Why I Don't Want to Be a Celebrity Pastor

Matthew 11:7-9

It seems our culture today, particularly the Christian culture, seems obsessed with celebrity pastors. You can turn on the television and see how The Preachers of LA roll with their $2,000 Armani suits, Mercedes, and Rolex watches. Or, you can go online and see a host of other pastors with designer jeans, embroidered shirts, and cool accessories. I will withhold naming any one particular person, because this is not about a person, but a dangerous phenomenon that is developing.

Now, do not misunderstand me. I am not saying a pastor has to wear a suit and tie, or that they have to dress casually. The issue is not the clothes, but the attitude and perception given. I believe a pastor should dress according to the dynamics of the community that he serves in. If you serve a corporate culture community, it might mean dressing in a suit and tie. If you serve a rural farming community, it could be jeans and a flannel shirt. The point is not what we wear, but the message we proclaim.

In Matthew 7:7-9, Jesus challenges the popular perception of how people viewed John the Baptist. He asked them, "What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet."

If you read a description of John the Baptist he was not much on fashion. In fact, he wore a camel hair's vest with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and honey. And his message was not centered around how you can be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. It was centered on how you could develop an eternal relationship with the living God.

What we need today is pastors who are not concerned about their image, or how they can promote their latest book, conference, or podcast. What we need are pastors who will be willing to deliver an uncompromising message to a hostile culture.

I confess that I am not "cool." I am more comfortable in khakis and a button up shirt than I am jeans and flip-flops. I do not have a charismatic personality. God can use the pastor in California wearing jeans and flip and flops. He can use those pastors with magnetic personalities. It takes a wide variety of pastors to reach a wide variety of people.

The point I am trying to make is that I want to be a prophet of God, not the next trendy thing to come along. I want to challenge my fellow pastors to honestly examine themselves. Has the message taken a backseat to the mirror? Has the desire for prominence replaced a passion for people?

My brothers, let us all to strive to be phrophets and not celebrities. 

In Christ Alone,

Bryan

The Radical Gospel

In Luke 4:14-30, you can read of Jesus' rejection in His hometown of Nazareth.  In v.24, Jesus utters the famous phrase, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country."  Maybe you have felt the same sting among your own family and friends.  Perhaps you can relate to allowing God to do a radical work in your life, attempting to be obedient to His calling, and facing rejection, ridicule, and scorn.

If you are experiencing this type of trial, don't worry.  Many of God's choicest instruments have gone through the same fires of dismay, pain, and betrayal.  Often, it is from the people closest to us-our family and friends. They cannot look past who you once were.  All they see are your limitations, your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities.  But God sees your potential, your strengths, and how He can effectively leverage them by His power and might.

Let this thought sink into your heart and mind today:  To soar like an eagle, you must first be willing to leave the nest.  This often means leaving the comforts and confines of your hometown and be willing to go where God leads to your destiny.  If you think I am wrong, check out your Bible.  You will find time and again the people God used the most, He called out of their familiar surroundings.  Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, Jonah, the prophets, the disciples (especially Paul)-they all left the comforts of home to journey with God to fulfill their purpose in life.

Am I saying that the only way you can serve God effectively is by leaving your hometown?  Absolutely not. God does not call everyone to leave their hometown.  However, you will find more often than not, people are living dissatisfied lives, not experiencing the power of the Christian life, and deal with a frustrated spirit. Why?  Because they are attempting to live a radical Christian life in the midst of doubters, deniers, and downers.

Are you ready to soar like an eagle?  Are you tired of living an "ordinary" Christian life devoid of power?  Do you long to break free from the doldrums of frustration trying to become all God desires you to be amid people who cannot see past the old you and your old life?  Try something radical. 

Ask God today, "Am I a phrophet living without honor in my hometown?  Is there something bigger out there You want to use me for?  Is it Your will for me to leave the comforts of my nest, so I can soar like an eagle?"

Then, be willing to wait and listen for God.  Make the commitment today.  God has greater plans for you than you can imagine.

Getting Beyond Disappointment

Let me ask you a question.  When disappointments come into your life, how do you handle them?  It is easy to blame yourself or others-or even both.  Many times, it is difficult to know what to say or do because you cannot quite identify the real cause or purpose of the letdown.

Disappointment is often an emotional response to our failure, or someone else's-to achieve a hope, goal, or dream.  This can lead to losing faith in someone on whom we were depending-perhaps even a person we love.

In John 11, we see two sisters-Mary and Martha become disappointed in Jesus because He did not respond immediately to their brother Lazarus being sick.  As a result, Lazarus died, dashing Mary and Martha's hopes and causing them to question Jesus' love for them.  However, Jesus had a far greater purpose in mind in His delay.   He desired to do something beyond everyone's hopes-raise Lazarus from the dead so that God would be glorified through the miracle and many people come to faith in Christ.

God has reasons for us expierencing disappointemtns.  He could prevent them, but He wants to show us His purpose.  He desire is that we trust and believe, and let our circumstance bring glory to Him (John 11:4, 25).

When disappointments come, will you be stalled and derailed from God's plans for your life?  Or will you find yourself open to what He wants to show you and eager to understand His purpose and lesson in those situations?  The right response is to simply trust Him.