Daily Innovation, Ministry Insights, and Thoughts from Todd Rhoades for Pastors and Church Leaders
Purpose-Driven Christians Pray for Destruction of Radio Ministry
Indulge me for just a couple of minutes. Yes, yet again, I feel the need to at least give a fair shake to fellow Christians, stick up for a mis-treated 'purpose-driven' movement, and give a swift wap upside the head to a 'discerning' Christian website. I guess it's all in a days work...
OK… now that you’ve clicked to read my rant… here’s the post that made me feel like at least a civilized response would be called for. It’s from our good friend Ingrid.
A few thoughts…
1. This just doesn’t make sense. I wonder if the story was confirmed by Ingrid, or if she’s going off the word of a concerned listener. I question whether even a group of pastors would care enough to pray for the destruction of anything because of the PD movement. In honesty, most church people, especially men’s groups; have little or no interest in “Purpose Driven” ministry, little alone know what the heck it is. To go even further to pray that God would ‘take down’ another ministry just doesn’t seem logical to me.
2. I checked out the church in questions website. No mention on the whole site about “Purpose-Driven”. No link to the PD Life; no bases; no picture of the pastor with Rick Warren; no 40 days of Community. Squat.
3. The mission of the church in question is to “come together for the purposes of seeking God; listening for God’s truth; and giving God honor and adoration.”
Oh, and to pray for the destruction of our brothers and sisters who disagree with us.
4. Ingrid describes the church as “a church that long ago followed after the man-centered church growth philosophies.” Sorry, but that’s not fair. Not only is it rude, it’s not fair to put things out there like that are such generalities.
5. Ingrid: “That we would have those who claim to follow Christ actually pray as a group for the destruction of a ministry that has been broadcasting the Gospel for over 45 years in our city is indicative of the spiritual darkness in the church today.” Again, unsubstantiated. All this from one loyal disgruntled listener to HER radio ministry.
6. “We need to pray for the deluded souls in this prayer group that are actively seeking the demise of VCY America, that the scales would fall from their eyes and that the Holy Spirit would show them the evil they are engaged in.” Yes, this will help. May the Holy Spirit convict the deluded souls of their evil. In others words, may the Holy Spirit take THEM down.
7. Ingrid: “God will not hear the prayers of those who want destruction of fellow believers and their ministries.” Oops, read #6.
8. “We wrestle not against men in misguided prayer groups, but against a spirit world in rebellion against God.” Again, a pretty serious accusation. That puts these men in a whole new light.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t know what was prayed for in that group. If they prayed for the destruction of Ingrid’s radio show, it is badly misguided. If they prayed for God’s will and God’s word to be sent forth on the station, then ‘good job’. That’s something even Ingrid would agree with.
The big irony for me in this is that people like Ingrid end up doing the same thing to that men’s prayer group that she accuses them of doing to her. The end result is a finger-wagging, satan-accusing, purpose-driven, holy spirit inciting, discerning christian nightmare. One that the unsaved world around us would just shake their head at. Why would they ever want what some of us have?
End rant.
Todd
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This post has been viewed 857 times and was added on February 22, 2007 by Todd Rhoades. Filed under: Miscellaneous Personal Items from Todd Share this post with a friend right now! View reactions to this post at other blogs... You can really help us out by subscribing to our free RSS feed with your favorite feed reader, or here at Bloglines. Also, you can add us to your favorites at Technorati.
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My name is Todd Rhoades, the 'behind the scenes' guy here at MMI. I'm also on the team at Leadership Network (although that doesn't mean that they endorse everything I write here). In my past life, I was the developer of a of a website called ChurchStaffing.com. I hope you'll enjoy your time here and tell all your colleagues about MMI! 
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Posted by
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 2:25 PM
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Posted by Todd Rhoades
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 2:29 PM
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Posted by
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 10:07 PM
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Posted by Bruce
Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 3:49 PM
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Posted by
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 9:09 AM
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Posted by Michelle Van Loon
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM
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Posted by
Monday, February 26, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Post Your Comments:I PERSONALLY know the secretary to the Pastor of Men’s Ministries at Elmbrook Church. (I just emailed her a link to Todd’s posting and asked for a comment). I attended a PHENOMENAL men’s conference hosted by this church less than 3 weeks ago.
Ingrid is basing her claims on a telephone conversation with a woman who claims to be exposing something from an Elmbrook men’s prayer group. (How would a woman know what happened at a men’s prayer group unless her information is based on hearsay?)
Let me get this straight – I read someone who read from someone who heard from someone that a group is praying against a ministry because that ministry is opposed to someone’s interpretation/application of Scripture.
It is no wonder that the world laughs at Christians for the way we bicker with one another!!
Thanks, David… Well said… Please let me know what response you get… I’d love to update the story here in the very near future.
Todd
Uh… right… more hearsay to come, I guess…
I wouldn’t pray for it...............but I certainly would voice my opinion...........that if Ingrid, Ken and all the CRN heresy hunters lost their internet connection..........it would be a good day in the Kingdom of God. They stir up hatred for others, all in the name of God. We criticize that if they are Muslim but we often say nothing when professed Christians do it. There is nothing remotely Christian about CRN.
CRN is indeed purpose driven.........their purpose is to promote disunity, hatred, and sectarianism. I refuse to “play nice” with such people. They hurt the Church.
Bruce
Todd your first paragraph says it all..."logical". Ingrid and her type are not into what is logical or not. As noted above they and others like them are just out for disunity, hatred, passing on their own judgements, etc.
We lived near Milwaukee for 9 years, and the influence of WVCY on the region can’t be measured by the size of its listening audience. The constant focus on “discerning the truth” has created a culture of mistrust and suspicion in the name of upholding the true faith. What you’re seeing on the net is a print version of what has been going on in southeastern WI for a long, long time. It’s terribly sad…
It seems like what some would call the “church” has gotten away from the original intent. We, as Christians, regardless of denomination (i hate that word) are to do just a few things. Preach The Good News, Make Disciples (of Christ, not of ourselves), and Baptize. It is very difficult to find sound, Bible based foundations when so much of it is infected with one person or groups opinion. Honestly, there are some things that these organizations do in the name of God that cause more damage than good. But, I know whom I have believed in, and know that He is able to COMPLETE this unfinished work. So, God, help me to become less Judgmental. Help me preach you love. Help me remember that not everyone thinks the way I do, and to be loving and kind in all situations. Amen.
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