Pastor Cornelius Lindsey is calling out the unhealthy competitiveness that is taking place within some ministries.

In an Instagram post, the senior pastor of The Gathering Oasis Church in Atlanta, Georgia, spoke out against churches that were competing against one another.

“When ministry becomes more about what’s done for ‘MY’ church instead of what we’ve done for ‘THE’ church, we’ve entered a dangerous zone. That’s where ego takes the place of collaboration,” he wrote. “We become more concerned about what’s mine instead of what’s ours. It’s at that point where we no longer consider the efforts of the Body; rather, we become fixed on our own.”

The preacher explained that this type of division could be a tactic of the enemy.

“The goal of an enemy is to turn an army of one against each other. That allows for the vulnerable (orphans, widows, weak, injured and transitioning) to be taken first and for the strong to be isolated,” he said. “They both become easy prey for the enemy.”

While there is a place for individuality, Lindsey encouraged people to place their egos to the side to build the kingdom of God.

“If ministry becomes nothing more than building a church that represents a logo and an ego then I question whether God is in it. However, if our focus becomes about building THE Church then I’d go out on a limb to believe that God orchestrated it,” he said. “This isn’t to say that anything is wrong with logos, but if we cannot put the ego that resides with it aside to work together to reach the masses then we’d be better closing our doors altogether. If ministry becomes nothing more than pulling others down, arguing over private matters in public spaces and/or starting something new to oppose who/what offended you then we’d do well to close our doors and say nothing.”

Lindsey reminded people that there is one kingdom of God and that they should be more open to collaboration instead of separation.

“Are we not one body with one hope led by one Savior and called to one commission? If so, we must collaborate on what we do well instead of starting new things just to duplicate what we’ve seen others do,” he wrote. “Think about what it would look like if we supplied those who are anointed in a certain area to do what they do well? That would take care of one part of the body instead of thinking that we have to do it all individually. That’s how we work together; one body that’s fitly supplied and every part doing its job.”

 

(Photo: Screen Grab)