Evangelical Leader Denounces Clerical Hypocrisy at Global Gathering
Hudson Tsuei/Christian Daily International
Pastor Stephen Tong delivered a powerful message at the World Evangelical Alliance’s General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, addressing the issue of hypocrisy among church leaders. Known as the “Billy Graham of Asia” for his extensive global evangelistic outreach, Tong called out pastors who, despite leading double lives, continue to preach each week.
Tong, who founded the Reformed Evangelical Church of Indonesia and has reached over 37 million people in his 66-year ministry, expressed his disappointment with what he termed as “hypocritical” church leaders. “Shame on this kind of servant of God,” Tong stated during his fervent address.
His sermon, titled “to be a holy servant,” emphasized the necessity of living a life of purity for those who serve God. “If you want to be a servant of God, you promise to God to lead a holy life,” declared the 85-year-old pastor, pointing to the importance of maintaining purity in thought, word, and action.
Tong warned against leaders who commit sins but still take to the pulpit, branding them as “hypocrite leaders of the church.” He drew upon biblical teachings, highlighting that repentance is essential for entering the Kingdom of God, referencing John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ calls to repentance.
Despite being limited to a 15-minute speaking slot, a stark contrast to his longest sermon of 7.5 hours, Tong urged the assembly not to be swayed by political or nationalistic concerns, but to focus on the divine message of the Kingdom of God.
Criticizing certain Charismatic church teachings, Tong argued that the Holy Spirit’s role is not to perform miracles but to empower Christians in their Gospel witness and understanding of the Bible. He emphasized, “The Bible teaches us very clearly, if you don’t repent, you don’t enter the Kingdom of God. And the Bible teaches us very clearly, if you don’t receive the Holy Spirit, you don’t have the power to witness the Gospel.”
Tong also addressed the trend of intertwining religious preaching with political ideologies, cautioning pastors against focusing sermons on systems like communism or capitalism. He asserted, “A servant of God should preach only the Holy Bible.”
He concluded with a call to holiness, urging pastors to live authentically and avoid deceitful pursuits. “Only a servant of God living in holiness can truly be a witness of the holy God,” he declared.
The WEA’s 14th General Assembly, held from Oct. 27-31, features other prominent speakers like evangelist Rick Warren and addresses topics such as global persecution, church growth, and disability ministries. The event, attended by 850 delegates from 124 countries and over 4,000 Korean pastors, is noted for its diverse representation within the Evangelical movement, according to Dr. Brad Smith, WEA Director of Alliance Engagement.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
