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I was recently in a restaurant in Spartanburg eating a meal and minding my own business when I looked across the restaurant and saw Jesus! There he was, eating his meal and laughing with his pastor. No it was not the Son of God but rather an actor from some area church that was putting on a drama. As I thought about this Jesus sitting there across the restaurant from me, it hit me, I finally have the answer to why so many churches have replaced preaching with dramas and plays and singing performances. It is so simple; churches are full of actors and performers today! If you are going to use actors and performers you have to have plays, and dramas and other performances. This is not complicated is it? As I sat there and looked at Jesus across the restaurant I thought of all the actors and actresses we have in the church today. There seem to be so many playing a role but not living a genuine life for Christ. Sunday School teachers who teach but who don’t live a Christian life. Deacons playing roles but on the job telling dirty jokes and cussing the loudest. So much pretending today in the local Church. Sadly, all our energy is spent acting; we have no time to seek the lost, no time left for prayer, no time left for real bible study, no time left to fight the world, the flesh, and the devil. For years I’ve wondered why so many can only pray other people’s prayers. I believe I understand now, these actors can memorize lines, and scripts, but nothing is original from the heart. I guess it all makes sense.

Many of God’s people today have covered their real self with their false self. In reality, when it comes to dramas and plays in a church setting, they excel at it. They are well rehearsed. They practice this all the time. My oldest daughter recently discovered that she has breast cancer. She told her mother and I she was so tired of playing a role or acting a part in church that God used this to bring her back to the real Christian she should be. What will it take for you friend? The devil masquerades as an angel of light. It seems that many church folks have learned to do a lot of masquerading as well. Hollywood has come to the local church. Actors are celebrities not servants. Next time you see one be sure to get an autograph for me.

Dr. Dennis Carter