The Trophies In The Church

Observation:  It was the early 90's when the strong emphasis in the church began to incorporate more business practices, and marketplace principles. It made sense at the time to get heads of business into ministry work, to bring their expertise and money into the church.  Now, I think there was some wisdom in doing this, but was there collateral damage to the way the church operates?  It's a debatable issue, but my observation is that the balance between ministry and business is a fine line to walk, and in some cases business practices won out.  This meant that ministry outlets, churches and para-church organizations were finding their strength in the techniques of consultants and business plans. This created a filter to which faith was subject to a business grid, rather than a Biblical grid. Now on the other hand, one of the reasons business controls were needed in the church was because some church leaders who by faith would hurl the ministries into debt, without restraints.  There must be a balance, between the practical raising and application of money, and the faith in God that it takes to run the ministry spiritually. The same is true when it comes to bringing in people who we hold up as a trophy of the faith. It has been my experience we are so quick to run to the newest sensation in the church, whether it be the new young preacher with with a new idea, or a celebrity who has found Christ. Like the business/faith dilemma, we rush to judgment before we allow time to verify the reality of the transformation.  We have seen people use their Christian testimony for the wrong reasons such as manipulation for a political agenda, or a social justice cause.  We saw this happen following Mel Gibson's movie "Passion of the Christ" and many Christians concluded that Mel Gibson had some kind of conversion because of the film.  Since then Mel has imploded with divorce, drunken disorderly conduct, and violent domestic charges. Recently there was an article about the son of Hamas, Mosab Hassan Yousef, who reportedly converted to Christianity, wrote a book and was on the speaking circuit in churches.  There are reports out that this person, was not who he said we was, but converted to Christianity with an agenda.  Once again, if this is true, the Christian community was taken in hook line and sinker because they wanted this trophy from the Arab/Muslim world. You can read more about Mosab Hassan Yousef for yourself through this provided link. 

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-mosab-yousef-saga-did-hamas-%E2%80%98defector%E2%80%99-dupe-all-of-us/

 Jesus told us to do works that represent the fact we have repented, we have been transformed, and are living according to His Word.  That means, it becomes about Him, our Savior/Messiah, and not about my ethnicity, my political views, my ministry agenda, my reputation, my denomination, my doctrinal views, or anything else associated with me. 

Luke 3:8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance

So what's my point?  God will not share His glory with anyone. In other words, He is the only one to be worshipped, not the instruments by which He uses to proclaim His name.  We are too quick to seek a trophy to prove the existence of an almighty God and in our well meaning ways, we become  stumbling blocks for the cause of Christ. Let someone live out his or her testimony for a few years to see whose agenda they are really trying to accomplish. Rushing to print in order to tell someone's story because it makes good business sense, is not wise, and we, the Church, are the only ones to blame, because we love our trophies. 

Keeping it honest and truthful....K