I’m Speaking Truth…

That’s a question I get from a lot of “non-blacks” when I mention that I’m studying reformed theology. Martin Luther (the man pictured above) essentially lit the match of the Protestant Reformation Movement when he penned his “95 Theses” and shined the light of truth on the wicked Roman Catholic Church. I became interested in reformed theology when I fled my former plantation (and my pimp) and returned to the Word of God instead of the heresies I held dear in my past.

Since I don’t speak for my entire race (a notion I’ve had to argue against many times in my professional career, particularly since I’m usually the only black man in my company), I can only speculate that they don’t find it as riveting as the traditional black church - the mega church, specifically. As I’ve said on many occassions, expository preaching isn’t as glamorous as the motivational speeches and “sing/talk” sermons that you hear in churches across the country (no matter the race), but it is the sorely-needed foundational method of properly exegeting the Word of God to keep the focus on God through Jesus Christ and OFF of self-centered man.

One of the people on the front-line in exposing more blacks to reformed theology is Anthony Carter. Carter is an assistant speaking elder at Southwest Christian Fellowship Church in Atlanta (a reformed assembly I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few times recently),  - where Robert Benson is the speaking elder. From what I’ve seen and heard during my few visits to SWCF, the assembly is built on firm biblical doctrine, and the speaking elders preach expositorily with no shame.

Carter is also the author of 2 books: “On Being Black And Reformed” and his newest work “Experiencing The Truth: Bringing The Reformation to the African-American Church” (two books that have been added to my ever growing “must read” list). Carter was recently interviewed by By Faith Magazine about his newest book and he answered the question posed in the title of this post succinctly:

Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church: An Interview With Anthony Carter

Q. Why are African-Americans attracted to mega-churches preaching the prosperity gospel?

A. That type of preaching is experiential—it has a very practical element to it, and it draws upon the experiences of both the preacher and the congregant. This message tells them that they can have what they desire, what they see around them. Many are socially and economically outcast, and this teaching allows them to rejoin the economic stream. It says, This is what God wants you to have. And that’s very appealing. African-Americans have a high view of church, the preacher, Scriptures. When you couple that with the prosperity message, it’s very appealing.

Click the title to read the article in it’s entirety. I also encourage you to take a closer look at reformed theology - and it’s adherence to the infallible Word of God and not the “get rich” schemes and “live your best life now” fallacies of modern “theology”.

“Stop slandering God’s leaders!”

That’s the typical edict that I get on average. Of course, some admonitions are a bit more…descriptive, but the message is still the same: “God said ‘touch not my anointed’, so get your mouth off the man of God!”.

My brother Independent Conservative edited an article written by GaryV on his site this past February that shines more light on the twisting of scripture used to protect pimps:

“Touch Not My Anointed”..The command of God or the cries of the misled??

Those who feel the call to be watchmen on the wall during this time of apostasy have heard this phrase repeated ad nauseum, by those who seek to defend their favorite “ministers” against the claims of Scripture. In fact, along with “Judge Not”, it’s probably among the most frequently used (though commonly misunderstood) texts in the entire Bible. Have any of them ever actually read the verse in question??

Click on the title to read the rest of that excellent article (one that I’ve emailed to countless friends, family, and foes). Why is it that those of us who blog God’s truth to expose deceit are always attacked, yet those who KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY distort, butcher, and assault God’s Word for selfish gain get protection?

These pimps rail against their detractors (i.e. mature bible reading Christians who dare take God’s Word over theirs), yet they (and their followers) get thin-skinned when the light of truth is shined on them. I pray that more sheep learn to defend the faith more than they defend their resident wolf, viper, false teacher, pulpit pimp, apostate, and heretic. I think those names sum it all up quite nicely.

So, why do I “call people names”? Simply because the names that I use aptly describe the pimps, heretics and apostates that stalk the “pulpit” today. I’m not “bitter” or “church hurt” - I’m just a former sheep of two skilled pimps (one Alpha Pimp, and one wanna be pimp) who decided to read my bible for myself and expose the doctrinal error that permeates Christ’s church today.

Since slander is defined as “a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report”, I clearly DON’T engage in slander when I provide links to videos and text of the pimps own words for validation.

The Apostle Peter called people “names” when he exposed them for their deceitful works against the Gospel (2 Peter 2 NASB) Even Jesus used “harsh language and tone” when calling out the Pharisee’s and corrupt religious leaders of the day (Matthew 23 NASB).

Now, I’m not comparing myself to Peter or Jesus…not in the least. I am, however, comfortable that I am operating in biblical order with sound precedence - and sound biblical doctrine.

So, I’ll keep “calling people names” and calling out the wolves, vipers, apostates, pimps, heretics, false teachers and their ilk until they simply go away.

There, that outta keep my inbox full for a while…

While we lament as the church slides into unabashed apostasy, those of us who still pray for the deceived can rejoice when the sheep begin to flee false doctrine.

My brother in Christ Independent Conservative posted a story on his blog about the recent epiphany of youtubber Ringo4LIfe:

A Sign of Hope. Ringo, YouTubber Ringo4Life Proclaims the Prosperity Doctrine is a Scam!

…How we once would warn about a guy using the handle “Ringo”. And it was because he was a member of Creflo Augustus Dollar, Junior’s club and would repeat the false doctrines of Creflo.

Well tonight I feel even more comfort about my YouTube account being suspended than I did before. Because I see that the Lord is removing scales from Ringo’s eyes. He’s now speaking openly against the same man he used to admire, Creflo Dollar.

