Monday Morning Insights

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    Today’s Buzz:  Wife Beating, Divorce, and Money Pleas; The New Vatican Airline; and More&

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    Wife Beating, Divorce, and Money Pleas...
    Sounds like Hollywood, but it’s really the church.  This has not been a good week for church news in the mainstream media.  First, Megachurch pastors Randy and Paula White announce that they’ll be getting a divorce.  Randy will stay on and pastor the church in Florida, and Paula will take off for NYC and other places to work on her own ministry (including a pretty sizable TV gig).  You can read more here. Both blamed the two different directions their lives are going.

    Meanwhile yesterday, Global Destiny Ministries members on Sunday circled their spiritual wagons around their pastor, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, now charged with beating his estranged wife, the nationally known evangelist Juanita Bynum.  According to one congregant there yesterday, “"There are three sides to every story.  Nobody has the right to judge anybody. God is in the midst of that and will work it out.” Come on… they guy beat his wife.  What’s the other side of the story?  That she deserved it?!  He has been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly choking, kicking and hitting his wife in a parking lot and making threats to kill her.  Yesterday, he told the GDM audience that it was the devil’s fault.

    And finally, we have Ted Haggard’s ‘fundraising’ letter.  Haggard needs some support money for his new life stage helping the down and out; even though he’s made at least $338k since January of 2006; and still owns a house in Colorado Springs worth over $700k.

    Here are three examples (in the past week alone) that show why so many people we are trying to reach have no respect for the church.  They think leaders like this are fake, and, quite frankly, a joke.  And, they think the people who blindly follow (and send money); in other words, “The Christians” are so blind and deluded, that they actually feel sorry for them.  No wonder we have such a hard time reaching people.  They think we’re naive at best, stupid at worst; and they literally want nothing to do with us.  Go figure.

    Another Lawsuit in Christian Broadcasting
    Among allegations of racial discrimination, Streaming Faith and its parent company Multicast Media Technologies, faces a multi-million dollar lawsuit from one of its founders. Rodney Sampson, a founder and shareholder of the company, filed papers with the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, against the Christian media giant, for his wrongful and unlawful termination as CEO of Streaming Faith, and the attempt of its key executives to void his ownership in the company.
    SOURCE

    New Vatican Airline?
    The Vatican has its own bank, its own postal system, its own pharmacy and its own soccer tournament—but until now, no official state-sponsored airline.  That will change when the Holy See teams up with a small Italian charter company, Mistral Air, to launch a low-cost charter service to ferry pilgrims to many of the most important Catholic shrines, including Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Czestochowa in Poland and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  “The spirit of this new initiative is to meet the growing demand by pilgrims to visit the most important sites for the faith,” according to the Rev. Cesare Atuire of the Vatican pilgrimage office.  Founded in 1981, Mistral Air functions mainly as a cargo transport service. The Italian state postal service and the Vatican pilgrimage office are both shareholders in the company, which intends to use the same aircraft to fly pilgrims by day and cargo by night.  The plane’s headrests will bear the inscription, “I search for your face, Oh Lord.” SOURCE

    I Like You Too, Tony!
    My friend Tony Morgan has recently listed his “25 Blogs Tony Couldn’t Live Without”.  Guess what?  Tony put me on his list!!  Thanks, Tony!  I like you too, man!  Read it here. Actually, there are some great blogs on this list, including a couple of new ones for me.  Check it out!

    Rex Humbard Fighting For His Life
    Pioneering televangelist Rex Humbard is “fighting for his life” in a Florida hospital, according to his son, Rex Humbard Jr. The former Akron minister, who just turned 88, broke his hip on July 23 and underwent total hip replacement, his son said. Complications followed. The senior Humbard, who suffers from congestive heart failure, is being treated at JFK Hospital in Atlantis, FL.

    It’s About Time...
    Yours truly was mentioned in a recent Time.com article.  Link Interestingly enough, it was on a subject that I really know pretty little about… electronic tithing.  They make me sound good, though, I think!  (You’ll notice they did get MMI’s URL wrong though, which is a bummer.

    Church Conflict and the Internet Blogger
    Over the past few weeks, I was also quoted on a subject that I actually have written quite a bit about:  the blogosphere and how that affects churches that are going through conflict.  EthicsDaily.com did an article on the subject that I think is quite good (and not just because they quoted me!) I really do think that this will be a big deal for many churches in the next years (it already has been for some!) Link at EthicsDaily.com

    What in the World Is She Trying to Say?
    Have you ever felt like this in the pulpit?.  Click here.

    During this past week, there have been three major breaking news stories in the national press about the church. All of them are bad. Wife beating, Divorce, and money pleas. Another black eye for the cause of Christ. It makes me upset! (OK... I feel a little better). Also today, the new Vatican airline; Tony likes me; some love from the press over electronic tithing and church conflict; and Rex Humbard. And don't worry, I leave on a light note that most of you will enjoy, unless, of course, you're from South Carolina. (Sorry, Perry)...

