In an age of Big buildings, Big budgets and Big bucks we must remember that in God’s economy bigger is NOT always better. If crowds alone were a gauge for God to view success than He would have “by passed” the woman at the well, the lonely leper looking for love while longing to be touched by the Lord and Zacheaus who went “out on a limb” to see God. Zacheaus went out and Jesus invited him in for supper. God responds to faith not fans.
If crowds were everything than Jesus would have not only by-passed but BLASTED the woman trying to touch the hem of Him and just camped continously at four and five thousand seat venues. God did both but why not just one? For starters, Jesus is good but better yet – God! Two, His identity was not found in crowds but Christ knew it was the acceptance and approval alone of Almighty God that matter most. The beauty about God is yes, He could hold a crowd in the palm of His Hand; but He also knew that substance should never be sacrificed for sheer size.
Evangelist Charles Spurgeon said he would prefer to have ten men sold out to Jesus than a thousand there but not really there. My friend, Dr Ergun Caner said “just because 1,000 show up for a service doesn’t make it a church.” Crowds don’t equate a church. Christ PLUS blood bought believers equal Church. This is not to be miscontrued for blasting the mega church and certainly not saying its wrong to have a large platform as an evangelist but we in ministry must always evaluate our motives. Some churches have held a beer blast on “Bring a Friend Day” just to attract crowds. Be careful what you wish for because those churches got their crowd but not sure if Christ was well pleased.
JUST BEING REAL – too many preachers are feeling worthless. Some of the anxiety stems from the issue of crowds. They are some of the most decent, compassionate, Christ honoring folks I know but feel like failures. In the wise words of Dr Adrian Rogers: “God didn’t call us to fill the auditorium but He did call us to fill the pulpit.” When Christ called us to minister (for most) it was for Christ (not crowds). Our success is in His Salvation. Its His relationship not our resume. In my political career, too often I witnessed folks come to Congress hoping to change Washington. Sadly, more often than not; Washington changed them. In ministry, we got in it for Christ and may we retire or die chasing Christ.
After nearly 30 yrs of sharing the Gospel I have learned just one or two things. One, God alone is God and no other. Secondly, I believe it takes just as much (if not more) obedience to be faithful in smaller matters as it does with larger, more visible ministry. Yes, leadership is lonely and with more responsibility comes greater accountability. Satan is sneaky because he can subconciously tempt us to fail even while doing the Work of the Lord. Some folks stay in a ministry position or platform for all the wrong reasons. Some may hold on for ego more than commitment to Christ. In confidence, I heard a visible preacher once say that he lives right not because the Ten Commandments demand it but because he couldn’t fathom not seeing himself on television. Hello? If that don’t make your stomach turn, knees buckle and evaluate what matters most than you may very well be the next casualty in line.
Some of my faithful friends have had the privilege to preach to the masses. Most have not. Some appear on world-wide television, speak on radio with several states listening at once, preached to packed crowds and even rubbed shoulders with one or two notable figures. Regardless, for those that do or don’t is not the issue. This post is not geared for the sinner today as much as the servant of God. Not laity but leaders. Again, nothing is wrong with speaking to masses. What is dangerous is when we speak – is it for self or Savior? Our success is based on an EMPTY tomb. Nothing more – nothing less.
This post is not against big ministry but a SMALL mindset. The Bible is clear “to whom much is given much is required” but there is no room for arrogance in Kingdom work. Those that have been blessed to speak at more prominent places in ministry will also tell you they didn’t start out at the “Super Bowl” but in Parks & Rec, junior varsity, college and pre-season with blood, sweat and tears. To their credit, they also travelled eight hours by car to speak to 11 teens three states away known only by God and the youth pastor who extended the invite. They also know what it’s like to speak to one shackled in prison forgotten by society and to minister to ministers who had already wrote their resignation before the revival we preached and unless God moved in their midst they informed they were already packed moving too and quitting the ministry. We need to PRAY for each other. Regardless, if you are reaching the masses or feel reduced to ministering to mosquittos we need to push, pull and pray for all in ministry and as disciples of Christ.
God grants various talents to different people. God assigns what we do and where we work. We are in a race – NOT to compete but COMPLIMENT each other as the Body of Christ and complete the race He asked us to run. Don’t look to the right or left but run straight ahead, stay in your lane (because disqualification comes) when you desire to run another’s race or step into their lane. Keep in mind that bigger is not better and yes, many who are first now will be last later. Live to build His Kingdom not yours. Let God worry about your legacy because all that matters is what we did with what He loaned us. Did we promote Him or try in vain to elevate self? Big buildings amount to ETERNAL EYESORES if God is not genuinely God of that ministry. Ministry is just a mess if His message doesn’t resonate and redeem souls. In closing, don’t compare and don’t chase crowds but Christ. One thing I learned about “Crowds” is that they are not always faithful but most certainly fickle. Here today and gone tomorrow.
