Less formalism, more Christianity

    EBC

Luis Alberto Alves

Today, evangelical churches are rare that are not tied to formalism, that is, tied to rules, precepts, methods and rigor. In some, the pastor-president is treated like a king, with the right to sit in a higher chair, making it clear that he is someone important in that place. When it should be Jesus Christ who deserves such reverence.

In some cases, this pastor-president enters through a separate door, the access of which is forbidden to other “mortals”. To talk to him, in certain denominations, it is necessary to make an appointment, even when the situation requires urgency. If you are a member who tithes less than R$1,000.00; interest is reduced.

The first row of chairs or benches, depending on the location, is reserved for people of relevance to that location. The faithful with less money in their checking account have to settle for other places, perhaps close to the exit door. That place is intended for those who, in the eyes of this type of pastor-president, deserve perks, when in the Kingdom of God, the smallest is considered the greatest.

Holy Spirit

The pulpit, in many denominations, is reserved for PHDs in Christianity, preferably with theological degrees from the best colleges or universities in this segment. No giving way to the Holy Spirit. What counts is the theoretical knowledge obtained on university benches. Not that it is a sin to study, on the contrary it is good. However, study should never leave Jesus Christ in the background.

To preach the Word of the Lord, in this type of denomination, the pastor needs to go to the good clothing stores and buy nice suits, nice ties and shoes, preferably German chrome. Luxury must prevail over the Word of God. Big hair ever. No beard. I imagine that John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus Christ, would never be called to preach in this type of denomination.

The doors of this type of denomination are always open to good citizens. To those without any suffering at the hands of the devil and his demons. If a prostitute, a street dweller (preferably with dirty clothes and smelling bad due to lack of bath), adept at works of sorcery, criminal, or pervert, even speaking disconnected words; they will hardly be able to attend the service.

expelled

The workers' shock troops will remove that person from the room so as not to disturb the preaching and leave a bad impression on the rest of the brothers and sisters. If by chance a spiritual manifestation occurs, the demons will not be expelled, but that person possessed by darkness will soon have many workers around him to remove him from that place and take him to some small room.

In this type of church full of formalism, demons will not be cast out, as Jesus Christ did when he preached his Word in Israel. What counts is to bring sermons with a self-help hue. It is not worth confronting the kingdom of darkness, but just talking that the devil can destroy lives, but without touching the heart of the matter, resisting in prayer against him.

In the great ministries, whose founders or their children, it is impossible to get close to them. If you're a millionaire or a football player, an artist or a famous singer, it's a different story. When it comes to simple members, who earn up to 2 minimum wages, it is the worker who will assist you. After all, the founder or heir of that ministry has more important missions than listening to a desperate mother with her son on drugs.

Faces

They are very spiritual people, in their view of course, to waste time on a question considered banal. What counts is the liturgy. With cults or meetings, as some of these enlightened, similar to shows prefer to speak. The ancient and beautiful praises of the Christian harp are stamped with faces. What matters is the distorted guitar solo, the loud bass and the drums playing at a frantic pace.

The lyrics, full of sweet choruses, are repeated several times like a mantra. Praise groups in some of these denominations do not differ from secular bands, even in dress. What counts is showing up, leaving Jesus Christ aside. Even the most spiritual praises are ignored. What counts is lyrics with several biblical errors.

How to say that "whoever has a promise does not die". Moses had the promise of taking the people to the Promised Land and God took him to the top of Mount Nebo, in Jordan, and from there God showed the long-awaited Promised Land from afar and there he died. But this detail does not matter in this type of evangelical church. Vale is the full house.

battles

No matter the location, whether luxurious or not, that has a plastic chair, wooden benches, cement or marble floors, with a fan or air conditioning; the pastor speaking with several mistakes in Portuguese, wearing the old jacket worn from so many spiritual battles. It is necessary, my brothers and sisters, to let Jesus Christ speak, through the Holy Spirit, with his sheep.

The Good News message needs to be conveyed. No one can be treated differently because of the value of offerings and tithes. What counts is a sincere heart and faith in Christ. Follow what determines your Gospel. Cults where the Holy Spirit has freedom to work freeing captives, cheering hearts, restoring families, curing infirmities.

More Christianity means commitment to the Gospel. No stardom. Everyone, from the homeless person to the businessman, from someone living in a simple house to the brother who owns a penthouse apartment, are equal before God. You need to put vanity aside. Ask forgiveness for mistakes and depend on Jesus Christ in making any decision. Bury the ego and live in the Lord.

Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor.