I’m Speaking Truth…

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.

I know, generally you hear the phrase “like father, like son”. But it’s truly the reverse when you look at Super (soon to be Alpha) pimp Eddie Long and his “spiritual son” (and well trained pimp) Andre Landers.

You see, Eddie’s got a new money making scheme “sowing opportunity” that he’s making available to the hard working men and women of God, and it’s called “Beyond Tomorrow”. Eddie says:

“Beyond Tomorrow is our opportunity to take ownership of the future. God is moving us out of our comfort zone to expand the impact and influence of our ministry. Now is the time to respond with faith, obedience, and sacrifice”.

Ahh, sacrifice. I knew that was coming. “Sacrifice what” you ask? Well, Eddie says:

“A sacrificial financial commitment is one that will affect your lifestyle. It will cost you something! This is a two year commitment, therefore I encourage you to join me…”

There you have it - Eddie wants your money. Again. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, GA claims to be a worldwide ministry that affects the lives of millions around the globe. Over thirty thousand members claim membership to the church, and each of them pay tithes, offering, love offering, etc. ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

So, why would Eddie be asking you and me for MORE MONEY to do “Kingdom work”? What is he doing with the millions that pass through his hands every year? Wait - that question was answered several years ago. Moving on…

Eddie goes on to ask you for a “first fruit” offering, then a two year commitment to aid in his “Kingdom work”. Our friend Independent Conservative already exposed the “first fruit” scam,  so remember that this “offering” GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PASTOR.

I carefully reviewed the “commitment card”, and I suddenly remember that I had seen this before. Andre Landers, pastor of New Birth South Metropolitan Church of Hampton, GA (Eddie’s “son”, remember?) did the same thing when he was building his $22 million dollar church a few years ago (the church opened a month ago, and has been losing money since they unlocked the doors).

As I’ve said before - as a point of full disclosure, I was “submitted” to pimp Landers in ordained ministry for several years before I repented before the Lord and fled his assembly while I still had my dignity.

What Long and Landers don’t advertise, however, is that they also share the same philosophy regarding benevolence for their members in need.  I speak as someone who worked in benevolence and saw this first hand: members in need were only given $300 ONCE A YEAR if:

• They were a tither at the church AND
• Were members in good standing (regularly in attendance) for 6 months to 1 year AND
• They enrolled in a money management class

While there were people who “played the system” by going from church to church looking for money to solve their poor management problems, most people had a genuine need, and we turned them away if they didn’t meet ALL of the criteria I listed above. Unless, of course, they “knew someone” who could “grease the wheels” and make something happen - fast.

Again, I’ve repented before the Lord and moved as far away from both of these pimps and their diabolical plans as I could.

So, in this case the father really did learn from the son. And the end result is still the same - YOU lose more of your money to foolishness and pimpery.

These wolves are becoming more and more brazen in their extortion attempts - and they remain successful in “shaking you down”.

7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Sorry Paul - these pimps don’t have time to teach about grace giving or giving from the heart to our brothers and sisters who are in need…

There’s money to be made here.

I’ve already explored the concept of “spiritual fatherhood” and “covering”, so this short post is simply an illustration. If you attend New Birth South Metropolitan Church in Hampton, GA, then Pastor Andre Landers is your spiritual father (your “daddy”, if you will). Eddie Long is your “spiritual grandaddy”, and T.D. Jakes is your “spiritual great granddaddy”.

For disclosure purposes, I was “submitted” to Andre Landers in ministry before I repented, left this church, and submitted myself to Christ Himself as opposed to this “prophet” who “spoke on His behalf”.

Moving along…

If you’re a woman who attends NBSMC, then you’re in luck - your “daddy” is going to meet with you tomorrow night (March 11th) in the new 4 week old $22 million dollar worship facility. Your “daddy” wants to talk to you about what’s on the minds of the men in your life - and he’s calling the event “Father Knows Best”. Click the link to view the video, and come back.

Don’t waste time going to your real Father to discern what’s on the heart of your man. Don’t even waste your time talking to your man about it. Forget what God say’s about your man’s heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Just relax - your “daddy” is going to fill you in on everything you need to know.

When you get back home from the event, read Matthew 23:8-12:

8“But ^(A)do not be called ^(B)Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for ^(C)One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

 10“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.

 11“^(D)But the greatest among you shall be your servant.

 12“^(E)Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

It seems as though this whole exploration of pulpit pimps & spiritual fatherhood is getting some attention. While no one is publicly commenting to my thoughts, I am getting feedback in my email - and I’m starting to see visitors stop by from across the web. To God be the glory - I hope that some of you are starting to rethink your relationship with your “spiritual father”…if you have one.

Let’s take a moment to review the nature of the pulpit pimp:

• He attracts you with his charisma
• He tells you of your “potential in the Lord”
• He breaks you down
• He builds you back up as a reflection of and in submission to him
• He convinces you that you need him so that he can tell you what God is saying to you (I guess Jesus’ intercession on our behalf is unnecessary - Romans 8:34)

Got all that? Good, let’s move on…

Now that you understand how much you need the pimp, you’ve got to submit to his “spiritual covering” so that he can “pray for you” and you can be “accountable to him in ministry”. Of course, your submission is going to cost you something.

