"Going"
JOURNEY (NO, NOT THE BAND)
What does it take to get the attention of the Religion Department at the Orlando Sentinel? Not the Scriptures; they haven't presented any messages from the Word of God lately, although if you pay them, they will publish it. If you send in an editorial with a moral perspective, they might print it. If you teach and preach solid Bible truths, that's probably a yawner amongst the staff othing of interterest there. (Even some "members" of the church are bored with that.)
But if you're sporting a Jamaican emphasis and giving away free food and pina coladas (non-alcoholic), then that's newsworthy! Remember that from a few years ago? Well, on January 3 on the front page, no less appeared an article titled, "The Bridge" (A1). It does not appear at the top of the page, but it catches the attention, being in huge type and underneath two pictures that cannot be missed. They are three columns wide and about 2½" long (apiece).
The first picture shows a man on a stage addressing an audience. He has some notes in front of him that look as though they lie on a flat piece of plastic, atop a plastic pole stuck in the floor. The article begins with a description of him:
The distressed denim pants, black combat boots and bomber jacket J.J. Vasquez is wearing makes him seem more ready to meet friends at East End Market's trendy food hub than leading a church service a few miles around the corner (A1).
The second picture has underneath it this caption: "The Dream Team of Journey Church just minutes before opening the doors for Sunday service." Seven or more people in a circle have put their hands together much like a basketball team before going out on the court after a timeout. The article does not say whether they shout, "Go, team," before taking their places. Either they are all smurfs, or the stage is drenched with purple lighting.
The description continues by asserting that this church is "modern." Is that a good thing? What does it mean? Is there a passage of Scripture in which Paul advises Timothy and Titus to keep the church "modern"?
They define modern by the absence of pews and stained-glass windows because they rent from Winter Park High School. Why is that termed modern? Paul taught (by virtue of disputing with others) in the school of Tyrannus for two years (Acts 19:9ff). It's doubtful that they had pews or stained-glass windows, either.
But there's more. The group supplies hot coffee and tea brews for those attending. What, no doughnuts, bagels, or croissants? I'm stunned!
An Interesting Observation
Shannon Green, the writer of the article, makes an interesting comment when she reports that, when people enter into the auditorium, they are often "greeted to the sound of an electric guitar versus an organ wailing over worship songs" (A10). Wailing is an interesting adjective to use in describing the organ. Many people have commented on the way it seems to drown out the singing in churches that use it, but seldom does one see anything in print along those lines. However, is an electric guitar any better or just different? As much as I like REO Speedwagon, their music would not be appropriate for worship.
The clothing "worshipers" wear is about what one might expect "a mixture of hipster and urban attire" (A10). Well, why not? But, hey, if we're going to be casual about our meeting together with God, why not go all out and wear our best Grammy Awards' threads? Maybe someone could write a modern spiritual song titled, "Let's Be Outrageous for Jesus!"
Redefining a Pastor
The idea, of course, is to package traditional Christianity in contemporary garb, so to speak. And in just two years, the group is drawing about 600 people. Green quotes J.J Vasquez as saying: "I have an opportunity to define what a pastor is\…." He speaks of his tattoos and the way he is "redefining what a pastor is and what is the church" (A10). Probably he does not know the Bible well enough to define either.
Since he is only 32 years of age, how does he qualify as a pastor as set forth in the Bible? A pastor is equivalent to an elder or bishop (overseer) (study Acts 20:17, 28 and 1 Peter 5:1-4). He must have faithful or believing children (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1). Since Vasquez does not know the qualifications, he probably does not know the work, either. Furthermore, it is not up to him to either redefine either pastor or church. God already provided the meanings for those words. By whose authority is he redefining it? Will he claim that God authorized him to do so? Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth belonged to Him (Matt. 28:18). Who does this guy think he is?
Likewise, God gave Jesus to be head over all things to the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23). The church does not belong to Vasquez; he has no authority to redefine it. God designed the church the way He wanted it to function. Vasquez is not the first to try to make the church according to his concepts. Denominationalism did that long ago, and they were just as wrong as he is. One cannot blame him for rebelling against that monstrosity, but he should go back to the Scriptures and follow them regarding the truth not invent something equally unauthorized.
