Why I Say NO to Most* Conference Invitations

Summary

In this reflective talk, the speaker addresses the growth of their channel and their commitment to the local church over conference speaking. They express concerns about the corrupting influence of fame on pastors, citing examples of well-known figures who faced moral failures. Emphasizing their primary role as a local pastor, they reject the allure of fame and stress the importance of community fellowship. Ultimately, the speaker seeks understanding and prayer as they remain dedicated to their calling, prioritizing the integrity of their ministry and relationships.

Takeaways

• 😀 The channel is growing unexpectedly, but the creator wants to maintain its original purpose of teaching theology and discussing important issues.
• 📅 The creator is hosting a free fall theology conference on Christianity and civil government on November 8th and 9th.
• 🚫 The creator often declines invitations to speak at other conferences, prioritizing local church ministry over broader speaking engagements.
• 💔 Fame can be corrupting for pastors, similar to money and power, and the creator is concerned about its impact on character.
• ⚖️ Examples of pastors overwhelmed by fame include Steve Lawson, Tullian Tchividjian, and Ravi Zacharias, highlighting the risks involved.
• 🏛️ The creator believes that local church pastors are primarily called to serve their congregations and should focus on that commitment.
• 💼 Pastoring a local church is demanding, and balancing it with conference speaking can be unrealistic and detrimental.
• 🤝 The creator acknowledges the historical value of gathering churches for fellowship, akin to the Puritan prophesying events.
• 🙅‍♂️ The pursuit of fame in ministry can lead to discouragement and negatively affect one's soul, according to the creator.
• 🙏 The creator asks for prayers to remain faithful to his calling and avoid the pitfalls of fame, emphasizing commitment to his local church.

Q & A

What prompted the pastor to discuss his growing popularity?

The pastor noted that his channel has been growing unexpectedly, leading to an influx of conference invitations that he wanted to address.

Why does the pastor mostly decline conference invitations?

He declines these invitations to focus on his local church and avoid the potential negative impact of fame on his character.

What concerns does the pastor have regarding fame and its effects on pastors?

The pastor is concerned that fame can corrupt a person's character, similar to how money and power can lead to moral failures.

Can you provide examples of pastors mentioned by the speaker who faced issues related to fame?

The pastor cited Steve Lawson, Tullian Tchividjian, and Ravi Zacharias as examples of those whose lives were negatively affected by fame.

What is the pastor's primary calling?

His primary calling is to serve as a pastor at Gospel Fellowship PCA, where he emphasizes the importance of his responsibilities to his local congregation.

How does the pastor view the role of conference speakers in relation to local church pastors?

He believes that local church pastors should primarily focus on their congregations, rather than seeking opportunities as conference speakers.

What historical practice does the pastor reference as a positive form of church fellowship?

He references the Puritans' practice of prophesying events, where pastors would gather to share sermons on similar themes, fostering fellowship among local churches.

What does the pastor say about the difficulty of balancing local church responsibilities with conference speaking?

He acknowledges that managing a local church is hard work and questions whether pastors can realistically juggle the demands of conference speaking.

What does the pastor ask for from his audience regarding his decisions on conference invitations?

He asks for understanding and prayers, expressing his desire to remain faithful to his calling and avoid the pitfalls associated with fame.

What message does the pastor hope to convey by declining invitations to speak at conferences?

He aims to convey the importance of prioritizing one's local church and remaining committed to the calling of pastoral work over seeking personal fame.