Today's Superstar Preacher

I was alerted by Rodney Decker's blog of an alarming, sad, even infuritating entry from David Black. I went to David's blog and copied it. This is the sad state of many in ministry.

7:53 AM I just received this email from a professor in a major evangelical university. Read it and weep (emphasis in red has been added).

Dear Colleagues:

Greetings. I write this letter to several of you at the Seminary because I am coming to Raleigh to speak at an event on Saturday Nov. 8 related to the _____, in my capacity as ________.
I … would like to minister at the Seminary by giving a presentation to your Chapel or other venue, or to speak at a big Baptist Church in the area. Since I am coming to Raleigh for the other event, I offer my services to you. Most of my expenses are already paid, so all I would need is an honorarium.

The reason I am bold to write you is because I am a licensed Baptist pastor (with the _______________ Church), I am a dynamic speaker using PowerPoint, I am the Director of the world-renowned _______ Institute, and am official editor of the _________. My presentation on _______ is powerful, faithful to Scripture, and a strong apologetic for the Christian faith. It is very well received among believers, especially Baptist seminaries and colleges and Churches, where the Scriptures are revered. I received a standing ovation at _______ Seminary and at _________....

I am sorry for the rather short notice, but I guarantee my presentation will exceed your expectations, and your students will be greatly encouraged in their faith and learning. Your in Christ,With best wishes,

WOW!! Contrast the above with the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness— 6 and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others. 7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to • walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Quite a difference from the e-mail! God please deliver us from superstar preachers.