EGO??????????????????????

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.