Consumerist Ministry

Just a few thoughts on the modern concept of ‘minis’try'’. Ministry is now seen in career terms- a job, work- capitalism. You have to make your name known and get out there and do it for money. It evokes that hidden inner self that seeks its own rather than the good of others. However sometimes its cloaked in body language. Its easy to spot this malformed child of christendom however as the ‘ministry / minister’ is central and often ‘protected’ against outside influences. This core or centre is then made untouchable to the body and only open to words from the LORD Himself. In this context the use of terms like ‘God told me’, ‘God led me’, Jesus spoke to me’ and etc are common thus moving the ‘ministry’ away from common relational accountability. The ministry is then sanctioned by God and if you dare to speak into it you are questioning God Himself not the person or persons involved. This type of ministry is really anti the body and anti accountability.The career pastor (career musician etc,.) is one core example of a ministry in these terms, he(or she) becomes the man of God ( or woman of God) who hears from God for the people to bless the people. They then use the bible or their gifting to compel people into a submission to their views and use ‘God terms’ to sell their views. The success of the pastor (musician) is often seen by the ‘people’ as signs of their own personal success. So a lot of effort is put into making his (or her) ‘minis-’try’-’ a success. You hear sayings as follows- ‘My pastor believes, ‘my pastor says’, ‘my pastor is a man of God ( woman of God) etc,. These and other terms are all carried forward by the ‘people’ and seen as a great measure of ‘faithfullness’ and ’spirituality’. To question the views of the ‘man (woman) of God is seen as tantamount to ’sin’.
Its a fact that those who depart from the local church to promote their ‘ministry’ often use and abuse the ‘anointings’ of the local body to gain respect and give the appearance of spirituality. They mis-approriate these anointings and use them for self promotion. In the process they isolate themselves from the very body that bore them and gave them the context for having any ’service’ toward God at all. The church is afflicted with ‘man (woman) centred ‘ministries’ - out of (God) control and footloose and fancy free. They rush around hearing words of confirmation from ‘God’ as they have lost the relational accountability that speaks from the bodythat would confirm their ‘ministry’ . They hear words BUT mostly from ’strangers’ who have no covenant relationship with them that would necessiate any form of honest brokerage concerning their lifestyle. Why would any one confront the person who is ‘blessing’ them?
Do you know anyone that fits the bill??????????