Is It Time to Cease-Congregating at Christian Conferences and Contributing to Celebrity Clergy?


By Steve Bainbridge - Posted at The Pastor's Desk:

Published December 31, 2024

As a Christian, I have attended my share of Christian conferences for over two decades. I only share this as I am about to share what may feel like an attack (for some) as a golden calf may be present or a significant source of revenue challenged. It is also possible I will, without intent, come at some brothers – who, deep down, not only do they desire fame, but their end goal in ministry is also to be a prominent leader outside the local church setting they have been called.

A little redundant background. I have attended many conferences, come home with stacks of books, pictures and flocked to my camp’s heroes. Everything that follows are lessons learned, observations and concerns earned. Back in the day, here in Canada, when Mission Fest was a thing, I always went to hear the keynote speaker, such as *Ravi Zacharias. I moved into the street preacher world and attended events that would platform Ray Comfort, Mark Cahill, or others until I became more solidified in the Reformed faith. Then it was Ligonier conferences, The Gospel Coalition conferences moving into more recent movements like the G3 conferences to hear men like *Steve Lawson, Paul Washer, and others. Two decades of travelling, staying at hotels, and visiting bookstores seemed right if I wanted to grow in doctrine and maturity. I truly believed my pastor could not provide the exegetical-expository accuracy as certain men. Men who are highly respected, men to be honoured, men who have walked well, and until this day (of writing) have continued to run the race (Heb 12:1). However, attending all these conferences, treating these men like high-class believers, and even giving them a hero status wasn’t profitable at all. Not for me in my faithful attendance to a local church, to my pastor, and without realizing it, contributing to potentially setting a brother up to fail.

Did you notice those two astrek besides some of the names mentioned in the previous paragraph? Those represent men who have fallen and disqualified themselves from ministry because of inappropriate behaviour. They were part of the circuits but did not finish the race well. One has since died, leaving a horrific mess for his wife and former ministry partners to clean up because of deception and sexual immorality, while the other [at the time of writing this], has made no public repentance or comments and is hiding in Tennessee after it was revealed of inappropriate relations with a young lady over forty years his junior. One must ask, “why did they throw it all away?” Regardless of your denominational position, or secondary-tertiary doctrines, all have their pseudo celebrity preachers and teachers that pack out conferences and get the major hits on social media and Christians flock to see them. Supply in demand, and such demand leading to potential sin.

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