I spend my life ministering to people in the name of Jesus. Much of what I do is producing programs to further the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Lately I have had a couple of people stop by the Church and pitch their ministry ideas to me. Each one of these ideas the people thought were great and they should have my support because they were doing it … in the name of Jesus. Let me tell you a few things I have learned about these programs and ministries.

1. People can teach bad theology in the name of Jesus. One of the biggest threats to faith is false teaching. Just because someone quotes a Bible verse, calls their teaching Christian or says they are doing it in the name of Jesus does not make it true.

2. People can further their own agenda in the name of Jesus. Politicians get religious during an election year because it furthers their own agenda. I have even experienced people who divided a Church because they felt like they were serving in the name of Jesus.

3. People can get rich in the name of Jesus. This was true even in the beginning of the Church. Sadly, it is still true today. I am not just talking about televangelist. I am getting sick of organizations who want to help grow my faith or my Church for a fee.

4. There are some bad ideas even when they are done in the name of Jesus. I once had a friend who was told he should start a puppet ministry out of the back of his van. He didn’t, because it was a bad idea. Even if he put Jesus name on the side of his van it still would have been creepy.

5. I can do things God has not called me to do because it is done in the name of Jesus. I believe that each Christian needs challenged to do whatever the Lord needs us to do. But I also believe that each of us have gifts and talents God has given us at which we can excel. Sometimes we need to say, “No” to some ministry opportunities because they don’t match my giftedness. For example, I once had a lady approach me about hosting a daily Christian music radio show. She wanted me to give her 3 hours a day to play music on the local Christian radio program 5 days a week. I politely told her no. I believe God called me to preach and teach and I would lose 15 hours a week from using my giftedness to do something I do not believe God has called me to do.

I don’t get involved in every activity in which I am asked to participate. I do not allow the Church I lead to get involved in every activity that happens in my area. That sounds awful because they are being done in the name of Jesus. I do not believe that means you or I have to participate.

That type of thinking has set me free to say no to some things in order to use my time more wisely. Also, I no longer feel guilty for turning down some opportunities that present themselves to me. It’s okay to turn down some things done in the name of Jesus to have an even greater impact.