You and God- It's got to be more than Sunday worship

A year ago I saw a Starbucks advert- "You and Starbucks-It's got to be more than coffee". I concluded that what they mean is yes Starbucks is noted for coffee but we actually could do more.

With that advert in mind, I suggested to my local Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship anniversary committee that we should have the theme- "You and God- It's got to be more than Sunday worship" for our 10th anniversary in September . The committee members were intrigued and asked for my thinking behind the theme. I share with you my thinking behind the theme.

Christians are very much noted for their gatherings on Sundays to worship, though some gather on different days. What we do outside the church halls by way of Christian virtue is a private matter. There appears to be greater attention on what we do by way of worship than anything else.

What could Christians do other than worshipping God? Quite a lot. And how are we doing?
For some Christians the best they could do to help someone in need is to find them contact numbers of a charity or a government department. They're somehow passive in meeting that need personally. The vast number of charities and NGO's across the world tells me that Christianity has failed. We appear to have surrendered our Christian acts to the charity organisations. There are charities specialising from A-Z.

Some will say many of the charities are set up by Christians or Christian groups and are sponsored by many Christians. That's all well and good. How many percentages of Christians have set up charities or have financed them anyway? The point is if we have been good practising Christians and neighbours, many of these charities wouldn't have been around. We would be at the point of need straight away to be actively involved in its solution. We would be all over in our blocks, estates and neighbourhoods.

Jesus said "I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me a drink; I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me." Matthew 25:42-43.

Many Christians see what Christ talked about in their daily lives but do nothing about it. Christianity has been reduced to Sunday worship. All other things that happen around us are not our business. We have lost all the practical things that make us Christians.

There are many Christians who make financial or time contributions to charities but when come face to face with the very same thing they give money to, they wouldn't bother about it. Shouldn't charity begin at home?

I am very much sure the discourse in the text didn't end as presented by Matthew. I bet Christ challenged the people to tell him why they didn't do anything about the situations described. And I bet some of the answers would include the following;

• But I gave them some charity contact
• I thought that was the responsibility of the state
• I thought the church would help
• I thought they were lazy and don't want to work
• I thought they brought it upon themselves

Some of the above reasons might be right but still the question is can you help?

Let's do more than Sunday worship or charity giving.  Yes we can!

If My Church was a Retail Store

If my church was a retail store, it would have the following characteristics

1. It would have been established in the 18th century after it branched out from another establishment.
2. John Wesley was credited the founder
3. The "store" was first established in England and spread across the world
4. It would be classed as the Protestant Christianity "business"
5. It's slogan would be "helping the poor and average person"
6. Common "product" in all our "stores" is music in the form of hymns. The founder and his younger brother, Charles contributed a lot to this "product" and would wish we keep that tradition.
7. Our "brand" had major impact in Britain in early decades
8. These days the "brand" name isn't as popular as in the past 
9. In England most "customers" are mainly older generation
10. Profit margin is generally good
11. Some of our "stores" are used by other "retailers in the same business". This contribute lots of income in most of our "stores"
12. Most of our "check-out and line staff" are of older generation
13. We rarely do any "advertisement"
14. Our circuit reps meet quarterly but very little time is spent talking about our "customers". Most time is spent talking about maintaining our "stores" and "managers homes"
15. Our District reps also meet at least twice a year but is mainly debating on policies and procedures which has little impact on our "customers"
16. Our "managers" spend more time in their offices than on the "shopping floors"
17. Most of our "stores" are open for business for a maximum of two hours on a typical shopping day. Actual "selling" last for about an hour.
18. Most of our "products" are the same all year round
19. The "modes of selling" in most "stores" are the same as in the 70's
20. In England some of our "stores" are closed down or merged. Some of the "stores" closed down are rebranded as pubs under new management
21. In some "stores", "customers" will come ckeck the "product", read the labels and would not return
22. It is encouraging to note that most of our "stores" in other countries are doing very well.
23. Our "brand" has about 70 million "customers" worldwide

I am particularly concerned about the state of our "store" in England.
1. What can we do to attract "youthful customers" into our "stores"?
2. What product can we add to our "lines" to attract more "customers" into our "stores?"