Click the title of the article to read it in it’s entirety, but I’ve posted the same videos here:

Creflo Dollar: Misinformed The Public

If You Don’t Give Money, You Don’t Get None!

Thank God through Jesus Christ that this former member of Creflo’s club stopped defending him and started defending the Gospel that Creflo twisted (and twists) for selfish gain. Folks this is yet another testament of the power of prayer.

As we expose doctrinal error and deceit at the hands of false teachers, pimps, wolves, and vipers, we should still pray for them (that they repent before the Lord) and their followers (that they repent and flee the false doctrine they hear) - ultimately that the Lord’s will be done.

Hallelujah!

Last week, I posted a few articles on Justin Peters and his ministry in exposing the wicked origins of the WOF heresy that is choking the church today. You can’t rail against Creflo Dollar, Ken and Gloria Copeland, and other vipers of the day without digging a little deeper at the root of their heretical allegiance to the false gospel of health and wealth.

Our brother Escapeetoo over at Pimp Escape has posted an excellent article entitled “The Word of Faith Movement - Who’s Your Great-Granddaddy?”:

While a member in Club Hustle & Flow I heard over and over the importance of “Sonship.” Over and over we’d hear the story of the “family tree”; from Jakes, to Eddie Long to Andre Landers, the pseudo Levitical order was set like cement into the minds of the giving units at “Club Hustle & Flow.”

But one long lost family member was left out in this family tree. One member that is considered the father of the Word of Faith Prosperity Gospel Theology running wild in the church today. That missing branch on the family tree is that of Korv Essek William Kenyon [aka] E. W. Kenyon (1867–1948).

Click on the title above to read the entire article. Like me, that brother fled New Birth South (or “Club Hustle & Flow” as he calls it), and did some research on E.W. Kenyon. He too has seen the root of Kenyon’s wicked metaphysical philosophy up close and personally.

Yet more evidence that the “name it and claim it” heresy is in fact a tenet of metaphysical philosophy, and not the Word of God - no matter how bad these wolves and vipers twist scripture to make it appear biblically sound.

***hat tip to reader Caron for introducing me to Justin Peters’ ministry***

Justin Peters is a Mississippi-based minister who presents a seminar entitled “A Call For Discernment”. In the seminar, Justin succinctly debunks the “trifecta” of the Word of Faith (WOF) heresy:

1. You can “speak those things that be not” and they will magically appear
2. We are all “little gods” and can do what God does
3. The heartbreaking reality of how people are taken in by phony faith healers

Below are 4 videos (about 34 minutes total) of Justin addressing students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - his alma mater - a few years ago. Sitting at a lectern (as the result of his cerebral palsy), Justin quietly and calmy takes great detail to warn the students about the dangers of those who preach “a different gospel”.

“A Call For Discernment” - Part 1 [8:07]

“A Call For Discernment” - Part 2 [9:58]

“A Call For Discernment” - Part 3 [9:14]

“A Call For Discernment” - Part 4 [5:16]

Pray that the Lord would continue to use Justin and others like Him to shine the light of truth on the dark apostasy and heresy that grips Christ’s church today…

Maybe…if your church is pastored by a pulpit pimp who likes love money.

I’ve previously written (at length) about Todd Bentley’s demonic machinations- as have others in the blogosphere - but a recent turn has caused me take another look at this tool of satan. Now even Pat Robertson is jumping on the Bentley Appreciation Wagon (yet another reason to distrust Pat Robertson, by the way).

A recent article entitled “Fresh Face, Fresh Fire - But Same Old Scam?” in World Magazine (and republished in The Charlotte World christian news) gave us more insight into Bentley’s ability to bring in the big bucks (my emphasis in bold):

A visit to one of Bentley’s services suggests that he was learning how to turn the big crowds into big money. ATM machines had been set up, providing attendees with ready cash for the offering plate and book purchases. The tent itself both expanded the meetings’ capacity and relieved the group of the $15,000 a day rent it was paying at the local convention center. The offering is now a significant part of the service, taking as long as 30 minutes. Bentley has not released financial information, saying he was currently “too busy keeping up with what God is doing” to pull the information together. On the night WORLD attended, Bentley said God had told him that 1000 people would give $1000 that night – either from the live audience or from the TV audience. (click here to read the entire article)

So, based on the information highlighted above, Todd Bentley is operating in a dual-role: satanic tool AND pulpit pimp. How can you even deny that, considering that Bentley has now employed the same tools that Eddie Long, T.D. Jakes, Fred K.C. Price, Creflo Dollar, and others have employed to separate you from your hard-earned money.

After priming the money pump and dedicating a good half-hour to collecting the spoils, Bentley even dares to drag out the old tired classic pimp’s retort of “I’m too busy doing God’s work to account for the money”.

Bentley doesn’t even register on the radar of most mega churches clubs today because those pimps are busy taken money from unrepentant homosexuals and others that they used to preach against. Now, since it’s a documented fact that Bentley is raking in the dough, watch and see how fast some of these alpha pimps are gonna invite old Todd in for some “fresh fire”.

Once again, I’ll remind you that you SHOULD NOT be taken in by these claims of signs and wonders from Bentley’s camp - particularly since Jesus warned against it:

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24 NASB)

Of course, the pimps complete ignorance of 1 Timothy 6:9-10(NASB) will negate Jesus’ warning:

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Oh well, if you attend a charismatic mega church club, then you might as well get the welcome mat ready…old Todd may be paying you a visit really soon… 

***hat tip to Independent Conservativeand Walter Kambulow for the heads-up***

OK, so yesterday I scratched the surface with a post about what’s new with Earl Paulk’s neph-son Donnie Earl (D.E.) Paulk here in suburban Atlanta.  Looking further into the happenings at Club Heretic (Cathedral at Chapel Hill), I got more insight into what’s going on in the mind of Donnie Earl.

