Weakness

Here is an interesting thought from one of my readings . . .

"We must remember that what is true for Jesus, Peter and Paul is no doubt also true for churches, since most of the Bible is written in plural and since the Scripture repeatedly show that the way of God is through weakness. If the church is most faithful to its true vocation as a created power through the weakness that gives way to God's tabernacling, then we must ask such questions as these:
1) Why have we turned pastors into successful CEOs instead of shepherds for the weak?
2) Why do we search for pastors who are handsome, sophisticated, charismatic - instead of models in suffering?
3) Who do our churches adopt practices of business life and its achievement models?
4) Why do we resort to gimmicks, or what Jacques Ellul calls Technique, instead of practicing an 'unadulterated handling of the Word'?"

I would guess the answer to most of these question arise from the fact that we all have become all too comfortable in our suburban Western lifestyle - wanting nothing to do with hardship and suffering. Thus, the Gospel has become another middle-class luxury and right that can only be bought when we have achieved the right financial and social status.