To Die For

The two thousand member church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons.

The one in the middle announced, "Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!"

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

After a few moments, there were about twenty people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit.

The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, "All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service."


Over 77% of people in America call themselves Christians according to a 2001 Gallup Poll, with 41-43% attending church every week. That means that over three fourths of the people in Independence, KS, which would come to 7581people, are Christians and on any given week 4037 are attending church.

Why do I state these figures in relation to hypocrisy?

First, If 77% of us were truly Christians (i.e. Webster definition - 1 a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1): disciple) and lived according to Christ’s teaching and example Independence, KS would be a different city. The “good old boy system” would be gone, people would be trying to bring about change that was not centered on self – rather on the needs of people around them, and we would have a tone of love and compassion from our community.

Second, if 4037 people are attending church any given week – that would have each of our 42 churches averaging 96 people a week. Obviously, this is not close to reality.

Why do we have these unreal stats? It’s because the answers come from peoples opinions rather than facts. People want to look good so they answer accordingly – hypocrites!

When the actual church attendance is surveyed, only 17.4% of the population (1724 people) of Independence are regular in church attendance. That means the average per church would drop to about 42 people. Remember – these figures only include the city, nothing beyond the city limits.

So what’s the point?


We just can’t help ourselves, we want to be identified with a group we admire, and we want to look good.

The problem is not church attendance, or lack thereof, rather it is the first part – being a Christian. If I am truly a Christian I am a follower of Christ and want to be around others that also desire to grow and learn more about how Christ can help me to change the world around me.

You may be saying – but all those churches and Christians are hypocrites, so how can I join with them? I say you are right! Many people are hypocrites right along with the churches they attend. Christ is not the center, and if the story above happened, no one would be left in the church. On the other side, there are churches and people that they are committed to Christ so strongly they will die for Him.

If you want to be identified with a group that really believe God is God, the Bible is true (every last word), and Christ has answers for the toughest issues of your life – keep looking. There are several churches that preach Christ, not rules, and care about people and not power and position. Find one!

I guess the real question may come down to – are you willing to die for what you believe?

“For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Phil. 1:21 NLT)