Yesterday saw the release of a book titled Whatever the Cost: Facing Your Fears, Dying to Your Dreams, and Living Powerfully, written by the “Benham Brothers,” David and Jason Benham
(A bit of upfront full disclosure here: I was the co-author on this project and think the world of the Benhams.)
For a decade, the twin brothers worked in real estate and various entrepreneurial adventures in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Being former baseball players who made it into the minor leagues, they also love athletic contests, having fun, and keeping fit. But most importantly, they love Jesus Christ and want to honor him with their business, their family, and their opportunities to speak for Him.
In the last year, of course, they are best known for having been fired by HGTV just before the launch of what was expected to be a smash new reality tv show featuring their antics and the pursuit of”flipping” houses. After HGTV announced their show as one of the upcoming fall (2014) lineup, the pro-homosexual activists went ballistic and called for HGTV to cancel the show. Back in 2012, the Benhams were “caught on tape” leading a city-wide prayer service where they asked God to forgive our nation and to heal us from sin. In repenting of sin, they did not gve extra special emphasis to any in particular, but they did include abortion and homosexuality.
A website that serves as a watchdog against “right wing” public officials led the charge in creating this image of the Benhams as hateful and full of dishonest propaganda. Within a few days, the HGTV executives bowed to the pressure of this bullying and canceled the show.
This book gives the Benhams the opportunity to tell their story–from the salvation of their bartender father all the way through the HGTV debacle. Ok, so I know I’m biased, but I think they’ve got a great story to tell. God’s grace in their life has born much fruit. They are energetic, courageous, and winsome–a great combination of being “wise as serpents and gentle as doves.”
Here at the Presbyterian Lay Committee, we are gearing up for some new initiatives which focus on “vocatio” — the belief that for a Christian who aims to honor God in all he or she does, all of their “calling” (the translation of the Latin word vocatio) is ministry unto the Lord.
The Benham’s life exhibits this remarkably well because there was a time in their life when they considered going into some sort of full-time preaching/speaking ministry. The opportunities were there to do so, but they decided to pursue their financial support by means of “secular” vocation, the real estate work they started. And, before long, through the success of their business ventures and because of the manner in which they conducted their business, they found themselves talking about Jesus Christ with hundreds of people per year. And, in a very real sense, shepherding these people.
So much for the dividing up life into “sacred” and “secular” …or forcing a false distinction between “clergy” and “laity.”
Yesterday, the Benhams appeared on “Fox and Friends” for an interview, mostly about the HGTV story and the themes of the new book.
However, when asked during the “after the show” segment (at 3:40 into the video) whether they have “any interest in being pastors or preachers from this point forward?”
I loved their answer:
“There is a false dichotomy that exists that says guys like us who run a business are not ministers. We don’t believe that. The minute you accept Christ into your heart, God puts you on mission to bring Him glory. Whether you’re running a talk show or preaching behind a pulpit–you are a pastor, you are a minister–so go out there and bring Him glory.
The Devil knows that how you see yourself determines how you behave, so if he can get us thinking, ‘Well, we’re not preachers’ then we won’t act like that. That’s what we’re here to encourage Christians with today–you are a minister, even if you’re just wiping rear ends all day as a stay-at-home mom.
So, the answer is “Yes, we will go into ministry…because we are in ministry right now.”
Watch the whole clip here:
Scott Lamb serves as the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and as the President of Reformation Press Publishers.
1 Comment. Leave new
Splendid job of reviewing a book, Scott Lamb, and outlining the relevant issues.
Sound business practices and Christian principles are virtually one and the same. That is why this nation has enjoyed such prosperity. Time to put the foot down.