Any ideas?

6 Reasons why he became a prodigal son

The prodigal son has received lots of criticism for leaving the father's house to go and squander the wealth only to come back and plead for forgiveness. We judge him badly. Do we know the treatment he had in the house before he left? We don't know whether his needs were met or not. We also don't know his emotional and psychological state of mind.

Therefore, before you cast your stone, pause and reflect on the possible reasons why he did what he did and compare that to your own life. The followinfg 6 factors could have informed his decision to move out.

1. The behaviour of his older brother. The reaction of his older brother when he returned home should give us a hint that all wasn't well between the two of them. It's quite possible that his older brother managed to push him away hence his strange behaviour when he returned home. Like the older brother, there are times when as brothers and sisters in Christ our conduct falls below the standard expected of us. In my local church where I've formed the habit of doing what I call "exit interview"- finding out from people the reasons for their leaving, somethimes the things I hear aren't pleasant. Therefore, while blaming the prodigal son, we should also examine our conduct which could push people away.

2. May be he was a poor man living in a healthy home. Everyone is concluding that because the father was wealthy he must have had a good life. Don't we have millionaires whose children are poor? May be he wasn't made to feel that his father was wealthy. I used to date a millionaire's daughter. All my friends were very excited about it and when I asked why they were so excited about the relationship they pointed to the fact that her father was a millionaire. I reminded them that it was the daughter I was dating not the father. There are some millionaires whose children are living ordinary. In fact some millionaires children enjoy the wealth and others don't. In some instances wealthy parents would spend their wealth on others rather than their own children. May be it was only when he threaten to move out that he got some inheritance. On that score I agree with him. There are times when the only way to get what's due you is to shout. He possibly shouted father! I've served you all these years yet all what I get is the crumbs whilst my brother enjoys the real wealth. I am moving out! I agree with him here. You don't sit down thinking oh God knows my needs. You've got to petition God.

3. He might have thought he could do better by himself. He might have thought that with all his share of the inheritance he could do much well with his life. He didn't need any help from the father or indeed his brother. How true for us humans. We think we don't need God and that we can manage on our own. If that was his motivation then it backfired badly.

4. It could have just a desire for freedom. May be he's had enough of the father and brother telling him what he can and can't do. What he could eat and can't. He's had enough of his father telling him the friends he could go out with and even telling him what fashion style he could have. He thought his father was too strict and wanted his freedom.

5. Comaprative analysis might have compelled him to move out. May be he compared his life to some small mates, colleagues, and others in the community and thought they're much better than him. He looked at other's houses, cars, expensive holidays and all the good living and he wanted similar. Yes, there are times when the statement "seek ye first his kingdom and his righeousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" becomes a mockery. After years of submitting to the father, you turn round and ask, where are the things which will be added? You become aware of others who haven't really sought the kingdom let alone his righeousness yet but have received the "other things". Few years ago I bumped into an old coleague. He offered to drive me to my destination. When I sat in the car the first question he asked was you don't have a car after all these years of going to church? Ouch! I used to argue with him about Sunday work. I insisted going to church. Such thoughts could get into one's head and heart. Its possible that despite the abundant wealth, the young man lacked these material things.

6. His personal guilty might have pushed him out. It's possible that his past and present offences were haunting him and couldn't bear to live the same houseld with the father. He couldn't forgive himself of his past mistakes. Very true of humans. We feel so ashamed of our past or even current life style and we think we better moved out. We might have prayed for forgivness but still not sure of ourselves.

Do you still have your stone or stick ready to lash out? Here's the checklist:

• Have you not left or considered leaving because of some people's attitude?
• Have you not felt poor in spite of the "father's" abundant wealth?
• Have you not felt you could make it on your own?
• Have you not wished you could have the freedom to do whatever you like without feeling any guilt?
• Have you not compared yourself to others and felt bad about it?
• Have you not felt ashamed of your guilt and lifestyle?

Where's the inheritance the father gave you? What have you done with the inheritance of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, service, caring, guidance, counselling, friendship and money?  Have you squander all of them?

We're all prodigals (wasteful), and it's about time we went back to the father and asked for his forgiveness and reinstatement.