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Thursday, May 18, 2006
Obesity and the Church
Interesting post over at The Land of Ultra Rev on Obesity and the Church... "Ultra Rev" writes...
When was the last sermon you heard on gluttony? I don't think I have heard one recently, or ever. In fact, as outspoken and dangerous as I am in the pulpit, I don't think I have said anything about gluttony and/or obesity. Shame on me...
I have a friend who lost a significant amount of weight recently and I got thinking, "Where was the church in her battle for health?" We have small groups and support groups for various addictions such as gambling, alcohol, porn or drugs, and we have groups for various life stage issues such as blended families, the divorced or widowed, singles, seniors, etc. But what about the overweight?
It's a complex issue to tackle. Like other similar substance abuse issues there are issues of genetics, family history, community pressures, psychology, physiology and personal choice. The issues are many and the degree that one is more strongly an influencer over another indiscerible and individual. The choice part is what makes it at least partly a sin issue but it's the other issues that make it not only that and require a compassionate, dignified response from the church.
What could of or should have the church done for my friend? What can it do so that she doesn't have a relapse? And even if she did, how should the church address it?
You can read the rest of the article here...
What do you think? Should the church be a voice against obesity? How should that square with other violations against the body (like alchohol, smoking, drug abuse, etc.)?
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May 18, 2006 in Leadership Issues | Permalink
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Comments
Amen! I really could not agree more. There was a show on, I think, TLC recently about how some black churches are beginning to take a proactive approach to this, due to the fact that diabetes and heart disease are such killers in the black community. One such church did away with doughnuts in the morning and substituted fruit and salmon patties. I've always thought it ironic that while smokers have been frowned upon, and sometimes ostracized, the overweight & obese are easily accepted in leadership positions.
Posted by: Nora | May 18, 2006 9:52:34 AM
i wonder how much of this acceptance is based on the fact that so many of us in professional ministry are depression eaters. In my current situation (which I will be leaving in six weeks) i have put on over 80 pounds in four years. it is not something i am proud of, but i can not tell you how many of the people i know in ministry have had the same thing happen...
Posted by: Snoop | May 18, 2006 10:28:50 AM
Absolutely. We are slaves only to Christ. Yet so many of us are still in bondage to food (or caffeine, or sugar/pop, etc.). It is ironic that we are very short on tolerance for smokers, a little more tolerant for drinkers, but welcoming and even affirming for gluttons. I would be happier to see more tolerance for people struggling to free themselves from nicotine, and more encouragement for food-addicts to be set free.
What needs to be said from the outset however, is that this is not the same thing as preaching more sermons against overweight people, or preaching that we all need to be skinny Hollywoodians... That would be just as silly. However, we do need to preach the truth of our bodies being the temple of God. That is, as long as we can do so without falling into the trap of judging people by how healthy they 'look' (I know plenty of guys who 'look' healthy because they work out regularly, but whose arteries, based on what they eat and drink, are probably not the prettiest sight).
Emotional, psychological and physical health are the proper side effects of being in tune with our Maker.
Posted by: Daniel | May 18, 2006 10:37:48 AM
it is an issue which must addressed because of the ramifications of obesity. And I speak as one who is chunky. I fall into that crowd. I often point to myself. it is not just the health issues and the related costs that occur but stewardship of resources and care of the body, and how you perceive yourself. There is so much that needs to be addressed. Motivations for over eating, discipline, and what is your witness. It cannot be ignored.
Posted by: Kent | May 18, 2006 10:43:45 AM
Obesity should be addressed like any other issue. I know that I have an addictive personality because I have been addicted to alcohol and nicotine and I even inhaled some drugs from time to time in my past. The Lord has taken my desire for those things away. However my biggest struggle has been with food. I came to the realization that I was replacing one addiction for another. I know that I need to hand this over to the Lord as well. I think it is harder because eating is something that you just can't stop doing like drinking and smoking. You need food. This is my stuggle now.
