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A Cult of Personality? This is a possible danger for any Christian group. Individual Christian figures can have such persona and leadership that their ministry can begin to focus more on them than on the gospel and the savior they serve. Paul even had to address this problem in the Corinthian church, with factions arising around differing Christian leaders of the day (I Corinthians 1:11-12). These same kinds of dangers come up in 21st century American churches in different ways. Occasionally we pastors will hear things like these:
We pastors are not flattered by these remarks, and I say this for two reasons. First, the focus of our energy and worship should be on the person who saved us – Jesus Christ – and not on any of His servants. And second (and specifically pertaining to my service in this local congregation), the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church has been around for 128 years, 124 of which it has done just fine without me. The work of God in this community and in this church is not contingent upon any one person. It is a body of believers accomplishing the work of the Lord by the power of His Holy Spirit. Paul addresses this type of problem by challenging the Corinthian Christians to readjust their focus, giving attention to two central parts of the Christian faith: 1) Christ’s crucifixion, and 2) our baptism. He asks three important questions: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” In each the focus is on Christ and what He has done for us. Paul is emphatic that his name is powerless to save; only Jesus can do that (Acts 4:12). And the name of Andrew McHenry is just as powerless to save! As George Whitfield once said, “Let the name of George Whitfield perish if Christ be not glorified.” He is the only focal person in our ministry. The rest of us are just His servants.
God Bless you, Andrew McHenry, Pastor |