This morning I listened to an
interesting article regarding Hispanics and the "American Church." There is after a closer read some perspective issues.
"The Rev. Wilfredo de Jesus is leading the movement to give a little color to the mostly white Pentecostal faith. He says — and statistics bear him out — that Latinos are saving American Christianity."
Looking past "American Christianity" which sort of makes me shudder, is the statement that a certain culture/demographic is "saving it." Equally wrong would be a statement like this:
"The American Church is saving a a disproportionately large number of Hispanic Americans."
I think the first quote wouldn't bother me as much if it wasn't from a Christian leader. I can't expect NPR to acknowledge where the Holy Spirit works and Who actually does the saving (and from what). I hope the statement has been brought out of context as well as the final statement of the piece:
"Which is why de Jesus is traveling the country, telling other pastors how to expand their churches, Latino-style."
For a Christian, salvation does not come through a church but through Christ. For a church, the purpose is not to increase their "gate" but to usher congregants to the Savior.
