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Adult | Teens | Children

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Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2005

Grace Church of Burlington September 11, 2005 “A few times I've been around that track So it's not just gonna to happen like that Because I ain't no hollaback girl I ain't no hollaback girl.”   Gwen Stefani                                     If you’re not a teenager, then you may not know that one of the top 40 songs is “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani. The premise of the song is that Gwen Stefani as a high schooler is not going to be pushed around and mistreated by another girl. It seems as though Gwen Stefani has had some incidents in which another young, presumably female, individual has made some disparaging remarks about her character. Upon learning of the situation, Gwen Stefani is informing this “culprit” that she intends to handle this matter physically. Her character is such that she is not the type of person who counters verbal attacks with verbal attacks, or “hollering back.” Using terminology that is commonplace among today’s teens, this is shortened to “hollaback.” Additionally, it appears as though this altercation will take place somewhere near the bleachers. A “hollaback girl” then is someone who doesn't waste her time discussing issues and trying to win over others with logic but rather prefers to throw down and convince skeptics through fisticuffs or beating the living daylights out of them.             Without taking time to delve into the absurdity of Gwen Stefani even portraying a teenager or working through adolescent issues (she’s 35), the song is far too typical of the American approach to problem resolution. If you disagree with me or tick me off, I’ll beat the tar out of you. And if not physically, I’ll at least do it verbally.             In the past we’ve thought of men and boys as being those who resort to force to make their point but that’s not the case anymore. This pugnacious worldview is genderless. This Conventional Wisdom is identical to former football star, Lyle Azado’s, “I never met a man I didn't want to fight.”             What is heartbreaking to me is that worldview is seemingly just as common among believers as pagans. It is increasingly rare to meet a Christian couple who is committed to fighting fairly in their marriage. Anger, intimidation, name calling and sometimes even physical force are the weapons of choice. Is it any big surprise when our children mimic this? Too often bombastic sibling disagreements are a reflection of what they’ve seen modeled by Dad and Mom.             Too often this worldview makes its way into the church. On several occasions Scripture commands us to love our enemies, to be kind to them. If we are to love our enemies and be kind to them, then what does that say about how we are to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ? Shouldn’t we be all the more kind, gracious and loving with them? Shouldn’t we be civil and polite?             Personally, I’m convinced that many believers don’t have a clue on how they are communicating. They do not realize that their problem-solving skills are a real problem. Their normal is so foreign to a Biblical normal that they are not even aware that they are sinning. But those who are the recipients certainly do. They feel attacked, blitzed and often suffer from shell shock.             At Grace, like any other church, we are going to periodically differ. And there is nothing wrong with a good discussion with various points of view. But there is no place for carnal anger among believers. Sarcasm, cynicism, bullying, rudeness are sinful and should not be tolerated. No one should ever be made to feel foolish or even stupid because they have a different perspective. That’s not how God’s people are to act. We don’t need or want any hollaback girls or guys at Grace. We want Godly, gracious individuals. And if you happen to observe someone using hollaback behavior whether in an ABF or at a ball game or even in normal conversation, graciously and kindly hold the person accountable and point out to them that that is not Christlike behavior. Pray with them and for them. “Love is patient, love is kind...it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).