Blogocentric Formulations

Reputation

"Take up Your Cross"  | Prompt ▼

Is a Christian supposed to be concerned with their reputation?

This is an interesting question because the concept of "reputation" has both pros and cons.

On the one hand, if someone does not have a good reputation, people don't listen to them. If a Christian has a bad reputation, their ability to evangelize and communicate the message of the Gospel becomes compromised, if not downright detrimental to the cause. In a world where we're supposed to be the living embodiment of a better way to live, how do we convince people to follow the path if our own reputations are tarnished. It's often been pointed out by critics that Christians have almost the same rate of divorce as non-Christians. That churches and other Christian organizations are just as susceptible to corruption and poor management. And on and on. Without having outstanding reputations, Christians won't be able to convince anyone that their way is better than any of the other alternatives out there.

On the other hand, it's very easy for reputation to become an idol, for someone to become more concerned with their reputation than anything else including their commitment to following Jesus. Again, it's often pointed out by critics that many Christians suffer from the idol of reputation just like everyone else. There are pastors who have let their concern for their reputation harm their churches. There are Christian worship leaders and authors and missionaries who have prioritized their personal reputation over their mission for the church. If reputation becomes an idol, Christians won't be able to convince anyone that their way is better than any of the other alternatives out there.

When it comes to the concept of reputation, Christians need to be concerned with maintaining a good one so that they can effectively evangelize, but they must stop short of letting their reputation become an idol that replaces their kingdom work.