In the middle of his sermon on "suffering" last week, Furtick told his church how HE is suffering for the Lord: by having to endure an investigative reporter ask questions about the financing of his mansion. Wow, the pain and suffering of mega church pastors - how DO they endure such hardships? They must really love Jesus to suffer so much.
Watch the excerpt below from this sermon:
Furtick is Suffering for Jesus: Enduring the Questions of a Reporter About His Mansion from FBCJax Watchdog on Vimeo.
It will be interesting if the investigative reporter gets anyone at Elevation to talk - since Furtick's church requires members and volunteers to sign a "Confidentiality Agreement", that prohibits anyone from disclosing:
"...the Church's finances, including personal financial/salary information related to the staff, the Church's financial statements, balance sheets, offerings information, cash flow, forecasts, and cost analyses."
And I'll leave you from a quote from Steven's Emmy-worthy performance on his "Hey Hater's" video, that I think accurately depicts the disdain that Furtick must have for a pesky reporter who wants answers to his questions about a local pastor building a mansion:
"Fall back! It's a new day! 'Cause we're not looking for approval from you, who give no respect and never neglect the chance to complain. Are you going to criticize, or create? Waste your time, casting stones, breaking bones, belittling everyone you consider opposed?...A new light has dawned to still the tongue of the cynic..."
Yes, a new light has dawned at Elevation Church, all right. It is the light of the free press, and the light of the inquisitive mind of an investigative reporter who has questions, and who wants answers.
Let your light shine, Mr. Investigative Reporter. Don't hide it under a bushel, let it shine, let is shine.
59 comments:
What can you say? He's a wealthy businessman. That certainly doesn't match up with most Americans' idea of a pastor, but it's simply reality for some pastors-they write books, do speeches, get rich, want to enjoy their wealth.
I guess that would be all between them, their congregations and God, except that they also get lots of tax breaks on top of their wealth. Why should they get those?
The "suffering" part is pretty humorous. Suffering? A young, healthy, wealthy businessman? Must be horrible!
Lynn hit the nail on the head. Keep feeding these guys people.You deserve what they are doing to you.
These too hip preacher boys are the Justin Biebers of the pulpit, with most of the world either laughing or uninterested in what they have to say.
Now you see why the world has such a lousy view about American Christians. After the scandals of the catholic priest, Jimmy Swaggert, the Bakkers, Bob Gray here in Jacksonville and more recently the debacle at First Baptist concerning watchdog, it's easy to see why a lot of americans see Christians as nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites.
Steven Furtick has been suffering since 2005. That was the year he came to Charlotte to plant a church amongst all the unchurched folk.
Of course, he and Holly needed to have a house. They were 25 years old. No cozy bungalow would do. No, they bought a brand new 2,100 square foot house for $190,000.
Four years and two children later, it was time to look for another home. Another new home. This one had 3,100 square feet and cost $362,000.
It's been a rough, rough road for the Furticks through these years of church planting. This time, they're going all out with 16,000 square feet costing some $1.4 M per the building permit. That's on top of the 19 acres worth $1.6M.
Y'all need to have some Christian compassion for the Furticks!!!!
I am a member of Elevation and I thank God for His favor on Pastor Steven. Like Pastor always says...FAVOR AIN'T FAIR!!!
Don't hate on him, rejoice for the blessing of God on His Life!
Like Pastor said 3 weeks ago, when "He" is blessed, that blessing flows to us all!
STOP HATING!!
I am a member of Elevation and I thank God for His favor on Pastor Steven. Like Pastor always says...FAVOR AIN'T FAIR!!!
Don't hate on him, rejoice for the blessing of God on His Life!
Like Pastor said 3 weeks ago, when "He" is blessed, that blessing flows to us all!
STOP HATING!!
Anon at 9:27PM, why don't you tell us how "Pastor's" blessing is going to flow to you?
Be specific, please.
This blogger is so full of the Kool Aid there is no hope for him or her.This is the type person that keeps these moneygrubbers in business.Don't feel sorry for these people.
Anonymous, your pastor "always" tell you that "favor ain't fair"? Is that a central gospel tenant? Please listen to what you are saying. Something is wrong there.
Hey Anonymous member of Furtick's business... Do you have ANY Scripture to support what you stated?
PS: quoting Furtick's does not count.
