Dear Bro. White

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Brother White is a tremendous blessing both as a preacher and man of God, and as a friend.

I consider him one of the top three or four preachers in the UPC right now. Incredibe.

This is an interesting statement when examined more closely. There are over 3,000 preachers in the UPCI and how many could you have possibly heard? If you have heard 200, that would be a lot, but still only 6 to 7%. So what do you base your ranking system on if you haven't even heard 93% of the preachers in the UPC?

I wonder if this kind of thinking is what birthed the UPC "cult of personality" or if it is a product of it.

[bishoph]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

This is an interesting statement when examined more closely. There are over 3,000 preachers in the UPCI and how many could you have possibly heard? If you have heard 200, that would be a lot, but still only 6 to 7%. So what do you base your ranking system on if you haven't even heard 93% of the preachers in the UPC?

I wonder if this kind of thinking is what birthed the UPC "cult of personality" or if it is a product of it.

It is amazing to me that several have posted questioning the "rating" of this great man of God. I doubt anyone has heard the 9000+ licensed ministers of the UPCI. However, the "circuit" preachers are much less in numbers. I think it would be safe to say the more popular "circuit" preachers probably numbers less than 75 and possibly less than 50. Of those Bro. White is undoubtedly in the top 5. (Based on his popularity, and continued demand for his ministry) In my personal rating he is in my top 5 lifetime preaching favorites, (and I have heard hundreds and probably close to thousands.) My rating is based on content, spirit, anointing, and results witnessed from his ministry.

To each his own, and everyone will have their own top rated preachers. IMO however I agree that Bro. White is in the top 1% of preachers in Pentecost today.

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by bishoph

It is amazing to me that several have posted questioning the "rating" of this great man of God. I doubt anyone has heard the 9000+ licensed ministers of the UPCI. However, the "circuit" preachers are much less in numbers. I think it would be safe to say the more popular "circuit" preachers probably numbers less than 75 and possibly less than 50. Of those Bro. White is undoubtedly in the top 5. (Based on his popularity, and continued demand for his ministry) In my personal rating he is in my top 5 lifetime preaching favorites, (and I have heard hundreds and probably close to thousands.) My rating is based on content, spirit, anointing, and results witnessed from his ministry.

To each his own, and everyone will have their own top rated preachers. IMO however I agree that Bro. White is in the top 1% of preachers in Pentecost today.

The question remains then, why rate at all? Were the Apostles rated or ranked? Didn't Paul address this same issue in 1st Corinthians chapter 1 and say in fact that "that no flesh should glory in His [God's] presence?"

When I hear a great message, I glorify God, not the weak and despised flesh that brought the message. Again this ranking, rating, popularity contest, is a cancer on the Pentecostal movement today. It's all about who is your "favorite preacher" today. I'll tell you who my favorite preacher is - Jesus. All else is filthy rags, corrupt and debased humanity that God uses for his glory.

A Preacher is just a man like every other man on the face of the earth and is deserving of no special recognition or pats on the back. If it weren't for the limitless mercy and grace of a blood soaked savior, there would be no men to preach. Someday we will humble ourselves instead of hiding in our little mutual admiration society while the dammed drown in a stormy sea of hopelessness.

I'm sorry if you take offense or think this is too intense, no disrespect at all is meant to Bro. White, I personally do not have any agenda or ax to grind with him. My thoughts are about the "cult of personality" in the UPC in general.

[LadyChocolate]

IMO...... when I rate a preacher, I am really saying WOW I really like him! so what? Big deal? does it matter? NOPE Give honor where it is due. Everyone's top 10 list are going to be different.... the point is, imo, go ahead and say something nice about a preacher! We can use the positive attitudes around here on AFF!

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by LordChocolate

With this post, you just fell to 9001 in my book. Are you serious?

Are you serious? You respond to a guy who criticizes the rating system by telling him he just fell in your ratings?

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by LadyChocolate

IMO...... when I rate a preacher, I am really saying WOW I really like him! so what? Big deal? does it matter? NOPE Give honor where it is due. Everyone's top 10 list are going to be different.... the point is, imo, go ahead and say something nice about a preacher! We can use the positive attitudes around here on AFF!

OK, to answer your question, yes it does matter because it is not biblical to hold persons in admiration and "rank" them. It leads to personality worship and dethrones Jesus as the head of all things...

[Cindy]

Lord have mercy, so much venom. It is frightening.

[LadyCoonskinner]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

OK, to answer your question, yes it does matter because it is not biblical to hold persons in admiration and "rank" them. It leads to personality worship and dethrones Jesus as the head of all things...

Excuse me, but I believe the Bible says to "Give honor to whom Honor is due."

Wake up and smell the coffee, brother. You don't have a favorite minister or any personal favorite messages that you have heard?

We ALL "rank" ministers and ministries, all of us do whether we are conscience of it or not. There are some you really like and some that you don't like.....YOU ARE HUMAN!!!!!!

[Just a Shepherd]

Originally Posted by LadyCoonskinner

Excuse me, but I believe the Bible says to "Give honor to whom Honor is due."

Wake up and smell the coffee, brother. You don't have a favorite minister or any personal favorite messages that you have heard?

We ALL "rank" ministers and ministries, all of us do whether we are conscience of it or not. There are some you really like and some that you don't like.....YOU ARE HUMAN!!!!!!

My comments are not about 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and the command to esteem leaders. My comments are about exalting the personality of certain "high profile" ministers by ranking them in order of personal preference.

As to your comment about me having my personal favorites, you would be wrong. My only favorite is Jesus. I am not infatuated by any man's speaking skills, I only care about hearing from God under the anointing. I really don't care who the preacher is or even if they are Apostolic. Personal favorite messages are "stale bread." I need fresh bread every day!

PS- Happy New Year to you too!

[LadyCoonskinner]

Originally Posted by Just a Shepherd

My comments are not about 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and the command to esteem leaders. My comments are about exalting the personality of certain "high profile" ministers by ranking them in order of personal preference.

As to your comment about me having my personal favorites, you would be wrong. My only favorite is Jesus. I am not infatuated by any man's speaking skills, I only care about hearing from God under the anointing. I really don't care who the preacher is or even if they are Apostolic. Personal favorite messages are "stale bread." I need fresh bread every day!

PS- Happy New Year to you too!

Get real!!