Why it's greasy for a pastor to hawk 'fatty acid' pills.
Last month the Tampa Tribune ran a story on a local megachurch pastor's infomercial for Omega XL fatty acid pills. Apparently, the pastor was on the verge of a vascular disaster several years ago when his physician recommended the $50-a-bottle pills. Now an avid evangelist for the product, the pastor receives $5 for every bottle sold through his infomercial.The Tribune article focused primarily on the financial implications of pastoral product endorsements. (Apparently, this pastor stands in a long line of such partnerships: In the '30s, radio evangelist John Brinkley advocated the implantation of goat glands to enhance male virility.) But what about the spiritual implications? Although diminished with the effects of 21st-century cynicism (some would say, because of such "crass commercialization"), pastors still wield intangible spiritual power over the lives of those they lead.
They are sought out for advice in dating, finances, marriage, child rearing, emotional health and so on. Their opinions are considered informed by biblical reflection and prayer, not merely commercial interest or cold rationality. Simply put, a pastor's counsel is trusted for spiritual reasons--reasons that transcend common sense for some people. Consider recent Ponzi schemes launched by church leaders who used their spiritual influence for financial gain and hoodwinked reasonably intelligent believers with promises of "kingdom increase" and "divine overflow."
Regardless of the purity of one's motives, it would seem that the use of spiritual influence for commercial purposes ultimately cheapens the public perception of the pastoral role and weakens prophetic influence in the public sector (particularly on issues in which a biblically-informed voice is so desperately needed, such as abortion, gay marriage, poverty and the environment).
Without a clear distinction, the pastor's voice becomes merely another plea for attention among the countless other voices hawking their wares and pushing their agendas--as easy to tune out as a Geico commercial.
by Matt Green
from The Ministry Report
June 20, 2006
