Why Are So Many “Ministries” So HUGE?

September 6, 2012 at 11:26 AM 7 comments

I’m troubled. It seems that there are way too many ministries out there that are simply huge, powerful corporate structures. I’ve touched on this before and in some detail in my latest book Behind Enemy Lines. It is really bothersome to me that there seems to be an overabundance of institutions that appear to be in it for the money.

Now, one could argue that God has blessed them and has blessed them mightily. That certainly could be true and it could account for a small percentage of them. However, there is a much larger issue here. Can God literally be blessing all of these individual ministries? On the surface, it might seem to be the case, but if we take the time to dig – and I mean actually dig – we might come to another conclusion.

I don’t feel – at this time – like naming any names at all. That doesn’t mean I do not have facts to back up any allegations. It means that this particular article would – of necessity – become extremely large, burdened with many notes, quotes, and references to support the allegations.

What is almost depressing to me is when I read about a particular ministry only to learn about their connections. Some of those connections have to do with the individuals they have on their board of directors. Why does a supposed Christian ministry need secular politicians or questionable people from secular companies on their boards? Are they trying to tell me that each person on their board is an authentic Christian? Judging by some of the names associated with many boards, that is highly doubtful.

So why are some of these ministries tapping big names in politics or the secular industries? It can only be due to the ability to tap into a larger circle of financial donors. That may sound crass, but I fear that it’s the truth.

I would like to direct your attention to one particular blogger who goes out of his way to connect the dots. Is he 100% correct? You be the judge. I do believe that much of what he has to say has merit and deserves our attention and discernment. You can see the link at the end of this article. [1]

The Bible warns that in these last days, not only would mockers come (cf. 2 Peter 3:3), but Jesus also spoke about the fact that the last days would generate many false teachers and prophets (cf. Matthew 24). This should tell us something about the nature of ministry during this time period – a period of time I believe is the last days.

This does not mean that every ministry (large or small) is corrupt or only in it for the money. However, it does mean that Christians are to be uniquely gifted with discernment and wisdom to know which ministry should be avoided. Discernment is something that God gives to those who ask in faith. We should all seek God’s discernment and His wisdom as we move through these last days because the days are evil. That alone should tell us much.

There are some “big names” in ministry that – in my opinion – should not be in ministry. They seem to think that quality of ministry is measured in numbers of followers and dollars received. If that was the case, then Jesus (along with most of the apostles) would be considered abject failures.

Why do false ministries proliferate and become so successful (by the world’s standards) today? I believe it is due solely to one thing and one thing only: people do not want to hear the truth. Paul talks about this with Timothy in his second letter to him. He tells Timothy point-blank: “For the time will come when [people] will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,” (2 Timothy 4:3).

People are deceived simply because they are not interested in truth! They no longer care what God’s Word says. In many cases, the cares of this world have bogged them down so that they are like flowers choked with weeds. People want to feel good about themselves, about their lives, and about this world. Often, studying God’s Word brings them face to face with their faults, failures, and problems. Few want that. Instead, they begin to seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear in order that they might feel better about their condition. Sadly, this can even happen to Christians as evidenced by Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Aside from the fact that the average Christian (and church-goer) wants to hear only the good stuff, there are many in ministry that tend to hook up with other people in ministry because their goal is to grow their own ministry. Because of this, some tend to join themselves with questionable (at best) teachers who have large ministries. They think that by associating themselves with those teachers with large ministries, some of that will rub off on them and their own ministry will grow.

The tragedy is that they have stopped submitting to God and have begun following man-made goals. It may even begin somewhat altruistically where a person simply says, “Oh Lord, I just want the message you’ve given me to get out there!” Instead of waiting on God though, people too often tend to think of humanistic ways to get that message out. This can lead to problems because the natural way of doing things is to look for others who have “made it” or who have been “blessed by the Lord” with greater numbers.

Yet, look at the average ministry today that sells books, videos, and audios. Their books are not cheap, nor are their audios, videos, or PowerPoints. As their ministry grows, they begin adding employees. Those employees need to be paid and many are even offered pensions and health insurance. All of that takes a good deal of money. Ministries like the ones I’ve just described cannot afford to give their materials away free. They have to sell them as they have no real choice. Of course, the other choice is to simply submit everything to God leaving everything in His hands. That might mean downsizing and laying off people, but whose ministry is it anyway?

