Church Is A Mirror Reflection Of How Men Perceive God

by Van Robison

mirror If we look in the mirror, we obviously see our own reflection. Churches of this world are a reflection of the thinking of the religious-minded. So then, churches reflect the thinking mostly of the leadership of those institutions. You might say that when a clergyman or pastor looks at himself in the church mirror, what he sees is his own thinking. Church is the image or mirror reflection of the pastors. The reason this is so is because without the professional clergy there would be no church buildings, no service conducted, no preaching service, no money collection, no weekly rituals, etcetera. Church is a reflection of how men perceive God. Church cannot possibly define God, His purpose or His character. The one element that God looks upon is the HEART. It is impossible to believe that the most intelligent being in the universe is somehow pleased and overjoyed with human rituals, ceremonies, patterns, physical structures made of brick, stone, wood and mortar, and the customs and traditions of the religious-minded.

Is God represented because people bathe on Sunday morning, put their Sunday clothes on, drive to their favorite local church, shake hands with a few people, have some small chatter over donuts and coffee and then sit in rows of pews, listen to a short or long sermon by someone who is supposed to be "spiritual" and then go out to the local restaurant and eat, go home and watch television until bedtime? And that is basically how many Christians perceive God. They have done their weekly ritual of "going to church", which is a reflection of the mind of man.

Pastors have the perception that Jesus Christ is represented by their physical church buildings, their church schools, how many are on staff, and by virtually everything that is of a material nature in their churches and church properties, along with whatever they do in church service. For example, years ago when my wife and I attended First Assembly of God in our local community, an Australian "evangelist" was making his church rounds and was invited to speak (always for money). This happened during the time of many charismatic happenings. This fellow thought it was a good idea for everyone to just get down on the floor on our backs and simply "soak" in the presence of God. Well, okay, nothing particularly wrong with resting and contemplating. But the fact remains, that was a part of his perception of who God is and he wanted others to "see" God in this same fashion.

God is perceived by "professional clergy" in the following ways:

The pastor has authority over all who are members of his church.
The pastor is entitled to a free lunch for life--which means you work, I take your money.
Physical church buildings, and the bigger and more expensive the better.
Sunday church service.
Wednesday night church service.
Revival every so often.
Guest speakers from time to time (collections will be taken).
Rows of pews for the members and guests.
Pre-packaged sermons.
Three or four songs, or maybe more.
On-stage musical instrument players.
Altar calls.
Special music while the tithes and offerings are taken up.
Announcements.
Pastors and "important" preachers sit in soft-cushioned chairs on the stage.
Attendant brings pastor glass of water before preaching service begins.
Deacons keep order.
Head deacon places mints in the suit pocket of the pastor before each service.
Wearing of long robes to preach in.
Infallible pastor leads congregation in "worship."

And the list goes on and on depending on the church and their formalities, patterns, customs, traditions and so forth. And that is how the religious minded "see" God. It is a mirror reflection of how the "professional" class of religious leaders perceive God. My personal perspective about my Creator/Father/Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit offends church leaders, because church leaders have no relevance in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is inconceivable to me that in the life of eternity, that Almighty God will somehow appoint "pastors" to forever stand between God and His people. Everything that is said about Jesus Christ seems to be what the religious leaders think about themselves. They think they are the "Way". They think that church as they perform their weekly rituals is how everyone is supposed to perceive God. They make people believe that "going to church" is what is pleasing to God. Never mind that Jesus Christ nowhere ever stated that "going to church" is a necessary ritual in order to be forgiven for sins, or to receive the Holy Spirit, or to be given eternal life. Pastors would have people believe that John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that He gave pastors, clergy and going to church, and that whosoever believes in going to church should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The real perception of God was taught and lived by Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that "my Father and I are one" and that "IF you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." Do church leaders and the millions of pawns sitting in pews really "see" Jesus Christ, or do they see a mirror reflection of how religious leaders perceive God in their imaginations? Did God create us to follow the religious imaginations of pastors and church leaders? Is real life about the HEART or church rituals?