By Coach DaveDaubenmire

“Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece andbecame a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved toEurope and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.” -Sam Pascoe

“Anenterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngeststudent in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her questionmight be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I hadperformed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand,“Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question, “A business? But isn’t itsupposed to be a body?” I could not envision where this line of questioning wasgoing, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued, “Butwhen a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” as told by David Ryser

I’vebeen fighting for a long time the prompting of my inner man to take on thissubject. Although I have chewed around the edges like I used to do as a childwhen I would break off the crust from a hot, home-made apple pie in attempt toappease my hunger without my mother finding out, I never really stuck my thumb into the middle of the pie.

Ihave been a sellout. A pimp, if you will. Not onpurpose. It is easy to justify our lack of courage when confronted withdifficult issues. I try to faithfully deliver the mail as the Lord hands it tome, but I have been negligent by eating the crust out of fear of spoiling thepieBottom ofForm

Yousee, I have pulled my punches. I have softened the blow. I have spanked with anewspaper when they deserved a belt. I have sold out on the Truth. I have notcalled a spade a spade. I have nibbled at the crust when I should have beenhammering the pie. I have taken the be-nice approach and have listened to the “touch not God’s anointed”mentality. I have prostituted the Truth. For that I am sorry.

Oh,my intentions were good. I had hoped that as I exposed the “unfruitful works of darkness”that the churches would eventually awaken and begin to push back against theenemy. After ten years of trying to awaken “The Church” to the problem I havefinally mustered the courage to say what I have known all along. “The Church”IS the problem. It has become a pimp, selling the works of “the body” forpersonal satisfaction. Most of the pulpits are filled by “hirelings” (more on that ina future commentary), men and women who stand in the pulpit without a calling,without an anointing, and without courage. They are man pleasers, living off of“the Body” as they sell it out for their own whims and pleasures. Greedy Dogs, Isaiah calledthem. Blind watchmen…loving to sleep…leading the flock astray.

Notall of the churches. If you are a pastor and have read this far then I amprobably not talking about you. I have met many courageous men who boldly liveout the command to “lead them out.” You knowwho you are. You are the one’s who have been criticized, belittled, and callednames by the “pimp in the pulpit” at the big church downtown.

Yousee, to him, the church is a business…an enterprise…a social club totallydependant on butts and bucks. It is a place to make business contacts, networkwith others in the community, and soothe one’s conscience through weeklyattendance and philanthropy. It is no different from a whore house where awoman’s body is sold for the pleasure of another. Love-less intercourse isprostitution. Most church goers love the service that Jesus provides(membership has its privileges) but don’t really know the Jesus who providesit.

I’llbe honest. I’ve been afraid to say some of these things for fear of alienatingeven more pastors. I was afraid that my harshness might alienate those “frozenchosen” pastors and eliminate opportunities to “minister” to theircongregations. That’s where I have pimped-out my call. The pastors are not theanswer, they are the problem.

Insteadof cleaning out Congress perhaps we should start by cleaning out the pulpit. Judgment begins first in the house ofGod. America is a reflection of the churches and the churches are areflection of the pulpits. It is time to “throw the bums out”…even if they dohide behind the “touch not my anointed.” When a football team isunder-performing who gets the boot? Yep, the coach.

Allowme to be frank as I cut to the chase. Pick up your family and get out of themausoleum you are attending and find a place that serves the Lord. I couldn’tcare less how many generations your family has been a member, how many pewsyour family has donated, and how many of your friends attend. Sitting on yourbutt every Sunday is not serving the Lord, it is the Lord serving you. Thefeel-good Gospel is a fraud. Jesus taught self-sacrifice not self-fulfillment. “Greaterlove has no man than this than he would lay down his life for his friends….”Love demands sacrifice. What have you sacrificed for your faith? You areengaging in Spiritual welfare…living off of the efforts of others.

Startfighting back by no longer giving them your money. Don’t allow them to hit youover the head with the “bring all of the tithes into thestorehouse” hammer without asking yourself some very importantquestions. What is a storehouse and what is itspurpose? What does the Scripture mean by “meat in my house” and who is the meatfor? Are there families in your “church” who are losing their homes? Is thatnot who the “meat in the house” was stored up for or were the storehouse fundsused for a new parking lot?

Isthe purpose of the tithe (by the way, my wife and I believe in tithing) to paysenior pastors, associate pastors, youth ministers, worship leaders, andsecretaries to do “ministry?” Can’t you “tithe” different places? Did the NewTestament church teach the concept of “professional” Christians or were the eldersof the church also tent-makers? Does “meat inmy house” mean bigger buildings, paved parking lots, and padded pews? Is your“church” experiencing a budget crunch right now because they have eaten themeat that should have been placed in the storehouse? I know, “let them eatblacktop.”

Isstorehouse money supposed to be spent on the already converted or on seekingand saving that which is lost? What percent of your church’s budget go to“missions”…as if that is a separate job…in comparison to utilities, paper,salaries, and operating expenses?

Don’tstop giving, just change where you give. Find a ministry that is using themoney to reach out to the community and send your tithe there. Remember, it isthe “Lord’s house” into which your finances are to be offered….not some socialclub to which your tithe is nothing more than monthly dues. It is time youasked yourself if the Spirit still dwells in your church.

Mywife and I have spent the last few weeks reading the book of Acts in ourmorning devotionals. You should do the same. They spread the Gospel around theworld at great personal peril and sacrifice. The self-serving American-Churchis a pathetic step-child to Christianity’s founding fathers.

Mostchurches love money, chase money, compromise over money. A pastor in New Yorkwas just fired from his $600,000 salary! The nationalaverage for pastors is$84,426! No wonder they won’t speak against sin! Why not include those wealthyhomosexuals in the congregation!

Peoplehave asked me to start a church. I tell them that they are nuts. Truth emptieschurches, it doesn’t fill them. My friend Flip Benham says guys likeme would be the Dr. Kervorkian of churchgrowth. What man of God would want to wipe noses when he could fight evil? Nothanks. At least on the streets I can recognize the enemy.

“And as they departed, Jesusbegan to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into thewilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for tosee? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are inkings' houses.”Yep, the pimps are the ones wearing the nice clothes. Funny isn’t it? The pimpsin the pulpits accuse street preachers of being undignified.

Whatdid Jesus say about the ultimate street preacher John the Baptist? “Verily Isay unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greaterthan John the Baptist.”

Takethe time to read what Jesus had to say to the religious pimps of His day!

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