Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"You would be a Mormon"

I was at lunch today with the kids and I couldn't help but overhear the conversation at the next table. There were three guys and as far as my eavesdropping could uncover they were pastors at one of the local churches here. I should say two were and the other guy was "applying" for the job. It was basically a job interview but it seemed so wrong. At one point one of the pastors asked the guy applying if he really enjoyed preaching and just for arguments sake "would he do it if he wasn't getting paid for it". At that point I felt like (but didn't) piping up and saying, if he wasn't getting paid for it "you would be a Mormon". I find it disconcerting that pastors and preachers from other churches just decide one day that they want to be the messenger of the Lord and then they go to "school" and suddenly they are. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of them are very good people and want to serve their fellow man and help people learn about the Savior and do a lot of good things. It just seems a bit odd how they are "self appointed" or "hired". The actual name of the "mormon" church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so it stands to reason that the head of the church is Jesus Christ and therefore he should be the one doing the "hiring" for positions. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a lay clergy, meaning they are not paid for serving in the church. They don't sign up or request positions rather they are called by those in authority who have received the authority from those who have the priesthood power. The Church of Jesus Christ was established when Jesus Christ was on the earth. Before Christ died he gave the priesthood authority to Peter who was the prophet of the his Church after Christ died. Joseph Smith received the priesthood from Peter, James and John. God has always "called" prophets. They have never applied for the job. I don't remember Jonah saying "send me, send me--I want to go preach, and then getting swallowed by a whale for dramatic effect" or Moses saying "Hey can I go argue with the guy I grew up with and then destroy his life by allowing his 1st born kid to die" or how about Noah saying, "I have a great idea, how about my family and I be the only remaining people on earth and we will live in a boat with a bunch of animals". Why would God suddenly say, "Well, I use to call prophets to lead my church but man seems much smarter now so I'll just let them decide who and what to do" I don't think so. Maybe I should have said something, it wouldn't have been the first time.

6 comments:

Tara said...

I would love to see you go toe to toe with a preacher. It would be awesome

Adrienne said...

Travis and I have before. The pastor from United Methodist in Parker...good times....good times, remind me to tell you that story sometime. :)

TJ said...

You just did say something. Thanks for the message. Love ya..missing you.

Jennifer said...

you are so smart! Thanks for the lovely post!!! Can't wait to see you!!!

Susan said...

Amen Sistah!

Hollie said...

Great post A! Thanks for sharing. I love the way you write. :)