X: Xenophobe

Preachers and pastors who make their paying career in ministry are false prophets, we were taught. Those hundreds of thousands of men who have gone through college and graduate school to study the bible and the original languages and contexts of the scriptures, biblical scholars, are fakes. They are not hand-picked men of God.

In college, I made friends with a young woman who was the daughter of a pastor. She was the first person to tell me about the trinity – she even drew a picture to explain it. At that point I was already out of the FOC, but still very much afraid of other belief systems and worldly churches. I told my mom about my new friend and what I was learning. Mom’s response was to sternly rebuke me for casting my pearls among the swine. Because the woman had a father who was a worldly pastor, because she was not “born holy” in the FOC, she was swine.

Xenophobe: a person who fears or hates foreigners, strange customs, etc.

Dictionary.com

How can the FOC receive help if not from a stranger or outsider? I’ve been thinking about this. From my own experience in public speaking, it’s not something that comes easily or naturally. Just imagine, being very sheltered in who and what you were exposed to and then suddenly being called to become a preacher! I have to believe that these men (Walter White and other FOC preachers) really were lead and inspired by God, through the Holy Spirit to preach the word. How else could they have captivated such a loyal following? But, I have also come to accept that the FOC did not alone hold God’s heart. God didn’t send Jesus to die on the cross just for that little town in Oregon. God cares about the souls of the whole world.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:2

Last Sunday, I printed a message from a stranger to the OC FOC. I don’t know what his message is, or what God is calling his friend to do. But, I do believe that if the group is to be helped, it is very likely that the help will come from the outside.

What Is A Worldly Person?

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15

In the Followers, we defined anyone who was not one of us as a “worldly person.” That included all other religions and denominations. They were worldly churches and worldly preachers.

But the term worldly person is used outside of the FOC. In most secular contexts, it is actually a compliment. It is someone who is wise in the ways of the world. An educated, well-travelled person.

Here is how dictionary.com defines worldly:

world·ly

[wurld-lee]  Show IPA adjective,world·li·er, world·li·est, adverb

adjective
1.of or pertaining to this world  as contrasted with heaven,spiritual life, etc.; earthy; 
   mundane.
2.experienced; knowing; sophisticated: the benefits of hisworldly wisdom.
3.devoted to, directed toward, or connected with the affairs,interests, or pleasures of this
   world.
4.of or pertaining to the people or laity; secular; neither ecclesiastical  nor religious
5.Obsolete . of, pertaining to, or existing on earth.

Churches outside of the FOC also use the term worldly person to refer to someone who dresses in fashionable clothes, has stylish hair, wears a lot of make-up, listens to popular, secular music, and is overly involved in the relevant popular culture.

I have recently heard some reports (yes, gossip) about how Shannon Hickman is getting along in prison. Because her case was high profile and covered in the news media and newspapers, the women prisoners had preconceived notions of how she would be when she arrived among their ranks. The thing that surprised the other prisoners the most was how “worldly” she was. What do you mean by worldly I asked.

“Well, she is into popular music, movies, and TV shows.” So, apparently the other prisoners were expecting someone who did not watch television or listen to music. Maybe they had in mind an Amish woman.

Despite their criticism of her, Shannon has made a lot of friends in prison, but she was a bit unsure at first. Her counselor, realizing that she wasn’t a hardened criminal had advised her to watch out for the other inmates saying, “If a woman comes to you and says she has your back, it means she wants to sleep with you.” Well, imagine her response when a friendly inmate said just that to her, with no intention of sleeping with her.

The inmates at Coffee Creek are required to work full-time jobs for very little pay. They usually receive $100-$200 per month for the full time work. Out of that money, they are required to purchase their own uniforms, shoes, make-up, haircuts, and personal items. Shannon’s chosen job is in the prison chapel. She is a clerk for the religious library.

So what makes someone a “worldly person” to you? Is it someone who gets medical care? Goes to a “worldly church/chapel services”? Is it a positive thing – an educated, world traveler and life-long learner? Is it someone who cares too much about worldly possessions? Or something else?

Why Not Try It?

How many folks in the FOC have never attended a church service that included a sermon? How many have never seen a live baptism (as opposed to seeing one in a movie)?

Legend has it that when Walter White was alive, he invited preachers from other denominations to come to the building on Molalla Avenue and deliver sermons. After the guest preacher was done, they would debate the points of the man’s sermon.

Older ones also say that Walter encouraged members of his flock to visit other churches. He said if they stuck around long enough they would discover the other churches’ faults. He told folks to come to him with questions that came up from visiting these other services.

Walter encouraged it, and any folks who take his advice are guaranteed to learn something from the experience. Why not try it? I'm not saying you should leave permanently - as I'm sure Walter was not - but why not see what church is like in other denominations?

Walter White (standing - right), his three brothers:
Orville (seated - left),
Clarence (standing - left), and Melvine (seated - right)
with their mother, Eva White