Do you really think losing people who are interested in the celebrity factor is a loss?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sheep That Chase Fame
Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin are starting a church in Atlanta. People are hyped. These guys are very cool and very gifted. Having two rocks stars at the helm will make this church grow very fast in a very short amount of time. I have wondered if this will suck people away from other churches in the area. Answer: Of course it will. This may or may not be a bad thing. But about those who would leave their church for this new one, Jared poses a great question for church leaders:
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As a layman, this question reminds me that it's not only a matter of churches losing people (hopefully not members, who have made an actual commitment) to other churches which have more "famous" preachers or music leaders. It's at least partially about us and our fallen hearts, which often prize lesser things over what God most values.
There is at least one situation that I know of (no names or other identifying details-- I don't want to gossip) where a much less well-known leader left a church, and members followed him, *not* because the members were concerned with the new leader's doctrinal teaching, but because they preferred the older leader's "passionate personality," as shown through that teaching. Now, I could *possibly* see, in an extreme case, where this might be valid (if the new leader were abusive, or he just truly seemed to not care about the things of God), but for people to leave a church over a more or less dynamic personality from a preacher or teacher-- well, I'll just say, Lord have mercy on me, a sinner, and please keep me from making a choice based on such things.
Preaching and teaching (including with music) are not ultimately about flash, or charisma, or even great eloquence in making a Biblical point. I would even go so far as to say that teaching is not *most importantly* about great musical talent, for music leaders. Yes, a person should be able to play and sing with some level of competence. However, God uses the sincere heart for Him of the pianist/vocalist/guitarist who doesn't always play, or sing, in a stunning way, just as He uses the Chris Tomlins in the church.
Does a preacher or teacher love God, understand the Word and apply it in his life, and strive to communicate it faithfully and carefully to the congregation? In a local church, these are the Main Things. Great eloquence or charisma in speaking, or incredible musical skill, are much, much less important. Having said that, you won't be seeing me volunteer to play any music at DSC-- I don't even have the *lesser* skills in that area! :-)
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