Speaking of authority, where does the Bible authorize the wearing of tattoos? God forbade His people from tattooing (Lev. 19:28, NKJ, NAS) or printing (KJV, ASV) any marks upon themselves. What Scripture in the New Testament authorizes their use? Likewise, we find just as many Scriptures in the New Covenant for playing the electric guitar and "pulsating drums" as we do the organ none! Mankind must either follow God's instructions for acceptable worship (John 4:23-24), or it does not matter what he does. Like Cain, he can worship the way he wants instead of the way God instructed and find such worship rejected by God (Gen. 4:4-5).
The New Testament discusses the church from many aspects. God delineated the ways in which we are to worship; they involve sound teaching and preaching of the Word, singing praises (no accompaniment is authorized), praying, giving, and the remembrance of the Lord's death. God also authorized overseers (pastors or elders) for each congregation if men are qualified to serve in these roles. The New Testament omits any mention of a larger structure between churches, resulting in a national or world hierarchy. God's arrangement does not need to be redefined it needs to be practiced.
The Name
Although no approval can be offered for any of the things thus far discussed, we can sympathize with the Vasquez's personal situation. When his wife became pregnant, the baby "suffered from a rare birth defect from which he did not develop kidneys" (A 10). The child was not expected to survive the pregnancy, but was born and lived seven hours. The couple held him and sang songs to him. Family members were there to share in his brief life. They named him, "Journey."
The emotional impact of this situation is completely understandable, but God chose to call the church after His Son Who died not theirs. Two important differences are that God's Son died for the sins of all mankind, and He also was resurrected from the dead (Rev. 1:18). Both husband and wife tattooed Journey on their forearms as an act of remembrance. Again, the sentiment is understandable, but is it not likely they would remember the child and his few hours of life without ink under their skin? Was not a more indelible impression forged into their minds and hearts?
Those involved in this Journey Church sincerely believe in what they are doing. Vasquez left a six-figure job in order to begin this effort. His parents sold their dream home, which they had just finished renovating, in order to pool all of their efforts into this project (A10). However, the Scriptures teach that sincerity, while essential, is not enough; what we do must also be according to truth (John 4:23-24). And that's where this otherwise-dedicated couple and their family falls short. Besides, one finds sincere people everywhere in denominations and among Buddhists and Muslims. All need the same commitment to truth.
Doing Church?
Vasquez's father is quoted as saying of his son that the "way he does church, it opens up doors for everybody no matter what your beliefs or color or language." "Doing church" is not a concept found in the New Testament. We assume that he means the way his son conducts the worship. The article, except for the references to instrumental music, gives the reader no idea concerning how Vasquez does church. In a third photograph (4" by 4 column inches), he does appear to be holding a Bible in his hand. Does he teach out of The Book? Perhaps so. But the gospel (not that he presents it accurately) was always designed for everyone, regardless of color or language.
Jesus came to break down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14-18). Paul taught that all are one in Christ Jesus and that in Christ there is no longer Jew or Gentile (Gal. 3:26-29). The church in the first century contained rich and poor, all nationalities, men and women all who wanted salvation. However, beliefs had to, over time, be conformed to those of Christianity. One could not be a Zealot, taking part in rebellions and killing Roman officers, and still be a Christian. Neither could one be a lazy slave or an overbearing master. New converts may come to Christ with various erroneous beliefs, but they must be transformed into the image of His Son (Rom. 12:1-2).
A Side Point
Shannon Green wanders a bit in the writing of this article. She takes the reader into a discussion of the fact that many young people are leaving "traditional religion." She gives examples of atheists who are gaining followers with their own emphases about how to live. She quotes one guy who said he couldn't find answers to his questions (although they are not complicated at all); so he left Christianity behind. Here is what he said:
I really just teach my kids that you have to love yourself. Nobody is going to save you but you (A10).
How interesting! First of all, who is his authority for saying you just have to love yourself? Himself? He appeals to no other individual, but it would not matter, for what would be that person's credentials? In other words, why should anybody follow this precept or any other that he gives? Second, it sounds rather selfish, doesn't it? It contradicts the Golden Rule. Imagine a world with everyone living by such a precept!
Third, how is anyone supposed to save himself? Can he provide a definition for the word save? No one can save himself from sin. If that were possible, then Jesus could have remained in heaven and let us work it all out. In the Patriarchal Age, and the Mosaic Age, a blood sacrifice was offered for sins. Then Jesus, the antitype of these types, paid the price for all mankind's sins. Yet we can save ourselves? One thing is certain: The world contains too much gibberish and too little truth.
Those who do not know what they are saying shouldn't be: