Church Growth: Planting or Franchising?

 

For many years, pastors have erroneously equated congregational growth with church growth. The former is simply an increase in the population of the weekly assembly, whereas the latter is evangelism of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who otherwise would have been lost – and maturity and growth in the relationship with God through Christ. 

The modern-day pulpit pimps have further blurred the meaning by  building stadium-like “worship facilities” and “anointing sons and daughters” to extend their “apostolic influence” – all as monuments to their greatness. As I’ve said in the past, often times megachurch pastors end up “trading members” – attracting sheeple to and from pristine “worship facilities” – as opposed to growing the church with new souls. 

God through His Word commands what we would consider “church growth”: 

Acts 2:42-47 (New American Standard Bible) 

 ⁴²They were ^(A)continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to ^(B)the breaking of bread and ^(C)to prayer. ⁴³Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many ^(D)wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed ^[a]were together and ^(E)had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they ^(F)began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ^46(G)Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and ^(H)breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 

 ⁴⁷praising God and ^(I)having favor with all the people And the Lord ^(J)was adding to their number day by day ^(K)those who were being saved. 

Further, Jesus declared that He would build a Church that Hell could not conquer (Matthew 16:18). He didn’t say He’d build a building – He spoke of a living Body. Still, no man can glory that he is the “sheep herder-in-chief” for a region – only God is responsible for the growth of His Body (1 Corinthians 3:7-8). 

Just because your pastor boasts that “we are 1 church in 3 locations”, or he has a network of “sons and daughters” who have “submitted under his covering” does not mean that he is a church planter. In fact, he is nothing more than a franchiser. Think about it: McDonald’s sells franchises by charging a fee for a franchiser to rightfully represent themselves as an official representative of the franchise. McDonald’s handles all of the licensing (and some level of marketing), and the franchisee pays an annual fee for the privilege of being called “a location”. 

It’s the same in Church, Inc. I’ve already detailed the pay-to-play phenomenon of “spiritual covering” - as well as an examination of Alpha Pimp and master marketer Eddie Long (who is savvy enough to convince pastors to turn their churches over to him AND change their names!). Men like Eddie Long, I.V. Hilliard, Creflo Dollar, Paul Morton, and many others are interested in “growing” their churches clubs through acquisition. They’d rather be known as “Spiritual Fathers” and “Apostles” instead of lowly church planters, and rightfully so since they aren’t planting anything anyway. 

Church planters, however, are people who recognize that God can’t be contained within a “location”, and are interested in evangelizing through training up church leaders for service WITHOUT CREATING SERVANTS AND ADMIRERS OF THEMSELVES. Church planting is essentially mission work – bringing the Gospel to a specific area, converting souls, making disciples, training church leaders for service, and moving on to the next location once the new “plant” can sustain itself. 

Church planters realize that God is bigger than “1 church with multiple locations” - which is a plausible assertion. How can a church with over 10,000 members be led by a pastor (or elder board) that can successfully shepherd individual members? While it is impressive to amass such a large following (in a flesh-satisfying kind of way), one could argue that those 10,000 members could be better served in hundreds of smaller churches (spread wider and deeper within underserved communities) with pastors and elders who could minister to them – and shepherd them – more effectively. 

The Apostle Paul was the prototypical church planter (Acts 14:21-23; Acts 15:41; 1 Thessalonians 3:2). Even though Paul was a spiritual father-figure, he did not create a network of “Sons of Paul”. In fact, once Paul (and his planters) trained the local assembly to sustain themselves (with his encouragement), the new plant would send missionaries forward to plant churches as well (1 Thessalonians 1:8). There are modern-day church planters in every community in the nation today (the Acts 29 network is one of the most well-known) - training disciples to preach and declare the Gospel…and make other disciples to do the same. These men don’t demand allegiance to them, and they don’t go around calling themselves “Spiritual Daddies” – they’re too busy declaring the Gospel. 

As I’ve stated in the past - I’m not “anti-megachurch” per se (some of the bible teachers I admire lead very large congregations). I just wonder if the local assembly is more effective when the leadership can actually personally shepherd the congregation.  

Related Posts: 

• Another “Spiritual Daddy” Demands “Submission”
• The Allure of the Pimp
• The “Spiritual Covering” Lie Gone Wrong
• More Hack Exegesis…Courtesy of TBN
• More of the (False) Gospel According to John (Alvarado)

Let’s Do It Again…

Well, God through His infinite wisdom (and through the Shed Blood of His Son) saw fit to allow me to see another year – and I am eternally grateful.

Subsequently, God has ordained that this blog continue to expose His enemies and draw all men to Him through His Son, and I am humbled that he would use a wretched man like me to labor on His behalf.

I’d love to be as wistful and deep as I was last year, but I used up all my pretty words – so I’ll simply draw your attention to the top 25 articles read on the blog this year (in their respective order):

Title	Views
“Why Aren’t More Blacks Interested In Re	11,030
“Pulpit Pimps”…Too Harsh?	4,250
Ah, C’mon…Another One? ***UPDATE***	3,983
Why I Speak Truth	3,771
The Black Value System Vs. The Bible	3,426
Is Pastor John Hunter of First AME L.A.	2,525
“…get me my money!”	2,409
Ahhh, Now I Know Why…***UPDATED***	2,284
Is Hillsong Church A Cult?	2,129
Fred K.C. Price…Apostle?	2,034
Happy Birthday, False Prophetess!	1,845
Studying The Bible: The Topical Method	1,833
The Prince Pimp Of Baltimore Endorses Ob	1,821
Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy…	1,815
Roman Catholicism Is A False Religion	1,787
False “Prophetess” Bynum’s Birthday Pict	1,786
“…materialism, flashy self-promotion,	1,722
So, Todd Bentley Is A Drunk?	1,566
The Cursing Preacher and the $900,000 “D	1,558
Earl Paulk’s Neph-Son Donnie Earl – Maki	1,521
The Pimp of Hampton Finally Paid His Bil	1,510
The Musings of “Apostle” Fred K.C. Price	1,490
The “Spiritual Covering” Lie Gone Wrong	1,463
Pimps – The Gathering	1,367
D.E. Paulk Has Officially Lost His Mind	1,335

For 2010, I will be just as indignant with false teachers and their pimpistries, but I will not be incendiary just for show. I will write as the Lord allows and only what He allows.

I pledge to piss off more comfortable Christian’s for the sake of getting them to read the Word of God for themselves.

I will stoke the anger of pimp and wolve apologists even more, hopefully prompting more death threats than I got in 2009.

I will go even further into the Word (for my own study and in articles that I will write) to exalt the Word of God even higher than I did in 2009 (providing even more antidote to the false gospel that permeates the airwaves today).

I will  not entertain those who attempt to use this blog to spread their false and viscous distortions of God’s Word…there are plenty of bootlicker blogs that will let you fawn all over the pimps de jour, so go visit them instead.

I will continue to wave the Blood-stained banner of Christ. Period.

So, let’s do it again folks…

Congratulations, American Pulpit Pimps…

As I wrote about during my last post, the false prosperity gospel is one of the fastest growing imports from the USA (what a dubious distinction). This video stoked my righteous indignation (yet again) at the literal harm that Eddie Long, TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Ken Copeland, and the legions of other hirelings are purporting on underdeveloped countries across the globe:

The Prosperity Gospel

The clowns have learned to mimic their American (and European) counterparts…down to the clown shoes and airy “anointing, sowing a seed, favor” speak. What really pisses me off (to be blunt) is to see people – who are literally clinging to hope -  give the little money they have to solicit a return on God based on the promise of a lying false teacher. These people truly believe that God will heal their crops and protect them from militias based on their giving.

So congratulations, American pulpit pimps – your influence really is a global phenomenon.

The next time you hear a prominent hireling preening and bragging about how he needs your dough to “take the Gospel into the jungles of Africa, and the deserts of the Middle East”, remember the faces of the hopeless people you saw in the video above. Give generously to legitimate ministries aiding people across the globe, but avoid the high-flying showboats AT ALL COST.

PLEASE remember what Paul said about the dangers of following “another gospel”:

Galatians 1:6-8 (New American Standard Bible)

⁶I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

 ⁷which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

 ⁸But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Oh, let is be so God of Heaven and Earth – let it be so…

One Of The Fastest Growing U.S. Exports Is…

…the false gospel heretofore known as “the prosperity gospel”.

From Africa to Asia, across Europe and more – pastors are propagating, furthering, and deifying the false “pay to play” gospel of greed. The ignorant (or willfully deceptive) enslave millions of followers with promises of riches and favor untold if and when you “pay God”.

I’m a bit virulent in my open disdain for such lies – lies that I bought into (literally and figuratively) for years, but John Piper is a bit more plainly spoken, and well, reasonable about his thoughts on the matter:

John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel

John Piper – “Why I Abominate the Prosperity Gospel”

Related Posts:

• “If You Don’t Pay God, You Won’t Get Fed!”
• Kenneth Copeland is a Degenerate Pulpit Pimp!!!
• The “Prosperity Gospel” Lie
• “…materialism, flashy self-promotion, and foolish carnality.”
• Don’t Blame God, Blame The Greedy Pastor!
• What Does “Abundant Life” REALLY Mean?
• Gospel, Inc.

The Cursing Preacher and the $900,000 “Donation”

I read an article in yesterday’s Washington Post about a “pastor” I had the displeasure of meeting several years ago – which brought to my remembrance a particularly disturbing display of filth in the “pulpit”.

The man pictured above is Deron Cloud, Pastor of “The Soul Factory” - a hybrid church/performance theater organization based in Maryland. The church has a satellite location here in Metro Atlanta, and (not surprisingly), Cloud is yet another infamous “spiritual son” of legendary Alpha Pimp Eddie Long (who is reproducing bastard “spiritual” children across the globe). Back in 2005, Cloud was a guest speaker at a Men’s Conference that Eddie Long hosted in suburban Charlotte, NC. Eddie introduced Cloud as his “gangster son in the Lord”, and warned that Cloud was very direct in his delivery but he was going to say things that we needed to hear.

Cloud walked into the auditorium to thunderous applause (thank God it wasn’t at a church building), and with 4-6 burly bodyguards in tow. Before he spoke, he showed a video presentation depicting the plague of fatherless children in the Black community. Once the video ended, Cloud LITERALLY started cursing like a drunken sailor at the over 2,500 men in attendance. He lamented how men (even Christian men) neglect their own children, and he used words like “motherf*****s, bulls**t, f**k” and more!

We were all stunned into complete silence – you could literally hear an ant breath in the place.

Cloud went on to say how much he loved “Eddie cause he’s a real n****r. That’s a hard motherf****r!” He went on and on about how “Eddie ain’t no punk b***h like so many other n*****s in the pulpit today!”. Then Cloud starts calling “n*****s” to the altar for “deliverance” (thus, the burly bodyguards in case someone was offended by his vile language directed at Eddie Long). After the 1.5 hour verbal assault, Eddie comes back to the mic. Instead of denouncing the vile act we just saw, Eddie essentially blessed the display – and summons an altar call where he does his “if you need a daddy, I will be your daddy” line.

Even though my pimp (at the time) cautioned those of us who came with him to “swallow the fish and spit out the bones”, I was still stunned that such a vile display would be allowed to take place – or continue. Of course, I was a brain-dead drone slave to the false gospel and my pimp, so I didn’t walk out. In fact, NO ONE walked out. Not surprisingly, Cloud instructed the media team to stop recording before his presentation. You can, however, search for him on YouTube to see some of his interesting soliloquies on various topics (and if you’ve ever seen Cloud in rare form live, you can corroborate what I’ve seen and heard with my own eyes).

So here’s the point of this post – it appears that “pastor” Cloud is being sued by two of his former congregants, who allege they “loaned” Cloud almost $900,000 to start the Atlanta branch of his church. Of course, Cloud calls it a “donation”:

Md. couple file suit against church, saying they were swindled

Two former churchgoers say they were swindled out of a small fortune by the leaders of the Soul Factory, a large African American church in Prince George’s County — accusations the church denies.

In a lawsuit filed against the church, the married couple, Jose and Yvette Strickland, say they lent nearly $900,000 under a verbal agreement to the Soul Factory so that it could open a satellite church in Atlanta. The church says the money was a gift.

“It was not a loan; it was a donation,” said Timothy Obitts, a lawyer hired by the church. He said the church is in the process of filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The article goes on to confirm (yet again) that pulpit pimps seek to groom their followers by treating them like VIP’s and “special members” in order to pick their pockets:

According to the Stricklands, they began regularly attending the Soul Factory in 2000. In 2005, the church’s founder and pastor, Deron Cloud, began courting Jose Strickland’s financial help, the couple said, by inviting him to Wizards basketball games, on trips to Las Vegas and other activities and introducing him to top church leaders.

In 2006, the Stricklands say, Cloud asked Jose for $1.5 million to help open a satellite church in Atlanta. A few weeks later, Strickland, Cloud and other church leaders discussed financing the Atlanta church while in a private booth at a professional fight in Atlantic City, the couple said.

Months later, according to the lawsuit, Strickland gave the church $886,500, which Jose, a mortgage banker, and Yvette, a real estate agent, said they raised by mortgaging several properties they owned to a private lender.

The couple acknowledges that Cloud made nine payments to repay the “donation”, but stopped several years ago (read the article in entirety). It appears that the Strickland’s believed the “pay to play” gospel that so many hirelings are selling to the church today, and they felt some obligation to “build God a house…”

Overall, this is another example of how bereft the church is of sound doctrine today.

Lord have mercy…

Related Posts:

• Another “Spiritual Daddy” Demands “Submission”
• “The Church” For Sale – $1M (Or Best Offer)
• The Pimp and His “Covering”
• The Allure of the Pimp

Another “Spiritual Daddy” Demands “Submission”

Self-proclaimed “bishop” Brian Tamaki of New Zealand’s “Destiny Church” is displaying a very frightening cult leader-like posture: recently he held a ring ceremony where 700 men from his church publicly declared their submission to him. Tamaki is one of Eddie Long’s spiritual sons, and several of my blog brothers have written about this odd ceremony (see here and here), but I thought I’d add my own nickle since I have first-hand experience with Eddie Long’s similar excercise 10 years ago.

As I’ve previously stated, I was once a member of Eddie’s church club for 6 years. Back in 1998-1999, Eddie decided to establish classes where men could learn to be “godly men”, under his direction of course. For 6 months, Eddie held classes at his church, inviting such luminaries as TD Jakes, Don Meares, and other charlatans to “speak into his sons”. It was a fascinating lesson in brainwashing. Eddie demanded that no one miss a single Saturday morning session, or they’d run the risk of “losing out on the anointing” – and I was one of the faithful drones who sat erect with pen ready week after week to “receive from the Lord”.

Our apprenticeship culminated with a “graduation ceremony” held at Earl Paulk’s cavernous church (suprising irony) because New Birth wasn’t big enough at the time to hold the 20-30,000 well-wishers who were present. Eddie declared us “Ishmen” who would change the community as representatives of him and God. We didn’t get rings, but we got fancy “letterman”-styled jackets to show off in the community (now he sells New Birth rings and other gaudy jewelry). 

Eddie preached, and closed the ceremony with a “laying on off hands” session. He poured oil on his hands and “laid hands” on over 2,000 men in a little over 2 hours. One by one, man after man fell out along the pulpit – “slain in the spirit” as our new “daddy” touched us. It was a bizarrely surreal sight – bodies stacking up like cord wood around Eddie’s feet. I actually had a video from the event, but I threw it away several years ago. Of course, after the “graduation”, we provided no discernable presence within our communities. The only change was that Eddie’s entourage got larger.

Fast forward 10 years and check out what Eddie’s “New Zealand son” is up to (emphasis in bold):

Tamaki’s 700 ’sons’ swear oath of loyalty

EXCLUSIVE – The leader of Destiny Church, Brian Tamaki, who not long ago anointed himself bishop of the church he founded, has now proclaimed himself the church’s “spiritual father” and designated the male members of the church as “spiritual sons”.

At a special service during the church’s annual conference in Auckland at the weekend, about 700 male members of the church swore a “covenant oath” of loyalty and obedience to Mr Tamaki and were given a “covenant ring” to wear on their right hands.

A church document describes the covenant as “a solemn oath of commitment that is binding, enduring and unbreakable. You are bound to covenant … Covenant is an irrevocable, undissolvable oath of commitment”.

The document, entitled Protocols and Requirements Between Spiritual Father & His Spiritual Sons, contains the text of the “covenant oath”, the guts of which is that “Above all, we stand here today in the presence of God to enter into this sacred covenant with our man of God, Bishop Brian Tamaki”.

It says: “To you Bishop we pledge our allegiance, our faithfulness and loyalty. We pledge to serve the cause that is in your heart and to finish that work. Success to you and success to those who help you – for God is with you.”

In its introduction, the church document says that proof of a man’s covenant with God is how they “submit to God’s chosen man … We are blessed to our spiritual father through whom this principle is being restored. The fruit of his ministry is self-evident, so much so that his call and influence is discerned at many levels in both the Christian and non-Christian communities here in New Zealand … Spiritual fathers are extremely rare … For us it is about discerning the special anointing and function God has put on Bishop’s life … “

The requirements of sonship, the document says, are to give Mr Tamaki obedience and honour, to imitate him and follow his faith and to give him “your loyalty and your strength”.

This, my friends, is a clear-cut cult move. Click the title to read the article in its entirety – then pray earnestly for mass repentance as the Lord wills. Events like this are a certain sign that His return is imminently near.

Related Posts:

• The Pimp and His “Covering”
• The Allure of the Pimp
• You KNOW You’re In A Cult If…
• Church Mafia – A Casualty’s Perspective
• The “Spiritual Covering” Lie Gone Wrong
• More Hack Exegesis…Courtesy of TBN
• More of the (False) Gospel According to John (Alvarado)

“The Church” For Sale – $1M (Or Best Offer)

I have railed against the pulpit pimps blood-lust for money in too many previous articles to note (just use the “search bar” in the upper right-hand corner of this blog). I have been accused of sounding like a broken record, and (worse) “airing family business” for all the world (saved and unsaved) to see.

No matter how painful the truth may be, it still must be told – and the sad truth is that the majority of “Church Inc.” today is led by money/power-hungry hirelings with the theological depth of a soda cap. Oh yeah, and these wolves would be toothless if it weren’t for the swooning lust of sheeple who rain cash all over the vipers every Sunday and Wednesday like they were oiled-up strippers.

Even worse, some hirelings decide to run for “public office” under the guise of serving their communities when in fact they’ve just found a better way to grease the sheeple AND the system. Of course, you wouldn’t expect a wolf who has perfected the science of  the “tithe/offering/love offering/first fruit/anniversary/building fund” graft to stop short of actually selling themselves (and the sheeple who “submit” to them) to the highest bidder, would you?

Such is the case (according to the New York Times) with Calvin Butts (Spotlight seeker & Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in NYC) and BILLIONAIRE Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC. Bloomberg is running for a 3rd term as Mayor of NY, and he’d like the endorsement of prominent black clergy race-herding vote deliverers, so what (pray tell) do you think ol’ Mike used to grease the wheels a bit? Why, MONEY of course!

Except, this time, Butts threw his friend (and Bloomberg contender) under the bus…for what you ask? Why, MONEY of course!:

Mayor Deprives Rival of Black Clergy’s Support

A few weeks ago, the Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, the influential pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, came to a difficult decision, one he had wrestled with all summer.

He would not endorse William C. Thompson Jr., the city comptroller and a longtime friend and ally, for mayor, as he had promised Mr. Thompson last spring. Instead, he would endorse Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Mr. Thompson was furious at the betrayal. But what he did not know was that Mr. Bloomberg gave a $1 million donation to the church’s development corporation — roughly 10 percent of its annual budget — with the implicit promise of more to come.

“What could I say to a man who was mayor, and was supportive of a lot of programs that are important to me?” Mr. Butts said in an interview before he endorsed Mr. Bloomberg.

Now that’s just cold-blooded, but characteristic of the reptile class that Butts represents. And don’t think this is a case of “rich Whitey” dangling cash in front of the down-trodden Black man enticing him to bite of the forbidden fruit. Remember, these “down-trodden Black men” live far more opulently than you or I (and I’m a middle-class Black man), so they need “help” about as much as I do (which is not at all). 

Nope, these race-herding vote deliverers know exactly what they’re doing…and what they want in return: 

Some prominent ministers have been appointed by Mr. Bloomberg to influential city boards and committees. Others have enjoyed the administration’s help in buying city property or winning zoning concessions for pet projects. A few of the largest institutions, including Abyssinian and the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, have taken in millions of dollars in contracts to provide city services during Mr. Bloomberg’s eight years in office. 

Looming over it all is Mr. Bloomberg’s dazzling wealth, whether already bestowed — as in the case of Mr. Butts — or hoped for down the line. 

“We have to come to his foundation sooner or later,” said the Rev. Timothy Birkett, pastor of the Church Alive Community Church in the Bronx, who is backing the mayor this year. “We hope that he will be receptive.” 

See – these wolves have married their quid-pro-quo lusts from within the church wall with the quid-pro-quo reality of their political environments. Fortunately, not every Black minister in NYC is lining up at Bloomberg’s boots for a lick (and some cash): 

“Some of these endorsements that we see are indicative of a faith statement by some of our religious leaders,” said the Rev. Clinton M. Miller, a protégé of Mr. Butts and the pastor of Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn. “The statement is, who do I trust more, in terms of how I am going to get my projects done?” Mr. Miller said. “The choice is between a municipality and God.” 

But, alas, A.R. Bernard, Floyd Flake (a former Congressman himself), Butts, and others don’t have a problem with Caesar sliding a few sheckles their way. I wonder what they’ll do when Caesar comes around looking for a return on his investment – you know, like an endorsement from the “Black Church” on gay rights issues, abortions, and other AntiChrist objectives…Hmmm…Moving along… 

I encourage you to read the article in its entirety – and think about the last time your Pastor endorsed offered a thinly veiled suggestion that you vote for a politician in your town. 

Related Posts: 

• Don’t Blame God, Blame The Greedy Pastor!
• “…get me my money!”
• First Rotten Fruit
• The “Love has nothing to do with it Offering”…

“Jesus MUST be central in the Church…”

One of the common misconceptions about us Reformed Christians is that we abhor passionate preaching (and that expository preaching has to be “boring”). I tried to debunk that assertion a few months ago, yet many still don’t equate passionate preaching with Reformed preaching.

Even further, although I’ve written about Blacks in Reformed theology in the past as well, many still can’t fathom a Black preacher who can exposit God’s Word without “huckin’ and buckin’” and begging for money in the process.  

Thank God through Jesus Christ that my brother @RaeWhitlock tweeted about a video that should (hopefully) continue to redefine the stereotypes of Reformed theology – and Blacks in Reformed theology, specifically (as if Voddie Baucham, Anthony Carter, Michael Leach, and many other Black Reformers haven’t already proven the contrary).

The man pictured above is Dr. Eric Mason, Lead Pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia. “Pastor E” is a prolific bible teacher and pastor. His delivery is in your face and unashamedly biblical. The video below is a succinct walk-through-the bible lesson on Christoncentrism – the belief that Christ is the central theme upon which most doctrine is built. Grab your bible and follow along with the video (oh, and note Pastor E’s indignation at the hirelings of the day starting at the 31:30 mark – a disdain I also share):

OK Philly readers, I’ve just given you another fellowship to go and visit!

Related Posts:

• Are “Armor Bearers” Biblical?
• Minstrels In The Pulpit
• “Yeah…But How Do They Worship?”
• “Why Aren’t More Blacks Interested In Reformed Theology?”

Erasing The Consequences of Sin?

Like many of you, I have often heard pastors say “I wouldn’t want to follow anybody who hasn’t been through something!”

The statement is intended to be a prerequisite to (and for some, a badge of honor in) ministry because of the presumption that the leader will appear to be more “human” to their followers if they exhibit culpability. Certainly God uses imperfect people (Moses, Noah, David, Paul, you, me…) to exercise His will in the earth, but one cannot expect to wallow in sin and expect to “pick up where they left off” when they have been restored. 

I recently read an interesting article by John MacArthur:

Should Fallen Pastors Be Restored

Gross sin among Christian leaders is a signal that something is seriously wrong with the church. But an even greater problem is the lowering of standards to accommodate a leader’s sin. That the church is so eager to bring these men back into leadership is a symptom of rottenness at the core.

Some have claimed that a leader’s failure makes him more effective in shepherding fallen people. That is ludicrous. Should we drag the bottom of sin’s cesspool for the most heinous sinners to lead the church? Are they better able to understand the sinner? Certainly not! Our pattern for ministry is the sinless Son of God. The church is to be like Him and her leaders are to be our models of Christlikeness.

We must recognize that leadership in the church cannot be regarded lightly. The foremost requirement of a church leader is that he be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2, 10; Titus 1:7). That is a difficult prerequisite, and not everyone can meet it.

Neither John MacArthur nor the bible is suggesting that you can’t be restored from sin – that premise is the very core of the Gospel message. There should be a realism, however, in placing people back in areas of responsibility after they have shown ill-judgement in leadership.

This is one of the (many) reasons that I am continually irked by Jamal “The Prince Pimp of Baltimore” Bryant. Bryant is a notorious false teacher who has lied about his education credentials, marital fidelity, and his seemingly insatiable sexual appetite (click this link for an overview of his antics). When forced last year to admit an adulterous affair with a young woman in his congregation (suspected to be in her late teens) resulting in the birth of a child, Bryant tried to excuse his behavior by comparing himself to David and Bathsheba. He received little-to-no “counseling” and never relinquished the reigns of his church club.  

