By Evang. Oladipo Oluwatosin
We live in a time where the titles “Apostle,” “Prophet,” “Bishop,” and “Doctor” are pursued with more intensity than the presence and power of God. Seminaries are filled, not with burning hearts for service, but with ambitious minds seeking recognition.
Theological degrees are hung on walls while spiritual power lies dormant. We are now seeing ministries with high-sounding names but no divine manifestation—no healings, no deliverance, no transformation. The sick remain sick. The oppressed remain oppressed. The dead stay dead.
What has happened to the glory of the ancient paths? What happened to "not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost" (1 Thessalonians 1:5)?
We have traded the upper room for the classroom. We have exchanged the cross for credentials. Instead of brokenness, we are breeding pride. Instead of servants, we are birthing CEOs in clergy clothing. This is not the pattern of Christ.
Ministry is not about title—it is about function. A title without impact is a crown without a kingdom. Jesus Christ never chased a title; in fact, He often withdrew from being exalted prematurely. Yet, demons trembled at His presence, the sick were healed, the dead raised, and lives transformed.
He fulfilled Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor...” That is the proof of divine calling—not certificates, but the anointing.
Paul, the great apostle, said “I came not with excellency of speech or wisdom… but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:1–4).
Today, we have ministers skilled in oration but strangers to impartation. We’ve mastered Greek and Hebrew, yet forgotten the language of the Spirit. We desire platforms but ignore the altar. We want crowds, not clouds of glory.
This title-chasing culture is producing a powerless priesthood. We are now more interested in launching ministries than birthing movements.
We are hosting conferences while heaven is silent. Why? Because when calling becomes a career, the Spirit is grieved.
But God is raising a remnant. Men and women who would rather carry the cross than collect clout. They may never be recognized by earthly titles, but hell recognizes them. They live in obscurity but shake nations in prayer.
They may not sit in high places, but they walk in heavenly realms. These are the ones who attract the unforeseen titles—like “friend of God,” “flame of fire,” “bondservant of Christ.”
These are the nameless and faceless—yet mighty in the spirit. They trade earthly applause for eternal rewards. They are not trending, but they are travailing. They don’t seek clout, but carry the cloud of glory.
Examples are:
Enoch – Genesis 5:24
"Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
No earthly title, but Heaven recognized him. His intimacy with God gave him an eternal promotion.
2. Anna the Prophetess – Luke 2:36-38
An elderly widow who lived in the temple, fasting and praying day and night. She wasn't a high priest, but her devotion made her a witness of the Messiah’s arrival.
3. Elijah – 1 Kings 19:18
Though he felt alone, God reminded him, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel... all whose knees have not bowed to Baal.”
He was a flame of fire, confronting idolatry, yet lived mostly in caves and wilderness.
4. John the Baptist – Matthew 11:11
Clothed in camel’s hair, eating locusts, yet Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.”
5. Epaphroditus – Philippians 2:25-30
Not a popular name today, but Paul honored him as a "brother, fellow worker, and soldier," who nearly died for the work of Christ.
Let us return to our knees. Let us be more known in heaven than on social media. Let us trade our ambition for anointing, our recognition for revelation, and our stages for secret places. It is better to walk with God without a title than to walk with titles without God.
Remember:
A title may impress men,
But only power will impact generations.
Don't chase recognition—pursue revival.
Don't crave a name—carry His nature.
For when heaven calls your name, the earth will witness your flame.
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