When Religion Gets in the Way

Here at Amazing Grace Radio we are blessed to have a group of dedicated believers in Christ that love the Lord. One of those is Pastor Holly Johnson, who is both the pastor of Christian Outreach Church and Executive Director of The Outreach Center in Morganton, which is where Amazing Grace Radio is located. Yes, she's a lady pastor and there are many that don't like it.

The area schools here in Burke County recently held a food drive with all the food collected going to The Outreach Center. One student collected the most, far above anyone else. She and her family are Outreach Center clients, so she said she had extra incentive to help the place that has helped them. She even went around to area churches to ask if she could place a collection box in their lobby. She said some said yes, but many said no. Why did they say no to collecting food to be given to the less fortunate in our own backyard? She said they wouldn't give food to The Outreach Center because "that Executive Director is a woman pastor." Sadly, this was not an isolated incident but several said the same thing.

I do not think it's wrong for a woman to be in the pulpit. I realize many don't agree with that position and I respect their opinion. But I don't understand it when a church refuses to help the hungry because the head of that organization preaches in a church and happens to be woman. How does that justify not helping those in need? I was really saddened when the student told that story. I titled this message "When Religion Gets in the Way" and I guess those churches are practicing what they think is proper religion, but I believe they are being very un-Christ like. Those churches need prayer, both the leadership and the members. My prayer is that they will come volunteer at The Outreach Center and see how the Lord is providing the means to help over 1,000 families every week, and perhaps the most amazing part...he has called a woman, who happens to be a pastor, to lead the effort. As Gomer Pyle would say....Shazaam!! (At least that woman pastor hasn't stolen our sense of humor.)

We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Email them to info@amazinggraceradio.com