A brilliant observation from John Garfield. READ THE LAST TWO SENTENCES. WOW!!
One of the trademarks of the institutional church (charismatic, evangelical or denominational) is it's focus on itself. This introversion has many tentacles from pastoral authority to the emphasis on church growth, attendance, tithing, missions, buildings, TV, conferences, and pulpit preaching. the whole system is overrated. Nothing gets measured in terms of effectiveness; no other mountain is acknowledged, and priest, pastor and congregation believe authority and anointing flows through the hierarchy. Pastors and churches are important in their role... just not more important than spirit-filled and anointed business men, politicians, educators, entertainers and journalists. The church was intended to make disciples that can impact our culture. Instead we're trying to use our best and brightest to teach a Sunday school class or become a board member. Seriously, the only legitimate way out of most churches is in a coffin. It's time to release people into their Kingdom destiny and admit the church is for equipping not sitting.