Church Clothes

CHURCH CLOTHES

Ever been in church with the pervading sense or feeling that something is wrong? Physically everything is right; the program is going on smoothly, the choir sings its heart out, the preacher does his thing to move the congregation and people seem to be enjoying the service but inside you feel discomfort. Has this occurred frequently in the one place that you’re used to – your local assembly? I’ll tell you what it was. The cohesive factor has been misplaced. From the pulpit to the pews, activities reign and though everything looks fine on the outside, there really is no depth because the original focus has been misplaced. Things begin to lose their sanctity and the sound in church becomes no different from the noise outside that nauseates and churns your insides. Then church services become plastic and synonymous with shows or pretences. Unfortunately not many seem to notice that things are not ‘right’ and to speak or act against the tide is to be ostracised. So you go along, even though you have little or low tolerance for it you go through the service or the motions of it eagerly anticipating the end so you can move on to the next thing.
You are not alone my friend, there are those who like myself find churches to be the most fearful places rather than safe spaces where we can truly be ourselves. Weekly we put on our clothes and join others to attend any of all the numerous services there are in hope that things will be different this Sunday but a few minutes into the service, we gotta put on the “church-mind” just as we wore our church clothes earlier and go on with the charade. The church mind: don’t get out of line, behave like this, don’t criticise, be happy even if you aren’t (good facials are necessary), participate. Colourful dresses, powdered faces, shoes and purses to match, everything finely done up (you can’t look scrawny to church). We sing, we shout, we clap our hands, celebrating the liberty in the Spirit, tucking everything else underneath the excitement that we’re supposed to feel (how dare you look gloomy!). It is supposed to be a good time after all there is fullness of joy in this place. (Is that right now?) We present ourselves to watch and listen, most times forgetful of the reason why we’re meeting. Indeed, churching is like partying to some; a celebration of something ambiguous – an idea perhaps, you’ll be shocked to find out the varying perspectives there are to church programs, they are just as diverse as the many reasons people go to church. Whether it is a stiff formal ritual filled with unchanging routines or a lively forum, the truth is that we do not always live on feelings generated by a worship service. Most times as soon as it is over, there is no significant difference in our spiritual baro or thermo meters! We return with little or nothing beneficial to our daily lives anticipating or dreading the coming weekend when the charade will be repeated maybe in a different form or place. Of what use is it then and how long will it go on?
Many have grown used to wearing a facade for the duration of the church service. All they have to look forward to are the moments after when friends who haven’t seen each other all week or people who have returned from their travels can meet and greet. Immediately afterwards most do not remember anything of importance about the service. When it comes up, the reasons for its mention could be a joke or something that isn’t really worth waiting all week for. And this may be the reason why things won’t change; there is no hunger, no dissatisfaction with the state of our lives that could bring about that change. We’ve grown complacent and those who haven’t, fall into the erroneous thinking that they have to start a new place with a new set of views and code of conduct. The real problem however still remains and gradually creeps – again. To cop out altogether is unthinkable and to be selective in attendance is unacceptable. Is there a day that this trend will change? When will there be a true revival, a rekindling of passion and fire for the church and her members?

20/10/2016
#UnChurched
(c) 'durotimi