Notice the following recent headlines and by-lines from publications (names of companies and individuals have been removed and replaced by X and/or John Doe). These are just a sample of what is happening in the world.

"X's Golden Parachutes Were Being Secured While Execs Were Pleading For Federal Rescue" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/lehmans-golden-parachutes_n_132258.html

"X Boss Defends $484 Million in Salary, Bonus. John Doe Becomes Poster Boy for Wall Street Greed at Heated Congressional Hearing" http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=5965360&page=1

"Gov. X admits to sex with other woman for years." Http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/17/2008-03-17_gov_paterson_admits_to_sex_with_other_wo.html

"For Wall Street, Greed Wasn't Good Enough" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/opinion/18wilmott.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=greed&st=cse

"New York's top cop warns of copycat Mumbai attacks" http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/06/ny.security/index.html

"Heroin Hits the Suburbs Hard Amid Wave of Drug Abuse by Teens and 20-Somethings" http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/12/05/heroin-hits-the-suburbs-hard-amid-wave-of-drug-abuse-by-teens-and-20-somethings.html

"Man Helped Girlfriend, 12, Slay Family" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/05/world/main4651393.shtml?source=mostpop_story

"2 teen girls charged in nursing resident abuse They allegedly taunted, spat on, groped residents with dementia disorders" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28051548/

"Over 50 dead in Texas due to awful patient care" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28023364/

"African albinos killed for body parts" http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE4A269120081103

Pretty shocking, isn't it? But that's the world, right? It's not the church…

Or is it? Take a look at these headlines and by-lines. Church names have been removed and replaced with "Y"…

"Christian fist fight at Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre" http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4A81EC20081109

"Disgraced Pastor Returns, As Christian Businessman Disgraced In Sex-and-drugs Scandal, Fallen Pastor John Doe Returns To Public Eye" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/23/ap/national/main4628309.shtml?source=search_story

"Church of "Y" risks criminal charges. Belgian prosecutor recommends group stand trial for fraud, extortion" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20594018/

"Congo Rebel Leader John Doe Vows to Keep Fighting. AP Interview: In mountain retreat, Congo rebel leader shows benign face amid massacre charges…" In this interview, the rebel leader, who drove 250,000 inhabitants from their home, declares that he used to be a pastor and proclaims that he is still a fervent believer. Http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6210834

"New Hampshire "Y" Choose Gay Bishop, and Conflict" http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/06/08/nyt.goodstein/index.html?iref=newssearch

"Toronto's "Y" congregation finds that despite the members' dutiful tithing, the church spends little on charitable projects" http://www.thestar.com/article/187986

"Swiss Magistrate Alleges Priest Abused Boys" http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6172574

As I read through Jer. 8:10-12, I can't help but wonder: Is this the age Jeremiah was describing? "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." (Jer 8:10-12 NIV)

Are we closer to the end than we think? "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…" (Matt 24:12 NIV)

Let us not forget that we are Christians, and as Christians we are followers of the Christ! "…but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matt 24:13 NIV)

Jesus' mission was a mission of pure love and He entrusts us to follow in His steps: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)

What would be our headline in the paper if journalists found out about the "real" us? Are we any better than the world?

Rob Chaffart
Written on December 6th, 2008