tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83846326239337727272024-03-13T00:12:22.421-04:00FBC Jax WatchdogsSpeaking truth, and speaking truth in jest.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.comBlogger943125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-5697381845114560122024-02-10T11:13:00.003-05:002024-02-10T11:13:51.259-05:00A Repost of a Tribute to Tiffany Thigpen<div>Tiffany Thigpen certainly has been making a difference in SBC circles the past few years as the SBC leadership has been exposed for covering up abuse. I want to remind people who visit this blog and that are active on Twitter in this fight, that Tiffany was fighting the fight of holding pastors accountable who abuse people way, way before anyone else was with the exception of perhaps Christa Brown. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tiffany took the arrows and scorn - and threats - from so many people in Jacksonville in 2007 when she dared to stand up for the victims of Darrell Gilyard. And what did she get for her efforts? A subpoena allowing her personal information to be released to a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) detective who worked for FBC Jacksonville, and who also conveniently was on the Discipline Committe of FBC Jacksonville who didn't like this blog or Tiffany's blog. This subpoena started a five-year long legal battle between myself and FBC Jax and the city of Jacksonville, the JSO, and the State Attorney's Office, ending in two successful lawsuits settled out of court. </div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I'd repost here on the front page my tribute from 15 years ago expressing my gratitude to Tiffany Thigpen for her efforts in putting behind bars Darrel Gilyard, one of the biggest frauds to hit the SBC circuit, a man who has abused countless women in churches from here to Texas and who knows where else. </div><div><br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6K-FeHkG4x8BW_01pnz9yaKAaTKY-UPCHwmYJronO6HXd7l-I77xjQAyB3H_NE7o03FowVZzEyqwSJoPt1G1I1N81cdxCGbItwcErGY3UFv9ZAwzS3uWO0t45i32yWKXxKOyEgeTVLZj/s1600-h/Soaring.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337188319153590818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6K-FeHkG4x8BW_01pnz9yaKAaTKY-UPCHwmYJronO6HXd7l-I77xjQAyB3H_NE7o03FowVZzEyqwSJoPt1G1I1N81cdxCGbItwcErGY3UFv9ZAwzS3uWO0t45i32yWKXxKOyEgeTVLZj/s200/Soaring.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 135px;" /></a>It is absolutely amazing what Tiffany Thigpen Croft, a local Christian wife and mother, armed with only a <a href="http://www.tiffanycroft.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and the power of free speech and her faith in God, has been able to accomplish. Tiffany has done what most baptist pastors in this city were too cowardly to do. And she didn't have a budget, a PR firm, or any position of power in the city of Jacksonville.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Tiffany reported on her blog this weekend that Darrell Gilyard, former pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, has agreed to a plea bargain in his case involving <a href="http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011608/met_237008822.shtml">lews and lascivious conduct</a> against a 14-year old. This is very good news - according to Tiffany, Gilyard has admitted guilt, and will serve 3 years in a state prison, and will carry the "sexual predator" label for the rest of his life. This plea bargain will save the horrific ordeal of a public trial and his victims having to testify.</div><br /><div></div><div>Tiffany had her faith and a deep conviction that a person standing for truth and justice COULD make a difference. She started a blog to call out an abusive pastor in this city, and demanded justice - and she encouraged victims to come out. She used her blog as a vehicle for victims to share their stories. Information provided to Tiffany via her blog was shared with the State Attorney's office, and this aided their investigation.</div><br /><div></div><div>Tiffany started her blog about the Gilyard case back in December 2007 when this news about Gilyard's abuse at Shiloh first broke. Tiffany was brave enough to come forward and share her testimony of how Gilyard tried to seduce her as an 18-year old back in the early 1990's when she was at First Baptist Jacksonville. She shared how Gilyard operated, what his sickening tactics were - and no doubt this caused other victims to recognize they weren't alone, and needn't be ashamed to come forward, that this guy was a monster who had preyed on many others.</div><br /><div></div><div>Wade Burleson has written an excellent article on his blog about Tiffany, "<a href="http://kerussocharis.blogspot.com/2009/05/walking-where-sbc-preachers-fail-to.html">Walking Where SBC Leaders Fail to Tread</a>". It is true that many SBC leaders back in the 1990's who supported Gilyard and helped him to his meteoric rise - they absolutely failed to keep this man out of any positions of power - and their silence since Gilyard's arrest has been deafening. Thank the Lord that Tiffany wasn't trying to avoid controversy or wasn't afraid of being labeled as a troublemaker - she spoke the truth, and called for others to stand with her, and she took the arrows that came her way. Tiffany didn't complain about the attacks against her from people supporting Gilyard, she maintained a spirit of love, always expressing a desire for healing for Gilyard's victims and for repentence and justice in Gilyard's life.</div><div></div><br /><div>And most importantly, Tiffany didn't cave into those cowardly voices that told her that her blog was harming the cause of Christ, that it was beauty-shop gossip and should be shut down. No way - Tiffany stood strong, knew that truth was on her side, and she KNEW that God was pleased with what she was doing. You see, for far too long, people inside baptist churches have been afraid to call public attention to abusers, especially pastors. They have used the illogical excuse that to do so would harm Christianity - that people would be turned away from Christ if light were shone on the abuses of pastors, that things should be kept quiet. They've even used lame excuses like the pastor is God's man, and "touch not thine annointed", or "just let God handle it."</div><div></div><br /><div>The realilty was back in December 2007, God WAS handling this matter, and to help Him accomplish His will, God was looking for someone in Jacksonville. Not someone to hush it up, but to rise up and call for justice. God was looking for someone to shine the light on Gilyard to help bring about justice and healing. To call for others to demand justice. To encourage others who had been abused by Gilyard to come forward.</div><div></div><br /><div>And He found Tiffany.</div><div></div><br /><div>And Tiffany said "Yes, Lord".</div><div></div><br /><div>Thank you, Tiffany.</div>FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-73572162969582123682023-12-16T15:01:00.003-05:002023-12-16T15:08:45.860-05:00What REALLY Happened at FBCJ<p>Stay tuned for some updates! Series coming on what REALLY went down at FBCJ that decimated the church a few years back. It was ugly, it was sordid, so much worse than what Heath described in his recent podcast series. </p><p>I have a lot of respect for Heath in being generous with those who made his life a living hell as he had to clean up the mess left at FBCJ. </p><p>But it is a story to be told. </p><p>The New FBCJ Watchdog</p>FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-73222017827630509342020-05-05T23:19:00.000-04:002020-05-05T23:19:46.990-04:00Sometimes the Wheels Just Come Off....<div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-aspect-ratio="1.8229166666666665" data-postid="12823690" data-share-method="host" data-width="100%">
