EGO?????????????????????? - Page 4

Pastor Keith · #31 01-09-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Did you ever hear Hanby in his prime??????????????

When I was pastoring in Idaho, I came across a box of tapes from Hanby preaching the Idaho Camp Meeting from the early 70's. They were great. I even took his one message Nehustan (Piece of Brass) and used it. He was in his prime.

rgcraig · #32 01-09-2008, 08:23 AM

Also, note that I believe AM has always done this, so if you are trying to equate it to the non-UPC ministers doing it as of late I think your point is moot.

rrford · #33 01-09-2008, 08:42 AM

Bro. Epley,

If I remember correctly, at the AMC in Nashville at leat one of the organizers preaches. How is that any different?

freeatlast · #34 01-09-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrford

Bro. Epley,

If I remember correctly, at the AMC in Nashville at leat one of the organizers preaches. How is that any different?

Must be different because AMC is holy....BOTT is NOTT (at least according to Agape)

Coonskinner · #35 01-09-2008, 08:51 AM

It is verBOTTen.

freeatlast · #36 01-09-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGAPE

Elder Epley,

Not only does AM preach at his own meeting but so does his mother, yes the believe in women preachers!

If I can say this without getting banned BOTT is a liberal meeting...some holiness men preached there and took up with them and they are NO longer holiness men...

and yes....
I have heard tapes of BOTT. I have heard some holiness messages preached, BUT if you preach on tv, video, jewelry etal....you are not a regular BOTT speaker

You guys need to hook up with Caston Smith and Reckhart..also haters of BOTT and get your own meeting..but please don't say a word at said meeting.

OneAccord · #37 01-09-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

When a man preaches his own meeting what is he saying about himself? The last time I was in a setting like that was at Forth Worth and Mark Hanby was preaching. And yes he was good and if you didn't believe him you could have asked him. This just seems strange to me but if it works for them go for it. Saves money on the speakers. Branham preached his own meetings the name of his church was Branham Tabernacle they called him humble?

Not defending Brother Branham (and not condemning him either) but in the 30's it was fairly common to name churches after the founding pastors. Remember the Billy Sunday Tabernacles? Or Moody Church? What of an Evangelistic Assc. that is named after the Evangelist. Does that show a lack of humbleness in him or her? Or does our questioning these things reveal something lacking in out own hearts?

Apprehended · #38 01-09-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

It just seems like come and hear me I am good????? Again I have not been around that element of Pentecost where men preach their own meetings. I know pastors who felt led to preach revivals in their own churches but they were not inviting preachers from all over the country to come and hear them?
Come and hear me just seems??????????????????

If that was their attitude, I would not be interested in hearing them at all.

But, I do remember precious men of God of old who did preach their own meetings, set up a tent or rent a threater building, a Highschool and invite all the churches around and about to come and attend. They did. They attended, bringing a sense of unity, cooperation, support, never giving a thought as to whether the man was ego driven or not...just looking to the Lord for results. There usually were great results.

I remember the likes of men like Brother Sassman who had a great miracle ministry. He stirred the country with his preaching. All were blessed. In my very youngest years, I remember an original Apostolic Pioneer by the name of Harvey Shearer. He was like a father to all the preachers. He came to the church in my community, had all the preachers to come with saints too. It was a big meeting where he preached every night. All were blessed, including this little boy but I doubt if anyone ever thought about his EGO.... LOL

If William Branham came to town, I doubt that anyone would want to hear anyone else while he was there. Other preachers could be heard almost anytime but not Branham. Too many sick folk to be concerned about ego. I suspect all the preachers that came never gave a thought about...er...eh...ah...EGO! Haha...

But, I know that the enemy will come in and try to divide up the people to get their minds on FLESH instead of God and what He is doing in their midst.

Count me out!

ChicagoPastor · #39 01-09-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

To have a meeting and invite preachers in from all over the country to hear the pastor sponsering the meeting just seems like ego to me? But I could be wrong when you are good folks need to hear you.

If you're refering to BOTT, thing is almost all 2000-3000 ministers that show up want to hear him preach. Every year his sermon is one of the top 3 of the entire conference if not the best.

#40 01-09-2008, 09:08 AM

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.