Apparently your pastor doesn't quote, " Pick up your cross and follow Me." or Deny yourself.... he is fleecing the flock!!! Luke 6:24-26, Jeremiah 23:1-2, Acts 20:29-31
I think that before any of us would comment, as if we know ANYTHING about Steven Furtick, we should consider a few things.
1. To my understanding he has written at least two books - He probably made money from writing, he wrote them, he should be able to spend HIS money how ever he wants. No one has the right to tell us what to do with our pay checks.
2. He pastors a church of thousands... I'm assuming that's not an easy task. I'm assuming there is a lot of work involved in guiding the vision of the church, counseling, sermon prep, officiating weddings, officiating funerals, teaching classes, staff meetings and the countless other things a real pastor does as a part of his job! I'm sure there is a pay check involved in that process. Not only that I'm sure the pay check is attached to the number of members he has (more members, more work). If he earned it, who has the right to tell him how to spend it?
None of us work for free, are we under the impressions Pastors should? We don't have any problem paying people millions to catch balls, sing songs, play cops and robbers on TV... but saving souls, maturing Christians, that work is not worthy of healthy pay!?
Jesus wrote the Bible, wonder why he didn't cash in on it and build him a small insignificant little 16,000 sq foot cottage on the banks of the Sea of Galilee where he could run his ministry which numbered whatever the population of the earth was at the time. Makes you wonder how he was able to heal the sick, raise the dead, prepare his sermons, teach classes, hold staff meetings with his disciples, and prepare to be crucified, without even a place to lay his head. He sure picked the wrong time to come to earth and die for our sins. If he would have waited a couple thousand years he could have cashed in on the sales of his bible using the internet, wonder how many copies of his book has sold since it was first published? Hope you people that support this type of life style for someone that is suppose to be imitating Jesus, sees how ridiculous this is. And to justify it by saying, we pay professional athlete's and movie stars this kind of money so why not pastors, is about the most hypocritical statement I have ever heard in my life. Just a little earthly fact to those that might be reading this. Every second of every day 5 children die from hunger. So for the 1.54 minutes it took Furtick to justify to his congregation his building a new house, 570 children somewhere in the world starved to death. But I am sure his response if questioned, would be " Well the poor will always be with us"
Now pastors are saving souls. People have finally elevated them to the same level as God. No wonder why they worship these guys!!!
Anonymous @ 11:01 said: "No one has the right to tell us what to do with our pay checks."
I actually think you've just stated the point of this blog.
Now, admit that Furtick, Young, Noble, etc. have no right to tell anyone what to do with their paycheck. They tell us what to do with ours, so turnabout is fair play.
Additionally, as noted before, when the pastor lives in a multimillion dollar home, he (a) loses his ability to relate to the struggling masses and (b) he loses any credibility to teach others on issues regarding wealth and giving to others (which are numerous in the N.T.).
I think the true issue of this situation is the claim that it was strictly *his* book money that bought the house. You have someone who keeps their actual pay and compensation packages private while forcing people who might come into contact with that info to sign legal documents saying they will not disclose it. While in the pulpit, you get "Trust me. It was my money." Nope, nothing suspicious about that at all.
Think of all that the church has done to provide to the content of the books, compensation for him to travel to advertise the books (I mean, preach at other churches and conferences), a weekly audience to buy the books, free advertising to thousands in the churches, etc. He uses the church and its income to make the book money.
Overall, we make our leaders into our own image and I'm afraid that, in the end, this situation says more about the average churchgoer than anything else. Very sad.
"Wow" is all I can say. What about his in-laws' ministry to Cuba and Uganda? He could fund all the pastors' needs in Cuba with just a fraction of that square footage.
I wonder if his wife has help cleaning a 16,000 square foot house? That would be a full time job in itself wouldn't it?
He's learned well from James Macdonald then!
terriergal
And from his buddy, Ed Young Jr.
and from his buddy T.D. Jakes
There will never be a way to satisfy critics of wealth. Regardless if you are a religious wealthy person or non religious. We see it today in our society. People want more of the successful's income through taxation. Why does one belittle another s success, it they get it through honest means? It is true these critics have no idea how much Furtick had made through his books, nor to they know or should know how much he has given away. If he gave 1/4 to the government, 25% to charity and he decided to build a home of his means, then why should others care. Why? Because it is the state of our society. You critics are free to criticize, and yes Furtick will endure it as well as his church, but you know nothing about what you criticize.