Should Bryant be forgiven? Certainly if he repents before the Lord (and his family) and seeks to right the wrongs he’s made. Should he have remained in leadership at his club? Certainly not – especially since he probably would’ve removed a Deacon or Minister guilty of similar transgressions if pressed to do so.

MacArthur sums up his article by saying:

What should you do in the current crisis? Pray for your church’s leaders. Keep them accountable. Encourage them. Let them know you are following their godly example. Understand that they are not perfect, but continue nonetheless to call them to the highest level of godliness and purity. The church must have leaders who are genuinely above reproach. Anything less is an abomination.

We must continue to hold our Pastors and leaders to a standard parallel to the charge they have in preaching and teaching the glorious Gospel. Anything less brings reproach upon the Name of the Lord. Are they perfect? No Should we just put them back behind the bookboard no matter what they’ve done? I don’t think so.

Confronting Error With Condemnation

The world is enamored with crafting a picture of Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) - the gentle, Teacher who instructs His followers in his philosophical teachings. You see, that “Jesus” is a safe, non-confrontational “guide” who makes “suggestions” regarding righteous living according to the “golden rule” and the “good book”. And many lukewarm, mealy mouth “Christians” – you know, those who act religious on Sunday’s and Wednesdays and justify all manner of apostasy & heresy because of their malaise in studying the Word of God – help perpetuate this lopsided view of Christ.

Thank God that His Word is complete AND replete with the accurate view of Jesus Christ – as both the Lamb of God AND the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:4-6) our conquering King Who overcomes evil once and for all.

I must admit, I have been extremely frustrated lately with this blog. The Lord has blessed me through my repentance from embracing false doctrines to pour out my love of His Word through this blog. I have been driven to tears many times through the testimonies (both here and in my email box) from those who have been confronted with their complacency and returned to the True Word of God. I have painstakingly written as the Lord wills, applying His Word without prejudice and pointing all who seek His truth to Him.

The Lord has blessed me to share His message to unbelievers, and I am amazed at how most non-believers are well-reasoned and more reasonably interested in discovering the Gospel truth. I’ve considered shutting this thing down a lot lately, frankly because I’m tired of rehashing the same things over and over – WITH PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO KNOW AND FOLLOW GOD! You can literally type terms (like tithe, apostasy, heresy, word of faith, prosperity gospel, and more) into the “search box” near the top right corner of this blog to find some of the over 250 articles the Lord has allowed me to write over the last almost 2 years – yet I continue having the same back-and-forth circular arguments with people who would rather (A)continue to believe lies over the CLEAR TRUTH that God presents in His Word – and subsequently remain in allegiance with the vast majority of popular wolves, vipers, and hirelings of the day; (B) not “kick up dust” by highlighting the “strife among the brothers” and “assassinate the character” of the liars who pervert the Gospel; (C) remain too lazy (or frankly, too stupid) to stir up a holy passion for God and His breathed Word; or (D) all of the above.

Which leads to a video presentation of “Confronthing Error with Condemnation, Not Conversation – Part 1″ by John MacArthur, soundly exegeting Luke 20:45-47 (and Matthew 23 for larger context). MacArthur succinctly reminds us that Jesus did not mince words in confronting false teachers – and neither should we.

I thank God for godly mentors like John MacArthur (and one even closer to me geographically) who kicked me in my self-pitying butt last night and today, and I in turn will do the same for those who read this blog. As soldiers for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our job is to present His truth and let Him appeal to the hearts of the hearer. Haters of truth are just that – haters. They faithfully execute their duties by finding any and every reason to object to the delivery and acceptance of sound doctrine.

Let’s continue to faithfully execute OUR duty to lift high the Blood-stained banner of our Lord

Related Posts:

• Yes, We ARE Suppposed To Judge
• In Defense of the Faith

“Religion is an impediment to knowing God…”

So says Billy Graham’s 2nd oldest child, Anne Graham Lotz. Lotz is promoting a new book about her experience as a “believer in exile”, and was featured in last week’s Newsweek magazine:

A Graham Slam

Anne Graham Lotz, the second of Billy and Ruth Graham’s five children, says it’s all right: as long as you have a personal relationship with Jesus, church doesn’t really matter. Neither does denomination. “Religion is an impediment to knowing God,” says Lotz, who is promoting a new book, The Magnificent Obsession. “Procedures, rituals, creeds: how in the world can they help you connect with God? … If you’re sprinkled when you’re baptized or dunked when you’re baptized, it doesn’t matter as far as your salvation goes.”

The article’s author, Lisa Miller, is known for her potshots at Christianity (she’s the “Religion Writer” for Newsweek) – yet the article is of interest to me because of my own “believer in exile” status. I visit an assembly that is built on sound biblical foundation (OK – not as consistently as I’d like to), yet I still find myself “gun-shy” with formally joining another assembly since I fled my pimp and the plantation a few years ago. In speaking with others, I’m finding that there are people who dearly love God and His people (and study and share the Gospel everywhere they go), yet they can’t bring themselves to “join/commit/submit” to another assembly.

Thanks to technology, one can download sermons from some of the most august theologians past and present, study from intricately crafted study bibles and reference text, and communicate with other believers across the Web (blogs, Twitter, Facebook et al) – and NEVER step in another “church building” again.

