THE TRAP OF EXAGGERATION

Sometimes ago, an evangelist died and reports from his ministry gave a large number of souls won through his ministry. The number seems too good to be true, this raised a lot of argument in Christian circles. I remember my mentor in ministry saying he went round churches in Lagos after a mega crusade asking church leaders about the numbers of souls added to their church after a magazine reported that millions gave their lives to Christ. His research shows that the numbers in the media was exaggerated and blown out of proportion. Why is exaggeration common in the evangelistic circles? Probably to raise more funds and to boost ego. One of the traps that is common to ministers especially those in the evangelistic ministry today is the trap of exaggeration. There's something called "Evangelistic speaking". That is nothing short of exaggeration.

Billy Graham, one of the finest Christians in our time, an evangelist who is believed to have seen more converts than Paul decided against this in his Modesto manifesto. One of the things he decided with his friends in evangelistic ministry was that they will not exaggerate their reports. It was and is common for evangelists to create untrue publicity about numbers, attendance, souls won and miracles. Today, this devil is still around especially with those mounting the pulpit. Social media has made it worse. The tricks of camera can be applied to make a small crowd appear larger than it is in the real sense just to create a false impression in the hearts of people. The moment you seek to build social media fans as a minister, you'll fall into this evil trap of exaggeration and showmanship. Psalm101:7 "I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence".

To my dear colleagues in ministry, exaggeration will not grow your ministry. Stop lying about numbers either of souls won or churches planted as the case may be for church planters and missionaries. Lying may add a few bucks to your pocket but with time, the cookies will crumble. It is time to start building your life on truth even if it won't impress anyone. You're not in ministry for the multitude but for one. Anytime I'm out on the field to preach, I always tell myself that I'm stepping out to go and preach because of "one". God can make us spend millions just because He wants one person saved. No need to feel bad about " low numbers". Don't tell the world your congregation is 5000 when in actual sense you're not up to 500. That's not faith but unfaithfulness.Don't start multiple services with the same set of people to create an impression of large numbers. Let God's hand rest upon you as you build your ministry on truth.