Critics of wealth will never be satisfied. Religious or non-religious. Our society reflects this today. Many people criticize our government for not taxing more of wealthy income. For example the top 2% pay more than 90% of the nations revenue and that is still not enough for the critics.
Let's say I have a hobby, and a full time job. My hobby hit it big. I make bank.:) 10,000,000 Give 1/4 to IRS USA $2500000 2.5million. One Million to the church 10%, and I build my new house of 2 million. Through out my live I continue to give to the church and need causes. What is harm and why would you criticize.
me? You really know nothing about me or my ways.
Critics of success will never will be satisfied. It is seen in our society today. It matters not if you are religious, you may not and still be held in disdain and criticized. Should not a person be able to enjoy the fruits of his success? If I hold a job and have a hobby and the product of my hobby makes me $5,000,000, and I spend like this- 1/4 to government =$1.25 million (125000), 10% charity $500,000 (and will continue to give that and more through out my life). So I decide to let me and my family enjoy the fruits of my success, and build a home of my choice. What business is it of the critics? Critics will never be justified or nor satisfied. You nothing of my heart, nor of my spending. I will endure and still do good.
What's funny is... the same people that complain about the few preachers that are wealthy, have absolutely no problem with the MANY ridiculously overpaid sports starts they know and love...hmmmmmm.
God doesn't have a problem with people being rich, HE GAVE Solomon riches for crying out loud! Jesus simply tells us that they will be far more accountable than those without as much.
So get over your doctrines of asceticism, neither lots of money, nor little money makes anyone more holy. It's all about Jesus. I personally know quite a few wealthy Christians who live a generous godly lifestyle, and yes also enjoy the wealth themselves too.... IT IS POSSIBLE PEOPLE! So get over it!
I have come to believe that a lot of people don't want to hear the truth. They live in denial for many different reasons. They don't want to hear anything bad about their pastor because it makes them uncomfortable AND accountable for knowing the truth. Or, after hearing the truth, they respond with statements like "Well, I like his preaching" or "I think he's a good person". Plus, I see so many people who want to be seen with their "mega pastor" because it makes them feel like they're important and special. These pastors bully their congregation and a lot of the members don't even see it. But I'm thankful that God sees it. And I'm thankful that God led my family to a different church, led by a very humble, godly man.
If a pastor keeps his salary and perks private, it means he has something to hide from the congregation. Why not disclose this information to the members? And of course, you know the answer: members would be upset and giving would decrease. I just wish the members would take a stand and force the pastor to be upfront about his financial records. Then the greed would be exposed and perhaps then, change would occur. I say all of this with a broken heart as I left the church I loved and was a member of for many, many years. I miss my friends and the the joy I had as I entered those doors every week, several times a week. But I do have such an excitement now with the new church I'm attending. I walk in and it is beginning to feel like home.
Most amazing to me is the ignorant defense/support from those under his thumb!!!
It appears the basic defense is..."HE is just another successful businessman so he should spend HIS money the way HE wants cause HE wrote books/travels/etc..." While God is somewhere over in the corner?
1) No matter how much you emotionally "snuggle up" to him and attempt to defend him The GOD that created all IS NOT Impressed and Wont "roll his residule blessings off to you". Please hear this now! Yes we know you really want to be "noticed" by your "pastor" but from experience I can tell you-you may as well be a stick of furniture in his mansion. Better to be noticed by GOD anyway.
2) Try to mold that defense "visually" around the Apostle Paul who was beaten, mocked, stoned, etc. Or Luther Or Huss Or any number of the scores of saints persecuted TODAY FOR THEIR FAITH!!!
This twisting of OUR faith (His Gospel) makes me want to be critical and mean in anger truthfully BUT I reserve to be simply burdened for a "church" /building full of those ETERNALLY headed to satans hell. Please think for yourselves.
In the midst of the extravagance you're seeing amongst the mega church pastors, try not to forget that there are many more pastors who are serving *much* smaller churches, living in *much* smaller homes, working for *much* smaller salaries, giving of themselves and sacrificing daily, out of love for their people. More than once, we've served for less than a thousand dollars a month (with a family of four) - sometimes making nothing at all - (all while trying to pay off student loans for my doctorate degree). But, we`ve started food banks in poor neighborhoods and counselled troubled youth, and generally tried to help people make it in a tough world. That's why the tax breaks exist. Not for these rock star pastors. Gotta be honest, this probably bothers me as much as it does you. Just sayin` :)
What verse is he on?
