The link above is to an article about Bishop Eddie Long and the "brand" he built at his church. It centers very much around himself.
As popular as he is, I feel very strongly that he has missed the point. We are not supposed to be the "brand" of the church. The church is the body of Christ and HE is the head. Jesus said clearly that those who would be leaders should be the servant of all. To promote a leader into a position as "head" of the church and make him the focus goes against what God taught and how the church best works. Paul, the apostle tried to set an example for people to follow, but his example was one of humility and hard work, not a life of indulgence and ease. Read 2 Thessalonians 3 to see him talk about how they worked hard so as not to live off of others and to provide an example of hard work.
I hope that our church's "Brand" is Christ. That we, as church members, do not become the focus, but instead show Christ through the way we live our lives and conduct ourselves.
