THE DEADLY VIRUS OF CELEBRITY CHRISTIANITY

Charisma editor J. Lee Grady writes in his July 27th column:

"Just when I thought we charismatics had finally taken enough abuse from the egomaniac ministers in our midst, I've learned that some of our leaders are taking things to a new extreme ...

"One friend of mine in Texas recently inquired to see if a prominent preacher could speak at her conference. The minister's assistant faxed back a list of requirements that had to be met in order to book a speaking engagement. The demands included:

• a five-figure honorarium
• a $10,000 gasoline deposit for the private plane
• a manicurist and hairstylist for the speaker
• a suite in a five-star hotel
• a luxury car from the airport to the hotel (2004 model or newer)
• room-temperature Perrier

"I was relieved to know that this celebrity preacher's requirements in 2007 did not include a set of armed bodyguards – because I just might want to jump uninvited into her Rolls-Royce and say a few words.

"It gets worse, if you can believe it ..."

From The Wittenburg Door Insider Newsletter