The Dorean Principle: Ministry Should Be Supported, Not Sold

Book: The Dorean Principle: a Biblical Response to the Commercialization of Christianity by Conley Owens. The central argument posits that Christian ministry should be financially supported by collaborators, a concept termed colabor, rather than being sold to recipients for payment, which is labeled reciprocity. The author explores this principle through a thorough analysis of the financial practices and teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul, highlighting the rejection of payment for ministry to maintain sincerity and avoid the appearance of being peddlers of God's word. He applies the dorean principle to modern issues like parachurch organizations, seminary funding, conference fees, and the restrictions imposed by copyright on Christian resources like books and music. Overall, the work advocates for a radical reform of ministry fundraising based on biblical ethics, challenging the modern church's adoption of commercial models.