by Deputy Diva
No your eyes are not playing tricks on you. This is actually some-body’s pulpit, looking like an auto dealer’s showroom. It is actuallly the pulpit of Pentecostal Bishop Charles H. Ellis III at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI to be exact.
The New York Times Reports:
Pentecostal Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, who shared the sanctuary’s wide altar with three gleaming sport utility vehicles, closed his sermon by leading the choir and congregants in a boisterous rendition of the gospel singer Myrna Summers’ “We’re Gonna Make It” as hundreds of worshipers who work in the automotive industry – union assemblers, executives, car salesmen – gathered six deep around the altar to have their foreheads anointed with consecrated oil. SOURCE
Now, I’m all for praying for our country, our families, our jobs, our livelihoods, etc. But is it me, or does this look like the set of the Oprah show during a free car giveaway?
What are your thoughts on this?
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American Idol
Tiger Woods
Nooooooooooooo, no, no. What in the world ???? Is this a theatrical production or church prayer service?
I was listening to a gospel station in ATL tonight and I had to check to see if I was on the urban hip hop,rap dance station.
Please. I am so tired of these Pastors who want to be the next superstar. You don’t need to bring SUVs on stage to pray for them so this is all about publicity. I am embarrassed…for them.
About the previous comment…I do not listen to many gospel stations for that reason. I am very careful about what I place into my spirit. That’s a shame because we are talking about a gospel station.
A way to get attention. The had the great “bishop” on CNN, I looked briefly and kept on walking by the tv. You the tithes and offerings are going to diminish if they lose their jobs….Far beit from anyone to believe that maybe the Lord may choose to bless in another way.
Ummmmmm….I have nothing to say. :: shaking my head :: Okay I can think again now. Couldn’t he have prayed for the people whose jobs are in jeopardy without driving 3 suvs into the church?
I’m unclear about the purpose of the vehicles.
Was he planning a giveaway? The article does not specify.
The sad thing is that the people have no clue nor do they care what they just did. I feel sorry for everyone that stayed and did not walk out at that theatrical production. Foolishness.
Rev. Ellis was within his rights to pray for divine intervention into the self-inflicted woes the Big 3 automakers are facing. The justification of his prayers was sullied because the vehicles were at the altar. That points to a materialistic mindset, in my opinion. The problem is these automakers need to manufacture better cars. Have you ever driven a Chrysler minivan? We have and it fell apart within three years of owning it. I would never purchase another American-made vehicle again, unless of course, they radically change the crap they have on the market. Rev. Ellis, shame on you for being so materialistic.
@ Lynn, No he wasn’t planning a giveaway. He just wanted to have a special service to pray for those who work in the auto industry that may lose their jobs as a result of this economic crisis and these auto makers filing bankruptcy.
I agree with the other comments that he could have held his special service without adorning his pulpit with SUVS. I don’t understand the purpose of that at all… When I saw it I immediately thought about how in the Old Testament, people worshipped idols. I would hope the good Bishop would have better sense than to be introducing idol worship into his services.
@ blackpolitical… I agree with your statement about Chrysler and these other American automakers needing to build better cards. I previously owned a Chysler sedan that I had nothing but problems with since day 1. That car had been taken to the dealer MULTIPLE times because I kept smelling some strong exhaust like fumes whenever I drove it, to the point where I had to ride around in the middle of winter with the windows down or die from the fumes. Each dealer I took it too and each time I took it, no one could figure out what was wrong and claimed it was my ‘immagination.’
At one point, I picked it up from the dealership only to have it break down on me less than 3 blocks away.
The car finally and suddenly burst into flames when my father, a mechanic, agreed to drive it home from the dealership and take it to his repair shop to try to figure out what was wrong and finally fix it.
Thank God my father wasn’t hurt, but the car was no more after that and I never did buy another Dodge/Chrysler, and told EVERYONE I knew not to buy one either for those reasons.
When I saw this plea for attention on the morning news Monday, I too was very embarrassed for them because it really does not take all of that. I can’t stand to see us cheapen the Church and God with these theatrics! Heartfelt prayers yes, job fairs and other assistance activities yes, but to dramatize this concern for attention and acting buffoonish in God’s Sanctuary, absolutely not.
I was searching for a church home after relocating to Houston, TX and decided quickly that one particular church was not for me after during the announcement period during morning worship, a member got up and solicited business (he was a automobile salesman) and that was the express purpose of him getting up and going to the lecturn-was to let everyone know that if they needed to purchase a car, please see him and he proceeded to tell us the dealership and a few deals they had available. I looked around and nobody seemed disturbed but me.
I know it was wrong to leave before the benediction but I did because he was giving a full commercial and sales pitch. I never returned and took my visitor card with me because there really was no need for them to contact me.
Sorry for venting, back on topic-I guess the good Bishop got what he wanted, national attention-what people won’t do to be in front of cameras…..
Just further reasoning for why I stay out of “chutch” on Sunday morning. I can’t find a church who will preach the truth without all this theatrical bulljive.
2thehilt,
I am very sorry to hear that. Pray and ask the Lord to guide you to His Church. He wants all of us in a good, bible believing church.
LOL. My whole family laughed when we saw this on the news. I told them not to laugh at the people but the pastor should be blamed for this by allowing this materialistic stuff in his church. SMH….
@2thehilt: Keep searching, you’ll find a church home. My husband doesn’t like the big screens. He said some churches today remind him of an ongoing concert. He’s pretty conservative though.
2thehilt there are more churches than not who don’t have all the theatrical stuff. What are you looking for in a church? Maybe we can make some suggestions.
To the person who does not go to church;
Please do not use this as an excuse for you not going to church. If you know Jesus then you know that Jesus went into the synagogue where He knew many did not believe in Him. He was there because He did everything that fulfilled all righteousness. The entire New Testament is based on the establishment and growing of the Church. You should also know that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. So please be honest.
If you are looking for that perfect church then you won’t find it. There are back bitters, the greedy, and immoral, within the Church like as it is in the world. In fact, the Bible calls them wheat and tares. Jesus also instructed us to let them grow together. Now, you can’t be in just any Church but you have an advocate Who will lead you and guide you into the right Church for you.
I do not like to pacify sin but you need to be convicted of your excuses and get somewhere where you can fellowship with the saints. I do not recommend Pastor Ellis’ church. Much love.