Anyway our church offers an ongoing program called First Place. It is a scripture based health program with Christ in the center. I believe every church should offer health programs especially in a denomination (Southern Baptist) where it seems that every event involves food and lots of it. Another great resource is a book by Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee titled Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork.
Posted by: Ernie Stevenson | May 18, 2006 11:35:59 AM
There are many Christian programs out there for loosing weight. So I am not sure I agree with this totally, that the subject is not being addressed. I don't think it is being addressed enough however.
Posted by: Jade | May 18, 2006 11:42:37 AM
What motivates me to remain at my present weight is my fear of being bigger than my pulpit. I need something to hide behind!
Posted by: Dan Moore | May 18, 2006 11:45:29 AM
Jade, I think the point might have been that this issue is not being addressed from the pulpit -- or anywhere else within the church. But you're right, there are many Christian programs outside the church for health and weight loss.
Posted by: Nora | May 18, 2006 11:45:33 AM
My church teaches us to be healthy. Over the 5 years since I've been there, they have gone from Krispy Kremes to bagels in the hospitality booth. Also, we have a break room of sorts for the large volunteer staff and all junk food and drinks have been cut off from that. They serve fruit and organic chips, granola bars, etc along with water, coffee and some tea. Also our pastor has a sermon series on being healthy and taking care of your body.
I sometimes think they go too far in telling us how to be healthy, but perhaps other people need to hear it more than I do.
Posted by: Sarangel | May 18, 2006 11:54:26 AM
Nora,
Actually, you missed my point. Several of the churches (I can think of Five off the top of my head) I have served and my brother has served in does that First place Weight loss Christian program. So it might not being addressed enough, but I have seen it being addressed where I have been involved.
Posted by: Jade | May 18, 2006 11:58:47 AM
If your church is talking about obesity specifically, then it should take another look out the window, take the blinders off, unlock the front Doors, and turn down the music. There is another world of issues out there IMHO. This 'Obesity Crisis' you speak of is another Man Made Marketing Money Maker. Not a crisis in salvation! and certainly not a barrier to living and sharing God's will for our lives. Of course healthly living is important, but if you have to be told that in church, you may want to see a doctor every now and then. It is wrong to compare it to 'substance' abuse.
Posted by: Mark | May 18, 2006 1:20:52 PM
Jade, I'm so sorry, I did miss your point:) I guess in my rather rural area, in-church weight-loss programs are unheard of. I was not aware that they were becoming popular outside my little world :) Mark, I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion that it is wrong to compare food addiction to substance abuse. Both are addictions that can be traced back to personal issues that have not been dealt with. Are there bigger issues? Certainly, but the church's long-standing practice of minimizing the deadly implications of this problem is not the answer either.
Posted by: Nora | May 18, 2006 1:36:42 PM
Mark, I think the point of the article is not that the church should get on the obesity-is-bad-for-your-health bandwagon, it is that obesity can be caused by sin, and the church needs to confront sin in all its forms. While the health aspects may present an easier entry-point to talking about obesity, the basic biblical issue is one of avoiding the sin of gluttony.
Posted by: Randy Ehle | May 18, 2006 2:00:19 PM
The bottom line (oops) is that it is always so much easier to to preach about the sins "out there" but those sins "in here" are virtually ignored: over eating, gossip, back biting... We don't want to offend the faithful.
Posted by: Paul Porter | May 18, 2006 2:37:25 PM
Nora, addictions? strong word IMO for over eating. Yes, I agree there may be emotional reasons for over eating, however, lets be clear, there are many 'over weight' people who do not indulge in gluttony. Simply because there are unresolved issues in one's life means nothing in terms of addictions. Let's replace addictions with weakness, shall we? We all have weaknesses but they are not necessarily addictions.
I must say Randy, sin and obesity linked is an interesting take. Footnote, no offense please, but our entire lives are affected by sin, daily. Yes, the sin of gluttony should be avoided, but inorder to know that is the case, you must first know MUCH more about the person than simply their size. Agreed?
