It was 48 years ago today (January 4, 2010) that mayor Robert Wagner, revealed the first fully-automated subway to the citizens of New York City. It was a technical breakthrough that would prove to increase the efficiency of the New York City Transit. As has come to be expected, New York was amongst the first to boast of this supposed breakthrough.

I can only imagine the enthusiasm of the bustling thousands as they boarded the shiny, new ‘mechanical’ means of transportation for the first time. As they approached the doors, they automatically opened. Once inside, they could choose their own seat, without being badgered by a conductor for a ticket stub validating their seat assignment. With this new “conductor-free” system, commuters were able to predict with precision when the subway would arrive or depart. While gliding smoothly across a pre-programmed track to a pre-determined destination, many a traveler bought into the propaganda that this was progress.

Why, think of it from a budgetary standpoint. Due to automation, the employee base was slashed drastically. What otherwise enlisted the participation and involvement of hundreds, was now controlled behind closed doors by a select few. Go ahead, Mr. Wagner, create a machine that will speedily move the masses, and just send the old conductor home.

I am certain the news of ‘progress’ was welcome to all… that is, to everyone except the employees of the now suddenly ‘outdated, old-school’ manned trains. After today’s announcements, there would be no need for the old conductor to get his otherwise starched white shirt and trim, navy suit laundered again. The alarm that used to awaken him AHEAD of the commuter’s individual alarms, no longer needs to be set. No, to him this was not welcome news.

Who was going to be there to greet the commuters that he had grown to love? Their well-being had always been his primary concern. Who would they swap old stories with now? Who would help the elderly ladies with their paper sacs laden with groceries? Who would watch out for the young students on their first commute to school? Whose hand would the daily businessman shake? Furthermore, what would the personality of the new subways be? Why, over the years it seemed like every old train had developed it’s own personality… eerily representing that of it’s old conductor. You see, to the mayor they were just commuters, but to the conductor they were family.

However, the conductor’s view fell on deaf ears. How could he express himself? They wouldn’t understand. There would be those that would question his motive. They would think he was just out to protect his position. After all, there is no comparison between the slower, old train when contrasted with the new, sleek, automated subway. So, at the conclusion of the mayoral remarks, the conductor boarded a new train that carried him home, never to return again.

On that fateful day, it seemed like automated was the answer for the New York City Transit. Sadly, many Apostolic churches have fallen prey to the propaganda of those elected (rather than called) to serve. It appears like the modus operandi of that present-day church leader is to figure out how to move the masses as efficiently as possible. Let it be known: I am NOT against moving the masses! BUT, I refuse to do so at the price of sending the old conductor home. What will visitors (ie. the masses) think, if we do not start church right at 7:30pm, because pre-service prayer has catapulted into a dimension of Holy Ghost-inspired intercession? Aren’t we supposed to have the song-list and service order compiled in advance, so that everyone involved is ‘in the know’? (I am not a promoter of disorganization, but any man-made lists should be done in pencil [figuratively], so that it can be easily adjusted for God to have His way.) The new automatic church service does not have ‘room’ for old-fashioned testimony services. The control center doesn’t possess quick enough response time to compensate for the potential ‘bumps along the track’ that can periodically be experienced. So, the easiest solution is to ‘send the conductor home’ and let a pre-selected few automate a predictable testimony.

Is there anyone else tired of shallow, mechanical, pre-programmed, automated church? Is there anyone else who misses the old conductor? Should we ask him to once again set his ‘alarm’ a little earlier than the rest of us? Family Worship Center, let it never be said that we sent the Old Conductor packing. In 2010, we are not just interested in numbers or speed, but let us be consumed with maintaining our direction towards the proper, divine destination.