CONSIDER CHRIST how the crowd on Palm Sunday hailed Him as King one day and exactly a week later nailed Him to the cross. Crowds are like a dysfunctional relationship because if they are “up” you are up but if they are down than you are down. Why? Because your identity is tied to a fallen crowd and not the Faithful Christ. But if you are in it for Christ you win either way.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: If you are in ministry at a “large” community of believers DARE to be DIFFERENT and donate your time and minister to a smaller group on ocassion (out of the blue), speak to a church that couldn’t pay you a dime and build up that struggling minister down the street who never once addressed an audience larger than 44 in the history of his/her ministry. The key is to love on him/her and make them feel like Jesus would – as if he were the most important person in the world. If your youth group is running 300 and you never introduced yourself to the youth pastor with less than 25 at their church BE LIKE JESUS and invite them to lunch, buy their meal and befriend them. Actually, some of the tension between ministers and ministries may subside when we come together, break bread and learn about one another. In case you missed the memo: Ministry is lonely and that brother or sister may very well minister to you more than you can imagine today or a future tomorrow.
At the foot of the cross we are all the same but those whom look down on others as “small” because they preach their heart out to a miniscule crowd should never underestimate God or those they disregard and mock because in God’s economy those ministering in “small places” are not only bigger than some give them credit but quite possibly, just as anointed, passionate and gifted (regardless of the size of your sanctuary). As my friends down south would say: “Frank, that is GOOD PREACHING!” Plus, to belittle someone is to “be little” yourself.
My first pastor, Dr E.J. Jack after 50 years of ministry, probably never once spoke to an audience more than 150. Almost every time, I get up to speak (regardless, if its television, radio, conference, concert, crusade, church, or a dorm at a camp with 6 people) I remember him, my present Pastor Marvin Harris, Rev. Jim Wood my former youth minister and the countless folks who helped me in my walk with God. These men and many others would “run circles” around me as a Christian and clergy. They sowed, God watered and together we watch the Lord bring the harvest. Crowds are not bad but if your ministry is based more on performance than passion to God, more of a show than a service, work but not worship, if its a career more than a calling than we are on “thin ice.” I have found a solid foundation with Jesus – The Rock but if we desire to be a “rock star” we are on tour with the wrong band. Today, we really don’t need any more “stars” we just need the Son.
I love Michael English and he is back singing with the GAITHER VOCAL BAND. Tenor, Terry Franklin nails this classic song by the GVB and I dedicate this video to all ministers (regardless of their influence or income) but especially, to those faithful preachers, Sunday School teachers, youth ministers and volunteers who often wonder while their mind wanders if their labors make a difference? By God’s grace – YOU DO! The crown comes from Christ not crowds. Truly, “Little is Much when God is in it – Labor NOT for wealth or fame – there’s a crown and you can win it – If you go in Jesus’ Name.”
Well Frank it looks like God is blessing you left and right!! What you are doing on a weekly basis is what most of us wish we could accomplish in a lifetime.
You and your family are in my prayers and I sure hope your example is saving many souls, I think the time is drawing very near when we will meet Jesus in the clouds. It cant come to soon for me I have my bags already packed!
Frank, I am one of those pastors you mentioned who feel like a failure. Thanks for sticking up for us anonymous folks who love the Lord but have few tangibles to remind us of our labors. I know our worth is in God but it does get tough at times.
I am sure this was not an easy post to share. Your transparency is appreciated and may God bless you for reminding us that God is pleased even with those serve in smaller churches. I will admit I thought I was going to be the “next big thing” after seminary and I learned quickly it wasn’t to be but I told God that I would serve Him even if the crowds never came.
God bless you Frank – keep preaching!
What I love about you Frank is that you say what many think but don’t have the guts to say nor worry about any fall out. You are secure in Christ and even Jesus threw tables.
Your desire to be obedient trancends your need for acceptance. May we all remember as God grows us taller that we should walk smaller when relating to others. As John the Baptist said: “He must INCREASE and I must decrease.”
Good word and great post.
I had sent this to my friend in Tennessee and she just loved it. She is a strong Christian friend and she believes you are doing and are going to do more for Jesus.