| Gleanings From My Readings |
GLEANINGS
Some Thoughts from an
Older Man
by Dr. Glenn Mathews
On December 5, 2005 while on a missions trip
to Thailand, I "observed" my 70th birthday. I
sincerely hope that I am getting"older" but not
Older Man
by Dr. Glenn Mathews
On December 5, 2005 while on a missions trip
to Thailand, I "observed" my 70th birthday. I
sincerely hope that I am getting"older" but not
"older" but not "old". The previous month had marked the
begin-ning of my 30th year as an Evangelist/Missionary. During
the long hours of sitting on the planes, I had ample time to reflect
on the past years and to note some of the changes that I have
observed. The following thoughts are but a few of them. After
reading them, you may want to write me and share your thoughts
with me. I would certainly appreciate receiving your comments.
Changes in Communication: tremendous improvement! From
TV antennas to Cable and Satellite interactive TV, the Internet,
from reel to reel recorders to cassettes to DVD's, from 8
millimeter without sound film to digital and video cameras and
cell/picture phones, from mimeograph to laser printers, the list is
almost endless.
Changes in Travel: improvement in Interstate travel, tremendous
changes in the automobile, advances in aircraft speed, comfort
and safety, hover craft on the water (what was once something
out of sci-fi movies is now the norm)
Changes in Church: without commenting on the "progress", some
things I have noted are the rise and popularity of Praise and
Worship Music, the "dressing down" of the people, including the
trend of the pastor/teacher to wear sport clothes and the
congregation to be similarly attired, the tendency to make certain
TV preachers "Media Stars", the downplaying of the importance
of Doctrine to the point that Doctrine is now seen as divisive and
to be ignored in order to show "love and unity", the rise of "user
friendly" Christianity in America, the lessening of the importance
of Biblically based principles, standards and convictions, the
lessening of the importance of preaching in the church service, the
corresponding rise of music, drama and dance as an integral part
of "worship" a decrease in the matter of personal witnessing
among the church membership a shift on the part of parents from
praying that their children go into vocational Christian service to a
desire for their children to make good money and to financially
support those few who do enter vocational Christian service a
decrease in the number of revival/evangelistic meetings held by
the local church a corresponding shortening of such meetings,
until we have come from the two-week revival to the one week
revival to the four day and three day (and now in some places) a
one-day meeting the rise of what I call the Christian Specialist.
Our emphasis has shifted from revivals to workshops, seminars
and camps and retreats and to Christian counseling the increase of
Christians who travel to such places as Bible and on short-term
Mission Trips, Even the most remote parts of the world are now
but hours away. What was once only dreamed of is now the
usual!
As you might imagine, I could speak or write for a long time as to
my feelings regarding some of the changes noted above, but I will
forego that soapbox for now. I do imagine that I will add to the
list and perhaps add some commentary at a later date. How does
my list compare with your observations? I would really enjoy
hearing from you. Write me, please and tell me if I am just an
older man who is rambling or if my observations are on target.
And while you are doing so, would you try to imagine what
changes will occur in the next 30 years? My heart cries
out, "even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
begin-ning of my 30th year as an Evangelist/Missionary. During
the long hours of sitting on the planes, I had ample time to reflect
on the past years and to note some of the changes that I have
observed. The following thoughts are but a few of them. After
reading them, you may want to write me and share your thoughts
with me. I would certainly appreciate receiving your comments.
Changes in Communication: tremendous improvement! From
TV antennas to Cable and Satellite interactive TV, the Internet,
from reel to reel recorders to cassettes to DVD's, from 8
millimeter without sound film to digital and video cameras and
cell/picture phones, from mimeograph to laser printers, the list is
almost endless.
Changes in Travel: improvement in Interstate travel, tremendous
changes in the automobile, advances in aircraft speed, comfort
and safety, hover craft on the water (what was once something
out of sci-fi movies is now the norm)
Changes in Church: without commenting on the "progress", some
things I have noted are the rise and popularity of Praise and
Worship Music, the "dressing down" of the people, including the
trend of the pastor/teacher to wear sport clothes and the
congregation to be similarly attired, the tendency to make certain
TV preachers "Media Stars", the downplaying of the importance
of Doctrine to the point that Doctrine is now seen as divisive and
to be ignored in order to show "love and unity", the rise of "user
friendly" Christianity in America, the lessening of the importance
of Biblically based principles, standards and convictions, the
lessening of the importance of preaching in the church service, the
corresponding rise of music, drama and dance as an integral part
of "worship" a decrease in the matter of personal witnessing
among the church membership a shift on the part of parents from
praying that their children go into vocational Christian service to a
desire for their children to make good money and to financially
support those few who do enter vocational Christian service a
decrease in the number of revival/evangelistic meetings held by
the local church a corresponding shortening of such meetings,
until we have come from the two-week revival to the one week
revival to the four day and three day (and now in some places) a
one-day meeting the rise of what I call the Christian Specialist.
Our emphasis has shifted from revivals to workshops, seminars
and camps and retreats and to Christian counseling the increase of
Christians who travel to such places as Bible and on short-term
Mission Trips, Even the most remote parts of the world are now
but hours away. What was once only dreamed of is now the
usual!
As you might imagine, I could speak or write for a long time as to
my feelings regarding some of the changes noted above, but I will
forego that soapbox for now. I do imagine that I will add to the
list and perhaps add some commentary at a later date. How does
my list compare with your observations? I would really enjoy
hearing from you. Write me, please and tell me if I am just an
older man who is rambling or if my observations are on target.
And while you are doing so, would you try to imagine what
changes will occur in the next 30 years? My heart cries
out, "even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
| PO Box 145 ~ Charleston, WV 25321 ~ (910) 948-4307 ~ glennandfleta@juno.com |
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