The Christian Post reports that Mark DeMoss is going to shut down his public relations firm (who represents The American Bible Society, Billy Graham Evangelicstic Association, The Potter's House, Samaritan's Purse--see more of this list of clients below), this Spring, due to a current change of direction of the PR industry which he doesn't prefer.
“At age 56, it is more clear to me than ever that my passion and skill lay in the practice of public relations – not the business of PR. Most successful PR firms began reinventing themselves and changing their business models a number of years ago, and I realize I’m not wired to want to do that with my firm. So, after nearly three decades of owning and running a firm, traveling extensively, directing and managing PR campaigns, and navigating every conceivable type of ministry crisis, I have decided to dissolve my firm on Friday March 29,” he wrote.
End quote.
It appears DeMoss is slamming PR firms for, well, doing PR on themselves. The PR business is a business as well as a practice so for him to make a distinction is a bit disingenuous.
He went on to say:
“In my years in PR, eight with Jerry Falwell, and 28 more with this firm – I’ve experienced far more than I ever envisioned and have been blessed well beyond anything I deserved. I feel as though God gave me an all-access pass to so much evangelical history of the past three-and-a-half decades,” he said.
“I’ve derived personal and professional fulfillment from supporting . This is how I always viewed my PR firm – working behind the scenes to give greater support and lift and protection to the people, programs and ministries devoted to advancing the Kingdom,” he added.
End quote.
"All access pass" ? What is this? A concert of celebrities? Well, yes. That's what he's helped develop over the years: celebrity Evangelicalism. His own words bear that thinking out. But in Scripture those who want to be first will be last; those who are in leadership in the local churches (that's the ONLY spiritual leadership there is in Scripture) are to be "slaves" as Scripture states. They are there to serve, not be served. They will be persecuted and come into great afflictions and trials as promised by Christ Jesus the King Himself for all His own. This is contrary to the big venues, palatial multi-million dollar compounds they label as "churches", not jetting to conferences, not free or fancy cars or houses, loved by the world. It's actually a study of contrasts, if you look at the lives and doctrine of the apostles compared to today's men.
Note, his clients include some false teachers and wayward ministries including: T.D. Jakes' The Potter's House, Steve Furtick's Elevation Church, Daystar Television Network, Coleson Center for Christian Worldview, Focus On the Family, Inspiration NetworkThe King's College and Seminary, Manhattan Declaration,Oral Roberts University, Psychological Studies Institute, Pat Robertson's Regent University, the SBC, Gordeon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Hillson, Wheaton College, Bill Hybel's Willow Creek Association, TD Jake's Woman, Thou Art Loosed, Zondervan.
When one considers the filth coming out of these ministries, businesses, institutions and networks, along with what they support by giving false teachers a platform, it's clear that DeMoss isn't principled himself and it gives lie to his statement that he wasn't about the PR "business". Sure he was. It paid handsomely. These are people who are advancing the kingdom of Satan, not that of Christ. To slap on His holy name to such filth is wicked.
There is an irony here as well. DeMoss denounces President Trump and those who supported him, listing Trump's "bullying tactics of personal insult", yet consider the horrible men and ministries he's helped that gave cover to their greater sins because these men are holding themselves out as religious leaders and teachers. Trump isn't. He says he's a Christian. I doubt that, but he certainly does not hold himself up as a mature Christian, a leader, and Scripture states that leaders and teachers are held to a stricter judgment and higher requirements in order to hold such an office (James 3:1; 1Tim 3;Titus 2). How many of these organizations like the SBC, bully truth-tellers? Go over to Thirty Pieces of Silver and find out.
So consider what bothers DeMoss versus what his company promotes as "Christian" (that's not to mention Liberty University, one of his clients, who continually brings in anti-Christ speakers like Mormon cult member Glen Beck, and then there's the falsifying of Liberty's former faculty member Ergun Caner's testimony and SBC's joining to circle the wagons on Liberty's behalf, with the SBC as a client of DeMoss as well) - these things don't bother him at all. Why? Because it's lucrative to turn a blind eye to these things and what these clients stand for. It's a business. For DeMoss to use the character card on a mere politician while not using that same card for his wayward clients is the height of hypocrisy.
And of course, the obvious problem here is that there is no such thing in biblical Christianity as a public relations firm to bolster a ministry/man's public face. It's a worldly concept which goes contrary to Scripture. PR is literally about saving face. Scripture says that we're not to take on the world's philosophies. It also says we're not to indulge in the sin of favoritism. 1 Cor. 1-3 comes to mind when there began factions of favorite leaders within the Corinthian church. Moreover, Scripture tells us to not praise ourselves, nor announce our giving or good deeds (Pro. 27:2;Matt 6:1-4). We're to keep our eyes on the things above where Christ is seated (Co. 3), not on ourselves, our reputation, our donors, etc. Public sin must not be spun by a PR firm, but rather it must be dealt with biblically within the person's local church and then pronounced in some cases, publicly (for example, if it's a celebrity elder and he committed adultery or fornication who therefore stepped down as Scripture requires). In other words, a crisis isn't to be manage in order to reduce financial and public repercussions. That's what politicians do. That's what celebrities do. That's what companies do. That's what schools do. That is not the way of the biblical Christian, much less any ministry (which should be attached to a local church under the guidance of it's elders).
It's good to note that there's a huge distinction between suffering for righteousness' sake (as defined by Scripture, not personal opinion or by one's associates who have a vested interest in the person's success), and suffering for sin (1Peter 3:17;4:12-14). PR companies spin the latter into the former, turning their client into a victim. There is no need for a public relations firm if one is walking in integrity before God.
What should be done when a leader has been found to be in sin?
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Ti 5:20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. 21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
If he has violated the requirements of an elder, he must step down and not attempt to regain that position. He is disqualified from that position.
How are Christians to respond to slander and persecution (biblically defined)?
Walk in integrity:
Pro 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
Acknowledge that God alone will avenge His own:
Isa 35:3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4 Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."
Realize this is a good thing:
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.
1Pe 4:19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
The whole industry of public relations can be shut down by this one verse:
Joh 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.
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