So basically this happened last week at Because of the Times (no, not the Kings of Leon album, but the preacher's conference that was named after the album): And by "this happened" I really mean a Jeff Arnold sermon-rant to formally announce his senility. Literally, the dude was Khrushchev slamming his shoe on a podium, a rambling Richard Sherman in a postgame interview, a conservative Michael "Shame on you Mr. Bush" Moore at the Oscars. In short, Jeff Arnold pulled a Kanye in front of anyone who matters in the UPC. And it's not like we didn't see it coming . For those who haven't been paying attention to Twitter or simply got wise enough to not really care one iota about the ongoing Reality TV tragicomedy that is the UPC, let me tell ya, you're missing a whole lot of chuckle moments. But to catch you up to speed.. here's the run-down of Mr. Arnold's sermon: -Confesses aspirations to be lauded by God as one of the greatest ...
Joel, though I hardly know you, I know I love you.
ReplyDeleteI remember taking a new Christian to a UPCI event for the first time. The first thing she asked was, "what are all those men doing sitting up on the stage staring at everyone?" We didn't have chairs on our stage at our local assembly - (I think that's a trend we could all hop on board with, by the way). I died laughing though - I'd grown up seeing ministers on the platform and hadn't really thought about it - but look at it through the lens of someone who isn't accustomed to it and you'll realize how odd it actually is.
ReplyDeleteWhy have a stage? Lets just meet in circles and dicuss our watch tower magazines :)
ReplyDelete@John Paul:
ReplyDeleteWhat are you implying? I get the impression you are a troll on this blog.
Thanks Anonymous :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where the custom of ministers on the stage came from, but I always thought it was related to Peter standing up with the other 11 apostles backing him up. Sort of a statement of “yea we back this guy and his message”.
ReplyDeleteAhh. The obligatory middle chair that must be a few inches higher then the ones next to it. For the pastor, of course. Because he's more important?
ReplyDeleteI think some of it is simple logistics. If Bro Art is going to lead songs, Bro Bob is going to take up the offering and make announcements, Bro. Chad is going to lead prayer and Bro. Dave is preaching then it helps to have Bro. A, B, C and D near the pulpit. I know some churches to reserve the first pew for this.
ReplyDeleteIF the president of the United States shows up we have a special place for him to sit, If the man of God is to speak why not give him the same respect as the president, isn't the man of God suppose to lead and direct his flock.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with john, it only makes since (a,b,c and d to be near the pulpit.