Hero Worship?

I have been thinking about what drives us to go to events (no not my mini-van). In a poll, theooze.com is holding regarding the reasons behind people attending Christian Events (the poll is non-scientific) most of the people suggested that they go because of the talent that will be playing. Price and location were pretty far down on the list of what causes people to go to events.

It is interesting to me how people will scrimp and save to go to the best concert of the summer. I am captivated by how people will literally get in line at 2 in the morning to see James Blunt at a free concert on the Today show, when you have a better view on TV. I am just as stunned to see Christians pay high prices to go to conferences see Bishop Jakes or Joel Osteen or for single concerts to see Third Day or others. This is not a new thing. I remember seeing pictures of the Beatles arrival in NYC. Girls were actually fainting when they got a look at the Lads from Liverpool. I have paid high ticket prices myself to see playoff games, concerts, broadway shows and the like.

I was at an event recently, where a video was shown and even though the message was serious, the video seemed to be trivialized by the raucous cheering that came while some of the people participating in the video were on screen for just a few seconds. Even in the Salvation Army we have this sort of groupie following for some of our officers and talented musicians. I know most of them would not want to have the attention on them, but on God.

Especially, with Army and Christian events I have seen planning done and guests invited not on the basis of who would be the best person to fit our needs or best worship leader, but who would be the best "draw." It almost seems to downplay the importance of the message for the glamor of the messenger.

I understand wanting events to be of high quality. I understand (sort of) the draw to have large crowds. Although, I do find it funny the need to mandate people to come with quotas to fill to congresses, retirments etc. in our organization. I mean no disrespect, but if the people thought the event worthy enough, don't you think they would come? Maybe I am a bit jaded in my thoughts on this. But, I digress.

I worry about this phenomenom of what I see as hero worship. Not taking anything away from the giftedness of people, or their sincerity in sharing the message of the Gospel, but I am beginning to see an alarming trend. I wonder if we are setting up Christian heroes? You know, are we going to events and worship because of the speakers and musicians or because we want God to speak to us? Why is that there is not that kind of excitement generated in our local contexts, when are CO's or pastors or worship bands get up to lead us to the Father?

I have been to two events recently that were pretty much devoid of heroes (at least the kind you put up on a pedastool and say, "Wow, they're just terrific."). Last week, I was at the Northern New England Youth Councils and yesterday I spent time in worship at the Beacon, NY Corps. Honestly, there were not many bells and whistles. Although our worship leader was very good last week and the speakers were well-prepared and Spirit-led, there was not that "star" attraction. Yesterday, the music was a bit, tough. The message was meaningful, but not delivered with the oratorical charisma of a Bishop Jakes.

Something happened in both places though. God showed up! There was not a great deal of hero worship. There was a lot of God-focus.

I am wondering if I am being a bit too critical. I wonder is all the entertainment necessary? Maybe it is time for us to strip away all the bells and whistles and really concentrate on the important. Maybe, just maybe, we need to get away from the stars, the production, the plethora oF big events which are just too many to count and get back to basics, worship and the word.

Understand I see the necessity for a big event every once in a while. It helps us all see the bigger picture and realize we are not alone in this walk we call being a Christian.

Maybe we need to think about who the real heroes are in the faith. I think if we really took a long time to think about it, it would not be the talented speakers, musicians, writers or scholars, it might just be the local Sunday School teacher or kids' club helper, who just quietly does what the Spirit tells them to.

I am struggling with the idea of this whole hero culture. I think we could use a few more local heroes, ones that are not woshipped, but respected.

What do you think?