“Let’s face it: appearance is everything. Let us help you enhance your image.” This is an advertising slogan, and like it or
not, has to deal with the church. Image
in American culture is everything. We
are consumed with how other people see us and think about us. Do we dress right, eat right, have the right
hairstyle, and so on. Business’ rise and
fall based on their image. Even our presidential season will be full of sound
bites and images displayed to either solicit or repel votes.
Jesus knew the power of image. He chastised the Pharisees as
being whitewashed tombs and full of dead men’s bones (Matt 23:27). They looked good on Sunday morning, they
didn’t associate with sinners, their prayers were fluent, gave the right amount
of money, and said all the right things.
Yet, they were not interested in the important things like mercy, love,
forgiveness, and grace. They were good
at judging specks without looking at the logs in their own eyes.
But the question isn’t about whether to have an image or not
to have an image. We all display an
image. We should be concerned about the kind of image we portray. The question what that image portrays. How would you describe your image or the
image of your church?
Accepting of people or
Selective
Inclusive of others or
Clique
Tolerant or
Intolerant
Loving or Hateful
Merciful or
Judgmental
Gracious or Spiteful
Seeks Unity or
Seeks Self
Giving or
Consumer
Forgiving or List Maker
Churches and individuals have a choice as to how the world
will see them. Too often we are seen as
the Pharisees of our day. My prayer is
that as I am conformed into an image, the image will be of my savior
Jesus. I want to be more like him
everyday, and some days are better than others.
I’m just saying….
