The Dangers of a Narcissistic Ministry

"Egotism, or a disposition to bring forward a person's self, is a  characteristic of a weak mind and a contracted heart. It is not an agreeable feature in any man's character ; but it is peculiarly disagreeable when it is a leading trait in the character of a man who, from the office he fills, should be distinguished by the wide comprehension of his views, and the generous liberality of his afflictions.

Such a man is a minister of the gospel; and there is something incongruous and disgusting in one whose mind ought to be habitually employed about the glory of the Divine character — the order and stability of the Divine government — the restoration of a ruined world to purity and happiness— the incarnation and sacrifice of the Son of God — the transforming and consoling influence of the Holy Ghost — the joys and the sorrows of eternity — and whose grand business it ought to be to bring these things, in all their reality and importance, before the minds of his fellow-men — it is incongruous and disgusting in such a man to appear primarily anxious to draw men's attention to himself — seizing every opportunity to bring himself into notice — exhibiting the truths of the gospel chiefly for the purpose of displaying his own talents— calling men's attention to them more as his opinions than as God's truth, and less ambitious of honouring the Saviour, and saving those who hear him, than of obtaining for himself the reputation of piety, or learning, or acuteuess, or eloquence. This is truly pitiable : and if angels could weep, it would be at folly like this."

John Brown, Commentary on Galatians