 Have you ever read something that really caused you to think about whatever it was saying? It's like a light goes on inside your head and you think, "Whoa! That's true...good point!" Sometimes the greatest teachings are done through parables or stories that help you to put things into perspective or give you an image in your mind to help you understand the point that it's trying to get across. This part of 212 Degrees--Boiling Point features stories that will hopefully help you to really "Think About It".... Enjoy!! A Tale Of Two Huts Some time ago, my youth group went camping in the Australian high-plains. You have probably seen the high-plains in the film "Man from Snowy River". We camped, as usual, out in the bush by a river. By our chosen camping ground was a crude wooden house. It was known locally as Fry's hut. Fry's Hut is a real home, that is, it was built as a home, and lived in for forty years. Nowadays, however, you can look, but not touch. It is no longer used to live in. Access and use is restricted. You can't sleep in it overnight, or light fires in it's fireplaces. It was a real home, but you are no longer allowed to use it to live in. On one of our outings, we went to see another bush hut. This one is called Craig's Hut, and it is built on the peak of a mountain, having a panoramic view of the Victorian high-plains. Craig's Hut looks great, with it's terrific view. There are even two graves nearby, giving the place an added 'aged' feel. Inside, however, you notice that it wasn't built to be lived in! There are no rooms inside, it is just a shell. The dirt floor slopes, making sleeping difficult. There are huge gaps in the timber wall cladding, allowing the wind to cut straight through. The 'fireplaces' are made totally of wood - totally useless for lighting a fire in! The reason, of course, is that Craig's hut was built ten years ago for the film! It had to look great from the outside, but nobody ever lived there. It is a movie-prop. Now relate these two huts to the church... Fry's hut is real, but people are no longer allowed to use it as a dwelling. It is a cold decaying museum piece. Some churches are like that, initially vibrant, a tool for the people of God who used them, useful and used. Eventually though, their use was neglected, and as a part of the community of Christ, they became less open, less available. Restrictions are killers, and friendliness is often the first victim. People will find no warm acceptance in a place that screams 'don't touch', and this is the beginning of the end for a church like that. Craig's hut, on the other hand, was never a real home. It was a show piece, appealing from the outside, but fake through and through. I have seen churches that were built like that. Not the building, but the reason for their existence. Started to be a showcase to the community around them. Saying to all who passed by - 'look how grand I am, see how many car park spaces I've got, I am an instant success.' These churches are made to show visual success, and the congregation is large, often middle-class to upper-class, secure in employment, and meant to give heavily each week to carry the instant program launched that will include at least one paid of the following - a Pastor, a secretary, a music/worship leader, cars for each, the initial building, and the planned extension. Not to forget the up-coming youth pastor, bus, and mobile phones for all staff. They are here to look good, proclaiming how blessed they are in a God who will always provide for their programming. And when things start to fall apart, the blame is put on the lack of spirituality of people who don't give till it hurts. Jesus had a real mission from a real God. He didn't come to earth packaged with wealth, position and power. He was born in a sheep shed, to an itinerant tradesman with a young wife. He wandered the local area living off donations with a following of men also in need of support. He denounced the spending of money when poor people needed food and clothing. He never bought a three bedroom brick veneer in the 'burbs. Or wore designer clothes. Or made down- payments on a new set of wheels. His works were real works of faith. He believed God would accomplish before he had proof. His treasurer, Judas, was unreliable, yet he often fed more people than could be counted. His works were good - as opposed to looking good. What does that all mean to churches today? In Matthew 9:35 we see Jesus teaching, proclaiming the good news of salvation, and meeting people's actual needs. In verses 36 to 38 we find that same work is in abundance still, and his churches are needed to get into the world and carry on his work. We are not here to restrict that work, or to simply look good and successful. We are here to get our hands dirty. Editor's Note: This parable was written by Greg Carrick. Visit his website to read other parables that he has written. Just follow this link, then click on the "& everything" section. http://www.postmodhippy.cjb.net A special thanks to Greg for letting me use this story! :) Return To Main Page Return To Cover Page |