I know, I know, we’re not supposed to forsake the assembly:

Hebrews 10:25 (New American Standard Bible)

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Many pastors use this scripture to intimidate members into continuing to attend and support their churches – even when all manner of corruption runs rampant. Since many believers “don’t want to forsake the assembly”, they stay in corrupt (or biblically questionable) churches to keep their “fire insurance”.

The author of Hebrews (who many assume is the Apostle Paul) is clearly referring to the importance of fellowshipping with other saints/believers, but the full context of Hebrews 10 helps explain the author’s exhortation. The author clearly establishes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate propitiation for man’s sin, thus explaining the importance of remembering that sacrifice through assembly (worship and encouragement).

The Newsweek article ends with the following revelation from Lotz:

Church may not be necessary to knowing God, she says, but it keeps the relationship going: “You can really love the Lord, but after a while, if you’re all by yourself, the fire goes cold.”

Fair enough, but one could argue that you’re not “by yourself” in non-traditional assembly. So I’ll ask you sage readers: Can you be “on fire” for the Lord without regularly attending a church? Can you visit and volunteer in local asembly’s without formally aligning yourself with their ministries? Has e-Ministry supplanted many “brick-and-morter” ministries today? Have many churches “choked” a relationship with God with “religion”?

I’m anxious to see the dialogue…

Give Obama A Break (this time, at least)!

OK – you regular readers already know that I am no fan of Barack Obama. So, here’s an early warning: you may want to sit down, brace yourselves – and put down any glassware or sharp objects.

I agree with those who think this “Obama Indoctrination Speech” controversy is devoid of worth for serious discussion.

There, I said it. And I’d say it again. This isn’t a political blog – and my vast disagreements with Obama are primarily grounded in my religious convictions. But I’m man enough to stand up when I disagree with him, and I’m man enough to defend him when I think the criticism is a bit far-fetched.

It’s a stupid “non-issue” issue that makes great political theater, but unfortunately overshadows the intent of the speech (to inspire kids to do better) and more pressing issues (the risk of full-scale government healthcare being ram-rodded down the throats of taxpayers).

Here’s a link to the full text of the speech that was given today, and here’s a link to the “suggested resources” that are available as well. Here are a few highlights of the speech:

I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year.

Now, I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked about responsibility a lot.

I’ve talked about teachers’ responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.

I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.

I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working, where students aren’t getting the opportunities that they deserve.

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world — and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. That’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.

What an inglorious bastard!

You mean, the President has the unmitigated gall to strongly suggest that (gulp) students are responsible for actively participating in their own education?

COMMUNIST! FASCIST! MUSLIM!

Bill Cosby has been giving his version of this same speech (plus a bit more on not having babies out-of-wedlock and more) for the past few years. Would Obama had been more embraced if he gave the speech in a brightly colored sweater and eating Jell-O at the same time?

For those who argue that the “resource materials” were a form of government indoctrination because the President asked kids to document how they would commit to staying in school, I still believe that’s a stretch, but I’ll give you that one.

For those who pulled their kids out of school – and protested in tears – because they thought the kids ears would bleed while listening to a positive message, I ask: Aren’t your kids ALREADY in government school? What do you do when they bring home condoms that they got in gym class, or “Heather Has Two Mommies” books?

I am the Chief Role Model in the lives of my children. I set the tone for what they are to expect when they encounter adults inside and outside of our home. As such, my children are highly intelligent critical thinkers. If they heard something off-base in Obama’s speech, then they would ask me for clarification (as they do when they hear about same-sex marriage, abortion, and other controversial topics).  

If Obama could get my kids to sign up for his “youth brigade” after one speech, then I’m a horrible parent with no ability to influence their decisions at a young age. If he’s that persuasive, then maybe he should also tell my children to make their beds, pick their clothes up off the floor – and flush the toilet!

I VIGOROUSLY disagree with Obama on abortion, gay marriage, school vouchers, government-run health insurance (beyond Medicare), support of teachers unions, and a myriad of other things. And I will continue to be a vocal critic as the Lord wills - yet I have to give him a thumbs up for using the bully pulpit of the presidency to advocate for self-responsibility.

C’mon – Nixon gave speeches to school kids before. Even Bill Clinton (the Horndog in Chief) is still revered as a role-model. For goodness sake – doesn’t the Office of the Presidency give the POTUS the right to give an innocuous speech to the nations children?

Alright – I’ll stop before pigs start flying and locusts and frogs rain from the sky.

“…And all that I command you, you shall speak”

My brother Job over at Jesus Christology posted an interesting question to a recent article that made me think more about my approach to sharing the Gospel. Coincidentally, I found the following video of Pastor Tim Conway of Grace Community Church in Dallas (courtesy of illbehonest). I guess God wants to spur some conversation regarding the subject of personal evangelism and sharing the Gospel:

 Is it possible to be afraid of sharing the Gospel?

 

Conway’s point is valid – how can the Holy Spirit (through the sovereign will of God) take residence in a believer, yet there is no fruit of repentance…or evidence to the believers friends and family? Further, how can we not share (whether in polite conversation with friends, or in spirited defense of the Gospel) the catalyst for our regenerated lives?