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<div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-postid="12302949" data-share-method="host" data-width="100%" data-aspect-ratio="2.3271028037383177"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/long-day-wheels-coming-off-oops-broken-wheels-loose-tire-gif-12302949">Long Day Wheels Coming Off GIF</a> from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/longday-gifs">Longday GIFs</a></div><script type="text/javascript" async src="https://tenor.com/embed.js"></script>FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-27449302387195068212019-06-20T00:47:00.002-04:002019-06-20T00:47:30.338-04:00Paige Patterson: "Those With Whom Darrel (Gilyard) Sinned are Not Innocent Either"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlInngXzqjNqNf3j6jsYCm9B2dMMkJ9KNT7qB8bESCQ15kKRkaMUFqIDeSisKG9tP2YubUXZT6gAulVhOIzPTTmYMjYQDVSo6W982DMgrYxDVWCGBREprsoHtsVrvYIy8SL6r9R9tKefw2/s1600/Gil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="753" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlInngXzqjNqNf3j6jsYCm9B2dMMkJ9KNT7qB8bESCQ15kKRkaMUFqIDeSisKG9tP2YubUXZT6gAulVhOIzPTTmYMjYQDVSo6W982DMgrYxDVWCGBREprsoHtsVrvYIy8SL6r9R9tKefw2/s400/Gil.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Over the past two days, Vimeo videos have surfaced of the July 10th, 1991 Victory Baptist Church (TX) congregational meeting led by Paige Patterson, in which Darrell Gilyard resigned after having admitting to Patterson privately that he had committed various sexual sins.<br />
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There is plenty in these two videos that will sicken the viewer, when they are watched in the context of all we know about Gilyard and Patterson - the years leading up to this meeting, and the two decades after the meeting.<br />
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But the one part that I want to highlight is the following Patterson statement after Gilyard finishes and leaves the room:<br />
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<b><i>"So there is a certain degree to which a man who stands behind this sacred desk is held to a higher standard, that's true. But it is also equally true, precious people, that a sin is a sin no matter who commits it. Nobody committed any of these sins in innocency. <u>Brother Darrell was not innocent, those with whom he sinned are not innocent either</u>."</i></b></blockquote>
Instead of Patterson scolding Gilyard for failing to apologize to the women and their families that he had abused, Patterson decided to further harm these women by imposing upon them a verdict of "guilty", that their guilt matches that of their abuser Gilyard. Only trouble is that Gilyard was a <u>predator</u> and these women were his <u>victims</u>. According to the <a href="http://www.stopbaptistpredators.org/article/darrell_gilyard2.html" target="_blank">Dallas Morning News</a>, one of the women claimed Gilyard raped her. Others described how Gilyard would pursue them, begging one of them to meet him at a hotel. No need to shame these women, but in so doing I believe Patterson showed where his heart was: harboring resentment for these women who he believed caused his blessed son to fall to temptation.<br />
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I'm hoping that a video of the remaining portion of the meeting will also be posted, as the second one cuts off right after the above statement by Patterson.<br />
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We all know now, that Gilyard was a fraud, a charlatan. But trust me, Patterson had plenty of knowledge of Gilyard's actions well before this night that should have told him Gilyard was an outright fraud and any attempt to concoct a plan and timetable of restoration would be short-circuited by Gilyard, which is exactly what happened. But Gilyard was just too darned talented of a speaker - he could draw a crowd, and make people laugh and cry and get out their wallets. So he had to be salvaged.<br />
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And who is the hostage-looking figure who escorted Gilyard to the platform and stood to his right? My best guess is that it is Danny Aiken.<br />
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Here are links to the videos:<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/343077968" target="_blank">Video #1</a> (Patterson's Opening Statement)<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/343288471" target="_blank">Video #2</a> (Gilyard's Statement, Patterson's follow-up)<br />
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Click <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/search?q=gilyard" target="_blank">here</a> to peruse prior FBC Jax Watchdog blog articles related to Gilyard.<br />
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<br />FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-49709737839090290782019-04-20T11:14:00.003-04:002019-04-20T11:19:20.190-04:00Removed SWBTS Stained-Glass Windows Offered to Catholic Church Notre Dame Re-Build Effort<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC-GTqa9xMSkn8vYXjcB7-9Ty4y5vXT4fwCUO_rSJffFTnGuREp82k55ZsrVhmaJSQa7IQL-ZBz6XYOoNWv3rxiXXW6SD53oxeODVovlYbO2v5k-L_FVdHMXfl4S555ZjnbJv88WMDw9r/s1600/Pressler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1500" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC-GTqa9xMSkn8vYXjcB7-9Ty4y5vXT4fwCUO_rSJffFTnGuREp82k55ZsrVhmaJSQa7IQL-ZBz6XYOoNWv3rxiXXW6SD53oxeODVovlYbO2v5k-L_FVdHMXfl4S555ZjnbJv88WMDw9r/s320/Pressler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyPeqmDcBEFXqoHYjICbcSOEU5ZanHI5aVJXvgQGiCZ218kaUsHX0U8BBjSFCapm5N4slEKVChzvWhIy0X9yRPMqH5PQkM1ZikkSF9UIASIwK2d4ZlBVPOMxwdJc2RfIaMelcl2ox1ZGA/s1600/Jerry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="952" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyPeqmDcBEFXqoHYjICbcSOEU5ZanHI5aVJXvgQGiCZ218kaUsHX0U8BBjSFCapm5N4slEKVChzvWhIy0X9yRPMqH5PQkM1ZikkSF9UIASIwK2d4ZlBVPOMxwdJc2RfIaMelcl2ox1ZGA/s200/Jerry.jpg" width="148" /></a>Paris, France (WD Press) - In a stunning move of solidarity and generosity, the Southern Baptist Convention has offered to the Catholic Church the recently removed <a href="https://brnow.org/News/April-2019/SWBTS-removes-controversial-stained-glass-windows" target="_blank">stained-glass windows of famous SBC preachers</a> at their Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, to support the Catholic church's efforts to rebuild the Notre Dame cathedral.<br />
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Although the most famous rose windows in the cathedral survived the fire, officials say the rebuild effort may require replacement glass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXzlQmBqjg0NHE4ZnWZVbDXVWtoug6HNa1QXsF9hjG9cHtCiXK4ySrcVUMGypuRhh3fEl0213L81WqWT2Y6guVZDonFqDbgBL3YJy4G-IyKmaXLZZ2F-WdEd7p2R_y_EFzjHkBlWS7eaY/s1600/Paige.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="700" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXzlQmBqjg0NHE4ZnWZVbDXVWtoug6HNa1QXsF9hjG9cHtCiXK4ySrcVUMGypuRhh3fEl0213L81WqWT2Y6guVZDonFqDbgBL3YJy4G-IyKmaXLZZ2F-WdEd7p2R_y_EFzjHkBlWS7eaY/s200/Paige.jpg" width="200" /></a>Catholic officials were considering the stained glass windows of Paige Patterson, Jerry Vines, Ed Young, Paul Pressler, and FBC Jax Watchdog - but have opted only for Paul Pressler's stained glass image, for reasons that were not explained.<br />
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A spokesperson for SWBTS said that although Jerry Vines' glass was under consideration by the Catholic church, the glass has already been installed in Jerry's private study at his home in Georgia and thus unavailable for the cathedral.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-Idc4yZSQ6H_KIry1MEIHKUbiuYoHQO7bgv7IQ6B281lKYzXF0qS3ldlDi7NBFJD5fW8GvJ3ZalAml_RjIrTRvkZxOiPEAwg8LBW-X4_1auGqTaH0vcKVcG4h1Mju_GHquMZ_5JGvIgR/s1600/watchdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-Idc4yZSQ6H_KIry1MEIHKUbiuYoHQO7bgv7IQ6B281lKYzXF0qS3ldlDi7NBFJD5fW8GvJ3ZalAml_RjIrTRvkZxOiPEAwg8LBW-X4_1auGqTaH0vcKVcG4h1Mju_GHquMZ_5JGvIgR/s1600/watchdog.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b><i>Editor's Note</i></b>: Students at SWBTS have reportedly begun a petition to preserve FBC Jax Watchdog's stained glass and keep it <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2018/05/watchdog-gets-his-own-stained-glass.html" target="_blank">where it was originally installed</a>, in the window above the last stall in the men's bathroom on the 2nd floor of the Ergun Mehmet Giovanni Caner Center for Truth in Debating. This report is still being investigated.<br />