Paul, I love offending the faithful! :) It's my job.
Posted by: Mark | May 18, 2006 4:22:06 PM
Mark,
Over-eating or not eating healthy is 'substance' abuse. What foods you eat can kill you just as well as any other substance'. I disagree about obesity not being a barrier. What if God calls us to be a missionary in a rough wilderness and we are unable to pass a physical? Don't you think that would be a barrier to living and sharing God's will? Right living is important to God whether it be health, morals, relational etc. There is no scale.
Posted by: Ernie Stevenson | May 18, 2006 4:25:03 PM
Ernie, you may call it what ever you like, ie. 'substance abuse'. Deal with a drug addict then deal with an 'over eater'. I will put them on different scales accordingly. If God called me to missionary work in the wilderness and I do not pass the physical, then I wasn't listening to God very well (He probably did not want my big butt there anyways). If I knew I had to pass the physical, I'd lose the weight or get in shape, with His help I am sure.
I do respectfully disagree about a scale on Right Living, I may be wrong. We may never know the scale, but I am sure God does and we may seek His guidance. Sin is sin, God hates it all. Your heart is only known to God. That should be our primary goal (sharing the Good News and bringing lives to God) teach, share, learn His word, and lives will change and so will hearts.
Think about this, you may know a smoker who think is doing wonderful work for God. Should he smoke, no, but is he still doing good, most likely. Right living is important, but I think there are degrees. In our day and time, over eating/over weight ain't as big a problem, generally speaking, IF your eyes and ears are open to what is going on in our churches. Respectfully
Mark
Posted by: Mark | May 18, 2006 4:45:49 PM
I wonder how Charles Spurgeon would've replied to this post. He was overweight, smoked a pipe and was given to times of great depression. ????
Posted by: ld | May 19, 2006 1:19:15 AM
If you want to start this you will have to start with the baptist first.. Of course if you start to trim them down then people will quit going to church. Last Sunday I saw a church mouse over weight... Of course you all know that I am only joking. I like the article...
Posted by: Clairvoyant 1 | May 19, 2006 9:02:37 AM
ok...ok...
confession time- I've been reading posts for months now....but this one really is getting to me.
True- I have relaly never heard many sermons on gluttony- although I do recall a few on respecting one's body as a temple of God...etc...and on good health- HOWEVER-
there are other subjects much more damaging to life and limb- that I have rarely heard sermons on- for example- the epidemic of incest/sexual abuse/child abuse that runs unchecked in this country. For over the 20 years that I have been active in churches and Christian communities, the attitude has remained the same- it doesn't happen here...it RARELY happens, etc. Sure- when a church 'scandel' occurs- when an outsider violates a child it is addressed...but..
Another example- and one that relates to the obesity question- what about a sermon on the national picture of greed- the growing divide between rich and poor...
How does this relate to obesity? look at the price of 'healthy' foods- the fresh veggies, fruits, fish- advocated by the dietitians...and look at the price of pasta, frozen chicken nuggets and a can of pop....and you have begun to see how poverty and obesity begin to get linked...then add in disfunctional eating patterns- such as stress eating, eating when depressed...
Obesity and gluttony are not the same thing.
Not everyone who is obese or struggles with weight is a glutton....
Perhaps before we link the two we need to do some exegesis...
and- if God's wrath were to be visited to those who sinned- the obese would most likely be way down the list compared to those who beat and rape their own spouses or offspring...
Joanne
Posted by: joanne | May 23, 2006 1:12:33 AM
I come from a very large church and am struggling with our children's program feeding my children cookies during Sunday School and then ice cream during Children's Church and then sending them home with a full size Snickers bar for memorizing a very simple memory verse. When I grew up we had breakfast at home and didn't eat until we got home and by then we were starving! Children can live without food for 3 hours! We need to wake up and stop this childhood obesity from becoming the norm in churches.
Posted by: Amy | Jul 24, 2006 9:34:23 PM
