In the advent of social media and smartphones, people who never had access to HD cameras and equipment now are able to upload a video about themselves and what they have going on at the click of a button. Now by all means have fun and if there is a message that you need to put out there please do so. I am on social media and advertise our ministry services consistently. But I am very aware of not substituting the need to promote the gospel over “the need to be known as a Christian celebrity”. Now before you say well here they go again…another preacher is hating on my “selfies” “home videos” and “branding”….Not at all. So please hear the context of this blog which is to warn you of the dangers of ministry “ambition” or the need to promote yourself over God.
Phil 2:5-11 (KJV) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gods advertisement is very different from mans advertisement. Men like flyers that always show their faces, photo shoots of their facilities, videos and marketing strategies that “brand” or paint a picture of who they “may” be or what “may” they offer. But then get upset when they are not noticed by individuals who really have “kingdom influence that moves a nation or city” (insecure much?). If one is not careful self-promotion can take place and your name and face becomes the brand with Jesus name as the subtitle. You become the statue on the pedestal that cant be moved…people soon put their faith in you instead of God…they come to see YOU instead of wanting to hear about God so if you fall “your church or ministry” crumbles…versus HIS church that will always stand. Satan also had this issue and was thrown down like lighting because he wanted to be PROMOTED OVER GOD..and so will ministries that also follow suit….But look at the crowd they have the numbers…My friend, I have been around long enough to realize that congregational numbers do not equal influence, power, anointing or money! Growing a healthy church comes from the inside out not from the outside in and if you want a healthy church it takes TIME without compromise…gimmicks, giveaways and other bait and switches may work for a moment but what leaders don’t realize is the things that you had to do to get them is the same thing you will have to do to keep them….then you become church membership chasers because they did not show up after the giveaway or the people have caught on to the scheme and disappear.
Remember that Jesus made “himself” of no reputation. He worked behind the scenes and never self promoted…he always pointed to the father and thrived in one on one communication…when he did great things it was mostly in intimate settings and he told people to not tell others about what he did…resulting in the people advertising “for him” by “word of mouth’.
The Truth about Word of Mouth (God’s Way)
Word of mouth is very tedious and hard because you have to keep your integrity for several years to “build” a good name and trust in the community….you don’t get to come up front to be seen your first few years in your calling and sometimes you may have to hide away from the crowd because your flesh says “I did this now give me my credit or just due” …that is the trick of the enemy…your success is by the Hand of God…You are a conduit of privilege not self- promotion or grandiose ambition…In Gods Kingdom the last will be first, the servant is King, the humble is exalted and those that Glorify HIM in their private lives he rewards openly…When God advertises he pays for it and he will keep your head clear so you can handle the heat that comes with the spotlight. Be blessed, keep doing what you doing. In due time God will bring you forward WHEN you can handle it. #notacelebrity #noselfies #notaboutmeallabouthim #insecurepreachers #uzziahsyndrome #christiannarcissism
