Just because a ministry is huge doesn't mean it is faithful

An apologetic for looking at fruit rather than numbers

I recently had a conversation with an old friend, Tom. We were talking about the state of the church and our penchant for using numbers and bigness to determine the effectiveness of the ministry. Then he said, “Yeah, but we forget that cancer grows, too.”

Growth for growth’s sake is not a good measure of faithfulness, nor is it the only measure. What I’ve run into lately is something like this:

“You can’t criticize a church if it’s growing. God is obviously blessing it. Therefore, if you speak against a perceived abuse by a leader, you are not only ‘touching God’s anointed,’ you’re pushing against the very work of God.”

But what if the ministry is cancerous?

What if the leader or leaders are disposing of inconvenient saints who raise legitimate questions? What if church polity is more about the ends of numbers justifying the means of harming people? What if the actions of leaders are causing people to run away from the faith because of the abuse they experienced? What if the collateral damage is great? What if the system of church is set up to punish anyone who speaks out? What if the church requires complete and utter buy-in with no questions asked? What if the church’s budget is untenable and inflated? What if the leaders live in luxury, all the while monitoring the giving records of their congregants? What if the environment of the staff is toxic, frightening, or arbitrary? What if a parking space is more important than the person parking in it? 

None if these types of actions represent Jesus Christ and his humble, connected, shepherding ways. He lessened himself. Told people not to talk about his miracles (such a contrast to social media where we’re constantly touting ourselves or our ministries). He took the lowest seat. He got on his hands and knees to wash the muddied feet of his disciples—even the one who would betray him. His way is gentle, kind, caring. 

Can we bring up issues with a church or ministry that is huge, yet harming others.

Yes. 

We must.

I think about the damage already caused by big ministries—all that seemed “successful.” Bill Hybels. Ravi Zacharias. Robert Morris. Mark Driscoll (although he has tried to reinvent himself). 

If you look at their numbers in the heyday of their ministries, they were untouchable, powerful, published like crazy with large advances and sales, paid well on the speaking circuit, fawned over, revered. 

Numbers could not protect them from their predation or failed character. Brave souls got eviscerated in the public square for calling them out (and thank God they did). 

I’ll say it again. A ministry is known by its fruit, not its fanfare or spectacle. 

It’s time we stop conflating numbers with God’s blessing.