neighborhood church 4/3/16 malaga cove pastor david young...so I attend here periodically...am a bit concerned by their "nametags" they have for members at the door so that if you are not a regular member you feel a little bit "lower" on the "pyramid" ...too often some churches do feel like they have acquisced to the idea of membership as a "pyramid system" whereby the pastor is at the top, then the associate pastors, youth pastor, choir members, deacons, et al... and so the "visitor" is the most lowliest of all on the pyramid...it actually is the OPPOSITE of the message of Jesus, such as the parable of the workers whereby those who showed up late to work were paid the same as those who worked all day, and the parable of the prodigal son whereby the son who went and wasted all his inheritance was nonetheless treated like a king upon returning to his father. Sure, those who show some allegiance to their local community church should be embraced and affirmed for their dedication, but if there is too much of that sort of "club membership" theme, then the church turns inward when it should be turning outward. I sense that if I did join it would be a LONG JOURNEY to being accepted and affirmed because i would be at the "bottom of the ladder" so to speak. This makes people shy away, rightly so. I am doing church work and evangelism every day "out there in the world" even though I am not formerly affiliated with neighborhood church. I should be affirmed as a fellow Christian even if I am not a regular member and tither to neighborhood church. This is a wealthy church in palos verdes and I am afraid the "country club" theme has worked its way into the church life. So we pray for the pastor to recognize this problem and work to overcome it, unless he himself has also acquiesced to happily being a "rich church pastor" ...and if so we pray for people to intervene in prayer for this pastor and the church congregation. WE PRAY for the Holy Spirit to overcome any darkness that may be in this congregation...maybe too much dependence on financial wealth and social class...hear our prayer Lord!
