Every now and then I feel strongly about a subject and if I don't write about it I feel like I'll explode. This is one of those subjects. Perhaps I'm being overly cynical, but I really don't think so and I'll get to why in a moment. I'd like to perhaps be the first person to coin this phrase unless someone else has already. I'd like to share in this blog about what looks to me like modern day Pharisees among us. Preachers that I would call "Red Carpet Preachers".
Most Pastors or Evangelists give the glory to God and seek none for themselves. To these people I say thank you, for you inspire me to be this kind of Christian. Then there are the others... The Red Carpet Preachers. These are preachers, teachers, and others in Church leadership that operate to be seen and they crave self-glorification. They remind me of a celebrity walking on the red carpet - hence the phrase, "Red Carpet Preachers" comes to my mind.
I know that advertising and promotion have their place. I know that inviting people to the Church you pastor is also important. What I don't understand though is why so many preachers feel the need to self-promote themselves and glorify themselves to get this done.
Usually it isn't hard to spot a Red Carpet Preacher, for they are the best dressed, loudest, most obnoxious ones in the crowd. They like to be formal. They like to be elegant. They like to be revered highly. They are usually not too down to earth. They introduce themselves with their title attached. For example, instead of, "Hi, I'm Randy Tedford." I would say, "Hi, I'm the Reverend Randal D. Tedford". Either that or they like to include the word pastor, or evangelist, or apostle, or bishop, prophet, and especially they like to throw out that doctor word.
When they preach, their sermons consist of all the good works they did throughout the week, then a quick follow up with scripture to punctuate how godly they are. When they are on the radio or TV you will often hear them refer to themselves in a third party manner like, "If you are tuning in God bless you... Be sure to tell your friends that the Reverend John Doe (himself) is preaching on the radio."
Billy Graham is most likely the world's most well-known preacher, but yet he is one of the most humble people you'll ever meet. When he promotes, he is promoting the Gospel, and not himself. Yet, look how God has promoted him! I believe I would rather have God promote me than myself. His son Franklin is the same way. Both of them seem satisfied to do the work God has given them and not promote themselves.
I understand that many times it is the congregation that shows respect for their pastor, and this is a commendable thing. There is nothing wrong with having pastor appreciation month, celebrating the pastor's birthday, giving them a love offering on top of the salary, and doing other things to show appreciation. I know when I was a pastor kind gestures like these would make me feel humbled and they were deeply appreciated.
Remember, Jesus said, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". This is the same Jesus who tied a towel around His waist and washed the dirty feet of His disciples, and who even died for us!
My pastor in North Carolina, Steve Watson had no reserved parking space, but he would purposely park his car at the back of the parking lot to allow room for others. His biggest fear was that a lost person who was attending would not be able to find a parking spot and would leave. His car was easy to pick out for it was the one parked farthest from the front door. As the crowds grew, this man of God would park down the street from the church building. He is a true servant of Christ and has made a huge impression on me and my family. I remember when I told Steve about feeling like God has called me to serve in ministry. I told him that I feel so unworthy. He told me that he felt like that everyday, and if I ever began to feel worthy then we would have a problem.
Red Carpet Preachers do feel worthy, and they are happy to let you know they are worthy. While some pastors would feel humbled by having a reserved parking spot, they expect it!
All of these perks and special treatments for pastors in and of themselves are not wrong.
I believe God has placed these people in our lives to nurture our spiritual well-being and guide us in Christian living, and we should honor them for that. We shouldn't exalt them more than God however!
A Red Carpet Preacher expects just that! They love the special treatment, and if you forget their birthday, or mistakenly park in their reserved parking space, they get an attitude about it. Usually their preaching is performance driven and if they don't receive enough "Amens" or get a good pat on the back they behave like a spoiled child.
In closing, what is my point? Is having a reserved parking spot for a pastor or any other kind gesture to them wrong? Certainly not! My only purpose in writing this is that we should examine our own heart. When we do something to advance the kingdom of God, is our motive pure, or is it intertwined with advancing ourselves? To insure we have our self in check we should take the apostle Paul's advice. If you remember, it was Paul who counted himself as the least of the saints even though he penned the majority of the New Testament. Paul told us in the book of Philippians:
Philippians 2:5-11
Message to those in Church Leadership:
Is being a pastor a title to you, or is it a responsibility?
