There are a handful of people that the PARSE editors have committed to not speak or write about publicly—either positively or negatively. It's not a legal embargo, just a personal policy. We also think it is beneficial to the souls and self-image of other pastors to believe these leaders are in fact fictional characters created by market researchers in a hypothetical exercise on the interplay of Christianity and brand-theory, and that they do not actually inhabit the same world as the rest of us. For that reason any direct references to specific characters involved in recent publishing scandals have been edited out of Mandy's post. – Skye Jethani
It's a strange thing to be working on a proposal for a Christian book the week the news breaks about [EDITED]'s questionable marketing practices for his book on [EDITED].
As you may know, the writing of a proposal requires the author to argue that their book contributes something unique, has a large potential audience and deserves to be published. It takes even the most carefree writer to a place of deep self-assessment. Does the world really need this book? Why am I doing this anyway?
While my first response to the news about [EDITED] was a mix of sadness for where fame has brought [EDITED] and frustration with how the Christian celebrity system creates such situations, after some time I'm also adding a little self-reflection.
If I'm honest, aren't there messages that I would pay money to allow people to hear? There are two or three things that have changed my life that I want to shout from the hilltops. Every time I see someone struggling with a similar problem I've had, I long for a chance to share my story, almost a physical pain, longing for an opportunity. It's a pastoral urge. If I had $210,000 to be sure thousands who have the same questions I've had could be given a chance to at least consider my idea, I could be tempted to use it.
Isn't it the longing of every teacher and preacher to be heard? Even Jesus longed for ears that hear.
What is our motivation when we step before an audience or publish a piece of writing? Maybe we truly feel called to share something we've learned. And maybe our sense of calling motivates us to force God's hand a little—going to that conference, making that Facebook connection, touching base with that old professor—all to have what we may call a platform, a voice, an opportunity. If we're honest, our motivation may include a touch of something that feels like what we read last week. And, although it smacks of selling out, mixed in with desire for recognition, maybe Pastor [EDITED] longed to bring a message because it might help someone.
If we're honest, perhaps our motives when we share our ideas are just as mixed … but we have fewer resources at our disposal.
And so I write my book proposal, very conscious of my motivation. A longing for opportunity to share my story can feel very much like a longing for fame. A longing for a larger audience or a publishing contract in the name of bringing hope or a positive influence can feel very much like a desire for power. And so I wrestle to extract a desire that all the nations know the freedom of the gospel from a desire for attention—two things which are opposites and yet, when you're the one presenting the gospel, can feel very much the same. And if this proposal ever does become a book I will enter into that challenging place of trying to distinguish between book sales and hearts changed, which will be tricky. Although they are not synonymous, they are intertwined.
Even as I put the finishing touches on this article I can't help hoping somebody will like it . . . and "Like" it. Oh, and if you're interested in hearing more about that book proposal . . . .
Mandy Smith serves as lead pastor at University Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the author of Making a Mess and Meeting God: Unruly Ideas and Everyday Experiments for Worship