It appears as though Unc-dad Earl brought heretic Carlton Pearson into Club Heretic some time ago, but the Club didn’t push Carlton away when he fell off the deep end with his hair-brained “inclusion” philosophy (and I use the word “philosophy” purposely). Truth be told, they were too busy trying to keep old man Earl in line, so they chose their battles, I guess.  Some even speculate that Donnie Earl is seeking to include heretic Carlton on his leadership team at Club Heretic.

If you still think that Carlton Pearson has any shred of credibility with the bile that flows from his mouth, then you need to stop reading this post right now and repent before the Lord!

I’d like to draw your attention to Unc-son Donnie Earl’s “suggested reading & movie viewing list” for the few sheep who remain at Club Heretic. Donnie Earl calls them “tools for the awakening”. Awakening from what - sound biblical doctrine? What insight can you gain from reading books written by Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Carlton “the Heretic” Pearson - and watching movies like “Powder” and “Chocolate”?

Also, while reading the belief statement for Club Heretic, I found a few oddities (my emphasis in bold):

We are a group of truth seekers who:

• perceive Christ cannot be, and will not be, restricted to Christianity…
• affirm Christ in all of His creation…
• celebrate truth as a journey, not a destination…
• assert the Creator cannot be defined, or confined, by the creation…
• believe the Word of God, the Christ, is perfect, infallible, inerrant…
• understand the fallible cannot accurately scribe the infallible…
• admit the errant finite mind cannot perfectly describe the Inerrant Infinite Mind…
• embrace truth as a knowing, not a known…profess faith is a hearing, not a heard…
• accept God has reconciled the world to Himself through Christ…
• endeavor to convince the world of God’s love, not convert the world to Christianity…

How can you “believe the Word of God…is perfect, infallible, inerrant” and STILL say that Christianity can’t be “confined to Christians”? Since when was the pastors job description edited to “convince the world of God’s love”…isn’t he supposed to preach the Word of liberation from sin through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:2 NASB).

But wait, there’s more…take a look at Donnie Earl’s affection for “inclusion”:

INCLUSION proclaims:

• Christ loves and includes ALL of His creation in His finished work of REDEMPTION and RECONCILIATION!  (II Corinthians 5:18-19)
• ALL THINGS flowed from the Christ (John 1) and that ALL THINGS will flow back to the Christ!  (Ephesians 1:10)
• An OMNISCIENT Creator was neither shocked nor shaken by the creation’s sin - “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world…” [Revelation 13:8]
• When Christ arrived in time at Calvary’s cross He had already agreed in eternity to its redemption ages prior - His earthly life, death, crucifixion and resurrection were merely time’s rerun of eternity’s sitcom!
• There was an INSURANCE POLICY in plan in place and in full (paid for) before it was ever needed!  (Romans 8:28-39 / Ephesians 1:4-11)
• The ENEMY MIND comes in an effort to deny that we have a policy, to refute that we have a claim and to question if the policy is paid up to date!  (Revelation 12:10)
• Man’s FAITHLESSNESS cannot defeat God’s FAITHFULNESS!  (Romans 3:3-4)
• Faith does not dispel fear… LOVE DISPELS FEAR!  [I John 4:10, 18]
• When the MIND can conceive of the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of God then the HEART will receive the FAITH it so desperately seeks to find!  (Philippians 2:10-11)
• When LOVE is the agenda… FAITH will be the result!

Is there anything written above that affirms (as the bible says) that salvation can only be found through belief and acceptance in Jesus Christ? And what the heck does “when love is the agenda, faith will be the result” mean?

The scriptures listed above are not in error - but they aren’t exposed in their proper context (or with the proper intention, quite frankly, since Donnie Earl is using them to bolster his heretical “inclusion” plea). Rather than retype content that I’ve presented before, let’s take a closer look at what God’s Word says about salvation and reconciliation back to him through the shed Blood of His Begotten Son.

Either God lied when He gave His only Son as the propitiation for our sin debt (John 3:16) - which we KNOW is false because can God CANNOT LIE (Numbers 23:19) - or Donnie Earl and Carlton the Heretic are liars when they claim that ANYBODY can go to Heaven EVEN IF THEY DON’T ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST & REPENT OF THEIR SINS.

Now THAT sounds more plausible…

It appears as though Eddie Long is doing what many (including his detractors) thought would NEVER happen…bend to the will of the homosexual lobby.

I must admit that I’m saddened by this apparent revelation. Sure, I have theological disagreements with Eddie Long because of his allegiance to the false prosperity gospel, his daft ability to twist scripture like an old pro, and his spawning of clones across the country.

Despite all of this, Eddie still stood firmly on the Word of God in reiterating that homosexuality is a sin that God will not ignore. He even led a march through downtown Atlanta in 2004 in support of heterosexual marriage.

Now, it appears that Eddie is bowing to pressure from the pro-gay lobby, has met the group Soulforce (a “gay christian” organization), and told Soulforce that there are “things about homosexuality that he needs to learn”.

So what is it that Eddie doesn’t “understand” about homosexuality? He’s been preaching against it all of his pastoral life, and he’s questioning scripture’s position regarding the subject now?

Our brother Pastor Foster over at Gay Christian Movement Watch first alerted us of this impending attempt of Soulforce to “dialogue” with Eddie last week (i.e. get him to see their point of view) (click here, here, here, and here for more details), and our brother Independent Conservative posted about it earlier this week as well.

