At a charismatic conference in an East Coast city recently, a pastor stood on a stage in front of a large crowd and smugly announced that the guest speaker was “more than an apostle.” Then the host asked everyone to bow down to the person, claiming that this posture was necessary to release God’s power.
“This is the only way you can receive this kind of anointing!” the host declared, bowing in front of the speaker. Immediately, about 80 percent of the audience fell prostrate on the floor.
Er, isn’t this the place where reasoning and discernment kicks in and you walk out? For starters, the first commandment comes to mind.
This are US ministers who act like rock stars. Would you meet these demands to book a popular minister?
The demands included:
- a five-figure honorarium
- a $10,000 gasoline deposit for the private plane
- a manicurist and hairstylist for the speaker
- a suite in a five-star hotel
- a luxury car from the airport to the hotel (2004 model or newer)
- room-temperature Perrier
More at J. Lee Grady’s blog. Grady is editor of Charisma magazine. (07/27/07 The Deadly Virus of Celebrity Christianity)
Published 1 year, 3 months ago
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I want to believe that you’re making this up, but I know you’re not. This is crazy.
I read the article and a lot of comments from the Chrisma magazine article. The only problem I have is that it does not give a name of the celebrity preacher, therefore leading one to believe it maybe just a good story.
Personally this kind of stuff needs to be exposed by name so that everybody knows what kind of preachers we have today.
>> “Would you meet these demands to book a popular minister?”
I hope they would. Those requests seem pretty modest. Personally, I don’t get out of bed for less than 6 figures (sterling, of course). And private jets are so passé. I demand a landing site for my helicopter, and don’t like there to be anyone on the same floor of my hotel if they’re not part of my entourage.
Other than that, my needs are simple.
Excesses have been exposed somewhat in the past by groups such as The Trinity Foundation.
However, Charisma magazine had a hand in ignoring or dismissing claims. Grady may finally be having an attack of conscience. It is important people are told.
I wondered who also, but I know they’d sue. When TV networks such as the BBC and CBC. ABC or NZTV run anything on some of these celebrities preachers they are threatened with lawsuits.
This is the charismatic church…a JOKE. learn how to read the BIBLE.
I’ll be writing on this in the near future over at Cerulean Sanctum. Thanks for posting on this issue, BD.