tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post3929489204810979337..comments2024-03-23T22:54:58.661-04:00Comments on FBC Jax Watchdogs: Furtick Prepares His Church for News Report About His 16,000 SF "Not That Great of a House" MansionFBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-3960255645569304502013-10-27T22:59:52.675-04:002013-10-27T22:59:52.675-04:00These megachurch pastors don't do weddings or ...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-76897701198900208172013-10-23T18:28:12.446-04:002013-10-23T18:28:12.446-04:00Anon from 1:05,
I live in Charlotte and have been...Anon from 1:05,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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.<br /><br />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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-92050970528119633002013-10-23T18:22:30.923-04:002013-10-23T18:22:30.923-04:00I find it amazing that many of the same people who...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-19591179984471365682013-10-23T15:41:15.351-04:002013-10-23T15:41:15.351-04:00My name is Barry, I have attended Elevation for se...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.<br /><br />One of Stevens gifts was that he was humble.<br /><br />No humble man lives in a castle......unless he opens it up to shelter the homeless or feed the hungry.<br /><br />No person on this earth need 16,000 sq ft to raise a family in......no one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-56325384934570557052013-10-23T15:36:50.311-04:002013-10-23T15:36:50.311-04:00My name is Barry, I have attended Elevation for se...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.<br /><br />One of Stevens gifts was that he was humble.<br /><br />No humble man lives in a castle......unless he opens it up to shelter the homeless or feed the hungry.<br /><br />No person on this earth need 16,000 sq ft to raise a family in......no one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-14818502735275409382013-10-23T01:05:14.981-04:002013-10-23T01:05:14.981-04:00Wow some have so many opinions and stones to cast....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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-46652995796078626212013-10-22T23:27:29.824-04:002013-10-22T23:27:29.824-04:00'I like your Christ. I do not like your Chris...'I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians."<br /><br />GandhiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-79568884580192582992013-10-20T00:17:43.691-04:002013-10-20T00:17:43.691-04:00Except he wrote his books on salary at the church....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 $75kAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12576002618750311199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-76828192141340218202013-10-16T03:05:49.364-04:002013-10-16T03:05:49.364-04:00What's with these mega-church "pastors&qu...What's with these mega-church "pastors" trying to out-do each other with who has the biggest.<br /><br />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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-50295087277261138832013-10-12T15:39:30.268-04:002013-10-12T15:39:30.268-04:00The question is who's name the house is in? ...The question is who's name the house is in? The church or his.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-73743712427276145102013-10-11T20:55:02.062-04:002013-10-11T20:55:02.062-04:00BO @8:09 I hope i say this clearly and well. It do...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.<br />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? <br />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!?<br />And "struggling pastors" KEEP UP THE FIGHT! We do admire and love you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-476675525744966532013-10-11T19:22:39.989-04:002013-10-11T19:22:39.989-04:00@Dave Stockhover
Based on sermons of Furtick'...@Dave Stockhover<br /><br />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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-53492428764115236572013-10-11T19:11:11.396-04:002013-10-11T19:11:11.396-04:00Even if you can find some justification for a hous...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.<br /><br />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."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-40937602832749089242013-10-11T15:01:09.312-04:002013-10-11T15:01:09.312-04:00B.O. said:
“Paul states in his letter to Timothy ...B.O. said:<br /><br />“Paul states in his letter to Timothy that elders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor, aka financial restitution.”<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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? <br /><br />FYI, “financial restitution” besides being wrong wording is also a total misinterpretation of scripture.<br />WishIhadknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487727353887788291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-83076802986718463592013-10-11T11:55:50.487-04:002013-10-11T11:55:50.487-04:00Let's put the house to the side because it is ...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.Dave Stockhovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-45669849850627644002013-10-11T09:44:13.252-04:002013-10-11T09:44:13.252-04:002 Corinthians 8:21....For we take thought beforeha...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 menAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-84258171567186245052013-10-10T20:09:46.767-04:002013-10-10T20:09:46.767-04:00Speaking of slanted media... You didn't even l...Speaking of slanted media... You didn't even let the man finish his thoughts and took it out of context. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Paul states in his letter to Timothy that elders who labor in preaching and teaching are worthy of double honor, aka financial restitution. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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 ;) B. O.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-28810761802295494062013-10-10T16:03:07.559-04:002013-10-10T16:03:07.559-04:00I just found this online. I do not totally agree ...I just found this online. I do not totally agree with it but it is still food for thought:<br /><br />The Rich Young Pastor<br /> <br /> 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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.” <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /> <br />“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<br />WishIhadknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487727353887788291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-80915756728192557672013-10-10T15:34:25.441-04:002013-10-10T15:34:25.441-04:00Taken from:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/paperbac...Taken from:<br /><br />http://www.patheos.com/blogs/paperbacktheology/2012/01/fleecing-the-flock-a-snapshot-of-americas-richest-pastors.html<br /><br />Kenneth Copeland – Copeland Ministries<br /> <br />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.”<br /> <br /><br />Creflo Dollar – World Changers Church International<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br /><br />John Hagee – Cornerstone Church<br /> <br />His last released salary was nearly $1 million per year (2004). Hagee does not release his earnings anymore. <br /> <br /><br />Charles Blake – West Angeles Church of God in Christ<br /> <br />Owns a 10,000 square foot mansion in Beverly Hills (btw his congregation hails mostly from impoverished South Central LA)<br /> <br />His year salary is $900,000 per year.<br /> <br /><br />Benny Hinn – Miracle Worker<br /> <br />In 1997 he admitted to making between $500k & $1 million dollars per year<br /> <br /><br />Joel Osteen – Lakewood Church<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br /><br />Bishop Eddie Long – New Birth Missionary Baptist Church<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br /><br />Ed Young – Fellowship Church Dot Com<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br /><br />Franklin Graham – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association<br /> <br />In 2008 he reportedly made 1.2 million dollars. Your father should slap your face Franklin.<br /> <br /><br />Rick Warren – Saddleback Church<br /> <br />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.<br />WishIhadknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487727353887788291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-20988134331023615902013-10-10T14:15:16.406-04:002013-10-10T14:15:16.406-04:00Here’s a good read from cultwatch that addresses “...Here’s a good read from cultwatch that addresses “How Pastors Get Rick:”<br /> http://www.cultwatch.com/howpastorsgetrich.html<br />WishIhadknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487727353887788291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-64046957332211690752013-10-10T10:45:49.325-04:002013-10-10T10:45:49.325-04:00At first when I heard of Furtick, I was kinda enth...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). <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-63644034772618728652013-10-10T09:18:20.065-04:002013-10-10T09:18:20.065-04:00Yes, I know who it is. And Furtick knows who it is...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.FBC Jax Watchdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-11867701204024257542013-10-10T05:40:05.384-04:002013-10-10T05:40:05.384-04:00Does anyone know the news agency that is doing the...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!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-15212256361904275222013-10-08T18:30:40.208-04:002013-10-08T18:30:40.208-04:00Every time some outrageous story comes out about a...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.Perpetuanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-7464898119961119572013-10-08T16:53:12.775-04:002013-10-08T16:53:12.775-04:00"No one has the right to tell us what to do w..."No one has the right to tell us what to do with our pay checks."<br /><br />Right you are, Anon 10/7 11:01.<br /><br />No one has that right. Including pastors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com