You can see pictures of Soulforce’s visit with Eddie and his staff here, and you can read the article in a pro-gay newspaper that details the visit. Here’s an interesting quote from the article:

The meeting ended with Soulforce members offering to lead workshops at New Birth on human sexuality. Renee said the church is considering its options.

Homosexuality is a sin, and no “workshop on human sexuality” will change that fact. The Soulforce coalition seemed pretty happy to be at Club New Birth, but the CNB staff seemed elated for the opportunity to meet with them.

Unless this meeting was called to preach salvation and repentance from homosexual sin, it should’ve never been held (1 Corinthians 5). These Soulforce members have heard the truth, REJECTED IT, and “tweaked it” to fit THEIR AGENDA.

Let me be CRYSTAL CLEAR - God loves us even in our mess - and in turn, our love for Him and His truth means we must leave our mess behind. We are filthy rags, deserving eternal damnation apart from the redeeming Blood of Jesus Christ and the turning away from our flesh. This is an uncompromisable point. We can’t honestly serve a sinless Savior while holding onto the things that He hates!

I am not a “gay basher”, a homophobe, a “hater” or any other pejorative that will probably be hurled my way. I’m not perfect, nor will I try to reason the varying degrees of “sin”. I understand that many have been hurt through sexual molestation, and confused regarding same-sex attraction, etc. Homosexuality is a sin - and like every other unrepentant sin, it’s consequence is eternal separation from the Father. I stand on the Word of God, specifically:

• Genesis 19:1-13
• Leviticus 18:22
• Romans 1:24-27
• 1 Corinthians 6:9
• And much more…

Is there deliverance from homosexuality? ABSOLUTELY - 1 Corinthians 6:11 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 specifically speaks of deliverance over ANY SIN through salvation and faith in Jesus Christ.

Further, EVERY CHRISTIAN will struggle against sin - including sins of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). What separates us from the world, however, is that we always repent and turn back to God. You can’t be “gay” and call yourself a true Christian if you continue in homosexual sin - remember, 1 Corinthians 6:11 Paul said “you were (fill in the blank)”…meaning before sanctification through the Blood of Jesus.

You’re either “ex-gay” or an “ex-Christian”.

The truth hurts, and it could be considered “offensive” to anyone that it speaks against - BUT THAT DOES NOT NEGATE IT’S MERIT.

The bottom line is this - Eddie Long has just (apparently) lost the firm footing he had on scripture as it relates to this particular sin.

Should he have attempted to evangelize the Gospel truth to sinners? YES! Should he have entertained an audience of unrepentant sinners (and their partners) in an attempt to assuage scripture for their comfort? ABSOLUTELY NOT! 

To all of the Eddie Long sympathizers that ignore EVERYTHING else he’s ever done, can you overlook this too?

In accordance to 2 John 1:10-11, I WILL NOTentertain comments from Soulforce sympathizers, anyone who wishes to argue about being “born gay”, or anyone attempting to defend this meeting. 

It is what it is - if you disagree, then visit a blog that supports your assertions - I will stand on the uncompromised, immutable, irrefutable Word of God.

After having pimped all that he could out of Mega-Fest visitors here in the United States, Alpha Pimp T.D. Jakes is taking his show on the road, and targeting a whole new continent - South Africa:

MegaFest moves to South Africa later this year

By CHRISTOPHER QUINN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/04/08

Bishop T.D. Jakes is moving MegaFest, the giant Christian entertainment and teaching event that ran in Atlanta from 2004 to 2006, to another continent.

MegaFest International 2008 will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Oct. 11-12.

Jakes put the event on hiatus after three years in Atlanta, saying he would resurrect it, although not necessarily here.

Attendance had declined over its three-year life from about 500,000 to fewer than 100,000.

When Jakes pulled out of Atlanta after 2006, Derrick Williams, a spokesman for Jakes’ mega-church, the Potter’s House in Dallas, said Jakes made the decision based on post-MegaFest surveys. Attendees found travel and lodging costs burdensome. At least 70 percent of the MegaFest’s visitors came from outside Atlanta, Williams said. (click here to read entire article)

While the article does mention that Jakes’ ministry plans to offer 4 days of free medical care to South Africans, it also states that Jakes moved the event from Atlanta because of the “financial burden” it caused for delegates:

“When you’re the mother of a couple of kids, it’s not something that you can do on an annual basis, ” said Williams, who managed MegaFest for Jakes. “We want to be sensitive to the needs of our delegates.”

So, Jakes’ idea of making this event more accessible and “sensitive to the needs of delegates” is to move it thousands of miles away and charge up to $6,000 to attend?

Ummm…that makes sense

Jakes (like every other pimp) stands in the pulpit twice a week to declare that you should still “sow into the Kingdom” (i.e. give him your money) - even in your lack, because God wants to test your faith.

I wonder if this means he’ll be “more sensitive to the needs” of his congregation once he’s tapped their pockets dry?

Oh well…what do expect from a man who (according to this MSNBC report) views the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ as a “product that almost sells itself”:

Hey, you can’t knock this pimp’s hustle. Unlike most of his wanna be followers (or pimps-in-training), at least he’s more than a “one-trick pony” - extorting tithes from his congregation isn’t his only means of support. 

Aside from charging people to be his “spiritual sons and daughters”, he does own legitimate businesses - but he also uses them to pimp Jesus Christ.

Allow me to remind you of what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:17 (I love the New Living Translation of this text):

17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters^[a] who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

I guess this just doesn’t fit into the “TD Jakes Translation” of Holy Scripture.