Call it a love offering (can you find the phrase “love offering” in the bible?), first fruits (another scam where you pay the pimp your first day, week, or months salary so that they can pray over it, causing your “crops” to be blessed for the rest of the year), or any other creatively titled “offering” - you gotta “pay to play”.

Even the pimps themselves are encouraged to submit to “super pimps”. This allows the pimp to flaunt their own “spiritual daddies” and claim a portion of the “anointing” that rests on the superpimp. This perverse thinking is why many of today’s pimps have such disdain for formal biblical education. They call seminaries “cemeteries”, and brag about how they were ordained by their “spiritual fathers”.

My former pimp used to love to say how he was “sent” (by his superpimp) while others “just went“. The implication, of course, is that you can’t possibly be called into the Gospel ministry by God Himself. No, you’ve got to have the superpimp lay his hands on you to “stir up the gifts in you” (another bastardized butchering of Paul’s relationship with Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6).

Now that they’ve convinced you that formal seminary education is a waste of time, you accept their tainted “covering”, as well as the tainted “covering” of their superpimp.  Here are a few of the the “covering” ministries out there:

• Dr. I.V. Hilliard of New Light Church of Houston, TX - Association of Independent Ministries
• Bishop Eddie L. Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church of Lithonia, GA - BELL Ministries/The Father’s House
• Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potters House of Dallas, TX - Potters House International Pastoral Alliance

There are many others out there, even “spiritual mothers” that are willing to “cover” you as well. The men listed above represent the most popular “covering” ministries in operation today. 

These ministries were formed to “establish, encourage, and cultivate others to God through the personal touch of our Bishop” (according to Long’s website) and to “provide for those member ministries wise counsel and oversight upon their request” (according to Hilliard).

Innocent enough right? All these fellows want to do is help you by giving you wise counsel and oversight - nothing wrong with that, right? Well, you didn’t think you’d get all this covering and counseling for free did you? No, no, no - remember, you’ve got to “pay to play…

Want to be a “son” of Eddie Long? No problem. He’ll give you a subscription to his magazine, access to his quarterly conferences, prayer, and lots of other “ministry resources”.  Just  fill out the application, get a couple of letters of recommendation (you didn’t think he’d “lay hands” on you, did you?) and send in your annual “membership fee” of $250, and you’re on your way!

Don’t want Long to be your daddy? OK, how about I.V.? He only charges $50 for the application fee and $100 for the annual membership(what a bargain), but I.V. is a bit more demanding. He wants to bill you for monthly administrative costs, he wants you to honor him and accept correction from him, you have to make a “public confession of sonship/daughtership” (huh? do you get a special decoder ring too?) and much much more.

As a side note, I had the pleasure of “encountering” a few of I.V.’s local sons when he spoke at my former church. They wanted to get access to their “daddy” after service, but we were instructed to “keep them away”. Now I know why they were so anxious to meet their daddy - they paid enough!

Anyway, not content with Eddie or I.V.? How about the king alpha pimp - T.D.? No problem…T.D. could always use a new son or two. Besides, he doesn’t require as much as old I.V. does. You only have to be senior pastor with a church that’s larger than the pastor’s immediate family (I know, I had to read that twice myself), fill out the application, and PAY A TITHE FROM YOUR PERSONAL PASTORAL INCOME (I had to read that one a few times).

A I’ve stated before, the concept of spiritual fathering (or mentoring) is not unbiblical. It is incumbent upon a pastor to mentor those who are new and immature in the faith by exemplifying a Christ-like lifestyle, and pointing them to God as their ultimate Father.

Spiritual covering is now simply portrayed as your allegiance to your pulpit pimp, his philosophy, and his band of cronies. Your real spiritual covering is God your Father (1 Corinthians 11:3). As long as you align yourself with God, you’ll never be uncovered. Besides, God was covering you long before you ever crossed paths with your pimp! 

It’s easy to see how your pimp can prey upon you week after week - he’s being sanctioned by his own “spiritual father” and practicing what he learns - and aspires to be himself. To drive his point home, the pimp will “invite” (i.e. pay an honorarium or speakers fee) for the superpimp to come to his church so that you can see how close he is to his “daddy” - and thereby legitimizing his hustle.

Meanwhile, the Gospel gets lost in the midst of all of this phony “fathering and covering”. The lost and bound never experience the true liberty of Jesus Christ, and the devil is laughing because he doesn’t have to do anything but stay out of the pimps way.

This “pimpology” will end when you stop allowing your pimp to satisfy your flesh and start allowing your Heavenly Father to satisfy you completely. Like the old preachers used to say: “that old devil will starve if you stop feeding it”.

