CHURCH OF GOD GRILL

Thomas Itty Corepiscopa, Houston

A week or so ago Rev. Fr. Paulose Peter, Chief Editor of 'Malankara Perspective' called and asked me to contribute an article to the February issue of the publication. A long article will be beyond the scope of the publication due to lack of space. In this article(?) I would like to pause a question rather than an elaborate discussion on any specified topic.

The question is ,Is your church a "Church of God Grill"?

We talk about Church, attend the worship services, offer our financial and moral support to the church activities. By being self justified by them we feel ourselves having a place in eternity reserved in spite of the deaf ears and blind eyes we have towards the cries of the world where a Christian church can do a lot. From my long time experience, personal and church related, I always have felt diversion of the individual parishes and Church as a whole from their primary call and purpose. Difference of opinion and vested interests over shadow the brightness of the Church in the parish, diocesan and universal level. The division and litigation in our home church in India is very unfortunate and painful with their negative influences even in this continent.

Most of the individual parishes of American Archdiocese came to existence first as a 'prayer gathering' during the late seventies. In a short while the active attendees at the so called 'prayer gatherings' got discontent of' 'prayer gatherings' alone to cater to their spiritual needs, transformed these 'prayer gatherings' into small parishes securing the service of a priest and making provisions for Holy Qurbana on regular intervals mostly in rented facilities. This was a step further in our exodus of spiritual growth.

Years passed by, our finance and commitment coupled with the divine graces and blessings the small parishes that functioned in rented facilities became owners of physical properties to conduct regular worship. It is an amazing history of growth in the course of a very short period. We have every reason to be proud of what we are and where we are. But are we proud of, how we are in our church?.

The answer will unequivocally vary from person to person, parish to parish. When we analise our church life, especially in America from the inception of our home parish until today we will notice an array of changes in the perspective, goal, administration and outlook and even the basic cause of the church. Day by day we could see situations leading to warring groups in parishes. To the best of my knowledge constructive criticisms and positive thinking shall always be allowed in the church with a positive future of the church in mind . Similarly, at any cost individual motives, self destructive and divisive shall not be permitted in church atmosphere. Money, power, legalism or similar things shall not defame the primary purpose and function of the church.

There was a restaurant named 'Church of God Grill' listed in the telephone directory. A Pastor of the local church, out of curiosity dialed the number and asked how they got that name. The answer was a summary of events from God and worship to money and business. They gathered to worship in the beginning. Later as a fund raising project they began to sell grilled chicken. Every body loved the chicken. In due course the profit and money outscored God and worship. Grilled chicken became important business. The sad conclusion is that, in the end they stopped the worship and continued to serve grilled chicken. But they kept the name "Church of God grill". Started with a prime purpose and intention later ending up as something distracted and faraway from the original theme and purpose.

Have you as a Christian deviated from its meaning and mission over the course of the time? Is your parish operating as a 'Church of God Grill' adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing focusing only on the monetary aspect of the administration? If that is the case it is time for us for a change where we will recommit ourselves in the path of God receiving strength and spirit filled guidance to be well aware of our calling and purpose. We shall not let our church to be called, 'Church of God Grill.'