Came across this humorous
bit a little while back and it reminded me of several things. Here is the funny
that I read;
Taxiing down the tarmac, the jetliner abruptly stopped, turned around and returned
to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off.
A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, "What was the problem?"
"The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," he explained.
"It took us awhile to find a new pilot."
(taken from ZPH "Time to Smile")
Nearly twenty years ago I was taking a flight from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Chicago.
The group that I was with were all salesmen on a convention trip and as a result,
were quite vocal and outgoing. We all took our seats and the plane went out
on the runway. The engines roared as we went zooming down for take-off---when
all of a sudden the pilots slammed on the brakes and came to a stop. They turned
around and went to another runway. The pilot came on the intercom and announced
to us passengers, that they were reading the flight manual and realized that
they needed a longer runway for takeoff. Needless to say our confidence in that
flight crew was very low. My thoughts of that incident may seem to be humorous
now, but back then I can imagine that a lot of prayers went up faster than that
plane. As I look back in retrospect, I am so thankful that those pilots read
their instruction manual, or I would not be here today.
Would you want to be on such a plane? Would you like to have to fly with such
an airline? If you had an alternative form of transportation, would you still
make that flight?
When we consider flying in the public airways, our number one concern is always
safety. That is why air travel is stastically the safest form of travel. Even
though we hear of a crash every now and then, we are struck with the fact that
safety is of supreme importance in that industry. Thus the scenario of the cute
story at the beginning of this article is not likely to happen.
As we consider the comedy of this situation, we are caused to reflect upon similar
attitudes facing todays churches. Just how many churches are like the airplane
listed above? Instead of correcting the problem, they just change the pilot
(or in this case, the preacher).
Many times, the churches are not as concerned with safety as in the convience
of its customers (or members). As there is great expense at delaying a flight
for mechanical reasons, the airline company loses a lot of money in the compensation
and eventual lost business. Thus it is in their best interest to keep the customers
happy. Most customers that arrive safely to their destination do not give it
a second thought, but had something happened, they sure would be upset.
Looking at spiritual matters may not appear as important as the safety record
of an airline to most people, yet the potential for disaster is even greater
for each soul. Speaking of souls, have you ever noticed in the airplane disaster
movies that they give the count of "souls on board"? Just how important
are those souls? Very important to the airline industry. But what about the
souls in the pews?
The above story may be cute, but I fear that it represents many more churches
than we are willing to acknowledge. Rather than heed the advise of an experienced
person given the charge of safety, they must meet their quotas and agendas as
top priority. The preachers of the gospel are given the charge to "preach
the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with
great patience and instruction." It is the leaders of the congregation
who have to listen to the complaints and would rather not listen to them. Thus
they seek to satisfy the customers and are willing to compromise the safety
of operation and hope that nothing bad happens.
Where a preacher should be commended for exposing the true identity of error
instead of the symptoms of such error, they are reprimanded for speaking the
truth. Usually the preacher is "speaking the truth
in love", but those guilty of error or sin take offense to the instruction
and discipline given to them. Rather than acknowledge their sin and wrong ways,
they will seek to justify themselves and demand the removal of such a person
who would dare to implicate them or their activities.
We also have a flight manual that details all procedures and describes the function
of all our machinery that is in place. It also list the backup plans and explains
the warnings and what to look for. The book of Hebrews is very descriptive of
this comparison. It not only explains what it does, but gives warning to those
who would take for granted what the instructions are. It also affirms that observance
of the rules and proper maintenance and training will bring the desired results.
Either the plane lands safely or the soul will make it to heaven.
Granted, changing pilots is probably easier than repairing an engine, but which
step solves the real problem? Likewise, changing preachers is often easier than
repairing a sinner, but which step solves the real problem?
The difference in the two situations is that in one our life is in danger, and
in the other our soul is in danger. Which should frighten us more?
We should support those who would expose error or sin (even if it is ours).
This reminds me of an event recorded in Nehemiah 8:9 "...For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the
law." The people realized that they were sinners and knew that they
were not worthy to be called the children of God. They also realized that the
promise of blessings was likely to be taken away from them. Later on in verse
12 they were told to rejoice and have a feast. We read; "...because they understood the words which had been made known to
them." Upon a proper understanding of God's will, the chance that
the people would serve Him rather than idols was much greater.
The day that our sins are made known to us brings sorrow on our part because
we have failed God. However if we repent and turn to the Lord, it is a joyous
occasion by which we give God the glory when we realize the great gift that
He gave us, and recognize His great grace that extends to us.
May we not condemn those who point out our error and sins, but support them
and hold up their hands, because if they did not have the courage to speak plainly
and boldly, we would be lost.
By
Carey Scott and Troy Nicholson
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