I was invited to join in a carol service at the Little Theatre in Dar and since there was not much sign that it was Christmas I thought it would be a nice reminder that I was in the festival season.
The Little Theatre has a central courtyard and this is where chairs had been laid out in neat rows. We arrived with 5 minutes to spare and so were near the back. I was sat behind a woman with an enormous Afro hairstyle.
There were all the usual carols, all the old favourites and several I had never heard of. In the middle of the service a preacher got up and spoke about the Good News and the birth of Christ and how we were all lucky that he gave his life for us etc.
There was nothing new in what he was saying and I’m sure across the worl, services were very similar. I always take a bit of money with me to church services just in case there is a collection.
And this is exactly what happened after the Holy Communion. Someone came up the aisle with a collection bag and I fumbled aroundand found a small note and stuck it in. I gave a similar note to the friend who had not thought to bring any.
And as the bag was being passed around the preacher was asking the congregation to give generously. He even said “God holds in the highest esteem those who give more than they think they can afford”.
I have never heard this before, the relationship between how deep your pockets are and how much lo0ve God will give you. Never before in any of the church services I have been to in the UK, has the preacher said that there was connection between your wealth and God’s love. (I don’t believe in God anyway but I’m pretty sure if he exists he wouldn’t care how much you gave).
I suppose the intention of the preacher was to enrich himself and I find this totally reprehensible, especially when you are taking advantage of Godly people to do so. Shame on you Sir.