Because of the alleged need today to sell lots of books, etc., the accompanying need is to use every possible channel to “grow” our ministry. We use Twitter. We use Facebook and other social network services. We run ads. We do word of mouth. We do everything we would do if we were trying to start a brick and mortar business. We mistakenly believe that large numbers as well as a large financial return equals God’s blessing. Well, I’m here to say that I disagree with that thinking.

I truly believe that in these tough economic days, ministries are going to suffer financially and because of it, the temptation will increase to push many to look for avenues that we might otherwise not have cared about. God is going to purge and the temptation will be to begin marketing ministries the way the world markets a secular corporation. That’s happening now and has been for some time. Wouldn’t it be better to allow God to work and direct? If He begins a ministry and wants that ministry to grow, He is certainly capable of doing that, isn’t He? If He does not want it to grow, He is also capable of doing that.

People need to stop thinking in terms of numbers and dollars. That’s not the way God measures success at all.

I challenge the ministries out there to start giving their books, videos, and audios away. At least make them available for people who either cannot afford them or don’t want to pay for them. You can still sell your books, videos, audios, and the like if you want. Just make everything available for free to those who are unable to purchase them. How can God disagree with that?

We live in a time when the challenge for the authentic Christian is to remain true to God’s Word and His calling. Because of the tough economic conditions that exist, the constant temptation will be to either water down the message so that more people are willing to hear what you have to say, or hook up with some false teacher in order to benefit from the huge following they have.

Frankly, I think God is going the other way entirely. I think He is looking for people who have jobs (or other sources of income) and can be involved in ministry for the pure and undefiled reason of bringing glory to Him without thinking of what we can get out of it. I truly believe that God is looking for people like this; people who are not enamored with this world and who want nothing more than to offer their lives as a way to reflect His glory.

When Jesus lived on this planet, once He began ministry, He had no job and everything He received, He received from the Father’s hand. If God is calling you to do that, wonderful, but it is your obligation (through His strength) to remain true to that calling. The other option is to do what Paul did. As a tentmaker, he supported himself while he ministered. While he fully appreciated every monetary gift that was given to him for the work of the gospel, he was not hampered in his work because he supported himself.

In this day and age and due to the times and seasons, I believe that God is asking if there are people who are willing to enter into ministry without wondering what they will receive from it. Are you one of them? If you are, the chances are good that you will not be sidetracked by the need to have large numbers or a huge financial return. The only return we should be looking for is the one that measures the number of people saved because of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through you as He reaches out to others who do not yet know Him.

I think it’s called The Great Commission and it has never been rescinded…

[1] http://ephesians511blog.blogspot.com/

Entry filed under: 9/11, alienology, Atheism and religion, Communism, Demonic, dispensationalism, Eastern Mysticism, emergent church, Gun Control, Islam, Islamofascism, israel, Judaism, Life in America, Maitreya, new age movement, Posttribulational Rapture, Pretribulational Rapture, Radical Islam, rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, Satanism, second coming, Sharia Law, Socialism, temple mount, Transhumanism, ufology.

Mr. Obama is Likened to Jesus by DNC What Does the Lord Have for America?

7 Comments Add your own

1. Simon | September 12, 2012 at 5:21 AM

Could agree with you more Fred.

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- 2. Simon | September 12, 2012 at 5:27 AM
  
  Sorry, that is ‘couldn’t agree more with you Fred’. Very good article. Although, I am surprised you seem to fold a little too easily to Nelson re Calvary Chapel.
  
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  - 3. modres | September 14, 2012 at 8:01 AM
    
    Oh, it was a good article, was it? Was that because I wasn’t pointing out alleged problems with SDA?
    
    Yeah, I get your point about Calvary Chapel and I’ve already responded to it, Simon.
    
    I’m really sorry that you believe my comments related to SDA represent an attack on you. As I have stated, I am concerned for people who MAY be lost. Obviously, you are (fairly) secure in your beliefs, though you are quick to condemn those who disagree with SDA or those who even deign to refer to SDA as a cult.
    
