But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
I remember five or six years ago, being at this large Christian conference. It was one of those big name, huge scale, major impact events, drawing tens of thousands of pastors, church volunteers, business owners and worship leaders from all over the country for teaching and inspiration.
As the lights went down in the arena and the house worship band took the stage, the volume was deafening, the energy was tangible and the passion, contagious. They rocked every song expertly, hit every harmony, effortlessly stirred-up emotions and had the crowd singing at the top of their lungs from word-one. They radiated joy and exuberance and a love for Christ.
The thing that was really noticeable about the band though, wasn’t that they were talented or dedicated or authentic (they absolutely were all those things).
What really stood out, was that the band was, well… hot.
The stage was crammed with a dozen or so twenty-somethings; attractive, coiffed, folks, looking like they walked right out of an Urban Outfitters staff meeting.
The men all had that perfectly product-sustained hairstyle, making their intentionally unkempt manes look they were being perpetually blown to one side by some magic wind. They had impeccably sculpted, (well showcased) biceps, and of course, the skinniest of jeans. They were rough, but safe-looking, (Think older versions of the tweens on Disney Channel sitcoms).
The women were fresh-faced and flawless, wearing upscale, bohemian clothes that straddled that fine line between modest and sexy. They radiated the vibe of supermodels for Jesus.
I even remember hearing at lunch after the session, some guy talking about one of the female singers with the words, “She’s sharp.” (That’s Christian guy talk for, “I think she’s hot, but can’t say “hot” around other Christians”).
Let me be clear. The band was completely skilled, seemingly God-loving and totally committed.
The problem then, is the same problem I see leaking into our modern churches: We seem only have room for pretty people on the stage.
It’s as if talent and integrity and a heart for God isn’t enough – you also need to have rock hard abs and great hair.
In recent years, the mold for modern Megacurches has been created and reused over and over and over again: Assemble a pastoral and music team of young, stylish, fit-looking people. Light them well, give them a professional sound system and let them loose to bring the house down.
(God, they seem to say, is not just Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, but also Fashion Critic).
These churches tend to have dynamic teaching, a rock show vibe and a serious command of technology, design and style. And many do have a strong sense of the Gospel, a great atmosphere of community and service, and a true desire to expand the message of Jesus.
What’s often missing though, is a diversity of age, body type and physical appearance on the platform; a sense that the breadth of the Kingdom is bigger and deeper than the narrow demographic of Starbucks/Apple/Hipster sensibilities.
Big waistlines and bad hairlines should be welcomed on the stage where the Creator’s complete creation is honored. People in the congregation should be able to look up on stage and see themselves; not feel like a bunch of befores, watching a team of afters praising God.
The media bombards people every second with a message that to be loved and accepted, you need to be young and thin and attractive.
The Church should be a place where the heart is truly seen, the internal is celebrated and the superficial is secondary.
Pastors and churches, all people matter to God… so keep the pretty people.
Just save some room up there for the rest of us.
