“if Paris Hilton can draw a following, anyone can start a church”
In all of his letters he in one way or another refers to the centrality of Christ, the cross, and the pure gospel as being the “only foundation” on which his ministry was built. We must have the same message:
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” –I Cor 3:11
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; –Col 1:17-19
Paul was a skilled logician, and rhetoric was a highly respected cultural means of public address. Yet, we read this,
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. –I Cor 2:1-5
Someone just this week made the observation that if Paris Hilton can draw a following, anyone can start a church. But the church isn’t to be built following a celebrity pastor with excellent teaching that entertains. interests, and informs. It isn’t built on excellent speech, but on following Jesus at great cost by a congregation of disciple making disciples (who will make up church planting churches).