This is the closest church to my house if you don’t count the bird house church in my backyard, a little box with a steeple that someone gave me. The church pictured isn’t my church but it’s Southern Baptist. I know the pastor who is a good guy. Good church. Good pastor. God bless them.
Like many churches in the area they decorate the property with American flags around Independence Day. One of the largest SBC churches in my area must have a hundred or more medium sized flags lining their property, along the driveway and parking areas. Very colorful.
I don’t have any issue with any of them. I did the same for my church before I retired.
I don’t know what their worship services are like on Independence Day holiday weekend but I’d guess they incorporate some of the usual patriotic elements. LifeWay Research says that 61% of pastors agree that “it’s important for July Fourth worship services to incorporate patriotic elements to celebrate America during worship services during July 4th week.”
That’s OK by me. Some churches may overdo it, I’ve seen a couple of things that make me shake my head, but let the autonomous local churches have at it. Some among us want a safe space (oh, how I hate that phrase) where they can be patriotic at church without being criticized. No church is safe from being criticized, brethren. Quit whining.
I’ll not kneel under any circumstances when the National Anthem is played. Others may do as they wish. I can only control my own actions.
I’m not in the “God save America” crowd mainly because I don’t think God has a spiritually salvific attitude towards any of the world’s 195 countries. I’d like for God to bless America, preserve America, and change America in some ways but I can’t think of another country in which I’d rather live, or work, or raise a family. No apologies from me about how America is yet imperfect.
A friend, known for being rather dour in his old age, tried to foist that old line on me that the coming election is the last chance for America. Hooey and hogwash. Whichever way it goes, the republic will survive it. No matter who is elected president, things will be better in some ways and probably worse, to my view, in some ways but we will manage.
Let the apocalyptic naysayers bray on about the country going to Gehenna. I’ve heard it for a couple of generations now. I might append a whisper of a prayer that we be delivered from the doomsdayers.
Have a nice Independence Day.
God bless America.
___________________
And have some bbq. Locally, I recommend Edee’s Place.
I’m not personally big on patriotic services, but to each his own. As for the country, I see it differently. I’m not quite as fossilized as you, lol, I’m 55, but I do see us at a real turning point. I have no confidence a Republucan win will stall the slide, but I do see a hatred of God more open and celebrated on the left than at any point in my life. I see first amendment rights such as freedom of speech eroding swiftly, churches being governed by those who govern, not their beliefs, in some areas, sin celebrated… Read more »
I agree with most of your comments, and especially the part about divided Christians! Satan knows if believers are divided, then they will not be busy giving the gospel of Grace to the lost.
And we are at a point that things are moving very quickly, that could obviously change, but I dont think so. Regarding the election, if the Democrats win we will see a massive lurch to the left. If Trump wins, we will see unprecedented civil unrest, at least regarding our lifetimes. The church is divided by race, socio-economics, orthodox doctrine, POLITICS!, along with multiple, individual petty issues. We live in an ever increasing 2 Timothy 3:1-5 world. And I with all my heart believe this is just the beginning of sorrows
I do not like God and Country church services. I prefer tipping the hat to the nation early on in the service and then carrying pretty much as usual…perhaps a sermon ill with a patriotic or historical theme.
It really is not about what you or I or anyone else “prefers”The fact is we accept the Bible as “the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.” We must then do what God says regarding worship. (Please understand that patriotism is not a sin in of itself–it can be if it is accompanied by hubris, hatred for other countries, too much passion etc, but that is another matter. Patriotism itself is not a sin–it is good to love one’s country.) The question at hand here is about what belongs in a “Worship Service.” If on 51 Sundays… Read more »
I note your preference, Fred. My point is that most churches will do something along these lines and some will go overboard. Let the autonomous church decide.
Thanks for the comment.
William
Praise God for America! I am not aware of another country that God has worked through to bless the world, and offers more opportunities for its responsible citizens to prosper than America. The American dream is still available for those who want to live happy and healthy lives.
Praise God for America! He gets the Praise!
Blessings
Woody
Thanks for the post. When I read it I realized I had not put the flag out on my house. When I pastored I would always choose the great American hymns.. America, America The Beautiful..etc.
I believe many Christians are awol when it comes to civic matters. They’re uncomfortable with it for some reason. We shouldn’t become idolatrous, but that’s really not that hard to avoid. I am in favor of letting churches do as they please in terms of whether to include God and Country type services. The dangers of civil religion are way overblown by the younger generation IMO. I have noticed some really tepid July 4 statements from some Christians on social media. But have seen good ones, as well. If you haven’t seen the President’s speech from Mt. Rushmore last night… Read more »
God bless America and Go Dawgs
I think one reason younger people don’t like the patriotic stuff is because many more of us haven’t faced the dire straits of a World War II or actually been a Veteran, so we don’t understand as well the cost of freedom nor how dependent on God we are for that freedom as well as earlier generations do.
Also, I would say many young people have received their history education from garbage books like Howard Zinn’s so they only really know the bad stuff in our history and not the good stuff.
Mixing patriotism with God’s word is like the coal strikes back in the 60’s. The preacher would get up and preach on evil coal companies and try to incorporate them into the scriptures. Look, there is nothing wrong with being a patriot or a union man, but we must not allow our personal belief’s out rank God’s holy word. I feel the same way about mixing politics with religion. Oh what a tangled web we weave!