I’m reminded of the words of the Prophet Jeremiah (emphasis in bold):

Jeremiah 1:4-9 (New American Standard Bible)

⁴Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
    ⁵“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
         And before you were born I consecrated you;
         I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
    ⁶Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD!
         Behold, I do not know how to speak,
         Because I am a youth.”
    ⁷But the LORD said to me,
         ”Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
         Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
         And all that I command you, you shall speak.
    ⁸“Do not be afraid of them,
         For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

 ⁹Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me,
         ”Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

Although God is not be replicating the Prophet Jeremiah throughout the Body of Christ, He is empowering every believer to speak His truth without shame. If He tells you to proclaim His works and His Word, then rest assured that He has not only given you the power to perform His command, He’s removed your fear – and He has prepared the receiver according to His sovereign will.

As my grandmother used to say: “If you been changed then you ain’t afraid to tell somebody!”

Amen, grandma…amen. 

Related Posts:

• Evangelism Essentials
• “Do You Understand What You Are Reading”?
• The Importance Of Biblical Study

Evangelism Essentials

Gotquestions.org recently published two excellent articles that reiterate some essential basics for evangelism and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

First, biblical evangelism should proclaim the good news of the Gospel, the Holiness of God, and salvation through Christ alone:

“What is the biblical method of evangelism?”

When trying to decide how to share Christ with someone, the starting point should be the same as that of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. Matthew 3:2 tells us that John began his ministry with the words “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Repentance refers to a “change of mind,” which implies sorrow for past offences (2 Corinthians 7:10), a deep sense of the evil of sin as committed against God (Psalm 51:4), and a conscious decision to turn from sin to God. The first words Jesus spoke when He began His public ministry were identical to John’s (Matthew 4:17). (read more)

Next, we should be careful when engaging Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, and other cult’s – particularly because of the cunning nature of their deception (and the fact that you’ll likely not change their minds):

“Should we allow false teachers into our home?”

The short letter of 2 John is written in part to warn believers against the influence of false teachers. John identifies them as those “who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” and describes them as deceivers and antichrists (2 John 7). He goes on to prohibit receiving them into our homes or wishing them well. The question is whether this prohibition refers to those who knock on our doors today, such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Are we to deny members of these sects access to our homes?

[...] The Holy Spirit testifies to the true nature of Christ, while Satan and his demonic host deny that true nature. That is why John identifies anyone who denies the deity of Christ—which both the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses do—as deceivers and antichrists.

What should be our response, then, when cultists come knocking at the door? John, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives a clear answer: we are not to receive them into our homes. (read more)

Of course, the Lord wills whom He will save – and who will accept the message of His Son and salvation through Him alone. We should not be afraid to approach others and engage in productive dialogue with non-believers. At the same time, we must understand that not everyone will embrace the message, so the Lord’s will be done.

Related Posts:

• Are “Altar Calls” Biblical?
• Is Salvation A “Free Will Choice”?
• “You Did Not Choose Me, But I Chose You…”
• The Narrow Gate Vs. The Narrow Path

“…it’s easy to drink your own Kool-Aid”

South Carolina Governor Mark Sandford has spent the summer fielding questions about his sanity after disclosing a long-distance affair with an Argentinian journalist- a woman he subsequently called his “soul mate”. Of course this “revelation” came as a surprise to Jenny Sandford – the governor’s wife of 20 years and the mother of his 4 boys.

Jenny Sanford recently sat with an interviewer from Vogue to discuss the affair. One portion of the interview jumped out to me (emphasis added):

Notes on a Scandal

The question is why some men—specifically, male politicians—don’t seem to understand how extramarital affairs poison both careers and families. Having watched the species up close all these years, Sanford has a theory. “Politicians become disconnected from the way everyone else lives in the world. I saw that from the very beginning. They’ll say they need something, and ten people want to give it to them. It’s an ego boost, and it’s easy to drink your own Kool-Aid. As a wife, you do your best to keep them grounded, but it’s a real challenge.”

Sandford’s hypothesis can be aptly applied to the behavior of pastors and ministry leaders who fall into sin (sexual, megalomaniacal, and more). These people are applauded for their work. They gain followers almost immediately because of their charisma and ability to quote and present scripture. The shouts of “AMEN!”, “PREACH DOC”, and “SPEAK LORD” begin to fill their ears…and their heads. They begin to be approached by young men (and women) who want to carry their bibles and open doors for them, all the while continually validating their “anointing”.

Before you know it, BAM! The humble and dutiful servant of God becomes a full-fledged egomaniac that won’t enter the sanctuary until the praise team has completed their “set” and the congregation has been seated…all because they want the church to stand when they (and their entourage) enter the room.

They are now drinking their own Kool-Aid, and (unfortunately), the only antidote to Kool-Aid overdose is a public fall from grace:

Proverbs 26:12 (New American Standard Bible)

    Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Pray for all of the humble and honest (and often, unknown) who labor for the Lord and tirelessly serve His people. Pray that they would keep their faces toward Him; that their ears would be stifled to hear the congratulations and adulation; that they never lose sight of the awesome manifestation of God in the tiniest ways. And pray for the spouses of these people as well – God only knows what they have to deal with when their “Moses” comes down from “the mountain” every week.

Related Posts:

• Are “Armor Bearers” Biblical?
• “It’s A Slow Fade…”
• Pride