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<br />FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-5767280501009634212018-06-05T10:38:00.001-04:002018-06-05T10:38:36.647-04:00Christian Lawyer: I’m Getting Lots of Calls from Pastors Worried About Reporting Abuse and Effects on Church MembershipOn the <a href="https://thomrainer.com/2018/05/legal-issues-facing-churches-today-rainer-leadership-436/" target="_blank">May 29th “Rainer on Leadership” podcast</a>, Thom Rainer interviewed Josh Bryant, an Arkansas attorney who helps churches and pastors with general legal assistance.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1897223352"></span><span id="goog_1897223353"></span><br />
Bryant provided some very helpful information about how churches are to protect themselves legally in five areas of law. The last topic discussed on the podcast was “child protection and mandated reporting.” Bryant said this is the “number one” issue for which churches end up in court.<br />
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But here is the alarming statement by Bryant:<br />
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<b><i>“I’m getting a lot of calls [to his practice] saying ‘<u>listen, if I report this, I have 70 people in my church, if I report this and they find out I reported it, I might lose 5 or 6 families and then my church gets cut in half.</u>’ And I understand and have a whole lot of sympathy for that particular situation but there’s criminal liability for a mandated reporter not to report suspected child abuse.</i></b>”</blockquote>
Pretty sad to think even in this day and age pastors and church members are still calling lawyers on advice as to whether they should report suspected child abuse to the authorities, expressing concern that they might lose church members if they report! I’m not sure I share Bryant’s sympathy for those “situations”.<br />
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So if you suspect child abuse at your church:<br />
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Don’t take it to the Lord in prayer.<br />
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Don’t take it to the pastor or deacons.<br />
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Don’t take it up wit da book.<br />
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You don’t even need to call a lawyer.<br />
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Take it to the police or child protective services.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-81107679411631012652018-05-19T00:51:00.000-04:002018-05-19T00:51:01.436-04:00Watchdog Gets His Own Stained Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4JhvYTGBXKvFWpvDTGcXAdmTs-GLQF4FFFlEnoLoIbsgJ2o_sPkwJFISwaiADnM8HFgKhKzukNXbY3fhS42b3a0hjTO4Dh-rQPKQN5Cm2shuocOqjyMRaOLBYrQb102jcue0rk4Ih15E/s1600/HeBloggedFromMomsBasement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4JhvYTGBXKvFWpvDTGcXAdmTs-GLQF4FFFlEnoLoIbsgJ2o_sPkwJFISwaiADnM8HFgKhKzukNXbY3fhS42b3a0hjTO4Dh-rQPKQN5Cm2shuocOqjyMRaOLBYrQb102jcue0rk4Ih15E/s1600/HeBloggedFromMomsBasement.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>This is one of my favorite posts, an April Fool's Day post from 2014, and with all the discussion of Patterson and Pressler recently I felt compelled to repost it. Enjoy.</i></b></div>
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<b></b>Paige Patterson has announced that <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/12/13/5415582/stained-glass-windows-honor-leaders.html">one of the 70 stained glass windows to be installed in the new J.W. MacGorman Chapel</a> at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will feature the "old recalcitrant fleabag", FBC Jax Watchdog.<br />
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The window will feature a round, forward-facing, medallion-style inscription of the Watchdog with a slightly protruding tongue to represent his tireless efforts in blogging about important matters in the SBC and modern evangelicalism. The inscription on the window will read "He blogged from his mother's basement", with a beautiful oval globe to represent the Watchdog's world-wide outreach and to honor how God can use even a seemingly insignificant blogger to spread the truth to so many who need to hear it - all over the world.<br />
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The inscription of "He blogged from his mother's basement" is a reference to <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/09/caner-responds-bloggers-are-frustrated.html">Ergun Caner</a> and others who have unfairly criticized bloggers as being "frustrated people blogging from their mother's basements." Some have <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/06/ed-young-in-meltdown-mode-part-1-ed.html">even accused bloggers</a> of <a href="http://perrynoble.com/blog/why-do-people-criticize">writing blogs in their underwear</a>, which the Watchdog has vehemently denied since as he says "..dogs don't generally wear undergarments."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLXtyaJV-es-6-CNNrVmjbaAfWJB9JqzJTXfJMoaIjHhDbHa9_DIILU42b_FM0tGi5x2nh5vztgmbVgjjDFw8EHLjU-FOPWe0q6C73y_twf6SqIsyD5BMR0YCRWCBQRrlkJKpR7fUsBbX/s1600/StainedGlass-Warren.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLXtyaJV-es-6-CNNrVmjbaAfWJB9JqzJTXfJMoaIjHhDbHa9_DIILU42b_FM0tGi5x2nh5vztgmbVgjjDFw8EHLjU-FOPWe0q6C73y_twf6SqIsyD5BMR0YCRWCBQRrlkJKpR7fUsBbX/s1600/StainedGlass-Warren.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Already there have been nine of the windows installed in the chapel, including W.A. Criswell baptizing a man in the Jordan River while wearing a well-pressed blazer and tie, O.S. Hawkins and his wife, Rick Warren (shown at right), Charles Stanley, Andy and Joan Horner, and Huber Drumright, Jr.<br />
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SWBTS student reaction to the announcement of the new FBC Jax Watchdog window was mixed. One student said that no troublemaker like the Watchdog should be inscribed in stained glass - while another student - who wished to remain anonymous - said "Well, I guess if they're going to give a window to Andy Horner and Huber Drumright and Dottie Riley - none of whom I've ever heard of - why not the FBC Jax Watchdog for all he has done to hold misbehaving churches and pastors accountable in the 21st century?" <br />
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When asked why the Watchdog would be given such an honor, Patterson said he respects the Watchdog's blogging efforts and his tenacity to endure trials and hardships and efforts to "shut him down", even though he said with a hearty chuckle, "The old fleabag recalcitrant has busted my chops a few times over the past 7 years." Watchdog <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/10/patterson-to-pastors-dont-talk-to-press.html#uds-search-results">first wrote about Paige Patterson in 2007</a> when Patterson called Watchdog and others at his home church "recalcitrants" in the old SWBTS chapel for attacking the "man of God". Watchdog also wrote in 2008 about the <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/10/patterson-to-pastors-dont-talk-to-press.html#uds-search-results">Sheri Klouda firing at SWBTS</a> and some of the public statements made by prominent SBC preachers. <br />
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The exact location of the FBC Jax Watchdog window within the chapel is yet to be determined. Patterson said it will likely be in the Ergun Mehmet Giovanni Caner Center for Truth in Debating, or perhaps in the window above the last stall in the men's bathroom on the 2nd floor.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-71116354227301354782018-05-02T09:06:00.003-04:002018-05-02T09:08:30.036-04:00Fraudulent Authority: Pastors Who Seek to Rule Over Others - A Must Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_797472115"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_797472116"></span>Two years ago, Wade Burleson published a book entitled <a href="https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B01EDH4GH8&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_aLA6Ab0XGXTJ1" target="_blank">"Fraudulent Authority: Pastors Who Seek to Rule Over Others"</a>. As readers of this blog know, Wade Burleson is a pastor in Oklahoma who reached out to me about 10 years ago when things got a little "rocky", and he was a great help to me and my family during that time period.<br />
