From The Thinklings - The 50 most influential Christians in America.
Money. Influence. Media platforms. Okay. Got that. Sad.
Published 2 years, 10 months ago
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For those at 20 and above it is not money, influence, etc. but real people changing lives for the good with souls entering the Kingdom. Why be upset about that? Sounds to me they are doing what the Great Commission says. Does the Great Commission mention how? Just something to think about.
I wonder how many would be embarrassed to be on that list? I’m hoping more than a few. The parable of the wheat and tares comes to mind.
Chosen by people in America and around the world?
Spare us the hyperbole.
This comes out every year and every year it’s as dreary and homogeneous as the year before.
It’s a list culled to sell a magazine, no different than Time or many others.
influential: having or exercising influence or power
50 known, 50 popular, 50 media, perhaps.
Great way to fulfil the commission.
Break it down, it’s about media and illusion.
For me it is good to see this list so that I can stand in prayer as many of these people are doing the work of ministry. The others I can pray for that God can change their hearts and recognize the Truth in Faith in Christ alone for true life change. To say many of these people are “tares” or imply that seems strange to me. Many on the top 20 are such wonderful ministers of Christ that to say otherwise would be inaccurate. I could care less how as to that it is when it comes to the Gospel. If people choose to give money to an organzation and they can get the True message out then i’m all for it. To me God calls us by the Holy Spirit to be influential in the world to change the world for Him. To me the Great Commission IS doing this to be an influence. If it isn’t then what is the point. In fact because God calls us as believers to do this then it is an act of obedience. Something to think about. Why react negatively to the Joel Osteens of the world just because hey are a “megachurch” when lives are being changed in that megachurch (this is an example not that you think this but gives you an idea of the hasty generalization I’m trying to relay).
Okay, lets try this.
Name the 10 most influential Australian Christians, UK Christians or Philippine Christians.
10 most influential Chinese Christians? Spanish Christians? I’m not even asking for ‘50.’
The Church Report is a business magazine DH. They target ministers and churches, that’s their job.
The magazine blurb:
“In addition to all of this, the reader will also discover that each issue contains a business operations element written by an expert in their specific field: legal, accounting, human resources, information technology and facilities management and expansion.
These four major components are then wrapped around a cover story that piques the curiosity of the reader and makes The Church Report the most-read magazine in the Christian world today.”
More hyperbole.
The merhandise: https://www.thechurchreport.com/merchandise.php
I’ve posted this list before. Let’s break it down.
The evangelical outpost did.:^)
13 radio shows
18 Tv shows
9 write for the mag
42 have written a book
He also compares the 2004 list to the 2005. I think it is important to discuss this.
I’m not pretending this is about the Great Commission or who you donate to or who we pray for.
Let’s call it what it is.
A feel good list to sell a magazine, no different than the top 50 in American Idol.
Name 10 influential NZ Christians. Indonesian? Canadian? Vietnamese? Haitian? Iraqi? Remember now, they must be the most influential.:^)
Look carefully at the definition.
http://hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=influence
Yeah, the Pope’s even on it - and hes not even “in the US “- why if the Pope can be there, can’t Bono?
Bene, I get it. The use “most influencial” is where you think the problem with the post is. However, for me, it is good to see a list like this for proper prayer. I feel this magazine can help us in areas of the Great Commission and prayer. Just because they want to sell a magazine is not wrong in my opinion as long as it helps people to move forward in the Great Commission and in prayer. This magazine helps me in those regards (I have only read it once).
Dave, on the Bono thing. I think with the latest “Coexist” campaign, many people don’t know one way or the other with regard to him. This isn’t a judgement but this campaign reveals some about his fruit to a point. I have read many of his statements on his beliefs and before the campaign I thought maybe and after the campaign I still have a maybe. I would be interested to hear his conversion experience but he never mentions it. Why when it says “be ready to give the answer of the hope of our calling.”? I don’t know. If anyone has something on his conversion experience I would be interested to read it.