money that comes in to the ministry goes to him. The show then documented some of his lavish spending, all written off as business expenses, as well as his $10 million house in LA, his manse, the house purchased for him because he's the pastor. The most compelling piece of evidence, is the lack of visible illnesses that are cured. Nobody ever comes on stage with a wheelchair, or any other kind of visible ailment, and secret interviews and hidden cameras revealed how those people aren't even allowed near the stage. The whole documentary seemed very tabloidish, and was put together with a critical bias, but it presented some good points. My question has always been with faith healers and semi-shady traveling preachers if they are actually crooked, or if they sincerely believe they are doing God's work. To me, wealthy luxurious life seems to run counter to Christ's model of leadership, but I know that a lot of people see that wealth as a blessing from God as well as the lifestyle it affords. You almost wonder if it's like wrestling, do some people start thinking that it's all real, but then get taken into a back room somewhere to explain to them what really happens. What added the most credibility to the show were the words of fellow evangelist Justin Peters. His masters thesis was on Benny Hinn's ministry etc. For more details, read the article here.

   [ posted by William @ 4:11 PM ]