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Wade's "web blog" back in the 2005 time frame was one of the first "blogs" that was used to expose some shady activities in the Southern Baptist Convention. His boldness in daring to publicly write about his disagreements over significant doctrinal decisions impacting missionaries of the SBC International Mission Board got him into hot water with the heavies (bullies) in the SBC, leading to him eventually resigning his position on the board. But Wade believed it was his moral obligation to shine a light on what was being done behind closed doors at the IMB and adversely affecting many missionaries.<br />
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Wade was a trailblazer - who would have thought that someone could use the Internet to bypass the media and the church elites to get his message out to the regular church pew sitter, unfiltered? How else could Grandma Betty in Podunk Baptist Church find out what the IMB was up to, using the money she gave? Wade did, and others, including this blogger, used "webblogs" or "blogs" to get a message out directly to the pew sitter, at virtually no cost and with no filters and absolutely zero control of the religious leaders. Blogs became a tool to expose misdeeds and frauds in the church - like Ergun Caner found out, 10 years after he perpetrated his "I was raised to do that which was done on 11 September" fraud.<br />
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Also, readers will recall how Wade called out the terrible treatment of Sheri Klouda, the seminary professor at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, who was fired by Paige Patterson because, well, she was guilty of the awful "offense" of being a woman who was teaching men at a seminary. I wrote several articles regarding the Klouda controversy as it spilled over into the topics relevant to this blog at the time.<br />
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But Wade's book "Fraudulent Authority" is a must-read for baptists who take seriously their church membership. Much of what is taught in Southern Baptist churches - especially in mega churches - regarding the position of "pastor" is not according to the bible. You owe it to yourself and your church to read this book. People are waking up to abuses in the church - not just sexual, but spiritual and financial. Don't keep your head in the sand. Inform yourself.<br />
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One of the interesting chapters of Wade's book is the one entitled "A Warning to Those Who Rule Over Others for Material Gain". This is an important chapter for members of mega churches where the pastor has ruled over the church and in the process has amassed a fortune for themselves and their family on the backs of the church. Here is an excerpt from that chapter:<br />
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<b><i>"It is striking to discover that Jesus says very little about the corrupt Roman and Judean political leaders of his day.....Ironic, is it not, that modern evangelical preachers rail against and condemn President Obama [and] state governmental leaders...but there is an appalling silence when it comes to religious leaders who become rich off the tithes and offerings of God's people?"</i></b><br />
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Wade then goes on to explain that the parable of "The Rich Man and Lazarus" in Luke 16 is often used by pastors to tell the peeps that hell is real, and that those who don't let go of their riches in this world and give their tithes and offerings to their church might wake up one day and find themselves in hell begging for a drop of water.<br />
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But Wade points out that the "rich man" was not just some random rich man in Jesus' parable. He was Caiaphus the high priest, the equivalent to the modern day "man of God" who got filthy rich from his religious service.<br />
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Wade concludes the chapter by saying:<br />
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<b><i>"The great problem of Jesus' day were religious leaders who controlled and dominated the people for their personal gain. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a warning today for any authoritarian religious leader who uses his position of authority for personal gain."</i></b><br />
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I say a hearty "Amen" to that.<br />
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<br />FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-4129384678785612262018-04-01T22:32:00.002-04:002018-04-01T22:39:45.348-04:00Frank Page Reveals Details of His "Morally Inappropriate Relationship" in Interview with FBC Jax Watchdog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jacksonville, FL (WD Press) - Today former Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page spoke with the FBC Jax Watchdog in an exclusive interview, revealing the details of his "inappropriate relationship in the recent past" that caused him to resign from the SBC Executive Committee.<br />
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"It is with deep regret that I let my fellow pastors and Southern Baptists know that I have had a morally inappropriate relationship over the past several months,", said Page. "The Lord has shown me recently that this moral failing requires my repentance and departure from full-time ministry."<br />
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When asked by the FBC Jax Watchdog for the details of the nature of the relationship, Page was at first hesitant and obviously embarrassed. Finally he did explain what happened.<br />
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Page explained that the relationship was not with a woman, but was actually with two men who are fellow "men of God".<br />
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"In December, I committed the sin of befriending disgraced pastor Ergun Caner, and I even stooped so low as to share a pulpit with him at a youth camp meeting. Even knowing that Caner lied for over 10 years about being raised in Turkey and raised to 'do that which was done on 11 September', I still stood on the same stage as Ergun. This led to a further moral failing of shaking hands with Ravi Zaccharias at a pastor's conference, knowing he is still unrepentant for his online relationship with a married woman."<br />
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Page continued that these moral failings even led to a month-long bout with depression that caused him to watch the godless movies "Year One" and "Sausage Party".<br />
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"I am committed to making things right with my family and fellow Southern Baptists", said Page.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-59115764074742030452017-10-29T20:47:00.000-04:002017-10-29T20:47:43.768-04:00Wade Burleson Message on Escaping the Subtle Abuse of Spiritual AuthorityFriends, most weeks I participate in the weekly online "EChurch" at <a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/" target="_blank">Wartburg Watch</a> - and Wade Burleson is the pastor and his sermons are posted as part of the EChurch service.<br />
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This week is a sermon by Wade that I want to post here for others to see.<br />
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Wade addresses spiritual abuse - pastors and church leaders who try to shut down and squash questioners. The problem is really two-fold: men who claim to have spiritual authority over church members because of their title of "Pastor", and sadly we have many church members who think they are gaining God's favor by submitting themselves and their families to such abuse.<br />
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Wade's message is one that SBC church members today need to hear badly. There are haughty seminarians in pulpits who claim authority over people, who claim they have special knowledge from God on what true Christians believe and what they must do and must not do. We have many supposed "men of God" who claim to know what percentage you must give to your church else you're not a true, committed believer. We even have seminarians and pastors claiming that you MUST believe the bible to be completely sufficient for all psychological counseling, else you are not right with God.<br />