    Comments

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    1. bishopdave on Mon, August 27, 2007

      What she said—She’s correct. It is very difficult to find the USA on a map if you don’t have one. Bless her heart.


      Wife beating, divorce, etc—For all those who cry, these people are human, we all fall—look at this bunch. The transformation provided by Christ is not seen, and these lives are a mockery to the gospel. I’m not asking for perfection, but wife beating and Haggard’s letter—respect and humility are too much to ask of these “men of God”? The Bishop is beating wife #2—maybe a little background checking would have revealed this man’s character. Haggard—I think we need to carefully examine what it takes to be restored to leadership ministries. We need to understand that sin has such deep damage potential, can Haggard even comprehend how detestable it is for a guy with his severance and assets to ask anybody for a cup of coffee? I have sins, but my wife doesn’t fear for her safety and I understand that how I conduct my personal life has a direct effect on my ability to earn my living.

    2. Vaden Horne on Mon, August 27, 2007

      She is a prime example of why people can’t find the United States on a World Map. No common sense. I don’t think her elevator is out of the basement. She is a beautiful girl but dumber than a brick. The educational system in the U.S. has changed so much from my childhood. We have people who have no clue of proper grammar, spelling, simple math or geography. For some reason the powers that be have determined that we need to “keep up” with the rest of the world, therefore we have focused on technology rather than basics in education.

    3. Carole Turner on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Paula White left her husband for Bishop Richards Hawkins of San Antonia Tx. He recently turned over his megga church there to Paula White ministries and he steped down as lead pastor, his son is now the lead pastor.


      Richard Hawkins divorced his wife of 25 years back in February the same month that Paula White took her husband Randy’s name off deeds and stuff that they owned together.February was also the month that Richard Hawkins son divorced his wife to be with Paula Whites Makeup artist, whom he had been having an affair with! I do not say this all as hear say. These are facts that are soon to become public.


      These people scar me with their complete disregard for God and what they are doing to His children.


      Pray for them and the lives this will effect.

    4. Mark Simpson on Mon, August 27, 2007

      THanks for keeping us posted.  I work with an international network of churches based in Guatemala City and was with their leaders in a meeting there back in March. They asked, “Who can we bring to minister at our next international pastors conference next February?”  They and I looked at ministries in the US and at the end of the conversation they shook their heads and said, “I guess we’ll stick with you guys that have been ministering to us in years past.”  If church leaders here could only see the damage that is being done by their behaviors and demands (one big pastor was invited to this church in Guatemala and his demands were $8,000 plus airfare for 8 people!), not just here but around the world.  The nations still admire and want our leadership: who can give it?  It’s getting to be a short list!

    5. Danny Daniels on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Paula’s broadcast has become more of a secular self help program lately. I could tell there was something changing. She recently had Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki on talking about success etc. Then yesterday I saw her program and she was just another self help guru at a self help guru convention.  Why she chose to broadcast that I will never know.


      Here is a question: Should she or Randy take time off from ministry due to their failed marriage? I think so. What do you think?


      Danny

    6. Leonard on Mon, August 27, 2007

      I am asking that everyone send me some money so I can buy maps for the poor children of the US.  Then we will be able to locate and thus avoid the places some of these pastors are carrying on their ways. 


      CRAZY isn’t it!

    7. pmpope68 on Mon, August 27, 2007

      What concerns me about Bishop Weeks, Bynum and the Whites, is the message that they’re sending—“no matter what you do, you can still go on with life as usual”.  Sometmes repentance means stepping aside for a while so that you can be healed and ministered to.   I wonder, are they not willing to sacrifice their large paychecks and place in the spotlight?  I contrast this with a married couple I heard on Moody Broadcasting one day in which the wife quit her job because she’d had an affair with a co-worker.  When she and her husband decided to reconcile and make their marriage work, the wife quit her job to remove herself from the temptation.  From what I gathered, these were just average working people who undoubtedly needed their jobs, but yet it was important enough to this woman to quit in order to restore her marriage. 


      I also get tired of hearing people talk about how the devil is attacking marriages.  This is probably true, but this expression is used as though there is no involvement whatsoever on the part of the individual.  Satan just took them over and at no point were they a willing participant.  As one who has sinned, I can definitely say that I knew I was wrong and had no one to blame but myself.  I believe that sometimes people struggle horribly, but we’re living in an age in which we don’t want to feel the consequences of our actions.  We want to carry on business as usual with very little change to our lifestyles or routines.

    8. Dennis on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Now, I’m a bit corn-fused—was that beauty contestant Paula White?  The similarities are striking—blond, perky, clueless and not making a lick of sense.

    9. Andrea on Mon, August 27, 2007

      In this culture, we need to beware of idol worship of these people.  That is one reason why I left a megachurch.  The people end up following the people, not God.


      There is such arrogance.  They will have to answer to their Maker for their bad behavior (as will all of us), which has a negative impact on so many more people.

    10. Andy on Mon, August 27, 2007

      I’m conflicted.


