Randy White: We’re Making a Comeback, Baby!
- Posted on August 27, 2008
- Viewed 494 times
- (18) comments
According to the article:
1. Earlier this summer, Randy blocked the Internet broadcast of church services within a 60-mile radius of the ministry’s Grady Avenue campus. White said he took the step to encourage “lazy Christians” to come to church. (I didn’t know you could block out your internet service like this… kind of like an MLB blackout when there are still seats available). Sorry, Randy, but “lazy Christians” don’t just NOT come to church; they also don’t listen to your internet broadcast.
2. In the past year, Randy merged two services into one; then directed staff members to remove 500 chairs from the sanctuary because they still weren’t being used. Randy’s reasoning: White said he needed to ease the strain of preaching TWICE because of his personal crises.
3. Randy said the church is taking steps to attract new members, many of whom don’t know the recent history. I wonder, how could ANYONE in Lakeland, or all of Florida NOT know about the recent history? That must be one targeted marketing campaign.
4. Other signs of a comeback: New services, like an expanded coffeeshop, and valet parking. What? Valet? I’m SO there!
5. Another ‘positive’ sign: Randy’s ex-wife will now return to preach at Without Walls once a month.
6. Finally, according to the article: Randy has ‘put mirrors along the side walls of the sanctuary, a move intended to lighten the dark atmosphere in preparation for a return to a weekly television broadcast.’ One word: Brilliant!
I think there may be a book here somewhere. “How Your Church Can Make a Comeback”
Sorry for the sarcasm folks… it’s just that I can’t make this stuff up!
You can read the whole article here...
Your thoughts?
Todd
According to an article on TampaBay.com, Pastor Randy White says that Without Walls Church is making a comeback: "We're coming back stronger...It's not rhetoric, but it's reality. The God we serve is the God of a second chance."
According to the website, "It has been arguably the toughest year in the 17-year history of Without Walls International Church, once the largest church in Florida and the fastest-growing congregation in the country.
A year ago this month, its founders announced they were divorcing. Three months later, a U.S. senator launched a federal inquiry into the church's finances. Some 50 percent of the 22,000-member congregation left in the aftermath, dragging collections down by half."
Even more interesting, I find, are some of the other things Randy has done recently to make this 'comeback' a reality:
Comments
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Jim in NJ on Wed, August 27, 2008
It is “celebrichurches” like this that give megachurches a bad name. Perhaps Randy (and Paula) should have taken some time off for counsel and discipline under some Godly men and women, but that would mean that they would be out of the limelight. Do many of the church attendees there come for the show or to praise and serve God?
Sure, bring back Paula to fill the seats. Kind of like reunion tours for old bands whose members can’t stand each other.
I can’t help but feel that any Godly work this church does is secondary to feeding the egos (and bank accounts) of Randy and Paula.
I hate being so negative at this hour of the morning, but seeing someone publicly thumbing their nose at God steams me!
Andy Wood on Wed, August 27, 2008
The mirrors thing works at one of our (many) Mexican restaurants. I always think I’m in a crowd of hundreds (translated that to thousands in the church) when I’m just looking at my neighbors twice.
It’s all about the appearances, I guess.
JOB on Wed, August 27, 2008
It took me awhile but now I understand Todd and MMI a little better. It’s not that “discernment” or criticism is frowned upon. It’s “discernment” and crticism within the camp that is off limits. Other camps are free game. If your a charismatic, pentecostal, frequent TBN or are a “watchdoggie” your open to Todd’s and others sarcasm here.
Todd Rhoades on Wed, August 27, 2008
JOB,
Wow… you’re on to me.
If Rick Warren combined services and took out chairs and said he was growing, I’d write about it.
If Granger put mirrors up on the wall to make it look like there were more people (when there weren’t), I would blog about it.
And if Andy Stanley divorced his wife, then asked her to come back to speak once a month to help pump attendance, I’d bargain to say that I’d write about that here too.
There was nothing theologically discerning about this post. You’re the one, JOB, who brought up anything about ‘camps’ and theological discernment.
No, JOB, you don’t really get me at all. If you read further here at MMI; you’ll find that I don’t shy away from talking and writing about things that I think need to be written about.
You’ll notice: I didn’t call Randy White a heretic; or any other number of names that many other websites use.
Read on, my friend. Sorry… but on second thought… you really DON’T get me. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Leonard on Wed, August 27, 2008
My mama always said if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all…
Leonard Lee - I out!
fishon on Wed, August 27, 2008
Leonard,
I don’t recall Jesus saying that?
—-“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”
—-“Woe unto you, ye blind guides….”
—-“Ye fools and blind….”
—-”...ye are like unto whited sepulchers….”
—-“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers….”
fishon
Leonard on Wed, August 27, 2008
That is why I did not attribute the quote to Jesus… Because it was my mama. Thanks for clarifying the origin for me though, I appreciate it. If I were to quote Jesus I would have used the pearls before swine… that is one of my favorites.
Don Railey on Tue, September 02, 2008
If you add some ‘smoke’ with those mirrors, then you will have a new definition of “smoke and mirrors”! A made for TV soap opera!
Pastor Steve on Tue, September 02, 2008
Well I’m glad to hear that the church in itslef is doing good, but personally I think Randy should have taken some time off as Sr. Pastor to allow the church tro heal from it’s blow of celeb preachers dramatized lifestyles.
Bro Todd I read almost everything you write and I don’t see you being partial to any one camp. You just tell it like it is. And personally I enjoy the subtle sarcasm… Keep up the good work. Love MMI
Bill Connell on Tue, September 02, 2008
Forgive me for this shallow response, but I am still trying to figure what holds the roof up at Church Without Walls.
PK on Tue, September 02, 2008
As one from the afore mentioned “camp” I welcome honest assessment. It’s high time we embraced honesty as a core value. I’ve read this blog for a couple of years now and have found it to be a valuable source of good objective info. I relate to the soft sarcasm as an effective communication tool and welcome it as a “gift” restored back to church for end time ministry.
Wenfred D. Dorsey on Tue, September 02, 2008
I am excited that Brother Randy is finally making a come back despite his personal setbacks. God is good. Another interesting thing I might add is that Sister Paula will be making monthly visits. That is a blessing. I guess things were not as bad as we thought.
Lord forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
AMB on Tue, September 02, 2008
This was a very interesting article. However, it just reinforced my frustration as a part time staff pastor and a believer, that we’re so busy DOING church, that we aren’t HAVING church. I’m glad that Without Walls is doing well, but I have to say that is a commentary on the congregation, as much as it is on the pastor. My sister’s church recently removed their pastor as the result of an extra-marital affair. Are they hurt and disappointed? Sure. But the core is strong and they are all still together. The church should be about the people in it, more than the person leading it!
Champ on Tue, September 02, 2008
Coming back to what? More Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?
Jan on Thu, September 04, 2008
My first response was “Sick.”
Really, this is a very unhealthy group in my opinion.
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