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If you're in a church where most weeks your seminarian-man-of-God is telling you what you MUST DO in order to know you're a true believer - you really should get out of Dodge. If you're told you must give 10% or you are disobedient and may incur God's wrath - or that if you're not telling others about Jesus each day you're not really a believer, get out fast. Don't expose your family members to such rubbish.<br />
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Things are getting nuttier and nuttier in SBC mega churches especially - and as they do, the pews are emptying of clear-thinking people and the nut-factor percentage in the pews is growing, making them more dangerous places than ever.<br />
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Enjoy Wade's message.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/239349184" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-16486419551188582232017-10-19T22:29:00.001-04:002017-10-19T22:41:30.544-04:00SWBTS Announces New Doctoral Program in the "Garrison Keillor School of Story Telling" for Aspiring Megachurch Pastors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-CCEb7x2zAe8tRwd1gPMdqXlgq_m9X8f7X4Q6rAf5Sw7DT_143rtTPSluggps3CQfEYlSHT7rUred2WC-UacRFLR5Bf2RRhk5x_5Izh6r_GWC8qQ2xSO5G8fbr35tIOAQpDKAx3atCY3/s1600/sWBTS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="990" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-CCEb7x2zAe8tRwd1gPMdqXlgq_m9X8f7X4Q6rAf5Sw7DT_143rtTPSluggps3CQfEYlSHT7rUred2WC-UacRFLR5Bf2RRhk5x_5Izh6r_GWC8qQ2xSO5G8fbr35tIOAQpDKAx3atCY3/s400/sWBTS.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Fort Worth, TX (WD) - Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, announced the formation of a new PhD program for aspiring megachurch pastors, called the PhD of Master Storytelling (PhD MST). The program will be administered in the brand new "Garrison Keillor School of Storytelling" at SWBTS.<br />
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According to Patterson, this is a first of its kind program geared toward the specific needs of megachurch pastors. "For far too long our SBC megachurch pastors have had to learn the ropes on the fly, when they land their first six-figure gig at a megachurch," said Patterson. "This program will prepare megachurch pastors for the rigor of master storytelling as <br />
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their ministry success will depend on their ability to spin a yarn and consistently and masterfully generate emotional responses in the pews."</div>
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The new school will provide several different tracks for candidates pursuing their PhD MST including primary story-telling genres of history, comedy, sarcasm/stomping, and Aesop's Fables.</div>
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"Megachurch pastors have to be skilled orators but also need training geared specifically to their pastoral duties within a modern megachurch environment," said Patterson. According to Patterson the new Ph.D. program will include classes on nepotism, personal brand-building, sermon recycling for honorarium, church consultant utilization, and Holy Land trip administration. </div>
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Patterson said the wives of PhD MST candidates will also have an opportunity earn an Occupational Associates Certificate in Megachurch Wivery (AMW). The courses in the AMW certificate program are not yet finalized, but Patterson said they will likely include salary negotiation as well as strategies to secure personal gifts from wealthy church donors.</div>
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Watchdog Press has learned the faculty of the school will be mostly adjunct visiting professors and will include Ergun Mehemet Giovani Caner, Darrell Gilyard, Perry Noble, Maurilio Amorim, David Barton, and Wilford Brimley.</div>
FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-81349940338736949682017-10-14T08:18:00.001-04:002017-10-14T08:24:31.160-04:00ACBL Releases Their 95 Theses on Authentic Christian Legal Counseling<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aLtPQQ0LfCL9C_FAAYEYED3Zm3bLUme3Nt4Dnxfx_jzvndpgeiRDtgyUwZrSOxPbTIUNse1VayM10C4Ctm7TFd7htfK9TAsHyvnr0LoJUwUbhAvk32ZXbegTI35i65D6OA7NifKf4Iq-/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aLtPQQ0LfCL9C_FAAYEYED3Zm3bLUme3Nt4Dnxfx_jzvndpgeiRDtgyUwZrSOxPbTIUNse1VayM10C4Ctm7TFd7htfK9TAsHyvnr0LoJUwUbhAvk32ZXbegTI35i65D6OA7NifKf4Iq-/s1600/th.jpg" /></a>Jacksonville, FL (WD) - The Association of Certified Biblical Lawyers (ACBL) last week released their "95 Theses for an Authentically Christian Commitment to Legal Counseling", just days 2 weeks after the <a href="https://biblicalcounseling.com/ninety-five/" target="_blank">Association of Christian Biblical Counselors (ACBC) released THEIR 95 Theses</a> for Christian Counselors. Both of these sets of theses are released to coincide with this month's 500 anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 theses condemning the Catholic Church's use of indulgences.<br />
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Mr. A.C. Pout, head of the ACBL, said that it is time for Christian attorneys to commit to using the bible as the only source of legal counsel and rejecting "secular legal theory", just as the ACBC has told Christians everywhere that "secular psychology" is not necessary, but the bible is wholly sufficient for any counseling session.<br />
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"Modern, secular legal practices are not affirmed by the Holy Scriptures," said Mr. Pout. "No one has ever proved that the Holy Scriptures are not sufficient to provide a complete legal system for all people, all societies, everywhere."<br />
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According to Mr. Pout, ACBL's 95 theses include a commitment to the returning to tried and tested and God-ordained Old Testament legal practices, which the ACBL claims are keys to a wholesome society, and spiritually content citizens. The legal practices ACBL pursues including a uniform flat 10% tax or "tithe" to the government, death penalty by stoning for murder, adultery, bestiality, male-male sexual intercourse, wives not found to be virgins on their wedding night, and when a man meets a betrothed woman in town and sleeps with her.<br />
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"These are ALL legal practices prescribed in the Lord's holy scriptures," said Pout. "To proclaim that they are not sufficient for today's society is to reject the sufficiency of scripture. I call on all lawyers who are rejecting the sufficiency of God's word to repent. In our legal system we have a huge bibical sufficiency problem, and the ACBL seeks to correct it."<br />
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The ACBL will be holding their annual conference in Jacksonville in November. The theme of the conference will be "How Then Shall We Lawyer?"FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-46181871400685912142017-10-04T23:30:00.001-04:002017-10-04T23:39:01.878-04:00Steven Furtick to Release New Children's Book: "Horton Pays a Tithe"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn3TbSyCjIcMU3_21mzBeFDDPVOeBMzxhsexaV_UvMHJ1NSiiCzjnmgJYCiwEW_3PQkR2gW5Dkh4RzUSzieRtLZWs7i9QUggCx9zhLhUzPUYwDjTJ-IbIiFz4fYbzNBGPTh7b2MhsrdSJ/s1600/Horton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="1026" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn3TbSyCjIcMU3_21mzBeFDDPVOeBMzxhsexaV_UvMHJ1NSiiCzjnmgJYCiwEW_3PQkR2gW5Dkh4RzUSzieRtLZWs7i9QUggCx9zhLhUzPUYwDjTJ-IbIiFz4fYbzNBGPTh7b2MhsrdSJ/s400/Horton.JPG" width="400" /></a>Charlotte, NC (WD) - WD Press learned today that Elevation Church megachurch pastor Steven Furtick has signed a contract with Westbow Publishers to collaborate <br />
on a new children's book to teach young Christians the importance of storehouse tithing.<br />
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The book is near completion, and is entitled "Horton Pays a Tithe". The book will be a sequel to Dr. Seuss' 1954 children's classic "Horton Hears a Who".<br />