***hat tip to Independent Conservative for the video***

***hat tip to regular reader Blessed for alerting me of this story***

I’m always happy to hear about when a member of the congregation confronts the pulpit pimp - I never imagined that it would end up like this, however:

Eagle’s Nest pastor sued by ex-member

Web Posted: 05/22/2008 01:00 PM CDT

By Abe Levy
Express-News  

A former member of Eagle’s Nest Christian Fellowship filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the church and its pastor, Rick Godwin, claiming he was defamed in front of the congregation when he tried to expose how Godwin was spending church money.

Larry Nail, a businessman from Boerne who belonged to the church for 11 years, says Godwin wrongly accused him of bribery in a speech responding to San Antonio Express-News articles that, based on church documents, raised questions about Godwin’s use of church funds for expensive chartered planes and lodging, luxury gifts and personal items.

In the suit, filed in Bexar County District Court, Nail wants his donations to the church returned, plus legal costs and damages. (click here for the entire article)  

 

 

This story has been in the news in San Antonio since last fall, but it’s obviously taken a strange turn. Larry Nail is even bold enough to demand that pimp Ricky return his donations! How many of you would do that to your pimp - especially since your pimp and Ricky share the same spending habits? More interesting nuggets from the story: 

Complicating matters for the church has been a stream of complaints by homeowners bordering the new property who claim the church hasn’t responded to their concerns about lighting, noise and other matters.

Hmm…sounds like the same complaints that Eddie Long and his “son” got when they built their stadiums (I mean churches) in quiet residential areas as well. But wait, there’s more (my emphasis in bold)…

The spending Nail refers to in the suit involved a fund set aside for outreach and missions. After the newspaper reports, Godwin told the congregation he paid back all personal expenses and launched a new tax compliance audit, among other corrective measures. He hasn’t made public when or which reimbursements were made.

At least Ricky admitted that he stole money that was to be used for outreach - and he paid it back (allegedly)…most pimps won’t even go that far. Brother Nail even attempted to resolve this issue biblically - to no avail:

Nail said in the suit that church staffers were afraid of losing their jobs if they confronted church leaders about Godwin’s questionable expenses. He said he offered to help them financially if they were fired and followed biblical instruction by taking the spending concerns to Godwin first and then to two elders, who were unwilling to confront Godwin.

You know that the church mafia is in full effect at this church. This brother offered to compensate anyone who lost their job as a result of this action, and they were still afraid to proceed! Further in the article, we see Ricky spew out the classic pimp response (my emphasis in bold):

According to the lawsuit, Nail said Godwin told him: “I’m not going to let someone eating a bologna sandwich (referring to church staff and lower-level employees) tell me how to spend money around here.”

So there you have it - this degenerate pimp uses church funds for his personal pleasure and he has the nerve to lash out at the “bologna sandwich” eaters? That’s Pimpistry 101!

If you are or know anyone who attends Eagles Nest Christian Fellowship/Summit Christian Center in San Antonio, then pray that the Lord would open their eyes and give them the courage to flee pimp Ricky.

Please pray that Rick opens his bible, thumbs over to 1 John 2:15-17, and recommits to loving His Savior and the sheep more than he loves his flesh.

…he might if he’s fleecing the sheep!

Check out this video by Pastor John Coleman - and view it in it’s entirety before commenting (it’s less than 2 min.)…if you need to comment at all:

Keep in mind - most of these “armor bearers” and “body guards” are tasked with protecting the pastor, his wife, and his kids (if applicable) - not YOU. PERIOD!

I don’t care how many times your pimp pastor says “we need security to protect the congregation”- it’s all rather suspect when ALL of the security guards spend their time following him around (while speaking into their sleeves), or carrying his Louis Vitton briefcase and alligator shoes from the Bentley when he rolls up onto the lot.

Pastor Coleman said it rightly - people are carrying the bible of the “shepherd” while a single mother is struggling to get her three kids off the bus in front of the church - with no help.

May God have mercy on those who claim to speak for Him!

***hat tip to our brother Independent Conservative for the video link***

I’m writing this post in response to the many calls and emails I’m getting from current members and leaders at a church here in suburban Atlanta. At the request of many, I’ll further explore the consequences of what happens when the Word of God is dwarfed by the pursuit of earthly riches and influence.

The church in question is relatively young (they’ve only been around for less than 7 years), yet they’ve racked up quite a few accomplishments:

• The church boasts a membership of over 12,000 members 
• The pastor drives a Bentley and recently moved into an (almost) million dollar home
• The pastor has a phalanx of security personnel that watch his every move - from greeting him at the front door to clearing his path as he walks
• The church recently moved into a new double-digit multi-million dollar “worship facility and campus”
• The church streams their worship services live across the globe via Streaming Faith

With all of that happening, you would think that the church was on cloud nine, right?

Well, not so fast. Since the pastor of this church is a “spiritual son” of Eddie Long, you have to expect “the other shoe” to drop at some point, and that point is…now.

Problem #1 - He’s demanding submission to his authority:

While the pastor started out teaching from a sound biblical and doctrinal perspective in the early days, he got off track several years ago, and it’s beginning to alienate his followers. He’s demanding loyalty by submission to his “apostolic and prophetic anointing” while he insulates himself with layers of people instead of being accessible to the sheep. Even the first line of the church’s “Givers Confession” asks God to grant blessings to the sheep while they “support the vision and the visionary”.

