I stumbled on this article today and I thought I should share. was written by Gbenga owotoki , the founder and Presiding Coordinator Hephzibah Network International .

A young police officer
was taking his final
exam for the police
academy and he read
the following question in the
exam paper: You are on patrol in
the outer city when an explosion
occurs in a gas main in a nearby
street. On investigation you find
that a large hole has been blown
in the footpath and there is an
overturned van nearby. Inside the
van there is a strong smell of
alcohol. Both occupants-a man
and a woman-are injured. You
recognize the woman as the wife of your
Chief of Police, who is at present away
in the USA. A passing motorist stops to
offer you assistance and you realize that
he is a man who is wanted for armed
robbery. Suddenly a man runs out of a
nearby house, shouting that his wife is
expecting a baby and that the shock of
the explosion has made the birth
imminent. Another man is crying for
help, having been blown in the adjacent
canal by the explosion, and he cannot
swim.
Describe in a few words what actions
you would take. The young man thought
for a moment, picked up his pen and
wrote, "I would take off my uniform and
mingle with the crowd."
Some of us see the Christian life in the
same way. We see the Christian life as
trying to juggle five or six balls at one
time whilst balancing a jug of water on
our heads. And when the pressure gets
too much we want to give up and mingle
with the crowd. We spend our time
trying to pass what we perceive to be
"God's exam" to make us "holy." There is
a perception about the church today that
we have lost our 'salt'.
During the era of the apostles, they were
identified as Christians because they
lived the Christ-like life, they didn't
scream they were Christians to be
recognized; their life reflects
righteousness but today the 'salt has lost
its savor.' We introduce ourselves as
Christians and people look around
thinking you are talking about someone
else. Churches are found on every street
with loudspeakers blaring in the air and
even in some cases three to four
churches in a building and yet evil and
wickedness is being perpetrated by the
same people who throng these places of
worship. Some as a result of their 'deep
pockets' have even gone ahead to
become church leaders, cabals and
power brokers and the pastor dare not
speak against their wantonness and evil
otherwise they will get angry and leave
the church to the ever waiting hands of
another pastor who will gladly welcome
them with those baggage. Oh! What an
answer to prayers (so they think) at least
the tithe portfolio will know increase
and I can enjoy the same luxury of
Pastor X,Y,Z. Shame on you! You have
blood on your hands already. No wonder
the light has gone out; we make so much
noise but no impact. It wasn't so from
the beginning.
Men in suit have taken over the pulpit
and with their oratory have swept many
away from the core spiritual principles
that have been the bedrock of our faith.
We have blended in; the world in the
church and the church in the world…you
cannot spot the difference anymore.
People now equate success in ministry to
the number of churches established and
the corresponding mammoth
followership they enjoy and yet no
difference is seen even on the streets
where the church is sited; evil thrive
continually. The church has failed to tell
the people that though our God is love,
He is equally a consuming fire.
Membership drive is the principal focus
(don't get me wrong, there is nothing
wrong with growing your church) and as
a result we censor our messages because
we don't want them to leave our
churches and take the money elsewhere.
Of course (we say to ourselves) we need
the money otherwise, where do we get
fund to build our big cathedrals with our
name boldly inscribed on it.
We have lost focus. We are running
blind of our final destination. Enough of
the 'big man' gospel that impoverishes
the soul. Let's share the truth of the
Word and earnestly contend for the faith
that was once delivered unto the saints.
The pulpit use to be a place of penitence,
holiness, prayer and the Presence of God
but today you see that glitz, glamour and
razzmatazz have taken over this
priceless virtues, little wonder why
people who see such go ahead to learn
the pulpit theatrics so they could fit in
and sway the ever gullible public. We
need to get back on track. Be the light
that God has called us to be. Heaven is
searching for men that will not sell their
soul in exchange for a morsel of bread.
What will count eventually is what the
Lord will say of you when you come face
to face with Him. Think about it!