21st
CENTURY HERESY: THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF CHRIST’S CHURCH (Part I)
Principle Point to Ponder:
Should Christ’s Church be
professionally-oriented or Kingdom-oriented?
THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH is rapidly falling from grace. One of the greatest fallacies of our
increasingly apostate condition is the proclivity to enthusiastically embrace a
humanistic perspective and the pursuit of PROFESSIONALISM vis-à-vis Christ’s command for a culture of KINGDOM.
In John Piper’s book, “We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry,” he presents a profound, ground-shaking commentary on where the institutional church currently resides, versus that place of purpose where the Author and Finisher of faith designs and intends us to be. Piper petitions, “BANISH PROFESSIONALISM from our midst, oh God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify our sovereign Lord. Humble us, O God, under your mighty hand, and let us rise, NOT AS PROFESSIONALS, but as WITNESSES and PARTAKERS of THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.”
John Piper goes on to say that “The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual…and are not shared by any of the professions. The PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE MINISTRY is a constant threat to…the gospel. It is a threat to the profound spiritual nature of our work. THE WORLD SETS THE AGENDA OF THE PROFESSIONAL MAN; GOD SETS THE AGENDA OF THE SPIRITUAL MAN. The strong wine of Jesus Christ explodes the wine skins of professionalism. There is an infinite difference between the pastor whose heart is set on being the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of death to some and eternal life to others.”
Piper’s commentary resonates with Paul’s admonition to the Church of Corinth: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (II Corinthians 2:14-17, NKJV)
THE CORPORATE MENTALITY that has invaded the institutional church threatens to precipitate our demise, or, at a minimum, to relegate us to universal indifference and irrelevance.
GOD never intended for SERVANT-LEADERS to adapt to (or adopt) THE CORPORATE MODEL. In fact, exploitative capitalism and rugged individualism are excluded from the template set forth to (and through) the New Testament Church. (Acts 4:32-35) Rather, the people of God are divinely predisposed to exist in genuine koinonia, agape and communal sharing. Thus, THE CHURCH is bigger than any one individual and must never be about personal advancement or empire-building. THE CHURCH is birthed intentionally by THE HOLY SPIRIT as A LIVING BEING, declared to be THE BODY OF CHRIST, whose sole purpose is to offer soul-saving salvation to perishing humanity and Word-based edification to emerging disciples.
WHENEVER WE MIRROR ANY SECULAR INSTITUTION, we invite spiritual disaster and cessation of purpose.
Jesus Christ was not dispatched from Heaven as a CEO, a chief executive officer. And nowhere in scripture do we observe any suggestion or implication that His church should operate as a BUSINESS INSTITUTION or be governed by the CORPORATE BUSINESS MODEL. Who is this Christ? “He is THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18) For spiritually discerning persons, two questions are begged: 1) Who actually governs the church, CHRIST, or US? And, 2) Why does the CORPORATE CULTURE AND MINDSET seem to prevail, since it so clearly contravenes the MIND OF CHRIST? (Philippians 2:5-11)
To cite the prophetic and incisive words of Pastor Jack Tebogo Tsoai of The Republic of South Africa, “The Church (Universal) has been under tremendous pressure to adopt unscriptural tactics of THE CORPORATE BUSINESS MODEL into key areas of its structure by power hungry, self serving, title chasing “hirelings,” leading to stale, impersonalized, or ineffective “denominational” or “institutional” conglomerates. In retrospect, I wonder if the 21st century church hasn’t produced pastors who in reality are not spiritual shepherds as much as they are corporate CEOs. The same mentality, philosophy, and strategy that drive corporate boardrooms also drive the boardrooms of modern churches. Pastors act like CEOs, dress like CEOs, talk like CEOs, manage like CEOs, and think like CEOs, hence some find titles and money very attractive at the expense of the truth of the Word of God.” His remarks are on target, insightful and absolutely reflective of our current state of being.
Surely, it grieves The Holy Spirit of Christ that we now seem to be actualizing the 7th phase (the apostate stage) of The Church Age, which is epitomized by the CHURCH OF LAODICEA. Jesus Christ commanded the apocalyptic writer, John, to publicly disclose its condition, both as a warning for us and for any who would follow in our footsteps:
Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
It is an incredibly accurate and apt description of THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH, particularly in AMERICA, where so many promote and celebrate MATERIAL PROSPERITY, as if it is God’s ultimate goal for us. Unfortunately, many so-called ‘third-world nations’ now seek to emulate us. That is very much like clamoring for first-class compartments aboard a sinking ship! In every nation, we must focus on the KINGDOM and pay close attention to what GOD says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25) It is time now (in these end-times) for THE CHURCH to rise up and be THE CHURCH! Whether we are ripples, waves, ponds, brooks, streams, or rivers, all believers are proactive and purpose-driven tributaries in pursuit of the oceanic depths of God. Launch out. Kingdom first! Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed…more to come!
