4.26.2006
Do This In Remembrance Of...
I went up to the church this afternoon to prepare some treat bags for my Cubbies. The AWANA awards ceremony was tonight and I wanted every child to go home with something. I decided to clear off the top of the Lord’s Supper table in order to provide a clean surface for all of the AWANA leaders to lay their certificates and ribbons. I gently picked up the lace runner and the vase full of white tulips and laid them aside. Next, I picked up the offering plates. I was just about to lay them next to the other items when I noticed a faded inscription on the rim of one of the gold colored dishes. It read: “In memory of *Sally Smith. Reading that little inscription threw me back to another church we once pastored...
This particular church was literally obsessed with plastering every inanimate object in the building with a memorial plaque. You know the kind I’m talking about. “This hat-rack dedicated in honor of Bertha Fitzwater.” “This communion table in memory of Roger King.” The thing that made this situation particularly unpalatable was the fact that they had a little habit of dedicating things to people who were famous sinners. The pulpit and communion table were both dedicated in memory of a woman who a famous alcoholic who had caused her husband and children much grief. The organ was dedicated in memory of a young man who was not only known to have been an excellent organist, but he was also known for leading a less than, ummm, exemplary "lifestyle." The organ bore a plaque with *Michael’s name on it as well as an 8x11 photo mounted behind plexiglass. It was just weird, you know. Michael would stare at us every time we sang a hymn--and when we took the Lord’s Supper, we did it in remembrance of Jesus AND *Betty.
But even when I see a church building or a random piece of church furniture dedicated in honor of someone who had a reputation for godliness and/or years of hard work for the Lord, there's just something about it that rubs me the wrong way. In light of Matthew 6, it seems to me that heavenly rewards are the thing to be coveted.
Our experience at that church has made us wary of churches which seem obsessed with these sorts of dedications and memorials. When we first visited the church which we currently pastor, we noticed a couple of plaques but thankfully we took note of the fact that there was none of the obnoxiousness which we had experienced before. In fact, we’ve been here for four years now, and no one has ever suggested dedicating anything in memory or honor of ANYONE. Nice!
So what do you think? Do you mind it when you see this sort of thing? Would you be pleased if someone dedicated a stain glass window in memory of you or would it make you want to roll over in your grave? I'd be interested in hearing other's thoughts on this subject.
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:2-4
*The names in this post have all been changed to protect the guilty innocent. :)
7 Comments:
I wanted to come by and say thanks for visiting my "quiet corner" AND commenting!
I attended AWANA as a child. Now the mention of that brought back memories... all good ones!
Your question posted here is a good one. I'm going to think on that!
Good question. I can honestly say that I've never really thought about that. I always thought that people were helping the church by donating something to it, and in memory of a loved one they wanted to attach a name.
However, after reading your post (and I laughed really hard at the part about doing it in remembrance of Jesus AND Betty) I really had to re-think WHY people do that. Is it to honor a loved one? Even so, are there not other ways to honor them? Hmmm. You've given me lots to think about.
as a cousin to Bertha Fitzwater I trust that the "hat rack" is serving a distinctive purpose for the Kingdom of God...can you imagine being the one to justify the financial gift to that piece of fine furniture! Seriously though, as a pastor, I wouldn't allow a picture to be on items of public worship if approached for a donation. Plaques that placed in a foyer or hallway are one thing because they can be moved! But something stationary for years to come, is another. People give items like that out of emotion, and many times we want to be selective in the way that we remember people, as well as there is a pride element in some people giving "big ticket" items. Like you said, it sould be given to God. He'll take care of the recognition!
Oh Valiant Dad- I didn't know you were cousins with Miss Fitzwater!!! :) I just want you to know that EVERYTIME I threw my hat on that rack I thought 'ole Bertha.
Seriously, that's a good point you make about the difference between big, permanent items and moveable items.
Some good points to consider and I guess I've not thought much about it, either, since I usually give memorial gifts to be used in the general fund.
I think I agree with "valiant dad" - the plaques in the hall are movable, and they are pretty unobtrusive out there. We can see that so-and-so was a member of our church years ago and someone gave to the church in her memory. I think that's nice.
But a picture on an organ? Oh dear!
Ya know, Bertha's name seems vaguely familiar....;>)
JUST KIDDING!!
Good question! Great scripture!
Sadly--this is the only way Church's can use to get their patrons to actually donate! We are a self-centered society aren't we! I appeciate a plaque in honor of someone--when it says....something like...in loving memory and appreciation by their family (or grandchilden) etc.! However, when the prevailing attitude...is ......look at my engraved name.....which is almost bigger than the person being honored...that rubs me the wrong way.
I really don't see any of this in our Baptist church (BGC). However, I have seen it in Episcopalian churches. I have done very limited research on this! However, as usual, my opinion is bigger than my research! :)
Diane
LOL! I don't think I have experienced much of this. I cannot imagine coming to worship and always seeing a person's face when the object of worship is God. I have not thought or reseached this much either but I like your points as well as those in comments! Thanks for the laugh....cousin Bertha...L.
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