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[ b y M a r cus Yo a r s ]
The Charismatic Name Game
N
ot long ago I worked with a
well-known ministry for several
months, during which I developed
a close working relationship with
its leader. Because of the nature of our project,
I spent more one-on-one time with this man—
we’ll call him John—over the course of those few
“God has not months than most of his own staff had in years.
Despite the frequent television appearances,
called us to lead best-selling books and demanding ministry
schedule, John was a likeable, down-to-earth,
so that we can normal guy—a far cry from the larger-than-life
persona carefully maintained by his staff. In
glory in what fact, it became obvious his staff wanted John
to be anything but normal—and they tried their
precedes or hardest to make sure he wasn’t treated that way.
All phone calls and e-mails were screened by
follows our a legion of assistants. Any in-person meeting
invariably involved waiting at least 30 minutes
names, but so outside his office, after which a “high-level assis-
tant” would finally be gracious enough to notify
we can stoop John that you’d arrived. And, of course, John
was never to be called John; it was Bishop John.
lower than Pastor John would suffice, and Dr. John was
even better—but never, ever John.
others to I made the mistake one day of calling John by
his first name—sans the glorified title—in front of
serve them.” his wife. Fool that I am, I figured we’d become
close enough, plus John had point-blank told me
to call him John. Bad move. John’s wife immedi-
ately scolded me and launched into a lecture on
how calling John by his first name was rude and,
because of his experience and position, showed
a complete lack of respect. “I don’t even call him
John in public,” she said.
And that’s when it clicked. The top dog rarely
feels the need to prove he has the loudest bark
or the meanest bite. Instead, it’s those around
him who, for some reason, feel compelled to
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10 MinistryToday November // December 2008
protect his domain. So it goes in ministry—par-
ticularly in charismatic circles, where entire
kingdoms are built around title-heavy super-
stars. Unfortunately, kingdoms create cultures,
which is how we’ve ended up in our current
dysfunctional state.
I’m not so naïve to think some of these super-
stars didn’t have a hand in establishing their own
kingdoms by surrounding themselves with title-
conscious bulldogs. Through the years this mag-
azine has undoubtedly featured ministers more
concerned with being called prophet, psalmist,
first lady or (my favorite) “doctor” than mimick-
ing the servant-leadership model Jesus gave us.
Neither am I excusing those who remain hum-
ble but whose staffs create a culture of first-fami-
lylike ministry royalty. Because whether you’re
the top dog or just part of a top dog’s entourage,
the fruit of pride looks the same—and has the
same infectious results on the entire ministry or
church. If you or anyone on your staff are more
concerned about making sure no one forgets
you’re an apostle, something’s wrong.
Jesus abhorred the name game. He lam-
basted the religious leaders of His day for
being consumed with what people called them
(see Matt. 23). At times He even downplayed
His own title of Christ until it was time for
His honor to be more fully revealed. We in
charismatic ministry would do well to follow
His lead. God has not called us to lead so that
we can glory in what precedes or follows our
names, but so we can stoop lower than others
to serve them.
We often talk about a nameless, faceless gen-
eration on the rise; I want to be part of a titleless
one too.
M a r c u s Y o a r s is the editor of Ministry Today.