Tag Archives: Religion

In 1963, John Wimber (1934-1997), the founder of Vineyard Churches and Vineyard Music,  was radically saved out of his booze and drug abuse life style. He made a 180º life-turn and began studying the Bible and attending church.

One particular Sunday, after a boring service, Wimber cornered a lay leader of the church.

“When do we get to do the stuff?  You know, the stuff here in the Bible, the stuff Jesus did, like healing the sick, raising the dead, healing the blind – stuff like that?” asked Wimber.

The lay leader explained how Christians did not do that anymore, but instead, they had weekly services like the dull one Wimber had just suffered through.

“You mean I gave up drugs for that?” replied Wimber, pointing to the pews in the sanctuary.

Let’s admit it, okay? Most of today’s churches are boring.

That’s why people, especially men, are staying home on Sunday mornings. Oh, you can change the music, hire a charismatic pastor, perform Powerpoint sermon presentations, jump on the social media bandwagon, and attempt countless other slick ideas.

But when the dust settles in the sanctuary, the church will still be a last place finisher to the world’s pleasures and entertainment systems. And then someone will certainly say, “You mean I gave up drugs (or alcohol or porn or gambling or other vices) for that?”

Well, hello Christians!

“As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8)

If twelve bumbling, ignorant fishermen and assorted laborers who had no Bibles or formal training could turn the world upside down with miracles, what’s our excuses?

We have the only message the world needs right now and like John Wimber often said, “Everybody gets to play.”

So, let’s do the stuff again!