Televangelists troll up money and preach to camera lenses. Politicians spin and package their agendas. Many of both pretend to somehow represent Christians. Even worse, they pretend to represent Jesus.
In talking to normal people, I find that I often have to overcome a bunch of damage done by these politi-vangelist people. Their fog of disinformation keeps getting in my way and deceiving folks who really want to know Jesus better.
I know I’m not the only one, but I got a huge reassurance a few days ago. Janet Conrad of Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented has a blog and Facebook page – the name says it all. Her Google alert query found this site. Her site has hundreds of fans who are also tired of being sterotyped.
From that link also came Mark Sandlin’s blog, The God Article. He’s a pastor in North Carolina.
I think the lesson the politi-vangelists can teach me, by negative example, is to jettison stereotypes. I live a better life when I keep my eyes open and know people one at a time instead of by labels. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide me into all truth, to help me to distinguish right from wrong, evil from wounded. He’s always been trustworthy. Why not now, too?
