‘Never believe your own publicity’. Wise advice, and imagine a world where someone with limited vocabulary did not have to claim via Twitter and all forms of social media that no-one knows more than them? Thanks then to Leif Garrett who is credited with the phrase… but it raises a question. One’s own publicity?
From time to time I get a request, send a photo and a blurb about yourself. The photo part is not so difficult but the blurb? What to write…
I normally send two blurbs, one that ‘works’ (or is a piece of self-publicity) and one that is honest. I appreciate the need to publicise so as people know what they (think they) are coming to. I was once advertised in a certain country as being the ‘President of Sowing seeds for revival and of Company of Prophetic People’. President? Presiding over what? Of course one can spin almost anything, but when Scripture does not simply tell us not to lie but to ‘not speak a falsehood’ the spin becomes very dangerous indeed. I can spin something and not lie. But not leaving a wrong impression (a falsehood)? Very hard to do that and hype things up.
Just thinking about the quote, maybe the time is now to stop all self-publicity. So here is an attempt when I am next asked to present at the ‘heaven will DEFINITELY come down and all lives will be transformed within a two kilometer radius’ conference.
Martin Scott has had it pretty easy in life so has not learnt so much. He often thinks he knows better and so can be somewhat stubborn. Maybe it is reasonable attribute not to be overly-impressed by the opinions of others, maybe he is just a reticent learner. Many times quick to try and give an answer, can be guilty of pontificating beyond his understanding. (Photo can accompany the above publicity when the invite comes.)
HI Martin, we know you!! So no liiusions there!! (But you know us too so no illusions in that direction either!)
Andy… I decided not to have any illusions about you and the crew at Bridge Street… after all you could only go down from there!! Better to start at the bottom?
I just arrived home from teaching at college tonight. Time for supper. I sit and meander through the events of the day, somewhat unfocused. I encounter the videos of the women’s soccer team and the parade in NYC. Megan Rapinoe, the co-captain urged everyone to do better, to enable others to do better (badass sunglasses, champagne and a fair amount of swear words – no apologies from this woman). On CNN the other day in an interview she confronted Trump articulately for his failure to do better for everyone. I continue to my email. Today 7000 universities and colleges around the world declared us to be in a climate emergency (better late than never I guess) and that they are going to engage in more focused action to respond to the crisis. I note that in a bid to promote the release of the new Lion King, Disney has enlisted Beyonce to voice one of the characters. She drops a song today called ‘Spirit’ which begins in Swahili.
We appear to be in a major transition, one rejected and resisted by many. Another article today noted that white evangelicals in the USA poll at 68% against taking in refugees. Yes, you read that right. And a Fox News (can we call it news, really?) ranted against a female Muslim member of congress last night. And yet, the transition is rolling on. Greta Thunberg admonishes political leaders to do better on climate change and leads teens and children worldwide in strikes to make the point. Women are rising up. Minorities are rising up. Children are rising up. Heck, I expect the bunnies currently eating dinner in my garden to be standing at the window making demands soon.
My point? The gospel is totally political, hence the Roman persecution of Christians. Why bother otherwise? But here’s the important thing. After this transition we are going to have a God who is so much bigger, so much more interesting, doing so much more. No longer confined to a white people’s club and commanded to make them feel better. No, God is going to be so much more after all of this. Can’t wait!
PS: I think I was replying to the previous post but hey, it works. And as far as publicity goes. . . never believe it, good or bad. Who cares really? Meaningless. Just rock on like all those folks I mentioned above. There are things to do, important things.
No worries that the comment was on the wrong post!!! We are looking to women, youth and pensioners to pull something new through. Loads to follow their lead.
As far as publicity goes – my life experience is that true leadership is rarely popular but I do like your 2nd, more humble blurb.