He is certainly within his right to spend his money, whether from book sales, conferences or from the church as he deems. However, as a pastor, and especially such a prominent and public figure, he should realize All his actions will receive greater review. The greatest question to me is although he has the liberty to do it, is it the proper thing to do or will it bring undue questions, criticism and potential harm to the gospel.
What was that about easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter? Better stay on a diet!
Follow Jesus and stop being concerned about other folks business. We will have have to face the Lord one day. For He is our Judge, not man.
Furtick seems very furtive.
fur·tive fÉ™rtiv adjective
1. attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.
"No one has the right to tell us what to do with our pay checks."
Right you are, Anon 10/7 11:01.
No one has that right. Including pastors.
Every time some outrageous story comes out about a hipster pastor of a giga-mega-ultra church somewhere, you get comments like, "Hey haters, I am a member GoatherdersRus Church, so stop trash talking our Pastor Hair Gel. He's a great man of God. Yer just jealous cause he's being blessed of God. We had 9000 baptized last Sunday at Venice Beach. Top that, losers in yer ugly pews with yer blue noses in hymnals and all that..." Seriously tired of seeing these guys defended constantly, then again, these people have the leadership they crave.
Does anyone know the news agency that is doing the investigation? Where are you getting your facts for the new house and new land cost? If you're going to report things show your sources as well. Thanks!!
Yes, I know who it is. And Furtick knows who it is. I don't say who it is out of courtesy to him until he is done and reports the story. Furtick knew and knows, so why didn't he tell his name? Also, regarding property details see comment thread over at The Wartburg Watch.
At first when I heard of Furtick, I was kinda enthralled by everything. Young guy, seemed to have his head on straight....but then you could start to see what was going on (especially after the code orange fiasco with chandler).
It gets me to think: maybe some of these guys actually started out loving Jesus and wanting to see people follow Christ. Somewhere along the way the glory of it all became their idol. Maybe benny hinn started out wanting people to know Jesus. Maybe even fundamentalists like Peter Ruckman wanted that at one time.
Its a shame we have so many people (and especially young ones) get caught up in all this. Personally, I don't care if Furtick lives in a big house, but when a minister comes off arrogant about things, its sad.
Here’s a good read from cultwatch that addresses “How Pastors Get Rick:”
http://www.cultwatch.com/howpastorsgetrich.html
Taken from:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/paperbacktheology/2012/01/fleecing-the-flock-a-snapshot-of-americas-richest-pastors.html
Kenneth Copeland – Copeland Ministries
Flies around in a $17.5 Jet, lives in a $6 million lakefront mansion with a 1,500 acre campus and a private airstrip. He and his wife make over $655,000 a year in salary alone. It’s not clear whether this includes speaking fees, book royalties, and “love offerings.”
Creflo Dollar – World Changers Church International
Drives a Rolls-Royce and lives in a Million dollar home in Atlanta, and a 2.5 million-dollar apartment in Manhattan. Dollar will not release his salary information.
John Hagee – Cornerstone Church
His last released salary was nearly $1 million per year (2004). Hagee does not release his earnings anymore.
Charles Blake – West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Owns a 10,000 square foot mansion in Beverly Hills (btw his congregation hails mostly from impoverished South Central LA)
His year salary is $900,000 per year.
Benny Hinn – Miracle Worker
In 1997 he admitted to making between $500k & $1 million dollars per year
Joel Osteen – Lakewood Church
Stopped taking his $200,000 salary several years ago. Makes tens of millions off of his numerous books. Joel & family live in a $10.5 million – get this – 17,000 square foot mansion. Treasures in heaven people.
Bishop Eddie Long – New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Long made over $3 million in a three year period from 1997 to 2000. He drives a Bentley, and lives in a 1.4 million dollar home on 20 acres. An investigation into his non profit showed he made more than $1 million dollars from them on top of his church income. No doubt some of that went toward his legal fees in 2011.
Ed Young – Fellowship Church Dot Com
Lives in a 10k square foot 1.5 million dollar home. He gets paid a cool $1 million dollars a year, plus a $240,000 parsonage allowance. That doesn’t count the royalties he makes off of his recent Sexperiment.
Franklin Graham – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
In 2008 he reportedly made 1.2 million dollars. Your father should slap your face Franklin.
