You wanna be famous?

All these things many seek as life goals --

Money, sex, and power.

Those who love honor from people John 5:44 also want to be greeted in public and called, 

"Pastor, Pastor" 

"Teacher, Teacher"

"Reverend, Reverend"

"Prophet, Prophet"

"Doctor, Doctor"

"Evangelist, Evangelist" 

"Rabbi, Rabbi." Matthew 23:7 

To be the "Sage on the stage" is a desire of those who want to be known for their knowledge, communication skills, or alleged power. Acts 8:9-11

Some believers may hope to be recognized and marketed as, 

"One man"

"God's man"

"God's man of faith and power"

"God's international woman of the year"

"The voice for this generation."

If one looks at ministry promotions in their use of such words, one can tell what kind of ministry it is at its heart.

Should this kind of self-exaltation be the focus?

Sometimes, promotional photos or videos will have a wide angle to show a large auditorium filled with people and one person, supposedly the key ministry person, on a platform in front of this crowd.

Is there anything wrong with this?

At other times, only one person, "Pastor so and so" with or without their spouse and children, is shown in a photo or series of them as the face of the ministry.

What does this marketing strategy communicate?

That THIS is the leader.

Is there anything wrong with this?

Who allows this type of self-promotion?

Someone or a group has decided that they want this one person, the senior pastor or apostle or some other title, to be shown as the key staff.

Some seek this kind of exalted position, don't they?

A non-senior person in a ministry usually aspires to eventually accept the senior position there or some other place as the Lord directs.

The Lord Jesus Christ made a comment on this.

"You know about those who are rulers of the Gentiles [non-Jews]. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around. Don't be like that. Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant. And anyone who wants to be first must be the slave of everyone. Even the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served. Instead, He came to serve others. He came to give His life as the price for setting many people free." Mark 10:42-45 

Paul also wrote about NOT wanting to be first.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

"COME AND MEET MY PASTOR"

What could be a typical answer if one were to ask a believer or a churchgoer, "Who is your pastor?"

A pastor is supposed to shepherd the flock of those under their care. 1 Peter 5:2-3

Most adults would give the name or names of those ministers on the church staff.

Youth might give the name or names of their youth pastors.

Their answers might reveal what Paul had to deal with in a church in Greece --

Here is what I mean. One of you says, "I follow Paul." Another says, "I follow Apollos." Another says, "I follow Peter." And still another says, "I follow Christ."

Does Christ take sides? Did Paul die on the cross for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

"CALL UPON THE NAME OF MY PASTOR"

What would YOU say to the question, "Who is your pastor?"

Here's what a believer could say --

"My senior pastor is the Lord Himself. The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 He is the Good Shepherd. John 10:11 God the Father has spoken in these last days by His Son, Jesus. Hebrews 1:2-3 He is the Chief Shepherd." 1 Peter 5:4

Are you a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Then, isn't He the Head of the body of Christ and you are a member in particular? 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15-16

We're members of one another. Romans 12:5

We shouldn't seek to be first and love the preeminence as a person named Diotrephes did. 3 John verse 9

Today, if or when people talk about who among them is, should be, or will be the greatest, Luke 22:24 what could be a mature, spiritual answer?

How about this?

"I don't know about you. But for me, there's only One Who is worthy. God the Father has determined that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and my Savior, should have the preeminent place. It's His name, the name of Jesus, that's above every name; not only in this world but in the world to come." John 4:41-42; Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 1:20-21; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 1:18; 1 John 4:14; Revelation 5:1-14

Your thoughts?

R. Jason