Death of a Nomad

I can’t believe I’m about to say this…

Megachurches might be getting something right! I know! I know! It sounds crazy, but hear me out!

It’s this strange unwritten understanding amongst certain Christians that megachurches are the bottom of the totem pole. I remember in all my years as a Christian hearing odd back-handed compliments about megachurch culture–from the elaborate productions, constant updating on salvations, outreach programs, youth programming, and New York minute sermons. The list goes on!

Many believe that their faith and teaching is shallow and inauthentic. I get it. But, I feel like it’s incredibly important to give praise where praise is due.

Surely, by now, a lot of you have heard of Transformation Church in Tulsa, OK, lead by Pastor Michael Todd and his wife Natalie Todd. It has seen crazy growth in membership, expansion of ministry, and popularity around the world.

I’m sure many from the outside looking in probably believe this happened overnight. However, as someone who used to attend Transformation when it was Greenwood, can tell you, this has been cooking for a while. One thing they do have is a team of competent people and a staff committed to excellence.

As much as I rebuke the Christian Church, I’m always ready to metaphorically throw hands with people who talk trash about Pastor Mike. He’s like any man with a long journey ahead of him, but I’ve witnessed his sincerity firsthand. I can’t “un-experience” that. But, this isn’t about Pastor Mike or me, for that matter.

Now, as some of you may know, I left the Christian Church 5 years ago. I have expressed tiny pieces of my journey and how I’m being challenged, but much remains to be said. Since leaving, it is increasingly difficult for me to listen to Christian teachings even if I damn near try to force myself.

I can’t “un-know” what I know and can’t “un-experience” what I’ve experienced. So, listening to shallow Western culture-oriented sermons irritates me. Then, I came across this one.

Earlier this year, Pastor Mike taught a sermon series, comprised of six teachings, entitled ‘Here is Holy.’

I won’t spoil too much of it, but it essentially is predicated on the idea of the present moment having purpose—divine purpose. In our Western culture, we get really caught up in the future and grinding, that we lose sight of what YAH is doing here.

I loved this series so much, because it expresses a very Hebraic perspective of trust. In the Hebraic perspective, our relationship with YAH, each other and life in general is one of trust. It is one that says, “I will take no thought for tomorrow and simply do what is in front of me. I trust that provision will be made when I get there.”

I remember all the comments people made about Pastor Mike Todd and megachurch pastors in general. And funnily enough, he’s the only Christian pastor I can listen to whenever I do listen.

I used to be that Christian that secretly felt that the megachurch culture had a bit too much glitz and not enough substance—and maybe it does. The sermon series where there’s language, merch and songs centered on it like its a production would always throw me off.

Now, I can appreciate that these lengthy sermon series have the potential to pack a powerful punch, because people are being given enough time to sit and internalize an idea. It’s not as simple as being given three points and then we bounce. There is time for the ideas to breathe. Many times, we don’t see the fruit of this until 3-4 years later, but it doesn’t matter. We will continue to work in the holiness of here and trust in the provision from YAH.

If you haven’t had the chance to watch the series, I highly recommend it. And as usual, I’m gonna ride for Pastor Mike Todd, because I can see his growth and there’s a great chance for true impact in the lives of those who profess to be believers.

Just something to think about…