Acts 20:28
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
I am a elder in my church and as such I stay really busy doing stuff for the church. It’s really a blessing to me and I love the saints there. As a shepherd there I am jealous for them and am very protective of them. There are times I get slightly perturbed and there are other times I get well down right angry! Can you imagine me angry? God forbid that be true! Just recently I found myself in what I call a fiasco within the church as a national known teacher came in for a weekend of teaching. I am a really open minded person (no I really am) when it comes to these types of teachers but I still have real concerns about what is going to come out of their mouths especially from within the charismatic and the word of faith crowds. As I sat and listened to this teacher I found myself becoming more and more upset as this teacher spoke. I found myself wanting to grab my big shepherding staff and like Jesus clean Gods house out of these merchandisers and money exchangers. (Insert your loud A-MEN here) The fleecing of the sheep had begun. What do I mean by this? The head of the prosperity theology had raised its ugly head to gather the spoils from the flock. Damage was being done to the flock. I and the other elders were going to have to repair the damage done to the flock. I am responsible for the saints in my church and honestly I thought I had failed them. Seriously I felt guilty for letting them down in my role as a shepherd. I made a promise to myself I would never allow this to happen again not as long as I was in leadership. So if I may just for the next few minutes I’m going to give you some pointers on what to watch out for and how to vet someone who wants to speak at your church o.k.?
First look at their website. You can tell a lot just by examining a apostles/prophet/evangelist/teacher/pastors website or blog. Many times they will have a title which may or may not give you some information concerning the direction of their theology. Look at their core beliefs, their vision, their thoughts on money.
Second listen, watch or read their material as that will give you a good idea of the direction of their theology. Look at the titles of their materials. Do the titles suggest giving, tithing, prospering (this word is definitely a buzz word) and so on.
Third do they charge you to come and speak in your church? Things like airline tickets, food, lodging, rental cars before they agree to come? I believe a ministry that is truly called by God will depend on God as their source and not other peoples wallets. I am not against churches helping financially with speakers coming in but if the church cannot afford the cost then the speaker and the church believe together for the finances. If God’s in it then it will happen.
Fourth Have you looked at the material they will give to your flock? At the event I attended the teacher gave out material that contained false doctrine in it. This teacher used scripture to back up the claims on the prosperity doctrine being espoused. The scripture used had absolutely no relationship with the prosperity theology.
Fifth Have you vetted the speaker? Have you established a relationship with her/him? Have you quizzed her/him on their theology? Do they have a good working knowledge of the Bible using scripture in context?
Sixth Do they have a humble and contrite spirit? Will they take correction if they need it or are they arrogant unable to listen to others if they are in the wrong. Do they exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit? How is their love walk? Do they walk and live in the Holy Spirit? Are they bond slaves to Jesus Christ or do they have a superior attitude and think they are above everyone else?
I hope this helps you and causes you to think before you leap. Better to be cautious then losing sheep to the slaughter. One day you and I who are in leadership will answer for our conduct and how we shepherded the flock. I don’t know about you but I want Jesus to tell me “Well done my good and faithful servant!”
Jesus is Lord!
Lee
Christos Life Teaching 