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"Today's children are tomorrow's church leaders, deacons, and megachurch pastors", Furtick told WD Press. "Storehouse tithing is critical for the Lord's church to do the work Jesus has called them to, so the kids need to know just how important it is for EVERYONE - even Horton - to pay their tithe to the Lord."<br />
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In the book, the mayor of Who-ville shares with Horton a tithing sermon preached by Pastor Furtick, and Horton comes to the dreadful realization that he's been robbing the Lord because he hasn't paid a tithe on the peanuts he eats for his sustenance.<br />
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"In the book Horton realizes that without paying the tithe, he can never receive God's blessings, he can never be the wonderful Who-ville elephant God created him to be," said Furtick. "This will help today's children realize that believing in Jesus is not just about their eternal salvation, but that accepting Jesus means obtaining God's blessings only after they are obedient in bringing their tithe to the storehouse, God's church."<br />
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Furtick said that the idea of the book came to him when the Lord spoke to him while he was inquiring of the Lord why so few professing adult Christians actually obey God by tithing. "We wonder why adult church members don't bring their tithe each week - and I think the Lord has shown me the answer is because they weren't taught it from an early age. Horton tithed on his peanuts, and children must be taught that God's love for them does depend in part in them tithing on their allowance and lunch money, and even on gifts they receive from Grandma and Grandpa."<br />
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The book shows Horton's humorous and fun-filled journey from God-robber to tithe-payer, when he finally makes his way from Who-ville to Pastor Furtick's church to deliver his tithe peanuts and sign his tithing pledge card just in time.<br />
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The book is scheduled to be released in April, coinciding with Pastor Furtick's Orange Code Revival. The foreward will reportedly be written jointly by Perry Noble, Robert Morris, Ronnie Floyd, and Steve Gaines.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-4982699827434161472017-10-03T00:15:00.001-04:002017-10-03T00:52:19.384-04:00James MacDonald Announces New Book: "Gambling for the Lord Jesus Christ"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chicago, IL (WD) - Watchdog Press has learned that Pastor James MacDonald very soon will release his first book on Christian gambling. MacDonald is the former senior pastor of Harvest Bible Church, although still preaches at some of the church locations and other venues.<br />
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"Prayer is powerful. I have found that while playing Texas Hold 'Em, my prayer life has been enhanced greatly as I ask the Lord to let me hit my flush on the river," said MacDonald. The "river" is the last of five cards revealed in a hand of Texas Hold 'Em, which MacDonald says is one of his games of choice.<br />
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MacDonald said one of his goals in publishing this book is to help faithful Christians see that the Holy Spirit is our helper in all situations of life. "The Lord can come to our aid in all areas of life, there are no exceptions. Poker is a wonderful metaphor for life. We think we have it all together - we metaphorically think our jack-high straight is a winner, and then the Evil One helps a non-believer take the pot with an ace-high straight on the river. Such is life - but with the Holy Spirit's help we can overcome."<br />
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MacDonald says that Jesus makes the difference in all areas of life: our work, our marriage, even when we're wearing a poker face trying to take other people's money. "I've preached my entire life the bottom line of the gospel is 'Jesus makes all the difference'. Well, at the poker table, Jesus makes the difference. My opponents try to get a read on me when we're head-to-head, and little do they know I've got Jesus sitting right there with me, interceding on my behalf to help me win the hand, getting just the right card to hit my straight or my flush."<br />
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"If you can't trust Jesus with your poker hand, how can you trust him with your eternal salvation?", asks MacDonald.<br />
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In the book MacDonald addresses the doctrine of tithing and its metaphorical connection to gambling. MacDonald is one of modern evangelicalism's foremost proponents of storehouse tithing, a popular doctrine which says Christians absolutely must tithe 10% of their gross income to their church before they can ever expect to receive God's blessings. "Poker again is a wonderful metaphor for the tithe: how do you hope to win the pot, if you aren't willing to put your money in the kitty?" said MacDonald. "It is how the Lord's system works: you can't expect to win the pot or high hand, if you aren't bellying-up and putting your money on the table."<br />
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The book will be released in December, and MacDonald will be in Jacksonville, Florida in January to kick off his book tour.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-33128426210267106872017-09-23T23:52:00.001-04:002017-09-23T23:55:13.374-04:00"Are There Really Demonic Clowns in Sewers?" Asks SBC Voices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH1fMiS0P3vdJu2qemujoA2QJ3Hw7v5Ah_Il80CeXRTUkBSOxChTq-GcmkEOnk3pvqWxwKwTjxRip9X3xsrugtl139vIPTS1gaB2un35_dvP8br3g6k_wrlDnYCl_z6sCOsxAh1qKlbea/s1600/Georgie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH1fMiS0P3vdJu2qemujoA2QJ3Hw7v5Ah_Il80CeXRTUkBSOxChTq-GcmkEOnk3pvqWxwKwTjxRip9X3xsrugtl139vIPTS1gaB2un35_dvP8br3g6k_wrlDnYCl_z6sCOsxAh1qKlbea/s320/Georgie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Peoria, IL (WD Press) - Are there really Satanic clowns in America’s sewers seeking to devour our children, as portrayed in the smash box office movie thriller “It”?<br />
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Dave Miller and his fellow seminarians at the <a href="http://sbcvoices.com/" target="_blank">SBC Voices website</a> can’t conclusively rule out the possibility.<br />
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<a href="http://sbcvoices.com/is-god-judging-america-2/" target="_blank">After debating last week on their website</a> and considering this year’s active hurricane season may be a sign of God’s judgment on America, SBC Voices contributors believe it is possible Satanic clowns exist in our sewers to torment boys and girls.<br />
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“The Devil is most certainly a clown, a sort of ‘trickster’ of followers of the Lord Jesus, and the Word of the Lord is clear that we are fighting powers in the ever present world of darkness,” wrote Dave Miller. “And there are few ‘worlds’ in our modern urban society as dark as a municipal sewer system. So really the idea of a real devil-clown in a real sewer in a real city is not beyond the theological reach of the Holy Scriptures.”<br />
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And Christians’ ideas and concepts of reality must be held captive by the scriptures, said Miller.<br />
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“Our views must be shaped by God’s word, even if that makes them unpopular,” continued Miller. “ I know that is totally uncool, folks, but demonic clowns in sewers may be totally biblical.”<br />
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Miller told WD Press that his conclusion last week regarding God judging American thru devastating hurricanes applies to demonic clowns in municipal sewers:<br />