Rick Warren – Saddleback Church
Has made tens of millions off his book sales (it could be in the hundreds). However… Warrenhas made so much money that in 2005 he repaid all of his 25 years of salary to the church & stopped taking any new salary. He and his wife give away 91% of their income to charity. Rick is the only one doing it right – in my opinion.
I just found this online. I do not totally agree with it but it is still food for thought:
The Rich Young Pastor
One day Jesus met a pastor who had grown-up in the church, attended Christian college and seminary and upon graduation moved from church to church working his way up the financial ladder starting as an associate youth pastor for a mere $20,000 salary and finally at age thirty-five to senior pastor of a large denominational church making over $75,000 with full benefits and a great retirement package.
The pastor told Jesus he had been working very hard since seminary and felt greatly blessed to have been called on every occasion to a church offering a larger salary and better benefits. He also told Jesus he was looking forward to his reward in heaven for a life of sacrificial service as a full-time pastor and preacher of the gospel. The pastor told Jesus he had done his best to follow all His commands and examples and asked Jesus if there was anything at all he could do with the rest of his life to please Him more.
Jesus said to the pastor, “Truly I say to you, as a vocational pastor you have your reward in full. Stop accepting a salary, get a job to support yourself and your family and continue to shepherd your flock and preach the gospel at no charge – and then you will have treasure in heaven.”
Jesus went on to remind the rich young pastor that you cannot serve both God and money, it is more blessed to give than receive, and freely you have received – freely you should give.
When the pastor heard these words from Jesus he went away grieving because making a living by preaching the gospel was all he ever wanted to do and all that he knew, and he wasn’t about throw away all he had worked so hard for by relinquishing his right to charge for the gospel.
“Then Peter said to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.’” Matthew 19:27-30
Speaking of slanted media... You didn't even let the man finish his thoughts and took it out of context.
Furtick has made statements that he and his wife give over 55% of their income REGULARLY to the church and he titperson 20% of his income to his supporting church a year after they planted elevation.
Furtick 's most recent book debuted at #5 on theBest Sellers list and it takes a heck of a lot more than his 15000 church members to get someone on that list. But that is a moot point- he gave away both of his books for Free to everyone in his church.
And to the person who said shame on Franklin Graham, Billy Graham has a permanent salary of $250k a year until he dies and if you don't think he was a millionaire back at his peak in the 70s and 80s, you must be completely ignorant of how little steven furtick contributes to the world of Christiandom and how massive Billy graham's ministry was. his net worth is currently estimated at $25 million, just imagine it in 1990 when he was still active.
Paul states in his letter to Timothy that elders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor, aka financial restitution.
Assuming furtick tithes half of everything he makes, and assuming he pays income tax at 25% (which would be low because of how much he makes) who are you to begrudge him spending the 25% of the money he earned through hard work and leadership on a home he plans to live in the rest of his life. Again, if you don'ttthink Billy Graham's house and property isn't valued in the millions, you seriously misunderstand real estate pricing. Just to clue you in, he has enough land that his driveway is 2 miles long and he has loved there since the 60s.
Just to note, I rarely listen to furtick, I listened to him back in 07-09 but I prefer more substantial preaching now. I don't live in Charlotte and I don't attend elevation. The music is too loud for me ;)
2 Corinthians 8:21....For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men
Let's put the house to the side because it is a peripheral issue. The main issue is that what comes out of the pulpit at Elevation has next to nothing to do with the biblical gospel. That is the major problem.
B.O. said:
“Paul states in his letter to Timothy that elders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor, aka financial restitution.”
Indeed, I have fully agreed with the concept that a Pastor is entitled to “double pay” as the scripture literally says which was pointed out in previous discussions. The question is how do you define pay?
I believe a fair definition of “pay” is median household income as determined by the U S Government which in 2012 was $51,371. That being said, double it to $102,742. I truly believe that is more than a fair salary for any Pastor and it is scripturally based. So do you believe scripture or not?
FYI, “financial restitution” besides being wrong wording is also a total misinterpretation of scripture.
Even if you can find some justification for a house like this (his book money or whatever), the worst part is that he lied to his congregation about it. Not a single person in the room would consider that "not that great of a house." That's blatant dishonesty, and some of the people who heard that will be mad when they find out the truth. Others will just take another sip of the Kool-Aid and keep praising their idol.