Problem #2 - He’s ignoring the economic ailments of his congregation:

The pastor is a proponent and teacher of the false doctrine of tithing, love offering, first fruit, and any other money-making scheme at work in churches today. He’s keenly aware of the disappearing middle class within his church, yet that doesn’t stop him from demanding the sheep to “sow into God’s system despite what they see”.

Membership is down…way down (you can see row upon row of empty seats via the Streaming Faith feed on any given Sunday or Wednesday), which means giving is down also. All this doesn’t bode well for a congregation with a brand new double-digit multi-million dollar building. Did anyone stop to think that expenses would quadruple since this facility is 4+ times larger than the old facility?

Recently, the pastor acknowledged the decrease in revenue and asked (from the pulpit) that everyone bring an offering to the alter. On the surface you might assume that this is a “spiritual admonition” to demonstrate faith in God by bringing your “seed” to the alter yourself.

The reality is that this is yet another intimidation tactict that guilts the giver into coming to the alter because they don’t want to appear to be “disobedient” while everyone else around then brings their dough to the stage - while the pastor is looking at them sitting in their seat!

Even still, some of the braver sheep sat stoically in defiance, which prompted the pastor to intone:

“Some of you are being disobedient to God by either not giving or not giving enough. At the sound of my voice, obey the Holy Spirit and bring your seed to the alter. Move…Move…Move…Come On…Come On…Come On…That’s it…That’s it….Move…”

Problem #3- He’s emulating his “spiritual father” by disallowing local viewers to watch live services via Streaming Faith:

Last year, Eddie Long started to see a dip in his church’s revenues and (rightly) assumed that too many local people were watching his services via the Internet as opposed to visiting the church - and bringing an offering. So, he decided to cut live feeds to his services via Streaming Faith so that locals would have to visit to hear him live. He later reneged due to fallout from local viewers, but the point had been made - they’re more likely to get a “seed” from you if you’re in the building when the “anointing hits”.

Fast forward to yesterday (May 11, 2008). Local viewers logged in to Streaming Faith to see this pastor (Eddie’s “spiritual son”) twist scripture. Instead, viewers saw a video of the pastor describing how the Holy Spirit revealed to him that it was time to cut the church’s local video feed - oh, and the Holy Spirit wanted viewers from surrounding counties to come to the new double-digit multi-million dollar facility so that they could see God move in person!

Yup, sounds like the money woes are true.

The Apostle Peter masterfully described the role of an elder (pastor) in the local assembly - does the leadership at this church even remotely resemble it?:

1^(A)Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your ^(B)fellow elder and ^(C)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a ^(D)partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

 2shepherd ^(E)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight ^(F)not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and ^(G)not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

 3nor yet as ^(H)lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be ^(I)examples to the flock.

 4And when the Chief ^(J)Shepherd appears, you will receive the ^(K)unfading ^(L)crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post - I get calls and emails every week from current members of this church, independently corroborating one bad thing after another.

I’ll tell you the same thing that I tell them: unless you’re speaking out against these practices while in the assembly, or you’re attempting to meet with the pastor (as the Lord leads) to discuss how off course he is, then you should pray for courage to leave the presence of this ignorance.

Pray for this pastor and this congregation - that God through the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance the worthiness of his call (Colossians 1:9-12), and that he would tend to the sheep in his care.

Pray also that the sheep would hear the voice of God (John 10:27-28), and heed accordingly - even if it means to labor on this plantation even longer in order to warn others.

As I’ve stated in previous articles, the concept of “church mafia” is very real - and very destructive to the Body of Christ. 

While it’s born out of the insecurity and ego-driven psyche of pastors who want to be pimps and mafia bosses, it debilitates the believer because it takes the focus off of our Sovereign God and places it on the mafia boss pastor and his (or her) lackeys.

One of the common tactics of the church mafia is to intimidate/guilt you into attending EVERY service that is held at the church…and I do mean EVERY service.

No matter if it’s Sunday worship, Bible Study, Sunday School, the Back 2 School Rally, Daily Prayer, and any number of other scheduled events - your commitment to God is gauged by your commitment to “His prophet” (as the pimp/mafia bosses pastors so lovingly ordain themselves).

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that believers should assemble together to worship God. The Bible reminds us to worship (Ephesians 5:19-20) and encourage each other in the faith (1 Thesselonians 5:11), but Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically addresses the assembling of the saints.

I don’t believe, however, that you should be called onto the carpet - or threatend with expulsion if the “boss” doesn’t see your “face in the place” everytime the lights are switched on. Most folks stay away because they’re tired of playing the money game - or they’re tired of trying to figure out what the pimp/mafia boss pastor is saying between his howls, grunts and downright off-base teaching.

Then, when you finally work up the nerve to come back, you’re usally pulled aside by someone in leadership who asks you “Hey brother, it’s good to see you! I haven’t seen you in a long time…so, uh…where you been?“

Here’s an excerpt from an interesting article that I found on Gotquestions.org:

 Question: “What are appropriate reasons for missing church?”

Answer: Many people have an improper and/or unbiblical understanding of church attendance. Some people feel that they must attend church legalistically, being at church virtually every time there is any kind of service or meeting. Some people experience a feeling of guilt whenever they miss a Sunday morning service. Sadly, some churches encourage this guilt by laying excessive pressure on people to attend regularly. When thinking about church attendance and when it is appropriate to miss church, the most crucial thing to understand is that the quality of a person’s relationship with God is not determined by how many church services are attended, nor are God’s love and acceptance for a Christian based on how many times he/she attends church. (click here to read the rest)

Check out this observation:

Attending church is not osmosis; merely being in the building does not accomplish anything.

