Bro. Epley, I would love it if our pastor would preach a revival!!!! He is definitely good enough to pull it off.
A revival is usually about services above and beyond the normal schedule, about evangelism, and about a spiritual awakening. These are all things a pastor can do just as well (if not a whole lot better) than an evangelist.
I wish my Pastor would do it too.
I remember bro. Kilgore speaking of his father. He would put up a tent which he made. Though it was a pretty good sized tent, it was usually too small. He would pitch that tent, go into the communities about and invite people out. He would ask for the support and attendance of all churches in reasonable locale to help out. Bro. C.P. Kilgore would preach and teach. Some meetings, he would preach and teach twice daily. He was very often supported by other preachers. Some times he was fought too. But, he didn't let the naysayers and critics stop him.
As a result, he established many churches that are still prospering today. No telling how many souls will be in heaven because of it. I heard bro. Kilgore say that his father has personally baptized over 5000, not counting the many thousands that were baptized by preachers that was saved in his meetings. So, the work of God goes on with no thought of EGO.
If someone don't have any message to preach, don't preach it. It would be a dud. If a man does have a message born of his own ego, it too will be a dud.
I guess the preacher who said this was boosting his ego: Jhn 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Or maybe the one who said: 1Cr 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Course, one of them quite possibly had long hair and both had beards, so, they wouldn't be welcome in some "Apostolic" churches anyway.
Shameless "self promotors".
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
Well, folks... I can't say that I'm coming to anybody's defense here but let me throw a twist in it for you.
I think the question that Bro. Epley poses has some validity and it is probably misunderstood because of the 'ego' portion of his perception. By that I mean that we, here in the Church I Pastor, have an Annual Prayer and Fasting Gathering and invite everyone that wants to come. For this meeting we have total Church prayer and fasting for 7 full days then I have, generally, three different speakers come in for a Wednesday through Sunday meeting.
Granted, it's a much smaller venue than BOTT but it does 'set the course' and give us direction for the entire year. I generally have my Department Heads and Ministry Team help me plan this meeting and several times I've been asked to be one of the speakers.
Here is where the validity of at least part of what Bro. Epley says comes into play; I've never spoken or even 'keynoted' one of my own meetings for the very reason Bro. Epley says. I just can't, personally, feel comfortable having Pastors, Saints and Choirs come to ultimately hear me preach. It's not an 'ego' thing to me but a VERY insecure feeling that I would have that someone would look at me and say, "Wow... he's having a meeting for us to hear him speak.
Herein lies the difference, in my opinion. The BOTT meeting is a specific venue for the encouragement of young preachers and was the vision of Bro. Anthony Mangun. With that wide a variety of preachers I would suspect that one of the reasons that AM 'keynotes' his meeting is to somewhat 'set the direction' for the dozen or so others to follow. To a meeting of that type it would almost be necessary to guide it by preaching the initial message.
So, while its an understood thing that I'm a friend and (in many cases) a protector of AM on this forum, I can identify with what Bro. Epley says when he expresses that he wouldn't feel comfortable with doing it. I don't feel comfortable for the very reason he states... I fear people would think it was an 'ego' thing when - in my opinion - it's not at all.
I actually think it's a necessity for AM in a meeting that big to keynote. Many things, perhaps, I would not agree with AM on but I do think to the very bottom of my heart that AM has a heart for ministry and pure intentions (even in those areas where I might disagree with a particular method).
Bottom line... Bro. Epley and I share the same 'discomfort' at speaking at our own meeting. But, facts are, our meetings are not of the magnitude as BOTT.
worth bumping...
excelent points Rev. Steadfast.
errr, when is that meeting of yours?
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
[SIZE="4"][COLOR="Blue"] I don't feel comfortable for the very reason he states... I fear people would think it was an 'ego' thing when - in my opinion - it's not at all.
Certainly, I appreciate this attitude but I do not agree with it for the reason that it is waaaaay too personality sensitive for the MOST effective work.
The good fight of faith is some times rough and tumble and cannot be concerned about persons, self or other peoples' thoughts.
As Marvin Hicks said, "LET THE PROPHETS CRY ALOUD."
Certainly, I appreciate this attitude but I do not agree with it for the reason that it is waaaaay too personality sensitive for the MOST effective work.
The good fight of faith is some times rough and tumble and cannot be concerned about persons, self or other peoples' thoughts.
As Marvin Hicks said, "LET THE PROPHETS CRY ALOUD."
Perhaps, my friend, I see myself as more of a servant than a Prophet.
I somehow see where that attitude is more 'right' than 'wrong'.
It's not an 'ego' thing to me but a VERY insecure feeling that I would have that someone would look at me and say, "Wow... he's having a meeting for us to hear him speak.
I understand what you say here and your feelings about what others might think, but good heavens. It's not like you're preaching the whole series of meetings. Just one message with many other speakers taking part.
I know other speakers who do this and I think it can be a good thing. After all, the man who sponsors the conference is the man who had the vision and the heart for it in the first place. It was his burden and vision that the conference ever came to be -- one that has blessed and been a help to hundreds of pastors -- so for him to kick off the conference by speaking doesn't seem like an "ego" thing to me at all.
I think people can figure this out pretty much without assigning ego and selfish motive to it.
What's wrong with people anyhow that they'd put an "ego" and "selfish motive" spin on it?
JMHO.
__________________ Smiles & Blessings.... ~Felicity Welsh~ (surname courtesy of Jim Yohe)
Perhaps, my friend, I see myself as more of a servant than a Prophet.
I somehow see where that attitude is more 'right' than 'wrong'.
Thank you. I am humbled by your sweet attitude here.
I just want men of God be the MEN of God. I want to see them OBEY God, even if they have to put on the old Gospel BRASS knuckles against sin in the church, pride in the ministry and creeping darkness upon the land.
Please don't be offended. It is my honest passion.
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