      As a Christian, who watched his wife choose the world over her Saviour, then get dragged through a divorce I didn’t want, I feel empathy for anyone facing that horrible lie of our arch-enemy. 


      At the same time, I must show all the grace I have received for ALL my sins.


      At the same time, I can’t stand it when we as the blood-washed, resurrection-power filled people of God act just like the world we have been saved from, yet remain in as the instruments God chooses to use to save more of our lost brothers and sisters.


      Chesterton is right again: “It isn’t so much that the Christian life has been tried and found wanting; but rather that it has been found difficult and left untried.”


      The way is VERY narrow, my friends.

    11. Pastor Rusty on Mon, August 27, 2007

      I think Ephesians 5 and 6 suggest that the practical living-out of our faith in Christ is built upon our marriages (Husband and wife), our families (children and parents) and what we do in our communities and work places (masters and slaves). We cannot disregard the fact that if the husband/wife relationships we build are not a not a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church, then our children are not seeing Christ in us! And then husbands, wives and children alike, take this disjointed image of Christ into the workplace.


      The world needs to see more repentance, and less “TV good news!” Personally i have made the commitment to never sell what God has given me for free…insight into his word through his Holy Spirit; salvation; faith; grace; or any other thing he gives me. Perhaps this attitude is helping keep me from “pride of ministry?”


      As for Guatemala and Mark Simpson’s excellent observations, Mark there are still those of us in small churches throughout Canada and the US who will never be “promoted” to mega-church fame, but who, if invited, would be able to offer a pastor’s conference anywhere great ministry insight and wisdom because we fear God and know Him well as our friend. I do not write thinking i have gotten there, but if one were to ask, i would fly to Guatemala or anywhere for the cost of the plane ticket and a cup of coffee! Be blessed, and choose your models wisely. Afterall, it’s all about who you want to be like!

    12. Chris on Mon, August 27, 2007

      No suprise to me, but a good warning for all of us in the north american evangelical realm who have embraced the business model of building God’s kingdom. When success is people, purses, porches,  palaces and possessions are our measuring stics and not a transformed duplicating disciples we must take head.  God help us all be disciples and disciple makers.  As for confenrences, Me and several other men on our nickel go and help pastors in Eastern Europe, not because were gifted or wealthy, but because we are called. I have just been reminded this week that the mark of New Testament believers is suffering, not blessing, and not the removal of problems but the grace to see God and His hand in it.

    13. DanielR (a different Daniel) on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Of course Weeks’ problems are Satan’s fault, he couldn’t possibly just accept responsibility for beating his wife.  He can’t say it was drugs or alcohol because he would be condemned in Christian circles for that too.  He can’t say he just lost his temper and was out of his mind.  No, it must be Satan’s fault because that’s the only excuse that a Christian leader could try and use and hope for no repercussions.


      One more Christian leader that needs to step back and seek repentance, recovery, and restoration.  Don’t try to blame it on Satan and expect to go on like nothing happened, although it won’t surprise me if his ministry allows that.  Worshiping your Pastor is also a form of idolatry.


      If you’re getting divorced you should probably step back from leading ministry, maybe just for a while depending on the circumstances.  If you’re getting divorced to be with someone you have been having an adulterous affair with you need to get out of ministry permanently.  If you’re an adulterer and in ministry you should have to wear a big red “A” so everyone knows not to believe everything you say.


      As for the map thing, I’ve yet to see a globe in any one of my daughter’s classrooms but she’s only in 3rd grade.  However there soon will be one in their study space at home.  Americans are very ego-centric and many of us know very little about the rest of the world.

    14. Dan Moore on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Sad about the marriages breaking up but what is worse is that the folks involved seem to take God’s Word so lightly.  Since these folks were in the ministry…they need to leave the ministry for healing and reconciliation.  The arrogance of ignoring God’s Word because one has amassed a fortune does not protect one from God’s discipline.


      As far as the Guatamalan churches, I’m not surprised.  A little success makes many an evangelist and pastor “too expensive.”  I have made three trips to Mexico, mostly at my expense with a little help from my church, to help churches there.  I’m bivocational and can be a greater help because many of the pastors there are bivocational as well.  Though the language differs, the ministry is pretty much the same.

    15. Andrea on Mon, August 27, 2007

      Paula is gravitating to the self-help movement.  Who needs God when you can do it yourself?  She will come away unscathed, because people seem to overlook bad behavior, and blame it on the devil.  There is no doubt we have a real enemy, but there is also such a thing as personal responsibility.  The so-called prosperity gospel is not the real thing.  People who follow that “gospel” tend to disregard the bad behavior because they are so enamored of the personalities.  They is not what Jesus had in mind….


      This is a sad time for the Body of Christ.  No wonder people walk away and scoff at Christians when they see this.  It is disgraceful.  How much more can happen? 


      We have to forgive, but we also have to use our common self and the brain God gave us when we consider continuing to support these people (Ted Haggard comes to mind….).


      Wake up, people!

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