We Are Prostitutes

We went to Bethel Church in Redding, California, this morning for their Sunday morning gathering.  Bethel is home to ‘Jesus Culture’ and some of the most amazing worship songs being written at the moment.  For a worship leader, it’s like heading to Mecca ...or so I thought. 

To be honest, I’m not sure which was more heartbreaking, being with the Mormons last week or being at Bethel Church today.  Read our blankpagerevival blog to get a better sense of our experience.  For me, as I sat and watched, and listened, I felt compelled to write this...

Father forgive us for how

We prostitute your Kingdom

And sell you like a cheap suit

To the highest bidder...

Father forgive us for

All that we build and we acquire

And build some more

In Your Name

Oh, the shame...

Father forgive us for

How we peddle your wares

Never stopping to think

How You must care

What’s for sale and

What’s NOT supposed to be

For sale...

Father forgive us for

Seeking only to be blessed

For selling Heaven

And packaging prosperity

For merchandising MORE

Not less...

Father forgive us for

Nickel-and-diming

And taking up

Yet another offering

So we can have

Great lighting,

Boom cameras,

And the latest LCD projectors,

ALL in the name

Of furthering Your Kingdom...

Father forgive us for

Putting Your name

On our church buildings

On our loot

On our lives

And calling it ‘blessing’

While others go hungry

While others remain homeless

And while there is injustice in this world...

Forgive us, Father

For we have

SINNED

And fallen short

So very

Very far

From

You...