That’s funny - the Word of Faith preachers always stress that you’ll be blessed because you’re sitting in the building while the pimp/mafia boss pastor is under “the anointing”. Oh, and because you “sow a seed”, but that’s another post for another day…

Anyway, the article surmised (correctly, in my opinion) that if you miss or skip a church service but you have a longing for it, then there isn’t a problem (per se) with your connection with God.

If you miss a service and you’re afraid of the impending confrontation by the pimp/mafia boss pastors “crew”, then…well…you already know the answer to that one.

Hat tip to regular reader djenk23 for the heads-up on this story

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Jeremiah Wright has the distinct honor of being featured in two categories on this blog: “A Different Gospel” and “Pulpit Pimping Gone Bad”. 

Take a look at yesterday’s edition of the New York Post:

BARACK’S REV. ‘STOLE A WIFE’

EX-HUBBY: HE COUNSELED US, THEN WED HER

By SUSANNAH CAHALAN and VERONICA HINKE in Chicago and BRAD HAMILTON in New York

May 4, 2008 — The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’sloose cannon of a spiritual adviser, stole the wife of a parishioner - after the man sought Wright’s help in saving his troubled marriage, the former husband told friends.

Delmer Reed, 59, confided to pals that he believed the minister moved in on his wife while Wright was counseling the couple at his Chicago church in the early 1980s, The Post has learned.

“That’s exactly how he said it,” Reed’s divorce lawyer, Roosevelt Thomas, told The Post.

“It looks like Delmer might have been right,” he said, because after Delmer and Ramah Reed were divorced, she got remarried - to Wright. “Either that or this was the biggest coincidence in the world.” (click here to read the article)

Here’s an interesting note from the article:

A spokesman for the Wright family flatly denied the allegation yesterday.

“This story has no merit whatsoever and is not based on facts,” said George Lofton. “They had problems throughout the course of their turbulent marriage, and the couple never received marriage counseling from Rev. Wright or anyone else.”

But Reed, a former investigator for the Illinois secretary of state, told The Post he and his ex-wife went to Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ for counseling when their marriage hit the skids over his demanding work schedule.

“I spoke with [Wright] four times over a few months,” Reed said in an interview at his upscale home in Lemont, Ill.

So, Wright (through a representative) denies providing marital counseling to the couple at all, but the ex-husband says they spoke at least four times…I’m sure the truth may be somewhere in the middle.

I can hear you asking “Why are you even bringing this up? You said that this blog will not advance gossip”.

Well, it’s not gossip if the ex-husband asserts that Wright was a factor in his divorce (as potentially evidenced by Wright’s subsequent marriage to Reed’s former wife).

I’m bringing this up as further evidence of the fruit of a false teacher - if Wright twists doctrine to support a different gospel, why would he honor the sanctity of marriage…especially a marriage that is hanging in the balance?

As thorny as the issue of divorce is within the church (this is Wright’s 2nd marriage), Paul clearly speaks to the qualifications for pastoral leadership throughout his epistles, but this passage of scripture addresses multiple points (my emphasis in bold):

5For this reason I left you in ^(T)Crete, that you would set in order what remains and ^(U)appoint ^(V)elders in every city as I directed you,

 6namely, ^(W)if any man is above reproach, the ^(X)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of ^(Y)dissipation or ^(Z)rebellion.

 7For the ^(AA)overseer must be above reproach as ^(AB)God’s steward, not ^(AC)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(AD)addicted to wine, not pugnacious, ^(AE)not fond of sordid gain,

 8but ^(AF)hospitable, ^(AG)loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

 9^(AH)holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ^(AI)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:5-9)

Wright has shown that he’s quite self-willed, quick-tempered and pugnacious, as evidenced by his behavior recently (and in his past sermons). Also, since Black Liberation Theology is not “sound doctrine”, how can he legitimately refute those who contradict it?

I’ll say again, it is my opinion that Jeremiah Wright is a false teacher because he embraces the wicked Black Liberation Theology and holds it on par with the message of Christ crucified for the remission of sin.

While I could care less (in general) about who he’s married to, the circumstances behind the genesis of this marriage can not be separated from his flawed theological allegiance, his public denouncement of “middleclassness” while he privately embraces it, and his attempt to glorify himself instead of the Savior he claims whenever he gets the chance.

Sometimes false teaching and hypocrisy go hand in hand…

There is a disappearing middle class - within the church - that (in my opinion) is rivaling the effects of the economic conditions that are plaguing America today. Many people are losing their homes, finding it harder and harder to make ends meet, and “robbing Peter to pay Paul”, but that doesn’t stop the pimps from pursuing the money that you have left.

One of the many casualties of the Word of Faith, prosperity, “name it and claim it” heresy is that it creates an almost unquenchable desire within the Body for money and material things - and it leaves those who desire “stuff” in a much worse position than they were before they ever heard the heresy.

In direct violation of 1 Timothy 6:7-11, false teachers whip you into a frenzy by:

• falsely equating prosperity with financial gain
• twisting scripture to justify tithing, love offerings, and all other manner of extortion
• and making you think that something is wrong with you because God isn’t blessing you with a “30, 60, 100 fold blessing” in return for giving them your last dime.

In many previous posts, I explained that I was a loyal soldier to my former pimps. I bought the “money cometh” scam hook, line, and sinker. In fact, I parroted their weak responses when confronted about why God “didn’t open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing” even though someone gave their last dime.

“You don’t have enough faith”, or “don’t worry, your breakthrough is on the way!” I used to say.