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“Let us trust God’s sovereignty and not commit the sin of hubris – acting as if we have insight into the inner workings of the Godhead that we don’t have. Clowns in sewers or not, the Lord still reigns supreme.”FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-2810897727671542592017-09-16T11:06:00.004-04:002017-09-16T11:06:29.762-04:00Gerald Harris of Georgia Baptists' "Christian Index", Plagiarizes FBC Jax Watchdog<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Poe's Law Disclaimer: FBC Jax Watchdog occasionally posts satire articles. You will know it is satire when I refer to "Watchdog Press" in the dateline and article....otherwise, the posts might SEEM like satire - as many of my stories are unbelievable - but they will be truthful.</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjsxiCwme49iKhPGlRG6Mt2HKa7LTECOrfXZuSXZp7hTMkEHpNymeHm7wk7in4-in3ORlyAMOz7kkSpw1pxG2dTahCNjRmKUZK_aH5kRSsHJCGi-nHlhFdV2gUUJyLdlDCkCjAzGZyqJm/s1600/staff-gerald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjsxiCwme49iKhPGlRG6Mt2HKa7LTECOrfXZuSXZp7hTMkEHpNymeHm7wk7in4-in3ORlyAMOz7kkSpw1pxG2dTahCNjRmKUZK_aH5kRSsHJCGi-nHlhFdV2gUUJyLdlDCkCjAzGZyqJm/s1600/staff-gerald.jpg" /></a>Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered that Gerald Harris, editor of the Georgia Baptists' news journal "Christian Index", considers the FBC Jax Watchdog blog worthy of quoting. But Harris should at least give credit when he uses my original expressions. On September 7th, Gerald Harris published <a href="https://christianindex.org/homer-lindsay/" target="_blank">"Homer Gentry Lindsay, Jr - Soul-Winning Pastor"</a> as a part of a series of "great men of God" Harris has known. Harris used <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.my/2010/07/pastors-rememberence-of-homer-lindsay.html" target="_blank">my own article on Homer Lindsay from 2010</a> as a source of his information, but he was extremely careless in his use of my original expressions - not giving me credit for direct quotes, and using several sentences with just a slight re-wording and then presenting them as his own original thoughts.</div>
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Even when Harris did use quotations on a portion of my article, he didn't do it accurately - adding a sentence I did not say within quotations to change the overall meaning and intent of my paragraph. That is terrible. He really should correct this if he has any journalistic integrity.</div>
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Keep in mind, Harris is not just some obscure blogger, and not just some country bumpkin backwoods Georgia preacher. According to his Christian Index biography, he is the author of three books, holds a Master's degree from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, has published articles for Christian magazines and has served as the Georgia state convention president. Oh, and he has a doctor of ministry degree from Luther Rice seminary.</div>
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I must say I'm not surprised that Harris would do this - Harris blew much of his credibility when he was a staunch supporter of Ergun Caner for president of Georgia Baptist's college, Brewton Parker, back in 2014. As I wrote about <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-caner-fibs-caner-is-one-of-finest.html" target="_blank">here</a>, Harris described Caner during a church service - after all the allegations were out about Caner's decade of deceit - as <i>"..one of the finest preachers in all of America..."</i> and <i>"...one of the foremost preachers in America..."</i>. Harris then went on to encourage the church members to bring all of their children to come and hear Caner. </div>
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And Mr. Harris, you will see in my 2014 article when I quoted you, I did it accurately. I transcribed your exact words, and gave you full credit for them. </div>
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Below are the comparisons:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk4Q1J6cX7-jJ5lDrqTBPOYoxihBUf8jB1reHrmnofNwBudICM_25h05tIW1XY1obT0QssYagGS729XPa4ca5tXT9BOML-X2sAKq0hMb6dbCvZP0qYOyFN4B1fqbnCtNV7wJMFEwhlRa9/s1600/CI-Quote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="697" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk4Q1J6cX7-jJ5lDrqTBPOYoxihBUf8jB1reHrmnofNwBudICM_25h05tIW1XY1obT0QssYagGS729XPa4ca5tXT9BOML-X2sAKq0hMb6dbCvZP0qYOyFN4B1fqbnCtNV7wJMFEwhlRa9/s640/CI-Quote.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Notice above he does refer to "one writer"...but doesn't say who. Probably Harris doesn't want his fellow Georgia Baptists to know he is using the hated FBC Jax Watchdog as a source. Here is the FBC Jax Watchdog article excerpt:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwiUXbZlEbFszaN_uiRTD9BaoGKcTjM1FfYHwGR4M99B5QDGe2f_syvnTC-5jFZCBJPDLtYFYMi-saEh_ItQKrdhnjSasGhEBpMZ78TYkKQY_eo15D7ceR8p2fej_11k2bcijwsMui3xd/s1600/WDQuote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="815" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwiUXbZlEbFszaN_uiRTD9BaoGKcTjM1FfYHwGR4M99B5QDGe2f_syvnTC-5jFZCBJPDLtYFYMi-saEh_ItQKrdhnjSasGhEBpMZ78TYkKQY_eo15D7ceR8p2fej_11k2bcijwsMui3xd/s640/WDQuote.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Later in the article, Harris refers to "One blogger" - yours truly - and says this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AQaHDgrFiVn95HUFUcApQV8mSqSRXTyjdwrzzAutawGTOWSaehVtH_X1R9_PfgAqqJl1nh0ZlYGhx7-ta18X_Wgt975VWza3_kuXMbxNG1u8Y8QgZJ0JZ2nv9Vdd8G6UHrv3uUoxMCJA/s1600/CI-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="88" data-original-width="585" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AQaHDgrFiVn95HUFUcApQV8mSqSRXTyjdwrzzAutawGTOWSaehVtH_X1R9_PfgAqqJl1nh0ZlYGhx7-ta18X_Wgt975VWza3_kuXMbxNG1u8Y8QgZJ0JZ2nv9Vdd8G6UHrv3uUoxMCJA/s640/CI-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the paragraph from the FBC Jax Watchdog article Harris is using:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWorloztE4h4rVj03YKkPKbgYo15YN0_AJaTxYkkcp_Voapx8rdEhpzfi_qh7te65YcMXMiNaSNbrJfk3xofXmEr_G61AO-J50vHRnuw-u0VUN9zqUjseFNSn3FXCwLlrfImJTwWBuAivT/s1600/WD-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="705" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWorloztE4h4rVj03YKkPKbgYo15YN0_AJaTxYkkcp_Voapx8rdEhpzfi_qh7te65YcMXMiNaSNbrJfk3xofXmEr_G61AO-J50vHRnuw-u0VUN9zqUjseFNSn3FXCwLlrfImJTwWBuAivT/s640/WD-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now the somewhat humorous part of this: Harris included an interview with Jerry Vines about his co-pastor of 15 years, Homer Lindsay. It is somewhat ironic that Harris used my article about Homer, when the purpose of my article was not just to discuss the attributes of Homer Lindsay but to contrast them to Homer Lindsay's successors, like Jerry Vines, whom Harris used as another source of his article.</div>
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Maybe Peter Lumpkins can contact Gerald Harris and teach him how to properly cite others' work, and how to avoid plagiarism. </div>
FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-92036150526206546012017-09-09T07:28:00.002-04:002017-09-09T07:28:41.741-04:00Poe's Law - Watchdog Post on Hurricane Irma and Tithing Provides Evidence <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O6wSGMuQ6NPdEmoRoyBZ5ijRhzY11OATcX9ftviCdT7nJ0qN6NLGqGSL3X5Qf4Caar5dlGf1S5DU0BHAOAQplKj34npxRYC678Gn_E1J6H4r9Grq3NNRba2EAA83ckMbm1Mv4lz_dBLe/s1600/401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="500" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O6wSGMuQ6NPdEmoRoyBZ5ijRhzY11OATcX9ftviCdT7nJ0qN6NLGqGSL3X5Qf4Caar5dlGf1S5DU0BHAOAQplKj34npxRYC678Gn_E1J6H4r9Grq3NNRba2EAA83ckMbm1Mv4lz_dBLe/s320/401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, a few comments:<br />
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The previous blog post <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2017/09/jacksonville-megachurch-pastors-hold.html" target="_blank">"Jacksonville Megachurch Pastors Hold Tithing Vigil to Steer Irma Away from City"</a> has provided rock-solid proof of Poe's Law. If you've never heard of Poe's Law, here is Wikipedia's definition:<br />
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<b><i>"Poe's law is an adage of Internet culture stating that, without a clear indicator of the author's intent, it is impossible to create a parody of extreme views so obviously exaggerated that it cannot be mistaken by some readers or viewers as a sincere expression of the parodied views."</i></b></blockquote>
