As we focus our attention on Dr. King this month, have you ever wondered what he would have driven if he were around today? According to Tom Houck, who was King's personal driver and assistant, he was responsible for his transportation needs.We do know if Jesus, another great leader, were still alive today, he would probably be cruising around the world in a Dodge Caravan, with the new swivel seats and built-in picnic table. Knowing Jesus, he would have been ministering at every bus stop, holding Bible study in his Caravan, according to young Biblical scholars attending a local Sunday school class in Atlanta.
Like most southern Baptist ministers of King's day, who tooled around town in the seventies, eighties and nineties driving "preacher cars"- Cadillac's DeVille, Lincoln's Town Car and Chrysler's Fifth Avenue - he probably would have driven one of the domestic land yachts, too. Unlike most ministers, since King was so frugal, he probably would have owned a Ford Crown Victoria or Buick LeSabre, the "working man's car."
As we entered into the new millennium, King would have been forced to transition into a new ride, since many of the big domestic road runners of the past no longer are being built today. With the exception of Dr. Joesph Lowery, president emeritus of the SCLC, now in his eighties, who is still driving a stylish Cadillac sedan, most ministers have traded their domestic makes for Mercedes' S-Class, BMW's 7-Series and Land Rover's Range Rover. And a few of today's preachers are still loyal to driving the domestic-based vehicles like Lowery; however, they're driving glitzy SUVs - Cadillac's Escalade and Lincoln's Navigator.
Now if you happen to be in same league as prosperity minister Creflo Dollar, you can drive around in a $280,000 Rolls Royce. According to Dollar's recent interview on ABC's Nightline News, his congregation rewarded him with the Rolls, each of the 28,000 members donated $20. Dollar also said during the interview, he recently sold the pricey car, giving the proceeds to a children's ministry.
If King were alive today, would he have accepted a Rolls from his flock? I seriously doubt it! Knowing King, who was the same person that took his $56,000 in earnings from the Nobel Peace Prize, giving it away to the civil rights organizations, he would have never accepted such a gift. Although Dollar recently turned over the keys to the Rolls, he continues to hold on to the church-owned private jet, ministering to his transcontinental flock. ( Dollar told Nightline his decision to relinquish the Rolls was in place prior to the Senate's random investigation of several mega ministries.)
If King were alive today, it's hard to believe he would have been as flamboyant as many of today's spiritual leaders. If he were alive today, he would have been driving a hybrid or taking public transportation, showing us his concern for preserving the environment. Or King could possibly be driving a Mercedes-Benz on loan from the dealership former mayor Andrew Young has owner-equity in within the Atlanta area. (Young was apart of King's inner-circle.)
As we take time to remember Dr. King, continue to honor and celebrate his legacy. Just wondering: Have some of our spiritual leaders embraced King's philosophy of equality, inclusion and economic freedom or has it been misinterpreted like the Bible scriptures for their personal interests? Also I am surprised there aren't any dealers or automakers having a "King Holiday Sale?" I guess in this day of being politically-correct that wouldn't go over to well.
Share your thoughts. What do you think King would say about the transportation choices of today's spiritual leaders?
3 comments:
Today's spiritual leaders should think about the message the cars they drive often send a strong statement to their congregation and their critics. On the other hand, Jesus had his share of critics.
The car you drive does give a certain perception. However, what is seen is not always the reality. I hope, we, as a people get pass the "things" we possess and get back to the real spiritual meaning of King's Dream... to help this world be better for everyone! No one will care at your funeral what material items you possessed. What will matter is the number and capacity in whuch you helped fellow mankind! So get in the driver's seat and drive to your local homeless shelter and volunteer!
Although I may understand the concept behind most wealthy ministers, which is about, why can't God's elect be prosperous and live an example that not only should the worldly gentiles be wealthy, but, the very people who serve God's kingdom. However, the problem with that is I did not see Jesus live by that standard or philosophy. Jesus was more than able to have abundance, but, he chose to do the Lord's will. Jesus chose to sacrifice for the people. It hurt him to live the life he did. Unfortunatley, I don't see the leaders today hurting....I don't hate on ministers who are doing very well for themselves, but, it cannot be at the expense of hard-working parishers who are struggling themselves. I don't understand how ministers can live such lavish lifestyles, and yet have members who can't pay there rent or buy groceries for there families. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe every wealthy minister is greedy and selfish, however, what is the real goal and purpose for there roles? How are they bringing true economical freedom and empowerment to the the people that follow there ministries. I guess we must pray and ask God to bring things to the light and expose what needs to be revealed.
Post a Comment