I think that it is about time that Christians stopped ripping down Christian leaders and their ministries. Here is an example: I recently went to Act Like Men, a conference that was meant to show men how to be godly men, and how to glorify God in that. This was put on by James MacDonald, and the speakers were Matt Chandler, James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll, Eric Mason, Greg Laurie, and Lecrae. Obviously not everyone agrees with what they say or their theology or how they do things. However, is that an excuse to rip this conference apart because it is aimed at "one type" of men, demean these leaders because they want to make godly men, or generally slander the ministries of these guys? NO! Just because you don't agree with someone, does not mean you can slander them, especially if they are faithfully preaching the gospel and God is saving people with and through what they are doing. Will all ministries and churches look the same? No, and praise God for that. However, it's time we stop criticizing the way these leaders preach the gospel, and start praying that MORE people come to know Christ.
Jesus says in Matthew 12:25 that every house that is divided shall fall. Let me say this - if you are spreading hate towards a certain Christian leader - you are the one dividing! Listen, I know not all beliefs within Christian denominations are the same. I do not believe everything that Rick Warren says, but will I tear down his ministry? No, because that is wrong - if he is being faithful to the Bible (Which I believe he is). Should we call out heresy like universalism, prosperity gospel and other things? Absolutely, because we as Christ followers need to be faithful to the Bible. (Let me be clear that I was NOT equating Rick Warren with either of those heresies.)
I have seen far too many posts tearing down our Christian pastors for mistakes they make, beliefs they have, the way in which they preach, and so on. If you are not being a sheep who is working towards the betterment of the Kingdom of God, then you are being a wolf! Instead of trying to get in the way of what they are doing, why not get behind something good (there are many good churches, not just Harvest, in case some of you are wondering if that's what I am saying) and work hard at it for the glory of God? What good is it if you tear down Christian ministries? You are helping the devil! But what good is it if you get involved with a good Christian ministry, and pray for the ones that you're not in? You are doing the will of God.
The gospel is being preached in a lot of churches. The way it is preached changes. As long as the message stays the same, the messenger doesn't matter. God will take care of how His Church grows, and regardless of whether you think a pastor is correct in what he preaches, the gospel will change lives, because God is the gospel!
Listen to what Acts 5:33-39 says: "When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”
If these ministries and leaders that many people are vehemently opposed to are just men, and from men, then they WILL fail. However, if these leaders and ministries are from God, then you need to be praying for them, get involved in them, and stop tearing them down. The Bible says that if you are against these Christians and their ministries of faithfully preaching the gospel, then you might be found opposing God!
Enough with tearing down these pastors (not just the ones from Act Like Men, but others as well). We are the body of CHRIST! Stop trying to cut arms, fingers, toes, ears, and the rest of the body parts off! Non-Christians think we are fools because we fight so much. They are supposed to see Christ because of the way we love one another, not be turned off because of the way we fight one another.
Imagine we put as much effort into praying for the Church, as we do into tearing down different leaders. Wouldn't the Christian Church just boom if we weren't tearing down someone for his "chauvinistic" views, or for her yelling at people, or for this conference, or for that podcast, but instead praising God for the lives changed by Christ, the baptisms by her, the churches planted by him, or the many other things to praise our Great God for? That would be amazing!
Christians - get off your critiques, and onto your knees. Get out of tearing down with your flaming tongue, and get into building up with streams of life. Church, and the human life, is meant to GLORIFY GOD! Instead of tearing down, glorify God.
(This was a heavy blogpost, and if you feel like commenting, do so. However, if you know me personally, then talk to me in person, and not on this blog. If you don't know me personally, email me at giesbrechtj@mytyndale.ca)
No comments:
Post a Comment