I first heard the term ’sweaty ministry’ from Mike Fick in the early ’80s, while attending Abbott Loop Bible School. I’ve seen a lot of sweaty ministry since. The majority of pastors and worship leaders fake it, acting like everything is okay when it’s not okay. Some pastors are even giddy, laughing and patting people on the back like used car salesmen.

I have no idea how their hireling worship leaders “lead worship” Sunday after Sunday without God’s presence showing up. The pastors say how great the worship was, when it is spiritually dead. Cranking up the volume of state-of-the-art instrumentation cannot substitute for worshiping in Spirit and in truth.

…“God RESISTS THE PROUD, but GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. DRAW NEAR TO GOD, and HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let YOUR LAUGHTER be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:6-10

‘Sweaty ministry’: Pastors/Worship leaders operating in the flesh, not in the Spirit, faking Christianity