Is it important to you that people see your good works, or is it enough that God sees it? Remember, God will one day judge these works so take heed that you are doing them for His glory and not your own. The greatest among us is the servant to all!
Most Pastors or Evangelists give the glory to God and seek none for themselves. To these people I say thank you, for you inspire me to be this kind of Christian. Then there are the others... The Red Carpet Preachers. These are preachers, teachers, and others in Church leadership that operate to be seen and they crave self-glorification. They remind me of a celebrity walking on the red carpet - hence the phrase, "Red Carpet Preachers" comes to my mind.I know that advertising and promotion have their place. I know that inviting people to the Church you pastor is also important. What I don't understand though is why so many preachers feel the need to self-promote themselves and glorify themselves to get this done.
Usually it isn't hard to spot a Red Carpet Preacher, for they are the best dressed, loudest, most obnoxious ones in the crowd. They like to be formal. They like to be elegant. They like to be revered highly. They are usually not too down to earth. They introduce themselves with their title attached. For example, instead of, "Hi, I'm Randy Tedford." I would say, "Hi, I'm the Reverend Randal D. Tedford". Either that or they like to include the word pastor, or evangelist, or apostle, or bishop, prophet, and especially they like to throw out that doctor word.
When they preach, their sermons consist of all the good works they did throughout the week, then a quick follow up with scripture to punctuate how godly they are. When they are on the radio or TV you will often hear them refer to themselves in a third party manner like, "If you are tuning in God bless you... Be sure to tell your friends that the Reverend John Doe (himself) is preaching on the radio."
Billy Graham is most likely the world's most well-known preacher, but yet he is one of the most humble people you'll ever meet. When he promotes, he is promoting the Gospel, and not himself. Yet, look how God has promoted him! I believe I would rather have God promote me than myself. His son Franklin is the same way. Both of them seem satisfied to do the work God has given them and not promote themselves.
I understand that many times it is the congregation that shows respect for their pastor, and this is a commendable thing. There is nothing wrong with having pastor appreciation month, celebrating the pastor's birthday, giving them a love offering on top of the salary, and doing other things to show appreciation. I know when I was a pastor kind gestures like these would make me feel humbled and they were deeply appreciated.
Remember, Jesus said, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". This is the same Jesus who tied a towel around His waist and washed the dirty feet of His disciples, and who even died for us!
My pastor in North Carolina, Steve Watson had no reserved parking space, but he would purposely park his car at the back of the parking lot to allow room for others. His biggest fear was that a lost person who was attending would not be able to find a parking spot and would leave. His car was easy to pick out for it was the one parked farthest from the front door. As the crowds grew, this man of God would park down the street from the church building. He is a true servant of Christ and has made a huge impression on me and my family. I remember when I told Steve about feeling like God has called me to serve in ministry. I told him that I feel so unworthy. He told me that he felt like that everyday, and if I ever began to feel worthy then we would have a problem.
Red Carpet Preachers do feel worthy, and they are happy to let you know they are worthy. While some pastors would feel humbled by having a reserved parking spot, they expect it!
All of these perks and special treatments for pastors in and of themselves are not wrong.
I believe God has placed these people in our lives to nurture our spiritual well-being and guide us in Christian living, and we should honor them for that. We shouldn't exalt them more than God however!
A Red Carpet Preacher expects just that! They love the special treatment, and if you forget their birthday, or mistakenly park in their reserved parking space, they get an attitude about it. Usually their preaching is performance driven and if they don't receive enough "Amens" or get a good pat on the back they behave like a spoiled child.
In closing, what is my point? Is having a reserved parking spot for a pastor or any other kind gesture to them wrong? Certainly not! My only purpose in writing this is that we should examine our own heart. When we do something to advance the kingdom of God, is our motive pure, or is it intertwined with advancing ourselves? To insure we have our self in check we should take the apostle Paul's advice. If you remember, it was Paul who counted himself as the least of the saints even though he penned the majority of the New Testament. Paul told us in the book of Philippians:
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 andthat every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Even Jesus, who is God, and had every right to be exalted chose to humble Himself and take on the role of a bondservant for it was beneficial to us.
Message to those in Church Leadership:
Is being a pastor a title to you, or is it a responsibility?
Is it important to you that people see your good works, or is it enough that God sees it? Remember, God will one day judge these works so take heed that you are doing them for His glory and not your own. The greatest among us is the servant to all!
