Success is a trap that many people know about but have a hard time dealing with in reality. Billy Graham warned us when asked what is the greatest danger to evangelicalism. His answer: Success. Sometimes it’s hard to see how success is influencing us in a negative way. It is subtle, yet still dangerous.
For example, I just listened to a sermon (2/7/11) by Mark Driscoll, a man I absolutely respect for what he has done for the Kingdom of God. Before he started his sermon he gave an update on the success of Mars Hill Church. In order to either pump up the crowd or his own sense of accomplishment, he stated, “Mars Hill has experienced {In this season} more of God’s grace than most churches experience in a lifetime.”
Why would he say that? Because success makes you feel like you have done more, experienced more and been blessed more than others.
Mark Driscoll may have one of the largest churches in America, but he has no idea if he is doing more and experiencing more of God’s grace than most churches. To even make that statement (or I hope more of a slip of the tongue) shows something about his heart.
I saw another example of how dangerous success can be in an article (www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-to-lose-90-pounds-in-saddleback-fitness-plan-48452/) I read about Rick Warren and his desire for the church to be physically healthy. The church started a “ministry” called the Daniel Plan and Warren has curriculum that Small Groups can use to help in their physical fitness.
So what’s wrong with this? Well, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy, but is this a primary focus of a church? Does my physical fitness really matter to God?
Warren and Saddleback are victims of their own success. Large churches feel this great need to do it bigger and better or at least with innovation. The Daniel Plan is based off of Daniel’s Jewish dietary restrictions. The problem with this, Daniel wasn’t trying to lose weight, look cool or be more attractive. It was part of the O.T. Law!! He was just following what God had laid out in scripture.
Warren is also quoted as saying, "The Bible says that God wants you to be as healthy physically as you are spiritually. The plan will help you feel better, look better, have more energy, get in shape, and use your body the way God wants you to.”
Really? What verse in the bible tells us that God wants us to be just as healthy physically as spiritually? I think 1 Timothy 4:8 is pretty clear, physical fitness is not high on God’s totem pole- nor should it be in the church. Success has caused Warren to lose focus and what’s worse is to use the bible (Daniel) in a way that it was never intended.
So what’s my point? Be careful of success and learn from these men who have followed Jesus for a long time. Success can trip up anyone. It is vital that when we experience seasons of success we draw even more into prayer, we speak with even greater humility and we focus more diligently on pleasing God, not impressing people we have or people we want.
Warren and Driscoll are just examples because they are in the social spotlight. They are godly men who can be seduced by success just like anyone else. I hope they are reminded of some powerful words by a very successful man, Bill Gates. He writes, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
So stay humble Driscoll, your words have the power to uplift or burden pastors who don’t match up to you. There are many pastors and churches that are powerfully experiencing God’s grace. Get to know them, it may change not just what you say, but how you speak. Stay focused Warren, just because you can do something as a church, doesn’t mean you should. And please be careful with how you use the scriptures. They are for eternal purposes, not to help us look good.
Brian you are right on! Way to fearlessly approach the subject! The more people strive to increase their influence the more their primary focus tends to change. It seems like preaching the Gospel in simplicity has been lost to pop culture. John the baptist preached the same message for his whole life. It was the simple message of "repent and be baptized"
ReplyDeleteBlessings to your ministy and your family
Glad you're back, blogger! Totally agree! I had been reading about Rick Warren's workshops from a medical newsletter I get and I thought that is was sad that, while physical health is great, it seemed to take over the focus of what the purpose of ministry is really about. Honestly, it felt like like he was trying to gain points in a popularity contest rather than win souls. Some of the language was so pumped up, I couldn't help but visualize a Tony Little infomercial being shot from a pulpit...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts man. I would like to hear more to the affect of "how". Traps are things we cannot see, they trick, snare, and are often invisible to the person. This fact is accentuated when fame is a factor, which i think your blog addresses. But how then do we avoid the "success trap"?
ReplyDeleteGreat comments Brian, I very much enjoyed reading it and agree with you. God is bigger than all of us and it is He who uses us to further His kingdom not ourselves. He is in large and small churches, glad you put this in pespective. Stay Humble, God uses you in a mighty way and I have always admired and respected you. Marybeth
ReplyDelete@Stephen: Good to hear from you Stephen, Hope you are doing well.
ReplyDelete@Nicole: It's tough to watch because over the years I have had so much respect for Rick Warren. I wonder what is pulling him from his "Purpose Driven" mindset that he has had for so long. Don't know.
@Dan: You're right Dan, I didn't want it to be to long of a blog so I didn't go in to the "how to" of staying out of the success trap. I think one main way is to stay away from the "build an empire" mindset that many pastors desire. Fame is a lot like sexual temptation, it’s better to run from than to fight. There are more ways of course, but that would be where I would start my thesis.
@Marybeth: Thanks MaryBeth for the encouragement and the warning :) I hope you and the family are doing well.
I belong to a church that started off small, but quickly growing. Then all of the sudden the growth stalled. During this period of time we sought God desperately in prayer, our Pastors took second jobs, we paired all expenses down, etc. Our Pastors stayed true to God's word and led us accordingly no matter the cost. We are now quickly growing again. While we are so excited about the dramatic growth and so appreciative of what God is doing, it is such a good reminder to be just as desperate in our prayers and actions to protect us from pridefulness.
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