    As I said to one other SDA individual who posted here and who also believes – as you do – that the amount of individuals within SDA who are “lost” are in the “fringe,” it is on YOU to spend as much time correcting THEIR aberrant beliefs as you do trying to correct what you believe are problems in my reasoning.
    
    As stated, the fact that you spend your time defending SDA instead of explaining salvation to those (even within SDA) who might be lost says a good deal about you and the way you approach things. You appear far more interested in making sure that people are “corrected” with it comes to what they believe about SDA, than in actually sharing with them the means of salvation.
    
    I have lost count of how many times I have been called a heretic or that I am going to hell. Initially, it upset me, but I’ve learned that for the most part (I would hope) people talk to others about salvation from their perspective BECAUSE they are concerned for that person’s eternal welfare.
    
    You have not at all arrived to that point yet. You are still stuck in defending SDA because when people attack SDA beliefs, you see them as attacking you.
    
    If someone calls me a heretic (or that I am on my way to hell) because I am a PreTribber or something else, I do not care. Certainly, many do it out of spite and almost with glee, while others seem to be seriously concerned about my eternal state. In both cases, I must leave it in God’s hands. I have studied Scripture and have admitted to the Lord that I could be wrong about what I believe.
    
    I have learned to stop going through life as if I have all the answers and that’s that. My main concern at this stage of life is for people’s SOULS. I do not want people to go into eternity not having a salvific relationship with Jesus Christ.
    
    If I believe that SDA or Mormonism, or Roman Catholicism, or anything else traps people into believing error that ultimately keeps them out of God’s heaven, then I have an obligation to at least TRY to help them see that. At the same time, I do not believe that God will allow anyone to perish who earnestly wants to gain salvation from Him.
    
    Do I believe everyone in the church I attend is saved? No, but apart from explaining the true gospel message and praying for people, what can be done? Nothing.
    
    Jesus Himself was powerless to cause the rich young ruler to turn from his error. It happened many times. This is not to say that this same rich young ruler did not eventually come around, but Jesus witnessed him seeing the truth and rejecting it.
    
    I’m sorry that you and I do not see eye to eye, but that’s the way it is, Simon. Maybe it’s time for you to stop responding to my posts because your anger and sarcasm is obvious. You seem bent on tearing down my reasoning and your arguments seem paltry to me in most cases.
    
    If you believe that you are correct in your beliefs Simon, there should be NOTHING that I can say here that would get a rise out of you. Unfortunately, it’s more than obvious from the number of posts in the past few days that I struck nerve after nerve. Your “digs” are unavoidably clear and because of that, it is also clear that instead of taking my words in the way they are meant (you can’t see that), you assume I am attacking you and all other SDA people.
    
    Most of your arguments are so worldly and vague that they are laughable, Simon. I don’t say that to offend you. I’m simply pointing out where you are coming from and how I receive them.
    
    I’m really sorry that you have chosen to use your time to attempt to berate me when in point of fact, I am trying to point out problems that I see in the world of politics and most importantly, in the world of religion. Am I 100% correct? I doubt it, but I feel a sense of obligation to do what I can in my own small way to correct what I believe to be incorrect.
    
    You like Mr. Obama – that is clear. So, when I criticize him, you take umbrage as if your points and beliefs are more important and have more substance than mine.
    
    You truly seem like someone whose beliefs cannot be criticized. Are you THAT insecure, Simon?
    
    Let me have my beliefs (here on MY blog) about Mr. Obama and about the other things in which I believe. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion but the idea that you come to MY blog to essentially insist that I have no clue, no real truth, and no understanding is absurd, not to mention completely arrogant. Do I do that with YOUR blog? I do not go out of my way to condemn you or your beliefs on anything. The only time I respond to you is when you respond HERE, on MY blog.
    
    If you are so insecure that you are unable to have a civil conversation with me, then I would strongly suggest that you stop reading my posts, all right?
    
