Tulsa Police at Wisdom Ministries on February 21, 2008
moral windows
an insider view of Wisdom Ministries · April 14 · 2008
Imagine the newcomer invited by Wisdom Ministries expecting church services on Sunday mornings and arriving in front of closed doors. There are no services — not on Sunday's nor on any other day of the week. There were talks about the importance of church services but nobody could be persuaded. Is it this kind of missing sensitivity that guides a ministry leader to ask a photographer to use flash lights portraying believers falling into the spirit during the once a month impartation night?
If a ministry requests $1,000 donations (please click link) for a one million dollar broadcast facility and over the years more than 800 donors responded with that exact amount — over 500 gave even more than that — how come that a budget allowance of only $20,000 given early November of 2007 has to purchase and install all gear in just four weeks to impress visitors of the annual conference with cameras and lights.
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Tulsa Police at Wisdom Ministries on February 21, 2008 |
Inspecting the building, the rooms, the work stations, a new team member will soon recognize the leftovers of many God-loving people which quit prior to his arrival and as old timers admitted, were often just taken advantage of. The oldest son of the ministry leader commented last summer: "Everyone is replaceable". But is it correct, is it Christ like to terminate someone's services called home on short notice to care for his wife in surgery — and when, after his return, the ministry prevents him from accessing his personal belongings for more than three weeks he is compelled to call the local police?
A leader needs to fulfill pledges made to his people, promises made should be promises kept. How can he expect his donors and partners fulfilling their pledges if he doesn't operate in the same spirit? If there are different opinions, misunderstandings, a leader should respectfully respond in a loving and fair manner.
ministry wisdom
What makes a ministry successful? The bible points to “Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance” (Gal 5:22,23). These are what a ministry leader needs to cultivate. No matter what gifts he might have, they will pass away one day. Charity and love directed towards his people, his disciples will remain. He has to be able to leave his protective shell, opening himself towards those who are working with him and distributing his message. They feed on his love when communicating with partners and donors. No personal assistant, no go-between shielding him should be necessary in a team you can count on two hands — there, specifically in the few days he is present, his personal attention and support is expected.
It is certainly not appropriate to demand from the IT person the secret copying of complete hard drives of co-workers, to be able to comb the data for material detrimental to the ministry. Suspicion and fear shouldn’t reign. If the gifts aren't executed with the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit working, none will achieve the success God has in mind. Let the fruit flourish. If the ministry requires cut backs from their people, the leader should set examples in his personal spending. If he wants to eventually be blessed with a huge ministry, he should be faithful over what God has given him; he should be a good steward.
As the ministry increases, the leader should support foreign missions and his spiritual sons. Not the other way around where spiritual sons are per contract required to financially support the ministry or the "spiritual father". Being faithful will ensure that God will send the right people for help. He should not just pick people who will blindly follow him. God is the only one that should be blessed with a "Yes Sir". He should choose people that will sharpen him by occasionally helping God do His work when he is not listening as well as correct him.
If a ministry is following God's will, there will naturally be internal harmony and a spirit full of expectations and miracles will follow. This will be true whether a ministry has sycophants or true men of God in the chain of command. If the leader is not following God's will he will need people who will stand up for God and stop him. There is too little of that these days. Too often a ministry's success is measured by the world's standards. Because the world sees the ministry as successful doesn't make it successful in God's eyes.
So let us heed the warning of Paul in his letter to the Romans: (Rom 16:17,18) "And now there is one more thing to say before I end this letter. Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting people's faith, teaching things about Christ that are contrary to what you have been taught. Such teachers are not working for our Lord Jesus, but only want gain for themselves. They are good speakers, and simple-minded people are often fooled by them."