There I go again, getting myself all worked up. I’m going to reintroduce myself to the Christ to make me feel better…

Alrighty. Now that I’m refreshed and ready to go, it’s back to the keyboard…

I was having a running dialogue with my colleague over at Independent Conservative about tithing, and the discussion turned towards pulpit pimps and how they exploit their followers. We started talking about the concept of spiritual fatherhood - and how it’s bastardized in the church, so I decided that this subject needed to be addressed on this blog.

Who’s Your Daddy? 

First, the overall concept of spiritual fatherhood is doctrinally sound WHEN USED IN THE FULL CONTEXT OF THE GOSPEL. When a pastor first introduces someone to Christ, it’s their obligation to present the true and living Savior, and to instruct the new convert in righteous living so that they grow mature in the Word for themselves - and so that they can disciple someone else someday.

Today’s pimps simply use it as a tool to further drag their congregants into submission to them. They always point to 1 Corinthians 4:15-16:

15For if you were to have countless ^(A)tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in ^(B)Christ Jesus I ^(C)became your father through the ^(D)gospel. 16Therefore I exhort you, be ^(E)imitators of me.

But, like a good pimp, they don’t give the total context of scripture - only the part that benefits them:

Servants of Christ

 1Let a man regard us in this manner, as ^(A)servants of Christ and ^(B)stewards of ^(C)the mysteries of God.

 2In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

 3But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

 4For I ^(D)am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this ^(E)acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

 5Therefore ^(F)do not go on passing judgment before ^[a]the time, but wait ^(G)until the Lord comes who will both ^(H)bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s ^(I)praise will come to him from God.

 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed ^(J)what is written, so that no one of you will ^(K)become arrogant ^(L)in behalf of one against the other.

 7For who regards you as superior? ^(M)What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

 8You are ^(N)already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

 9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men ^(O)condemned to death; because we ^(P)have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

 10We are ^(Q)fools for Christ’s sake, but ^(R)you are prudent in Christ; ^(S)we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

 11To this present hour we are both ^(T)hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

 12and we toil, ^(U)working with our own hands; when we are ^(V)reviled, we bless; when we are ^(W)persecuted, we endure;

 13when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have ^(X)become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

 14I do not write these things to ^(Y)shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved ^(Z)children.

 15For if you were to have countless ^(AA)tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in ^(AB)Christ Jesus I ^(AC)became your father through the ^(AD)gospel.

 16Therefore I exhort you, be ^(AE)imitators of me.

 17For this reason I ^(AF)have sent to you ^(AG)Timothy, who is my ^(AH)beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, ^(AI)just as I teach everywhere in every church.

 18Now some have become ^(AJ)arrogant, as though I were not ^(AK)coming to you.

 19But I ^(AL)will come to you soon, ^(AM)if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are ^(AN)arrogant but their power.

 20For the kingdom of God does ^(AO)not consist in words but in power.

 21What do you desire? ^(AP)Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Paul was speaking of spiritual fatherhood in the context that he was the one that introduced them to Jesus Christ, thus making them “babes” in Christ. Therefore, he exhorted them to imitate him because he strove to passionately pursue and imitate Christ.

“What about Timothy, and Silas, etc.” you ask? Good question. This is another area of scripture that the pimps butcher in order to garner submission to them. Timothy never called Paul his “spiritual father” - although Paul does refer to Timothy as his “beloved and faithful child (or son) in the Lord“. Paul goes on to say that Timothy “will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).

Notice Paul said that Timothy would continue in the sound teaching of the Gospel for the glory of God - not so that the sheep would continue to be coerced into submitting to Paul (even in his absence).

It’s the common practice of a pimp to flatter you about your potential, break you down so that you’re dependent on him, and slowly build you up so that you are an exact replica of his philosophy - all the while surrendering your hard earned money to him.

Some are good at it, others are clumsy yet effective, but the results are always the same - you submit.

I’ve seen grown men refer to their pastors as “daddy” or “dad” - much like a prostitute addresses her pimp. Not only have I seen it, I’ve participated in it.

The argument could be made that this bastardized “father-son” exploitation is rampant in the black church because of the lack of fathers in black homes. I can see that perspective. I had a fractured relationship with my own father. Sure, he was in our home but he was emotionally unavailable. I first bought into the “daddy” concept while seeking healing for the relationship with my biological father (we’re fine now), and I found comfort in the concept of a “spiritual father” who was charismatic and (I thought) had God’s ear.

I’m a grown man with an MBA, but I fell for it - hook, line, and sinker.

I couldn’t have been more wrong, and I’ve repented for my error in submitting to a flawed man (and men) as though he were the manifestation of Christ Himself.

The truth is that anyone who is searching for a sense of belonging is susceptible - especially if the first stop in your search isn’t the Word of God.

The next time your pimp stands behind the book-board to preach submission to him, or declares that he is your spiritual father (especially if he doesn’t even remotely resemble Christ in his actions), quietly turn your bible to Matthew 23:8-12, read it slowly, close your bible - AND RUN AS FAST AND AS FAR AWAY AS YOU CAN.

Also, visit Kwesi over at SCREAM for another look at the abuse of pastoral authority.