Growing Old Ain't For Sissies

NUMBER 192
ICHTHUS UPDATE 2008

The last time you heard from me in this way was in early December 2007. Growing Old Ain’t For Sissies hasn’t died; it was just hibernating until its author had something to say. I am waking it up today with some trepidation but just can’t help myself.

In the past I have chronicled the trials and tribulations of our local Christian Rock Music Festival, Ichthus. In 2002, a severe thunderstorm caused the evacuation of the site. In 2004, rain and mud created a logistical nightmare in getting people into and out of the campsite. In 2005, a severe thunderstorm on Friday night marched through the site like an invading army--and it snowed the next day.

In 2006 the date was moved from late April to June in hopes of avoiding Kentucky’s unpredictable early spring weather. For two years, except for the heat and the dust, things went pretty smoothly. Last night that all changed again.

An overnight storm riding 45 MPH winds knocked down and tore up 90% of the setup just two days ahead of the Thursday start of this year’s festival. It shredded sponsor and vendor tents, snapped a telephone pole in three pieces, blew tables and chairs all over the lot and, in is what might be weirdly prophetic, split the Youth Leaders’ Tent right down the middle. Jeff James, the Director joked, “Maybe there’s some Biblical thing going on.”

Up to this point in the newspaper account, I was firmly vowing to let sleeping Oompah!!s lie. But this quote noodged me over the edge. Sooner or later the angst-ridden teenage worshippers of Oompah!!, the god of Christian Rock Worship Music, are going to come to their senses and recognize that most of what poses as Divine Delight is really nothing more than devilish din and that most of what pretends to be ministry to God is little more than ministry to self.

I am truly glad that this happened on a night when 20,000 worshippers were not there. This storm was a surprise and if it had come during the festival the clean-up might well have included some funerals. I only pray that Director James will come to realize that his joke is no joke—that God may well be neither honored by nor pleased with much of what goes on in His name on these days of festival.