I No Longer Call It Ministry 

    I have been following the problems of Jim and Tammie Bakker as I
am sure many of you have with a great deal of interest.  Being an
evangelist myself, I am concerned when something happens to cast a
shadow on our calling.

    Jim is not the first evangelist or preacher to fall into the trap
of adultery (even though preaching is the only profession where you
are fired for it), but what I have been looking for is some sign of
true repentance on his part.  He has lost his ministry and had his
ordination pulled, yet he still seems only to grieve the loss of his
paycheck.

    I hope that you don't mind if I editorialize a little because I am
more than a little disturbed.  I just read in the papers about Jim and
Tammie's latest efforts (I no longer call it ministry).  I thought
that Oral had hit a low in saying that the Lord would call him home if
he didn't raise 8 million dollars, but Jim and Tammie have gone even
lower.

    What I am talking about is the news that during the Christmas
season, they are going on a 19 city tour that is being headed up by a
tour promoter.  They will present a two hour show of "singing, dancing
and preaching" all for the low price of only $20 a head.  I don't know
of any other preacher that currently charges a fee for people to come
and hear them preach.  Not Billy Graham, nor Jimmy Swaggart, nor even
Oral Roberts.  It is bad enough that gospel singers do it.  (This
effort soon failed)

    In 2 Corinthians 2:17 Paul the great Apostle says about his
ministry that, "We are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but
as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in
Christ".  Evidently they were having the same problem in his day as
now.  It is unfortunate that there are those who still see the gospel
as just a way to make a buck.

    Ever since the movie "Elmer Gantry", evangelists have been trying
to show people that we are called servants of God, but once again an
honorable calling has been drug through the dirt.  I don't know what
you think about evangelists, but I only ask you not to reject our
message just because some have smudged the name.  There are still
those who are seeking the kingdom of God rather than their own
position.  There are still those who are concerned about peoples lives
rather than their pocketbooks.  There are still those who plan to meet
Jesus face to face without having to apologize for their labors.


Frank Cooke