It is interesting that the public tries to find luxury during recessional times by entering vicariously into media displays, or the lifestyles of well financed celebrities. Style shows become even more gaudy than usual during down times in the economy. Currently tattoos have become popular with about 10% of the population, repulsive to more than 50%, and tolerated by all. Grooming of body, hair and clothing has become bizarre for some, but casual to grungy for others. I have not seen women wear the garish dresses shown in the fashion reporting, but I am told that the pattern has something to do with shopper choices, especially in colors, and hemlines or the current emphases of body parts. Presentation seems bizarre to the educated mind, and to persons sensing a holistic representation of persons to themselves and society.
Automobiles, originally designed to move persons from one point to another, are often chosen for style (that may use resources excessively); for power (which is illegal to utilize fully on highways); for extras (that are often unneeded); and, for status (that distorts self and public meaning). In professional life, my budget permitted a secretary associate. She served the department well, and exceeded self-interests to finish a job. By the time I retired there were few old-time secretaries. Successors did many of the same things as before, but it was suggested that secretary as a title was somewhat demeaning. They became assistants. Some work formerly done by them was outsourced, sometimes at excessive expense. The illusions increased with decline: in relationships, in families, in language, in culture. There was a drive for change, not for ideals, but for change. At this writing there is an attitude in the public, reported by the news corps that has so reduced its sophistication that candidates for office are warned they may harm the vote numbers if they wear ties rather than open necked shirts, or put on jackets instead of sweaters. The decline in the arts, even in music, is seen as popular, but may have created a casualness that loses respect for self and others. Even refined persons are said now to use crude language when they feel hip. One fellow after swearing wrote: I know, as a Christian, I should not swear but I believe God will forgive me in this instance. Where did that standard come from? Decline did not come from the biblical church. It is said that the public critics of the cultural decline have simply given up. Some analysts say the decline in music came from Elvis Presley and the Beatles. This and many other sources need better analysis than blame.
What has the church, or even current secular classics, contributed to the change in idealism? There are movements to aid Christian singers and ministers who have lost their way – to sexual temptations, to drug cultures, and to money appeals and celebrity status. Some observers argue that the younger generation is searching for greatness, but looking for it in the wrong places and with reduced self-investment. Many pop artists began careers in church choirs, but dropped away from relational ministries for the Church, for public celebrity. Their explanations may sublimate the meaning of Scripture relative to life and conduct. During the year just past I have received notice of five or six churches starting up in our larger community. From an advertisement of one sent to me there is a cordial invitation. The titles are hip for sermons coming up, and the advertising promises that sermons will be short. I am informed I will not be bored. There will be a big playground for children with prizes. I am sure these are fine people, and they want to advance Christian faith. I feel I will like the persons, if I meet them. In all this stew of change, both secular and spiritual, it is not the way to accomplish effective ministry in depth for spiritual growth and cultural uplift. There must be a way to present Christ in a christianly personal and church culture. In all this I am wondering how Jesus or the Apostle Paul would ever refer to a short sermon – or long. Jesus preached before and after lunch – same day and congregation. Paul preached, and a lad fell asleep, falling out a window, disrupting the service. The reason was not sermon quality, but that Paul preached long.
Some services cut ten minutes would have gained objective, or continued ten minutes would have lost it. Spiritual values are not limited to flexing culture. God is to be honored with the best in Christian culture. That culture examines itself on spiritual growth in righteousness, social responsibility in service to the needs of others, and respect for God to devotion. Clocks (timers) are not analysts. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020