This article appeared in the Ministry Today magazine. Though it might be interesting.
Not long ago an international apostolic movement held its regional summit in an American city. The main speaker was one of this movement’s leading figures and had chosen to speak on the topic of honor. Within minutes of beginning his address, he began boasting about his numerous cars, multimillion-dollar home and 40 ministries that tithed to him. He exhorted those assembled that if they were true apostolic fathers, they should receive similar honor from their sons and daughters. He then proceeded to talk to them about their clothes: Suits off the rack were fine for preaching in a normal meeting, but ministering at a leader’s conference demanded tailor-made.
It’s sad enough that anyone representing Jesus would be so foolish and misled. Yet even more troubling is that no one had enough integrity to stand up and confront him. Sadly, incidents like this have become so commonplace in recent years that it’s exposed our current misunderstanding of true leadership in God’s kingdom. Do we see apostles as the top of the leadership pyramid? More churches around the world are using phrases such as “coming into apostolic alignment” and “coming into divine order” while believing that such hierarchical order is the kingdom of God. But is it?
More: Would the Real Apostles Please Stand Up?.
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
Reminds me of Mt 8:20
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Reminds me of Mt 8:20
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Amen, Sarah.
On Twitter over the past couple of days Brian Houston the head of Hillsong has boasted of him returning his Statesman car (General Motors prestige marque in Australia valued c. A$70,000.00) and collecting a new Mini Clubman (c. A$60,000.00 with all options). It would seem he drives a leased car. There is no indication who leases the car – Hillsong or Houston. It is a shame he feels this need to boast.
http://twitter.com/BrianCHouston
On Twitter over the past couple of days Brian Houston the head of Hillsong has boasted of him returning his Statesman car (General Motors prestige marque in Australia valued c. A$70,000.00) and collecting a new Mini Clubman (c. A$60,000.00 with all options). It would seem he drives a leased car. There is no indication who leases the car – Hillsong or Houston. It is a shame he feels this need to boast.
http://twitter.com/BrianCHouston
Amen, Sarah.