I’ve long since repented before the Lord for such stupidity, but the scam keeps going on and on.

Personally, I reject the concept of tithing - because it has become nothing more than a revenue making scheme that pimps use to guilt and extort money from the sheep today. You don’t want to be “cursed with a curse”, so you give under compulsion - or even worse, duress - in direct opposition to 2 Corinthians 9:7.

The tithing concept has been so twisted and maligned by false teachers, that many people will use credit cards to “pay” their tithes, so much so that tithing has replaced the concept of benevolence.

The average person would rather give their last dime to the Bentley driving pulpit pimp than the neighbor next door who has no money for diapers. The sick logic is that “the next door neighbor can’t ‘curse me with a curse’ so I’d rather give God His”.

Apparently, we don’t much focus on what Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-46. We’d rather do the most convenient thing by giving money to the pastor in hopes that he would distribute it to the poor, just like he says he will. It’s only a “coincidence” that the more we “give to the poor” through the pastor, the better his lifestyle gets.

Some churches will even dis-fellowship you for“robbing God”!

There is lots of evidence in the bible to prove that tithing was a law giving to Jews and Levitical priests. It’s interesting to me that folks use Malachi 3:8-12 to scare you into giving them your tithe, but if you read the entire book of Malachi, you’ll clearly see that God is expressing His displeasure with the priests who are charged with interceding to Him on behalf of the people.

By the way, these priests lived in the Temple, and were supported by the Israelites. Does your pimp live in your church?

To this day, I hear horror stories from people who tithe their utility money, yet the church won’t extend benevolence in order to help them pay the utility bill - after the pimp has admonished the sheep to give their utility money and God would bless them anyway!

I embrace the concept of grace giving - giving as the Lord leads to areas He directs…even if it means giving to people or causes that are in more need than a pastor or church as opposed to the extortion techniques that are used in churches across America today.

Even The Barna Group - one of the most widely referenced research firms in Christiandom has released a report stating that not only is tithing down in churches across the country, but:

Strangely, tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle espoused in the New Testament. The idea of a tithe - which literally means one-tenth or the tenth part - originated as the tax that Israelites paid from the produce of the land to support the priestly tribe (the Levites), to fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. The ministry of Jesus Christ, however, brought an end to adherence to many of the ceremonial codes that were fundamental to the Jewish faith. Tithing was such a casualty. Since the first-century, Christians have believed in generous giving, but have not been under any obligation to contribute a specific percentage of their income.

Who knew that George Barna was so “controversial”? I wonder if the pimps will still use his research to aid in growing their “ministries”?

The end result is that many churches are filled with two kinds of people: the “haves” and the “have nots”…the “sort of haves” are either leaving or have already fled the pimp because they’re sick of hearing the “offeratory appeal”.

I’ve seen it up close:

• pastor so-and-so spends 10 minutes after every sermon telling you how God wants you to be rich (after he has you recite a scripture - out of context - exclaiming that you are a tither and that God HAS TO rebuke the devourer for your sake).
• He points to his own lifestyle and how he “activated his faith” in order to walk in God’s abundance.
• He also talks about how “the anointing flows from the head down”, so if you give him your money, you’ll be blessed too!
• He then says that tithing is “just an entry level action - you can’t get a return unless you sow first fruit, love offering, offering, building fund, first lady’s birthday” blah blah blah.

“Don’t hate on your neighbor! If God is blessing them, at least you know he’s in the neighborhood!” (que the jumpy organ music and the running around the church while babbling in “tongues” at that “revelation”)

At that point, the “haves” pour their earnings into the coffers and anxiously await their “return”. The “have nots” are told “God knows your heart, and He knows that you will give when you get it because you have a heart to give”.

Sometimes, the “haves” even pass a few bucks the “have nots” - or the pimp peels a few bucks out of his money clip to give a “have not”- and as a sign of obedience to the pimp prophet, the “have not” drops the money into the coffers and gives it RIGHT BACK TO THE PIMP…waiting on their return as well.  

The pimp may even read an email that he received from a “have” detailing how “God was faithful to the seed that they sowed last week, and He returned their tithe PLUS INTEREST!”, further stoking the allegiance of the “haves” - and the envy and determination of the “have nots”.

Meanwhile, the middle class is looking around wondering what is going on. They give out of obedience to the pimp prophet because they earnestly want to please God (and the pimp prophet told them that this pleases God). They also, however see that they’re not getting the promised return.

They grow weary of hearing the same begging speech over and over again - and seeing the pimps parade of new cars, suits, and homes. They also grow weary of seeing the poorest among them exploited, and they’re tired of feeling guilty when they give $100 to a homeless person instead of standing in the “money line” at the church revival later that evening.

So, they leave - hoping to find a church home that teaches the true meaning of giving, and that God is not a slot-machine, and that his people are not to be neglected while we pursue earthly treasures that we can’t take with us when we die anyway.

Unfortunately, many pastors erroneously think that if they keep preaching to the “haves”, then the middle-class doesn’t matter because the “have nots” will eventually become “haves”.

They fail to realize that the church is not a business or a revenue stream.

As believers, we are to evangelize the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ without injecting our personal desires or interests. Period.

I find the words of Jude to be quite sufficient:

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,^[a] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

 22 And you must show mercy to^[b] those whose faith is wavering. (Jude 1:17-22)

I pray that those of us who reject the “pay to play” doctrine pray earnestly for those who embrace it. Let’s pray God’s mercy on those who are led astray by this divisive doctrine, and let’s all recommit to caring for the needs of one another - not under compulsion or duress, but because it is the Will of our Father through His Son.