Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out -
"Crying Wolf" - "The Sky Is Falling"

The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard will periodically do an article called "Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out." He will challenge us with his thoughts and experience as a leading churchman in America. While we may agree, or not agree, he will share with us what he has learned that works in the local parish. Over his forty years of experience in the ministry, he has always tended to be ahead of the current curve of church practices and is always "pushing the envelope" to get us to expand our thinking.

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" was running around warning everyone "The wolves are at my lambs." He said it so often that people didn't listen to him anymore, and when a crisis did arise they were not willing to believe it was real. Chicken Little kept screaming - "The Sky Is Falling". Sounds familiar? Weather reports? Terrorist alert color code? The political campaign? The Church? The sensationalism of the weather, the rush to be first to announce a storm has really gotten out of hand. "Stay tuned" for a report on storm and lightening that never happens. Forecasters warn "don't go out to church - its snowing outside", "don't go play golf - it might storm". You know this is Michigan and it does snow, and yes we do have storms in the Spring, and it's ok to rain. Who cares if you were the first to report a storm - did you notice that the other station is also saying they were first. Please, just report the weather and stop trying to scare us to death. The sky is not falling. The color code terrorist alert, yellow, orange, red is just as bad. Shutting down buildings and areas based on two year old data, just to be able to say you are doing something. While terrorism is real, we are tired of being put on alert all the time - and then nothing happens. Yes, we need to be alert, but not inundated with a constant barrage of alerts. Soon people will not listen or even care anymore. The political campaigns with their negativism and attack ads cause us to be more indifferent and cynical. Hasn't anyone got anything good to say about others or our nation?

All this hype, alarmist tactics, attacking others, and negativism also creep into the life of the church. Life in the church then becomes negative, when we attack each other, we become uncivil to each other, or just plain indifferent to God's message. Also, some churches too often claim they are the only ones who speak the truth, and the only ones that interpret the Bible and doctrine correctly. The church divides itself into attack camps of liberals, moderates, and conservatives. "You had better believe our way, or else God is going to get you." "God's sky is going to fall on you". People want to sensationalize religion, quick fixes for their faith, and instant answers to their prayers. Some want to cast a pall of fear into others, ranting and raving over their sins and all the condemnation that goes with it. "You are a sinner, you are a sinner, you are no good".

We get emails to our "Ask the Pastor" of people literally afraid of that "mean old God." Yes, we sin. But, God is not out to "get us". God does forgive the sinner who repents. The church is not a clubhouse for saints, but a hospital for sinners. The church's message is one of love. - God loves you and cares about you. When you attend church it should not be an atmosphere of tension, anger, negativism, and stress. Rather, a place where you can find peace, forgiveness , and acceptance. The Bible says. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved". Not "maybe", not "if", not with "strings attached". Jesus' death on the cross freed us from sin, the devil, and eternal death. We are free, forgiven, positive people who are filled with hope and assurance. Look up, there is a better day ahead - the sky is not falling - and this is not crying "wolf".