The Money Pastor....

The Theology Of Stuff from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

"We serve the god who gives us stuff"

Heads of gold...and empty pockets.

Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. -Jesus (Matt 7:15-20)

This article (Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich) chaps my hide. A ministry that takes in $100 million annually...really? I was made aware of a recent group of local pastors that have special monthly clergy rates at a local Golf Club that nearly exceed our monthly budget as a church. The issue is growing and the damage to the credibility of the local church is ever expanding. The slick hair, crest strip teeth, the flashy clothes and sports cars and sooped up Motorcycles, not to mention the expenses accounts, helicopter transportation and a host of other gross misuses of hard earned cash is atrocious.

It makes me ashamed to be called a pastor at times.

This "prosperity gospel" feeds upon peoples unmet needs, it promises the moon while it pit-pockets your shorts. It's a delusion that weaves itself into the legitimate hierarchy of needs. It's a bait and switch like the professional street thieves use...they get you looking at one thing while they pull a fast one on you. So they are walking off with your cash and you are left scratching your head.

The prophet Daniel saw a statue that embodied all the fallen kingdoms of this world...and guess what the head of this statues was made out of...yes, you guessed it...gold.

When will we ever learn....we are such suckers.

The purpose of prosperity....

LeeElla, my wife, made a short video in response to viewing recent revival reports from various parts of the United States and after viewing some pictures sent to us from the devastation in Burma by the recent cyclone.

You can view that video HERE

The issue has been churning in my heart and mind for a few days. The passage below captures what I have been feeling in my gut. Now Amos has more edge in his words than I am feeling, mine is more sadness than anger. I find myself grieved over the waste of time, resources and gifts that I see and hear about. I feel less and less interested in American Christianity, whatever the current hobby horse is. I am deeply longing to be more and more involved in the authentic work of Jesus. And I am more hungry to truly walk in the spirit of Jesus, in the way of Christ and with the heart and mind of God. Everything else just seems so shallow, earthly and a waste of time.

At God's coming we face hard reality, not fantasy,
a black cloud with no silver lining.
"I can't stand your religious meetings.
I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
I want justice - oceans of it.
I want fairness - rivers of it.
That's what I want. That's all I want.
-Amos 5:20-24
(The Message Bible)

The give me gospel....

I read about this the other day, a snippet out of a fund raising letter from a very prominent tv preacher:

"... we have recently taken delivery on our Gulfstream G4SP plane, which we call Dove One. I have enclosed a beautiful photo-filled brochure to explain more about this incredible ministry tool that will increase the scope of our abilities to preach the Gospel around the globe. Now we must pay the remainder of the down payment, and I am asking the Lord Jesus to speak to 6,000 of my precious partners to sow a seed of $1,000 in the next ninety days. And I am praying, even as I write this letter, that you will be one of them!"

I've read that this man supposedly has a 10 million dollar house as well. This stuff gets me a bit fired up when I am searching for apartments for refugees and just don't have enough money or houses available to meet the need. I dream of having the money and resources to renovate all these trashed homes and provide affordable housing. This prosperity gospel makes me ashamed at times to be called an American Christian. I saw this video and heartily agree with John Piper.

$200,000...say what?

So what do you think of this? For the record...I think it is whacked.
Send me $200,000 instead...we need to house some refugees, rehabilitate some drug users, help some single moms find affordable housing and train some urban missionaries. $200,000 would go a long way...as for a prayer retreat...I'll pray on the street.