ANNOUNCING: THE EPISKOPOS AWARDS...what if pastors were treated like CCM artists

 Each year in April the GMA (Gospel Music Association) hosts the annual "Dove Awards Show."  Tonight marks the 39th Dove Awards and will be broadcast live on the Gospel Music Channel (189) at 8pm eastern. The Dove Award is given to artists of all musical genres within CCM that the GMA members through voting deem worthy to receive. The award carries no real industry weight; and is, for lack of better words, an imitation Grammy for CCM artists who are not good enough to compete in the secular pop music world, but want to feel for a moment like they had and are... pop stars. The Dove Award gives them the artificial sense of being "real artists" with all the trappings of winning a Grammy - without actually being good enough to win one. What should be somewhat of a concern to all of us as Christians, is that CCM artists are the rare part of the body of Christ that honors itself by giving awards to itself each year for serving the Lord. No artist in CCM, if truth be told, really likes The Dove's... but they do love the free "TV-air-time", the after show parties, and the press that the broadcast of the Dove Awards affords them.So considering this self-induced phenomenon, I had an interesting idea: what if pastors were honored by the same status that CCM artists are and the GMA created an award show especially for them each year? It would be called "The Episkopos Awards." Episkopos is the Greek word in 1 Timothy 3:1 for overseer-meaning to "look intently into the needs of another."  This is the heart of biblical shepherding within pastoral ministry, but sadly, seldom ever done (cp, Heb. 13:17).So here is a tongue and cheek approach to what the award categories on a GMA ballot might look like for the coveted "Episkopos."  As you're reading and enjoying this sarcastic-rich list, consider praying for all in the CCM industry to repent of such self-aggrandizement and thank the Lord that pastors haven't sunk to this level… YET.Announcing evangelicalism's latest and greatest award, "The Episkopos Awards" designed for the pastor in mind.Here are your categories for voting (add your own as well):Sermon of the yearExposition of the yearBest exegesis of the year using only the subjunctive, aorist, pluperfect form of the verbBest alliteration of the yearBest contextualized, culturally relevant, ecumenical, seeker-sensible, postmodern gospel presentation of the yearBest wooden pulpit, non-hydrolic, of the yearBest wooden pulpit, hydrolic, of the yearBest Plexiglas pulpit of the yearBest conference of the year not containing the words "camp" or "meeting" Best emerging sermon of the year with vulgarity, scatological humor, and seedy illustrationsBest emerging/emergent sermon of the year that actually used the Bible during the sermonBest Elder Board of the yearBest Elder Board of the year that doesn't shepherd the congregation, but meets regularly to discuss the needs of the churchBest hymn/chorus bulletin order selection that tied into the sermon of the yearBest oration of the yearBest prayer of the year impromptuBest prayer of the year writtenBest prayer of the year taken from but not credited to a PuritanBest offering presentation of the year without using KFC bucketsBest Church Discipline of the yearBest Restoration of the yearBest Sunday School curriculum of the year using Beth Moore materialsBest rapture sermon of the year without referring to the Left Behind SeriesBest teaching tape, CD, or MP3 of the yearBest short form sermon, seminar, or devotional of the yearBest announcements of the year presented by a non-staff memberBest altar call of the year without singing "Just As I Am" or repeating a praise chorus more than twiceBest use of secular music as worship music of the yearBest skit of the yearBest pastor's conference of the yearBest bulletin insert of the year not prepared by a multi-level marketing companyBest vocal performance when preaching on micBest vocal performance when not using a micBest vocal performance when using a headsetBest PowerPoint presentation of the year that you can actually read without turning off all the sanctuary lightsBest looking pastor's study of the year using real woodBest sanctuary tech presentation of the yearAnd finally, best round of golf of the year not played on a Monday, without using a "foot-wedge," and having at least one non-Christian in the foursome (no gambling allowed)Conclusion:There you go people... what do you think? Do we need stars in the body of Christ, or do we need servants? Wouldn't it be wonderful to see biblically trained "musician-priests" or "musicianaries" serve the church in song, to lead God's people in praise and worship, to proclaim the gospel, and to encourage others in the body of Christ in their walk with the Lord through Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs? To be trained as chief musicians in the craft of music and in the Word of God?Thank the Lord for your pastor today beloved; and let them know what awaits the faithful under-shepherd of Christ is better than any award others may extend.  Of to hear one day "well-done thou good and faithful servant" from the King of kings and Lord of lords. That's all the "award" anyone of us should ever seek in this life; including those in Contemporary Christian Music as well.For further consideration:What would the Apostle Paul say about awards for serving the Lord? Read here.Read the 107 THESES, and help us bring reformation to the Christian Music Industry (CCMI)