by Eric Walters
An article this week in the Baltimore Sun entitled, “Minister rich in spirit,” profiled the ministry of Reverend Jamaal Harrison-Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, MD. The a
rticle describes how Harrison-Bryant's message of financial and personal empowerment has catapulted him to celebrity status amongst a new generation of Christians. It has also afforded Bryant access to political, economic, and social/cultural clout, in addition to a lifestyle of unashamed opulence.
I received an email today from a colleague who read the article. Here’s some of what he wrote:
“…[The] ministry of Jesus, as described twice in the gospel of Matthew, was to serve the people through teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and disease among the people. This was done because he had compassion for the people—or more strongly and accurately stated; he was suffering with, the people. Tell me in this article where there is [any] “suffering with” the people…..Until we [as ministers] “suffer with” the people, we will never get to true ministries that matter.”
The phenomenon of megachurch ministry, particularly in Black churches, raises numerous questions about the authenticity of contemporary ministry and its adherence to biblical accuracy.
Do megachurches today reflect a shift in values that have traditionally acculturated and sustained Black Americans? Is this a good thing?
How effective are ministries that pride themselves on a gospel of prosperity and personal empowerment that is oftentimes nourished by freewill individualism in preaching and teaching?
What are the consequences of “personal empowerment” ministry in the long run?
Eric Walters is Co-Founder of TheoSyst Group.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Should Christians Aspire to be Rich?
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7 comments:
Wow! I just read Eric Walters article as well as the article in the Baltimore Sun about the ministry of the "Empowerment Temple". Although I've seen it before in other prosperity driven/focused churches, I'm shocked. It seems like so many are so focused on the "gifts" as opposed to the "Giver". What is frightening to me is that this isn't just happening in "those churches". That theology is creeping into mainstream churches every day.
How does the message of "personal empowerment" influence us to address issues such as reaching the unsaved, making disciples of men, the AIDS epidemic, genecide in Darfur, racism, unemployment, uplifting the race, strengthening our personal relationships with God, etc..... I'm concerned......
I share the same sentiment. Maybe for those persons are need "Empowerment", the message is relevant. However, if this message is not producing "givers" and "getterd", it is encouraging a level of materialism that is deeply flawed.
I know that many Christians find themselves in deep financial crisis, or either have been taught that poverty equates to being godly. This is no good as well.
Will someone provide a balanced message that is applicable to more than just a select targeted audience ripe for manipulation and cleverly designed manuerverisms to make a dollar and start making disciples? Discipleship "Empowerment" is the real message...then prosperity will not be measured solely by material delights.
Capitalism and Christianity make strange bedfellows. The chief issue I have with the prosperity gospel is the exploitive nature it takes on when it promises instant riches to people who are indeed struggling to make ends meet. It places a high premium on the level of fiscal accumulation one has in relation to one's standing with God. This seems less about God and more about capitalist excess. What god are they worshipping here, Jehovah or Money?
Yeah, I dont want to get to heaven and don't know how to act with good stuff all around me.
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