Yet Another Teaser on Spiritual Coverings
Due to time constraints, I won’t be able to start the “Spiritual Covering” series until after the holidays, but I thought I’d throw out another teaser.
Recently, Richard Roberts submitted his resignation as President of Oral Roberts University, a charismatic university of which I am a graduate. Phil Cooke has been covering the story on his blog, Richard Roberts Resigns as President of Oral Roberts University, and one of his readers had this to say:
I’d like to use this particular story to address some issues I feel are at the heart of the royal/celebrity ministry phenomena that has plagued the charismatic movement. I am a spirit filled guy for 20 years BTW as well as a pastor.
Pentecostalism is a very cozy fit for a considerable portion of the christian population who are, shall we say, very suceptable [sic] to the power of suggestion. They are drawn to strong charismatic personalities who offer a tangable [sic] spiritual experience. Combine with this the common human need for a figurehead by which to vicariously identify. Add the access to nationwide TV and radio and you have a formula for a generation of Royal Families in ministry. They are the Prince Charles and Princess Di of many American Christians lives.
They are edited and scripted to perfection. The lighting and makeup and staging create an angelic pomp that goes far beyond mere quality into a false image of infallability [sic].
Although the scandals are the fruit of impurity in the ministers, I fear the publics willingness to provide fertile soil is also a major contributing factor. For this reason, I am afraid that until regular church folks are taught to discern these unspiritual and unhealthy dynamics in both themselves and in ministry leaders, we will continue to endure the annual scandals like we see from time to time.
Back in the early days of Pentecostalism, many of the prominent preachers were uneducated men who taught a simple Gospel without large ministry organizations. As Pentecostalism has become more mainstream, we’ve seen it become more institutionalized with hundreds of ministry employees, million-dollar budgets, and marketing teams. And as this reader writes, this has led to the idea (or doctrine) of a ministry hierarchy of royal families and organizations (how many of us have heard of “First Lady” of so-and-so church?).
Is this hierarchical model justified in New Testament scripture? Is the New Testament Body of Christ supposed to have First Ladies or royal ministry families? Our series on Spiritual Coverings will examine the theological underpinnings of these teachings.
This is a great conversation to start, Peter. I’m especially fascinated with titles. Yes, many denominations use titles like “Bishop” as official designations. However, today far too many simply make up their titles, so we see a wave of Bishops, Prophets, Overseers, and I saw recently, one pastor has taken on the medieval Catholic title “Metropolitan.” How insecure can we be? Do we really need these titles? In my new book “Branding Faith” (brandingfaith.com) I deal with telling your story in a media driven culture. Believe me, we don’t need excessive titles to do it…..
Phil,
I’ve received a number of emails from folks saying that they are looking forward to this one. One of the more fascinating aspects of the idea of spiritual coverings is the link between title, tithe, and money.
By the way, I’ve pre-ordered your book. Just couldn’t resist the black/red/white color scheme.
Phil Cooke poses some interesting questions on titles. The far side of this is the group of people who are against all titles…no “Pastor, no “Rev.”, no nothing. They are anti-all titles and they think they can prove it scripturally. I have read some of their literature at length. You could shoot holes through their arguements from a mile away. To further add to this, if one is hung up on titles, why bother with any titles, like Dr., Mr., President, Senator, Governor, Mayor, etc.? There are extremes on both sides.
I am more interested in their fruit. If a title makes you feel better, fine. I’m still looking at your fruit, integrity, lifestyle and character. The former is secondary or maybe much further down the list.
As for Richard Roberts and ORU, I’m saving my comments….may not be what people want to hear. The piranha feeding frenzy has become malignant.
AmeriKan,
Phil asks the kinds of questions that ought to be asked in charismatic/Pentecostal circles. Unfortunately, many have associated hard questions with unbelief, but that’s just not the case.
I’m looking forward to hearing what folks have to say once I get into the Spiritual Coverings series (I might have to start calling it the Spiritual Coverings/Royal Families series).
Peter, if it were just questions that would be alright. But the questions have become judgemental, unfair attacks and across the board generalizations. The money mongrels and glory seekers will always be there…they are a minority. As you say, instead of being like the selfimposed WOF police , I think more of our efforts, time and energy need to focus on the propagation of the Gospel, helping the needy and being a living example to the world.
I think it has become more of the contention within the body of Christ that Paul addresses and distracts us from our true calling and mission.