Message of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, from the Nakhagoch Newsletter. Electronic version archived on: SAIN-- St. Andrew Information Network -------------------------------------- c. 1987 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- June 1987 PASTOR'S MESSAGE Frankly, I had hoped that it would not have come to this. But it was inevitable. Every newspaper has been writing about them. The networks have been giving the story ample air time. There was talk that they might replace Joan Rivers. I have commented about their predicament in my sermons, but when the "Adventures of Jim and Tammy" were traced by "Nightline," I felt compelled to write these few lines. {For those of you who have been in hermitage for the past three months, the Bakkers are the president/ host/ ministers of the PTL (Praise the Lord) ministries}. The charges against Jim & Tammy Bakker are many. Adultry, homosexuality, extravagant lifestyle are all sins no greater or less than the sins that we all commit. There is no hierarchy of sin. For reasons which are many, the American public is preoccupied with sex. A few weeks ago, Sen. Hart's canidacy was ended because of the question of his "moral" character. Why is the definition of morality restricted to sexual practice? Is not Nicaragua a moral issue? What about the arms race? Nuclear weapons? The homeless and poor? These are issues by which morality can and should be measured. Our Church teaches that no man or woman is without sin. Only Christ is spotless, i.e., sinless. Christ forgave sin of all types and manner. The only judgment He cast was on the hypocrites-- those who taught one thing while living another. Why should we be concerned with what happens to Jim & Tammy? Because the tragedy of their experience is that the entire Christian Church has suffered. The non-believer sees a very ugly exchange between "ministers" and judges all Christians accordingly. Unfortunately in this day and age of convenience the television church has gained popularity. It is MULTIMILLION DOLLAR operation and tragically those who can least afford to be fooled are the ones who support these ministries. Ministries such as these sell a brand of Christianity which is foreign to the Bible and to the Christian Church. {Have you ever wondered where "personal savior" is mentioned in the Bible? --Don't look too hard, it's not there.} Christ tells us to put our trust in him, not in the matterial wealth of this world! (Matt. 6:19f) Christ does not promise a life of luxury here in this world, but the life of the cross. (Matt. 16:24). Furthermore, Christ established a Church-- an actual organized society, not a haphazard group of believers, but what Christ calls a "kingdom" which is structured and organized. This society has been established by Christ and structured by the apostles. This is the Church which lives today as the One Apostolic Universal Holy Church. As painful as it is to admit, in a capitalistic society such as ours religion has also become a business. Some are finding major profits in it. We must be outraged, when Hundreds of Millions of dollars are collected in the name of Christ and only 5% goes to caring for the needy! (Figures related to PTL ministries.) Likewise, for us in the Armenian Church we must see the tragedy of selling picnics, food, raffles, so that our Apostolic ministry can continue, so that our doors can stay open! On June 7, we celebrate Pentecost-- the birthday of the Christian Church. For 2000 years the Church has been working in this world and will continue until the coming of Christ. Certainly in a few weeks or months things will resolve with the PTL club. Unfortunately, there will always be those who will fool the people and always people to be fooled. The media will continue to place ministries in a fishbowl. There will always be those who will criticize the church and those who will support it. May this be a time for recommitment by all of us to CHRIST'S HOLY CHURCH, the Church which was established on Pentecost. Let us join together to build this Kingdom! Fr. Vazken -------------------------------------- c. 1987 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------