Welcome to the NPPC!

My husband came up with a pretty nifty idea in our discussion the other day.  What we need in the Christian Community at large is a new movement called the NPPC - No Paid Pastor Church!  I had to laugh and agree - yes, that is what is needed. 

Like alot of our tribe on the internet trying to figure out what's going to become of those of us who can't stomach church as usual anymore, we've pretty much concluded that the next big thing God does may have to be at a grass roots level.  Many of us see how ridiculous it is that certain churches allow their pastors and families to spend money so freely on anything BUT the work of the ministry.  The prosperity-driven church we left is a perfect example of pastors making no bones about living like elite citizens instead of identifying with the lowly faithful who donate their money each week trusting that the money is furthering the work of the Gospel.  In addition to paying for extremely comfortable homes, they are funding an on-going extensive travel itinerary, designer sunglasses (note: Karen Walker Sunglasses cost anywhere from $200 on sale to $380) and new cars et al.

This was tweeted last year

It's not that youth pastors aren't allowed to share their fantastic news with the world but the fact that they feel free to without giving thought to how badly certain folk in their care must feel looking at their ongoing extreme good fortune when some of these tithers have lost jobs and homes and are having a hard time making ends meet.  How Pastoral is THAT??  It's not pastoral, it's shallow and insensitive.  It confirms how deep they aren't.  As images of their new worldly possessions show up online like a tidal wave no wonder some of us think it's time for God to cave the Christian Community in so there will be no alternative but to meet in each others homes and take care of each other.   It'll actually be a relief.  No need to tithe - no need to pay anyone for doing what we all can do, because we all have something to contribute in order help each other instead of just helping the pastor.  And, concept, maybe we will be more free to help other people discover authentic Jesus, the one whose reputation has been so tarnished by the bratty behavior of the proponets of the prosperity gospel.

Of course, the prophetic flow (or wishful thinking) of certain leaders (especially celebrity wannabe types) say God is fixin' to move in deluge style - the next big tidal wave from heaven.  One such leader even mentioned the Third Wave is about to descend on us. So, there was a Wave One and Two?? If those 2 moves were significant, why have we yet to see any lasting fruit, other than church leaders increasing their salaries so they can live like high rollers more than ever?  The Third Wave?  Sorta echos The Third Reich.  Maybe not, but it does remind me of Mitt Romney's speech at the NRC the other night.  All these promises are well and good, and wouldn't it be great if all those things he said could really happen?  Seriously, we are supposed to believe you dudes now, after all we've gone through with promises up the wazoo that have yet to come to pass.  All I can picture is 2016 with some faceless new charismatic tauting promises from a big stage in the midst of hyped-up people in full worshipfest swing.  Am I talking about the NRC or a mega church convention?  Both! Ha! Can you believe how interchangeable these two worlds are?!

So, while we are waiting for church world as we've known it to collapse, here's a nifty twitter page I came across the other day for our amusement.  Someone else is thinking this pastor thing has gotten way out of control too.  Click here to read some pretty funny 'Celebrity Pastor' tweets!  One of my favorites is ""Ask not what your pastor can do for you, but what you can do for your pastor."  Thank God for humor to keep us busy, or to help usher in the new NPPC realm!

House of Cards. . .

One of the hardest parts about leaving a controlling environment is watching the entity still continue on in their quest for dominion. They continue to exist, for one thing, which is bad enough because we now know that they are Dominionists who believe that they are going to inherit the hard-earned money of those in the world who have no clue that this is why they working so hard for their money. If the organization itself no longer existed maybe they'd figure out they aren't here to take over the world any time soon and their building could be used for something else like a charter school or a post office.

If the Dominionists were only delusional and not so harmful to others, then I'd have no problem with them staying in business. But when they continue to exert their control using spiritual manipulation over the fine people that remain, then it's hard to keep quiet.

Some of those fine people we randomly run into at the store. I must say, some of them can be really nice, politely acting like nothing ever happened even though we can still feel the pity through their kindness since in their minds we are the crazy ones. There are others, however, that treat us like we are the untouchables, no longer acceptable, since we deserted their camp. You know the type, they either pretend they don’t see you (which actually works out best) or, if they deign to speak, it’s with a hint of condescension and distain. They are judgmental and patronizing, with a smile, in the most aggravating way. These are the types you would leave town because of to start a new life in a new city. It’s actually a clue to us that the worship-fest for the pastor family is still going on over there which means not much has changed.

If nothing has changed, why does God still allow it to still continue? Lucky for them, His forbearance has depths we can’t even fathom. I readily admit he’s been extremely patient with those of us who have left. He doesn't rush us to hurry and get over it, giving us time to heal, as he guides us toward more and more truth that helps us understand what we endured when we were there. So, God, not being a respecter of persons, must be holding out till he absolutely has to do something to stop the bad behavior over there.

Waiting for God to deal with former world is a bit like waiting to see if the bail outs help the American Economy. I guess only time will tell.