In John Piper’s book, “We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry,” he presents a profound, ground-shaking commentary on where the institutional church currently resides, versus that place of purpose where the Author and Finisher of faith designs and intends us to be. Piper petitions, “BANISH PROFESSIONALISM from our midst, oh God, and in its place put passionate prayer, poverty of spirit, hunger for God, rigorous study of holy things, white-hot devotion to Jesus Christ, utter indifference to all material gain, and unremitting labor to rescue the perishing, perfect the saints, and glorify our sovereign Lord. Humble us, O God, under your mighty hand, and let us rise, NOT AS PROFESSIONALS, but as WITNESSES and PARTAKERS of THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.”
John Piper goes on to say that “The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual…and are not shared by any of the professions. The PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE MINISTRY is a constant threat to…the gospel. It is a threat to the profound spiritual nature of our work. THE WORLD SETS THE AGENDA OF THE PROFESSIONAL MAN; GOD SETS THE AGENDA OF THE SPIRITUAL MAN. The strong wine of Jesus Christ explodes the wine skins of professionalism. There is an infinite difference between the pastor whose heart is set on being the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of death to some and eternal life to others.”
Piper’s commentary resonates with Paul’s admonition to the Church of Corinth: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.” (II Corinthians 2:14-17, NKJV)
THE CORPORATE MENTALITY that has invaded the institutional church threatens to precipitate our demise, or, at a minimum, to relegate us to universal indifference and irrelevance.
GOD never intended for SERVANT-LEADERS to adapt to (or adopt) THE CORPORATE MODEL. In fact, exploitative capitalism and rugged individualism are excluded from the template set forth to (and through) the New Testament Church. (Acts 4:32-35) Rather, the people of God are divinely predisposed to exist in genuine koinonia, agape and communal sharing. Thus, THE CHURCH is bigger than any one individual and must never be about personal advancement or empire-building. THE CHURCH is birthed intentionally by THE HOLY SPIRIT as A LIVING BEING, declared to be THE BODY OF CHRIST, whose sole purpose is to offer soul-saving salvation to perishing humanity and Word-based edification to emerging disciples.
WHENEVER WE MIRROR ANY SECULAR INSTITUTION, we invite spiritual disaster and cessation of purpose.
Jesus Christ was not dispatched from Heaven as a CEO, a chief executive officer. And nowhere in scripture do we observe any suggestion or implication that His church should operate as a BUSINESS INSTITUTION or be governed by the CORPORATE BUSINESS MODEL. Who is this Christ? “He is THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18) For spiritually discerning persons, two questions are begged: 1) Who actually governs the church, CHRIST, or US? And, 2) Why does the CORPORATE CULTURE AND MINDSET seem to prevail, since it so clearly contravenes the MIND OF CHRIST? (Philippians 2:5-11)
To cite the prophetic and incisive words of Pastor Jack Tebogo Tsoai of The Republic of South Africa, “The Church (Universal) has been under tremendous pressure to adopt unscriptural tactics of THE CORPORATE BUSINESS MODEL into key areas of its structure by power hungry, self serving, title chasing “hirelings,” leading to stale, impersonalized, or ineffective “denominational” or “institutional” conglomerates. In retrospect, I wonder if the 21st century church hasn’t produced pastors who in reality are not spiritual shepherds as much as they are corporate CEOs. The same mentality, philosophy, and strategy that drive corporate boardrooms also drive the boardrooms of modern churches. Pastors act like CEOs, dress like CEOs, talk like CEOs, manage like CEOs, and think like CEOs, hence some find titles and money very attractive at the expense of the truth of the Word of God.” His remarks are on target, insightful and absolutely reflective of our current state of being.
Surely, it grieves The Holy Spirit of Christ that we now seem to be actualizing the 7th phase (the apostate stage) of The Church Age, which is epitomized by the CHURCH OF LAODICEA. Jesus Christ commanded the apocalyptic writer, John, to publicly disclose its condition, both as a warning for us and for any who would follow in our footsteps:
Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
It is an incredibly accurate and apt description of THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH, particularly in AMERICA, where so many promote and celebrate MATERIAL PROSPERITY, as if it is God’s ultimate goal for us. Unfortunately, many so-called ‘third-world nations’ now seek to emulate us. That is very much like clamoring for first-class compartments aboard a sinking ship! In every nation, we must focus on the KINGDOM and pay close attention to what GOD says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25) It is time now (in these end-times) for THE CHURCH to rise up and be THE CHURCH! Whether we are ripples, waves, ponds, brooks, streams, or rivers, all believers are proactive and purpose-driven tributaries in pursuit of the oceanic depths of God. Launch out. Kingdom first! Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed…more to come!
No comments:
Post a Comment