PART 8 “MINISTRY AI AND I” FIRST CHURCH, SR OFFICE SCANDALS “IDENTIFYING THE GOSSIP MINISTRIES” “IT’S MY RIGHT”

NOTE this was first posted www.ministryandi.com Dec 2024

PART 8 “MINISTRY AI AND I”

FIRST CHURCH, SCANDALS, IDENTIFYING THE GOSSIP MINISTRIES

“BUT IT’S MY RIGHT!“

Comments on Society in Church Culture and 2 Timothy 3:1-8 Dysfunction
What are “MY” Rights in Christ?

A Warning for the Last Days

(C)2024 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI

 

ChatGPT AI  replies:

Here is Apostle Paul’s Community Instructions for Our Life Time 2 Timothy 3:1-8 (KJV):

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

NOTE: This passage serves as a warning about the moral and spiritual decline that will characterize the “last days,” providing a vivid description of behaviors and attitudes that Christians are commanded to avoid.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the “perilous times” to come, characterized by selfishness, pride, and a lack of true godliness. Many of these traits are prevalent in modern church culture, including:

Lovers of themselves: Self-promotion in ministry, often seen in “celebrity pastors” and social media influencers, where the focus shifts from Christ to personal branding.

Lovers of money: Prosperity theology that equates spiritual blessing with material wealth, fostering greed rather than generosity.

Boastful and proud: The glorification of achievements and status, creating a caste-like system in churches where the wealthy or influential are favored.

Lacking natural affection: A breakdown in genuine relationships, replaced by transactional or superficial interactions.

Having a form of godliness but denying its power: Outward religiosity without the inward transformation that reflects Christ’s humility and love.

MAIN POINT Paul commands us to “turn away” from such people, emphasizing the importance of discernment and not being entangled in their influence.

The 30 Pieces of Silver. Uncovering Mom’s Sin.

2. The Celebrity View of Christ

Modern church culture often presents a “celebrity Christ”—a version of Jesus aligned with success, wealth, and outward appearance. This portrayal is harmful because:

Distorts Christ’s Character: The real Jesus was a humble, suffering servant who lived among the marginalized, not a figure of earthly wealth or status (Isaiah 53:3).

Creates Elitism: Churches with a “celebrity culture” foster division, favoring the influential while neglecting the needy, directly contradicting James 2:1-9.

Neglects Servanthood: Christ’s model was one of servanthood, where leaders washed feet (John 13:14-15), yet many modern leaders demand to be served and exalted.

3. The Historical and First Church Model

The early Church, as described in Acts and the epistles, exemplified the opposite of celebrity culture:

Community over Competition: Acts 2:42-47 shows believers sharing resources and living in unity. Success was measured by spiritual growth and mutual care, not fame or wealth.

Respect Without Bias: God’s character as “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) influenced the Church to treat all people equally, regardless of social or economic status.

Compassionate Relationships: Paul and other apostles emphasized building relationships through love, mentorship, and correction, rather than public displays of dominance or power.

Servant Leadership: True leaders were those who served others sacrificially, as Christ did, rather than seeking personal gain or prestige (Matthew 20:25-28).

4. Where Society and Church Culture Intersect

Today’s church culture often mirrors societal dysfunction:

Consumerism: Churches cater to personal preferences and entertainment, losing focus on the gospel’s transformative power.

Influence of Social Media: The rise of social media has amplified the “celebrity pastor” phenomenon, where leaders are judged more by their follower count than their faithfulness.

Loss of Accountability: The pursuit of individualism and autonomy undermines the sense of community and mutual accountability that was central to the First Church.

5. Practical Application and a Call to Return

I WOULD SUGGEST “REPENT”  Sister Taveau D’Arcy

To counteract this drift toward dysfunction, the Church must:

Turn Away from Worldly Patterns: Reject practices that prioritize fame, wealth, and status over faithfulness to Christ.

Restore Genuine Relationships: Focus on mentoring, discipleship, and authentic community instead of superficial interactions.

Model Servant Leadership: Leaders should prioritize humility, service, and care for others rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.

Prioritize the Gospel Over Programs: Shift the focus from entertainment or cultural relevance to teaching and living out the gospel’s truth.

Challenge Cultural Idols: Address societal values like materialism, pride, and self-promotion that infiltrate the Church, aligning ministry with Christ’s example.

The ultimate goal is to reflect the true nature of Christ—one of compassion, humility, and sacrificial love—while guarding against the “form of godliness” that denies His transformative power. The Church must return to its First Church roots, valuing unity, respect, and servant-hearted leadership over the allure of celebrity and material success.

WHAT NOW, LEADERS?

To Support; Please Pray Protection for all of this, also choose to FORGIVE all whom God puts upon YOUR heart. (The Best Kind of Cheerful Giving!)

To send a Love Offering;

(C)2024 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI