Making Up Reality

by Ian McLoud

Since this blog is where I go to confess things, I must confess that I have an unhealthy addiction to reality TV shows. Only the manly ones of course, like Pawn Stars, Swamp People, Top Chef, Sister Wives, and What Not to Wear. Okay, I’m kidding about What Not to Wear. No seriously, I am. I do watch way too much HGTV though.

           

However, while I like some reality TV shows, I really hate their preview commercials. They are always overly dramatic and way out of context.

If all you watched were commercials for Sister Wives, you’d think that Christine hated everyone when in reality she just doesn’t like Robin. On Top Chef you would think that every single person was going home every week and that the judges hated everyone. Pawn Stars makes you think that every find could be worth a million dollars and HGTV makes you think that every person hates whatever room/house/backyard they’re being shown. If you only saw the previews for Swamp People you would think Troy Landry was an incoherent maniac who shoots alligators. Umm…that last one may be true.

TV producers know that drama sells. They specifically create and edit those commercials to entice viewers to watch. This kind of sensationalized drama makes people want to watch the show, which to be fair, is the only reason the show exists. Even when you know that the 50 cent cracker jack toy someone brought into the pawn shop is really only going to cost 50 cents, if you can catch Rick or the Old Man saying it MIGHT be worth more, that gets viewers. We want to see something spectacular.

I think, and thankfully I believe this trend is changing, for too long this is how Christians have treated Christianity. Have a problem? Become a Christian, we don’t have any. Worried about life? Become a Christian, we don’t have worries. Need a spouse? Become a Christian, everyone here is married! (I may be a bit bitter about that one.)

We try to create these happy, carefree facades to entice people to become Christians (*cough* Joel Osteen *cough, cough*). In reality, Christians have problems and we worry, and we can be single even when we don’t want to be. We’re people.

What sets us apart isn’t that we have all the answers or that we have carefree lives. We do not need to edit our lives like a reality show commercial to entice people. That’s what the hope found in Christ does. We just need to be better about owning our faults and admitting that what gets us through life is the hope we find in Christ. That’s enticing enough.

You can follow Ian on Twitter @KindaScottish.

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I Love Sister Wives

by Ian McLoud

My name is Ian McLoud. I am a 25 year old, single youth and family minister and I love TLC’s Sister Wives.

Feels good to that off my chest. And no, I will not defend my love for such a show. I’m fascinated by Mormons, especially the fundamentalist sects, and that is the only reason I watch. At least that’s what I tell myself. Secretly, I think I just like betting on when and how often Robyn will cry in any given episode.

I was catching up on Season 3 the other day and came across a rare gem, an episode I hadn’t seen before! This week on Sister Wives Kody and his wives are upset over the lack of a good ole “faith and morals” based social outlet. So, they do what any good Mormon polygamist family does and go visit a Presbyterian church.

You read that right. Kody, with his wives in tow, waltzes into a Presbyterian church and begins to ask poor Pastor Ray if his army of children can attend youth group activities because they need a good social outlet. Before Pastor Ray can really say anything wife #3, Christine, pipes up and says she can’t allow this.

I feel I must point out that Pastor Ray, to his credit, was willing to let the Brown Family Brigade join the youth group, but, in some moment of clarity, Christine realizes that they’re good FLDS Mormons and not Presbyterians. This would be wrong. It could lead their children down the wrong path. So they “table the discussion,” as Kody says.

What happens next is an argument between Kody and his wives. Wives 1 and 2, Meri and Janelle, are for the youth group because it’s just social. Wives 3 and 4, Christine and Robyn, are against. Kody, surprising no one, sides with Christine and Robyn.

Even though it was his idea, Kody now sees the error of his ways because this could really lead his children to a different faith. Church is never just a social outlet, no matter what wives 1 and 2 may think. Kody decides this type of thinking is simply wrong and puts his foot down, ending the discussion.

So what does this have to do with us?

Reread that incredibly profound statement that Kody makes about church being more than just a social outlet. Maybe it’s just because I’m a youth minister, but I often get the sense that some only see church as a place to socialize and make friends. I know for some of my students that is definitely the case. That’s probably why Kody’s words that church is more than a social outlet made such an impact.

Church is community. Church is where we come into contact with God by worshiping and fellowshiping with fellow believers. Community does powerful things. Community lets you know you’re safe, you’re not alone and you’re welcome. People worshiping as a community of God is a beautiful thing.

The Browns are right to be afraid that sending their kids to church is dangerous because community, when done right, is life changing. Let’s try and find that kind of community, where God is at the head and the main focus. I promise the social aspect will fall into place.

You can follow Ian on Twitter @KindaScottish.