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4. Nelson Swiger Jr. | September 6, 2012 at 11:19 PM

I do want to say that all Calvary Chapels are independent and not all pastors are in complete agreement on everything. This article could give some a false impression that there is a systemic problem, but no more than any other church. Pastor Chuck Smith had to force his own son out of Calvary Chapel because of his leaning toward the Emergent Movement. Some Calvary Chapel pastors are teaching some questionable materials and some are very sound, as with any denomination or movement. There are over 1000 congregations that carry the Calvary name and this is why I want to cover this.

I am addressing this because I do not want people to be under the impression that Calvary Chapel is some Emergent movement or promoting a one world govt. What Calvary does is have a set formula for teaching in order to have the Calvary name. We teach expositionally which by all accounts is a way of teaching that helps to be sure that the intention of the Holy Spirit is taught and less of man’s spin on scripture, it is not full proof, but seems to have a sound basis that topical sometimes does not have. Although topical is still taught throughout Calvary.

Fred, I understand you using this article as an example and I hope that it gets the attention of others in Calvary Chapel and causes change. I love the people of Calvary Chapel, they are good bereans, we encourage each and every person to always compare the teachings to the scriptures, we try to be sure that each and every attendee has a bible at each service and if they do not, we provide one under each seat and have bibles on hand to give to anyone that ask to take home.

Our deepest desire is to see the lost come to Christ, we just had a “Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie” that we telecast to hundreds of Calvary Chapel’s and hundreds of churches of differing denominations as well as auditoriums, homes and just about anyway that something can be broadcast today. We reached hundreds of thousands with the Gospel.

Do I think we are perfect? No way! We are fallen man in a fallen world, we have leaders that are fallen making mistakes. We are clearly in the very last moments before Jesus calls us home and even in the soundest of churches, Satan is going to put all he has into seeking and destroying.

I hope this does not come off as defensive, I hope you understand why I have felt the need to go into such great detail. I am on the inside and know many of the people in Calvary Chapel. I know we love the lost and seek them out and once they come to Christ, we disciple them.

God bless Fred, I do enjoy your deep insight.

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- 5. modres | September 7, 2012 at 6:18 AM
  
  Hey Nelson,
  
  I take no offense at all at your comments. I understand that Calvary Chapel itself is independent – one from the other. The article was mainly discussing Gerry Boykin and David Rosales, not Calvary Chapel as a whole and the need for Rosales to dig deep so that he could verify (or not) whether there truly is something to be concerned about with Boykin.
  
  As I stated in the article, each person needs to decide whether what is being stated at the blog I provided a link to is worthwhile or not.
  
  My biggest concern is the number of large ministries that have dubious connections. What I should have pointed out in my article was my concern for PARA-Church ministries, though there are certainly some churches/pastors who – in my opinion – are leading their flock down a very wrong path.
  
  I take your comments in the spirit in which they were meant, Nelson. Thanks for writing and for clarifying.
  
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  - 6. Simon | September 12, 2012 at 5:26 AM
    
    Wasn’t Calvary Chapel identified as having clear cult-like tendencies? For example, in the Sonoma County Independent, dated 1998, Cult deprogrammer Rick Ross described Calvary Chapel as follows:
    
    “I wouldn’t go so far as to call them a full-on cult. But I will say that Calvary Chapel is an extremely authoritarian group where lots of control is exercised over the members.”
    
    See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Chapel#Cult-like_practices
    
    I only know and mention this is because a very well known ex-Adventist who continually claims the SDA Church is J. Mark Martin, who founded Calvary Community Church in Phoenix. Call about the pot calling the kettle black.
    
    For whatever criticism one might have for ‘traditional’ denominations with a national and international structure, they seem to have a lot more accountability and scrutiny than these many millionaire ministries found within AOG and ‘independent’ and ‘non-denominational’ ministries of modern Pentecostal-Dispensationalist-Evangelical Christianity.
    
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  - 7. modres | September 14, 2012 at 7:43 AM
    
    Way to try to throw the spotlight on another group, Simon.
    
    Obviously, you neither really read my comments (for meaning) or the link that I included. The main point of the article was that in ONE particular case with respect to ONE particular Calvary Chapel pastor, he seemed not to be exercising discernment by having someone like Boyton to speak during a service. That was it.
    
    You quoted someone who admitted that Calvary Chapel is not a cult, unlike what people generally think of when they think of Seventh-day Adventism.
    
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