Also, to the person who said that his job as a pastor involves a lot of duties...I may be wrong but I don't think he does many of the things you mentioned: officiating weddings, officiating funerals, counseling, teaching classes, etc. He is not accessible at all. He supposedly arrives and leaves with armed bodyguards. People have reported calling the church asking to speak to him because they were suicidal or at least very depressed, and they were not able to speak with him. In one case, someone got back to the person days later. Other people have said they haven't been able to get anyone to pray for them or encourage them...it's just about "the show" (the weekend "worship experience."
@Dave Stockhover
Based on sermons of Furtick's I've heard online, I agree with your assessment, but there are several people on The Wartburg Watch threads about Furtick who claim to have attended his church who found Jesus there, or learned a lot from his sermons, which I find strange, since his sermons are mostly about himself (Furtick) and not so much about Jesus.
BO @8:09 I hope i say this clearly and well. It doesnt sound like you follow him but look how far the excesses of todays"pastors" pull us off His Message! They become so untouchable that the only way to justify it is compare/comdemn the others? Again we must put Jesus over in the corner to deal w them.
A third fourth and fifth car? So many acres that "your sheep" cant get to you without getting shot? So many sq ft you have to hire the extra maids? How far back do you have to roll all of it to get back to the original sin of Pride?
On Franklin If your facts are correct then regardless of past acheivements his current excess is sin. Just looked at the "great commission" and didnt see any get rich and retire clause. Guess when youve saved enough people then you can do it!?
And "struggling pastors" KEEP UP THE FIGHT! We do admire and love you.
The question is who's name the house is in? The church or his.
What's with these mega-church "pastors" trying to out-do each other with who has the biggest.
The Elephant Room buddies, Furtick, Driscoll, and MacDonald, all are now part of the "Million+ Dollar House on Gated Acreage Club." But I'll bet Jakes has a bigger one.
Except he wrote his books on salary at the church. It should not be looked at as HIS. Billy Graham put all of his book sales back into the ministry and capped his salary under $75k
'I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians."
Gandhi
Wow some have so many opinions and stones to cast. Seems like there is so much better things to do in life than slam a minister of God's Word where lives are being changed and many are turning to Christ through the message of Elevation Church. Regardless if you agree with everything a church does or a pastor does, still no reason to slam. Probably all your comments are based off of mostly what you have heard or assumed. I wonder how many critics have actually talked with Steven or gone to Elevation Church.
My name is Barry, I have attended Elevation for several years and bring new people with me when I can. I've never received scripture like I do from Pastor Steven.....but....now I'm lost.
One of Stevens gifts was that he was humble.
No humble man lives in a castle......unless he opens it up to shelter the homeless or feed the hungry.
No person on this earth need 16,000 sq ft to raise a family in......no one.
My name is Barry, I have attended Elevation for several years and bring new people with me when I can. I've never received scripture like I do from Pastor Steven.....but....now I'm lost.
One of Stevens gifts was that he was humble.
No humble man lives in a castle......unless he opens it up to shelter the homeless or feed the hungry.
No person on this earth need 16,000 sq ft to raise a family in......no one.
I find it amazing that many of the same people who blindly support Furtick and his excesses would NEVER put up with the same thing from their government. Take the same arguments they attempt to offer in Furtick's defense and try to apply them to your not-so-favorite politician (or president) and you get a completely different reaction. So it's OK for the church to hide from financial accountability but it's not OK for our government??? The logical inconsistency is sickening. And who needs body guards more -- Furtick or Obama??? Hopefully more of this insanity will be brought to light.
Anon from 1:05,
I live in Charlotte and have been to Elevation. Furtick preaches about himself and Elevation instead of Christ and Him crucified. Winning the lottery can "change lives" and the Christ Furtick preaches is not the Biblical one.
"Talk to Steven" is a joke. The general public couldn't get within 50 feet of him if they tried, and he'd just call them a hater and ignore any legitimate criticism, like he has trained his flock to do.
The man is building a MANSION off of his Christless, self-centered message that saves no one. THAT'S why everyone's upset. There's a difference between "slamming" someone and legitimate criticism. Allowing Furtick's (and others) brand of heresy to permeate the church is something that good, Biblical Christians cannot tolerate on any level.
These megachurch pastors don't do weddings or funerals. They do book tours and talk shows. At least Rick Warren gives a large portion to charity. NO ONE needs a 16,000 sq ft house. God has blessed me too - I have a job, 4 kids, and a great husband. I don't think manipulating the gospel for financial gain is ever right.
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