Private Jets……..how I would love one!
Dear Pastors
I’m going to stick my neck out this week.
I have adopted a practise to be VERY careful about commenting publicly about other people in ministry no matter how vehemently I may disagree with them. That’s not to say I wouldn’t comment on what I believe a body of teaching is off. However, because Kenneth Copeland and Jesse Duplantis are so up front about their need for a flash Private Jet I can’t help myself but say something1. But first have a look at this.
What to me is so unbelievable is that these two guys can say these things absolutely convinced that they are justified in having a Private Jet for ministry purposes. But perhaps what is harder to believe is that there are thousands of gullible Christians who actually ‘buy into’ this. Thousands and thousands! Little wonder we are sometimes criticised for ‘leaving our brains at the door’ or ‘losing our brains altogether’.
In this 5 minute video they talk about commercial airplanes (steel tubes) filled with demons, not being able to pray, agitating their spirits, needing sleep and the only way they can get to tough places. This needs to be called out for what it is…….absolute nonsense. Two grownup (old) men who are Christians yet who are sadly self-absorbed, entitled and deceived. And to suggest that Jesus would travel like this if He were here by saying ‘Jesus wouldn’t travel on a donkey’ is plain silly.
But before we throw the first stone. I believe this kind of thinking is a tool the devil uses against all of us who are in Christian ministry and particularly those of us who hold leadership positions. Here are a few of the dangerous phrases.
- ‘I have worked hard so God wants me to have this’……….
- ‘I deserve this’………
- ‘They need me’……….
- ‘God is blessing me’………….
- ‘The need is so great’…………..
When we entertain this kind of thinking to long we are now hugely at risk to acting it out. The net result is pastors who end up behaving in quite bizarre ways and committing heinous sin from sexual misconduct, to financial irresponsibility, to preaching/teaching error and to ego’s that are completely out of control.
Micah’s advice is good to bring to mind at this point I think.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God. Micah 6:8
Blessings
Alan
1 I have no problem with what people do with their ‘own’ money.
Mental Health and the Church. These one-day conferences ARE going ahead. Our theme this year is ‘childhood and teenage anxiety’. Our keynote speakers are Dr Andrew Darby (Psychiatrist) and Kathryn Berkett (Educational Psychologist). We will be in Auckland on 2nd August, Hamilton on 7th August, and Wellington on 9th August. All details and registration facility will be on our website very soon.
Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
