No More Fortress
So Beth told me a story about how she sang the following lyrics in a musical sometime in the 70’s. She assures me that it was meant to be satire at the time.
Sing to the tune of “A Mighty Fortress is our God”
(Please make clear it’s satire…)
A might fortress is our church
A bulwark never failing
Against the changing neighborhood
Where sin is all-prevailing
Around us are the slums
The drunks and pimps and bums
The nice folk had to move
But we return to prove
We won’t give up our fortressIf we let those outside in here
They’d make the place a shambles
You can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear
Or gather grapes from brambles
Your sheep protect the fold
Our fortress we will hold
‘Gainst those of darker skin
The goats will not get in
We won’t give up our fortress
I am just glad that when we talk about church we are not talking about those in the building. I am glad that we have stopped trying to put others into the building so that they might be…(something else I guess) . I am glad that we see church as an activity that happens outside the walls of any building. I am glad that we see the mission of God as relationship before anything else.
17 Jun 2006 Rob
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You are very wise. I wish those inside fortresses (either physical or mental) could see themselves and what their attitudes do to pre-Christians. Christ did most of His sermons on grass covered hills. Maybe that’s where church should be so all could feel welcome.
Huuuuuuummmmmmm,
I’ve always wondered why “churches” had locked doors; or for that matter, doors at all. Also, I wondered why to “become” a Christian it’s only necessary to have a very short and sincere conversation with Christ. However, to “become” a member of “the chruch” the process is much more complex and somewhat legalistic.
So many questions; and, so little time.
Enter, all are welcome.