I’ll post a scrapbook page later today…maybe.
But right now I have to write…and maybe not even publish.
There are words that are pressing on my heart…burning within me and I have to get them out.
This will be a post that even if I do publish, I will be hoping, praying maybe even that no one reads it.
The words that are pressing and burning are convicting me, and are burdening my heart as I look at our Christian culture, especially within the realm of women’s ministry.
Over the past week I have noticed time and time again, leaders within women’s ministry refer to themselves as having “fans”.
And in so doing, they are dismissing and being condescending to the very ones that are looking up to them for encouragement and ministry.
Just a few days ago, Jen Hatmaker, a blogger, writer and speaker that I greatly admire wrote these words on her Facebook page:
MOmcon was as fabulous as I knew it would be. I think my favorite part was when Beth Moore and I were yammering at a table in our hotel lobby and a group of Beth fans asked me to take their pic with her and “was I her assistant?” We fell down laughing. I’m such a big deal obviously.
This statement has been a burden on my heart ever since.
May we never as Christian leaders, speakers, and ministers have fans.
May we never as Christian women hold someone up so high that we worship them as idols, no matter what good impact their words have for God’s kingdom.
May we never fawn over another person, a flawed human.
I know this was written in jest, but there is a scary element of truth to these words.
My response would be, no, Jen, you are not a big deal.
Neither is Beth.
And neither am I.
But Christ within us is.
There is such a human tendency for pride to well up inside.
Peter knew of this as he wrote to elders within the early church in 1 Peter,
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…
1 Peter 5:6
This isn’t a problem reserved solely for Christian women who are big name bloggers, writers and speakers. I see it within churches, communities, and in all areas.
It exists in the world as well, among celebrities, personalities, and politicians, but we are called to be different.
Our lives are not to resemble the lives and the ways of the lost world that we live in.
My prayer for you and I is that we would guard ourselves in prayer against this tendency and seek humbleness within whatever sphere of influence that God has given to us.
Instead of looking at those who would seek us out as fans or followers, let’s view them as fellow believers, walking this road of faith right along with us.
Instead of taking in the desired affection and attention from others, let’s deflect that attention away from ourselves and to the One who is really deserving of it.
Instead of treating our Christian leaders as royalty or celebrities to be adored and placed upon a pedestal, let’s view them as sojourners with us.
Let’s encourage them, yes, and let them know that they have made an impact, but let’s not misplace our adoration and worship.
Let’s see them as instruments being used by God in our lives through the Holy Spirit’s leading and moving.
They, like us, can do nothing on their own, in their own strength.
Ann Marie @Household6diva says
“Instead of taking in the desired affection and attention from others, let’s deflect that attention away from ourselves and to the One who is really deserving of it.”
Your blog post reminds me of our church message two weeks ago about “Glory” and to always give Him the Glory. This is a great reminder for all of us – we are not a source of light, but rather a mirror reflecting God’s amazing power and grace!
Monica says
Thank you for commenting, Ann. I so appreciate your thoughts! Yes, I love the image of us being a mirror reflecting God’s power and grace…I want to do nothing but reflect Him!
Tanya Dennis says
The Apostle Paul talked about this in 1 Corinthians 3. Becoming “fans” and “followers” can lead to disunity among believers and it can lead others into pits of pride. We are to be imitators of great faith leaders, but only because they imitate Christ — not because they are great in and of themselves. Good leaders point us toward God, not themselves.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I hate the term “fan” almost as much as I hate the term “platform.”
On the professional side, I also understand the tricky bit of the other perspective. Editors and publishers continue to tell me that I’m a strong writer with great ideas, but that I don’t have a big enough “platform.” In other words, if I want a publishing contract, I need to collect numbers — not people, but numbers and consumers and “fans.” I need to collect proof that I will make them money. I hate it. I just want to get a message out, but the risk management part of business (publishing) won’t allow it unless I’m willing to become a self-promoting machine. It’s very difficult to navigate that minefield.
On a related note, have you read “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman? It talks about the differences between gaining fans and gaining followers; between being a fan and being a disciple. Good book. Here’s a link, if you want to explore it more: http://amzn.to/16vi46a
Monica says
Thank you so much for your thoughts, Tanya. I also thought of that passage in 1 Corinthians as I was writing this and pondering my concerns over this issue.
I do understand the hard position it puts people in to try to balance being humble with trying to build a “platform” (for lack of a better word). I think it all comes down to motives and heart attitudes. If your motive is to honor God and, like Ann said, to reflect Him, that is one thing, but if your motive is just to build your own kingdom, then there becomes a problem. I also think that many start out with very good motives and then fame and pride gets the better of them…it’s a very fine and hard line to walk…one that must be done with much prayer and accountability.
I have heard of “Not a Fan” and it is at the top of my reading list! My husband and I watched his video on this and it was so good!
Kristen says
I’ve been waiting all day to read this post. I saw it this morning in my Facebook feed after I published my 31 Days post, and wanted to read it right then and there but had to rush out the door instead. I’m so glad you were bold enough to challenge us about this.
Monica says
Thank you so much for coming back to read and comment, Kristen! I think that this is a challenge for all of us…and can be on both sides of the issue. There are so many things in this life that we have to guard ourselves against and we can only do it through reliance on the Holy Spirit. 🙂