This is funny, but it points to a very unfunny reality in a very silly way. It is quite sad that people ascribe "giftedness"; as in gifts of the Spirit; to anything that moves them emotionally or has a high degree of creativity or technical expertise. It is usually in the scenario of a crowd oriented gathering with a specially selected performer. Of course the system says this person is "ministering", not performing. But when you consider the long term perpetual dependency of the attenders who are "ministered to" and what little life transformation, reproductive fruit passed on to others, and boldness to launch into faith oriented ministry results from this crowd oriented dynamic, I have to access it as performance, not ministry. Well intentioned, yes. Everyone likes good polish on the platform. God has much bigger things in mind for His people and bigger desires for the huge amount of cash required to put on these polished crowd oriented gatherings. This excellent comic opens this can of worms if anyone is willing to examine the system.
"...when you consider the long term perpetual dependency of the attenders who are "ministered to" and what little life transformation, reproductive fruit passed on to others, and boldness to launch into faith oriented ministry results..."
Hmmn. Too rarely do we consider or even evaluate after the fact whether or not what you refer to will result in spiritual growth of any description. As disciplers, surely this should really be an important initial consideration.
Comments
I know the book of Revelation, and exactly how to interpret it, like the back of my hand!
Posted By: Darren King | September 15, 2008 10:43 AM
This is funny, but it points to a very unfunny reality in a very silly way. It is quite sad that people ascribe "giftedness"; as in gifts of the Spirit; to anything that moves them emotionally or has a high degree of creativity or technical expertise. It is usually in the scenario of a crowd oriented gathering with a specially selected performer. Of course the system says this person is "ministering", not performing. But when you consider the long term perpetual dependency of the attenders who are "ministered to" and what little life transformation, reproductive fruit passed on to others, and boldness to launch into faith oriented ministry results from this crowd oriented dynamic, I have to access it as performance, not ministry. Well intentioned, yes. Everyone likes good polish on the platform. God has much bigger things in mind for His people and bigger desires for the huge amount of cash required to put on these polished crowd oriented gatherings. This excellent comic opens this can of worms if anyone is willing to examine the system.
Posted By: Tim | September 15, 2008 6:48 PM
"...when you consider the long term perpetual dependency of the attenders who are "ministered to" and what little life transformation, reproductive fruit passed on to others, and boldness to launch into faith oriented ministry results..."
Hmmn. Too rarely do we consider or even evaluate after the fact whether or not what you refer to will result in spiritual growth of any description. As disciplers, surely this should really be an important initial consideration.
Had a good giggle, though.
Posted By: Louise | September 17, 2008 3:36 AM
Post a comment: