The Big White Church Down the Street (Book) - 1/16/2021 12:39:07 PM
Although short in volume, "The Big White Church" is long in reflections on the current status of the church today. The introduction section of the book alone where the church is introduced to the new pastor is an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Many churches already have their "perfect idea" of what their congregant should look like, act like, and speak like, leaving little to no room for the people that Jesus really called us to reach. The author, Rev. Calvin Allen, put it as follows: "Believers are to seek out sinners, encouraging them through their acts of compassion, kindness, and love. Sinners should never be looked down upon, nor should they ever be neglected the right to seek God to become a better person, a person of Christian morals and values. Faith is what matters to Jesus, and it has no boundaries." Unfortunately, many churches have lost sight of their real duty, calling sinners into the fold of Christianity. Many churches become so busy with their programs that they forget the people. Or, as Pastor Allen states, "The churches (some of them) seem to have become more of a 'business,' than a spiritual organization one attends for restoration of soul and spirit. When the emphasis focuses more on using one's gifts and talents to enhance the brand of a church than to bring one to the knowledge and understanding of the function of the church, leadership has taken a turn for the worst." The Pastor goes on to explain in precise detail the simple delegation of authority within the church: "Who chooses the elders? The pastor does. Who has authority over them? The pastor does. We are not talking about authority in a natural sense of understanding. We are talking about DIVINE authority, which comes from the throne of God to the people through a ministry gift chosen and equipped by the LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore, the continuing, unacceptable behavior of elders depends on what the pastor allows. Though elders will be accountable to God themselves, pastors are accountable for the allowance of such ungodly behaviors." I appreciate and can relate to Brother Allen's confusion by being ostracized suddenly by the church without explanation and thank him for his candor in sharing his story. My first couple years in the church, I was nit-picked to death over small, trivial matters to the point that I considered leaving the church altogether. I wonder how many "new" Christians experience this and simply "throw in the towel" and walk away from the church? The Bible gives the leaders/elders in the church a perfectly detailed "job description" to follow and Pastor Allen lays it out well in "The Big White Church." This book sheds light on the problems of the church, even tackling the topic of leadership among women in the church (a subject some churches shy away from) and presents scripture to support his viewpoint. Very well written. Highly recommend.