My satire piece on tithing - as nutty as it was - was apparently mistaken by hundreds on Facebook as being a real article. The blog blew up with hits from Facebook with people expressing disgust over pastors who would exploit people's hurricane fears to get them to tithe. I also received three emails inquiring whether the article was real or not!<br />
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But many Christians mistook this for a real article as they likely HAVE seen pastors use fear of God's punishment as a way to get peeps to fork over 10% of their income. I've chronicled this practice by many pastors. Some have said God will collect your unpaid tithes through car crashes, appliances failing, calamity involving your children, and the ever popular God "poking holes in your purses". <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2014/02/pastors-please-read-this-dont-do-this.html" target="_blank">Tim Maynard here in Jacksonville</a> said that if you have a wayward child, God may be waiting for you to stroke a tithe check before he will intervene and bring your son back home. It is all sick stuff which will continue, as sane people spot the charlatans and bolt from these churches, leaving higher concentrations of nuts in the pews who are susceptible to such manipulations.<br />
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But notice in the Wikipedia definition of Poe's law the phrase "...without a clear indicator of the author's intent..." On my blog I do post satire pieces. I always have, although have been trying my hand at it more frequently. Now I have begun giving a "clear indicator" of satire, using a dateline like "Jacksonville, FL (WD)" and referring to the "Watchdog Press". So if you're not sure, look for that.<br />
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Finally, I've noticed here in Jacksonville that many of the pastors are putting Facebook live videos up encouraging their members to pray Hurricane Irma away, to trust in God, be strong in the Lord, and so on. I was aghast at one particular video when at the end, the pastor encouraged the people to do what they are supposed to do as good Christians even in the face of impending disaster: send your tithe money electronically before the storm hits. Yes, the pastor wasn't encouraging them to send money to disaster relief, but instead to send it quickly to the church before the storm arrives.<br />
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Nothing like hitting the peeps up one last time for a chunk of cash before they lose everything - to explain why Christians can't spot satire of their men of God.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-45963773587150529962017-09-07T00:43:00.001-04:002017-09-07T00:48:20.231-04:00Jacksonville Megachurch Pastors Hold Tithing Vigil to Steer Irma Away from City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jacksonville, FL (WD) - Watchdog Press has learned megachurch pastors in Jacksonville, Florida will hold Thursday what they are calling a "tithing vigil" to prompt the Lord Jesus Christ to steer Hurricane Irma away from Jacksonville.<br />
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"I have known for some time that the terrible rate of tithing among church members will eventually bring our city to destruction," said Stuart Weems of Collaboration Church. "The Lord's patience can only be tested so long - and now it looks like we will be paying the price unless His people belly up to the pew and pay their tithes."<br />
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But the megachurch pastors - many of them who have large financial investments in Jacksonville in their million dollar homes and other real estate investments - believe there is still time to sway God's mind if enough Christians quickly show their willingness to fork over the required 10% tithe.<br />
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"God can and will change his mind, if His people will hear His voice and tithe", said a spokesman for Collaboration Church. "Our church will open at 7:00 am Thursday to begin the collection of tithes from recalcitrant, God-robbing Christians from all over the First Coast. These funds will likely be used to help those cities who do end up being battered from Hurricane Irma after the Lord steers her away from our city - or to rebuild our pastors' homes if enough Christians don't respond in time to change God's mind and change Irma's path."<br />
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One local pastor said anonymously that "God collects on what he is owed. God collects on it....God says when you are to bring the tithe and you refuse to do it, he will poke holes in your purses and bring calamity on your city". The pastor was quoting out of Haggai chapter 1 in the Old Testament.<br />
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There is some precedent of setting a deadline for God's people to get caught up on their tithing to appease an angry God. Former Southern Baptist Convention president <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2014/12/bah-humbug-sbc-president-tells-pastors.html?m=1" target="_blank">Ronnie Floyd in 2014 famously set a deadline</a> for Christians to get "caught up" on their tithing:<br />
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<b><i>"The key question we [pastors] need to ask [church members] repeatedly: As you review and understand clearly ALL of your sources of income in 2014, <span style="color: red;">have you honored God by giving at least the first one-tenth to your local church</span>? If you have not, <span style="color: red;">then insure you do so before December 31</span> so that you can <span style="color: red;">know you have walked in complete obedience to God in 2014 </span>in relationship to biblical stewardship."</i></b></blockquote>
"Last year hurricane Matthew should have been a wake-up call to Christians all over the Jacksonville area", said pastor Tom Fester of Trinity Church. "But giving at our church and other mega churches in this area has actually declined since Hurricane Matthew grazed us last year. Apparently non-tithing Christians have not learned their lesson."<br />
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The tithing vigil will begin at 7:00 am on Thursday at Collaboration Church off of the I-295 East Beltway, and will remain open until 7:00 pm to collect tithes. Call the church for more details on how to give by phone or online.<br />
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FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-52544037096097854922017-08-20T20:52:00.002-04:002017-08-20T20:52:59.284-04:00Why Would a Megachurch Experience Decline?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was pondering an interesting question today after seeing a megachurch pastor preach about reasons a church experiences decline.<br />
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What would cause a once flourishing, growing, powerful mega church begin to experience a steady decline in attendance, baptisms, financial support, and influence in its city?<br />
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It is a question that members, lay leaders, and financial contributors to a mega church need to ask themselves if they see a downward trajectory.<br />
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And to be sure, you can't rely on a seminarian in the pulpit to give you answers and solutions, for several reasons.<br />
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Firstly, the pastor will never blame themselves or other members of the staff or their leadership, even if that is a contributing factor.<br />
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Secondly, most seminarians aren't interested in dealing with data and facts, but with what some string of unrelated scriptures might say about their church or the people in the church, or what Jesus said in one of the gospels. A seminarian's solution to their church downward spiral is to be found in their KJV or NIV.<br />
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But there is data available, research has been done, as to what is happening overall in modern evangelicalism, and what in particular might be the contributing factors for any single church decline.<br />
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Not only is research data available to help provide answers, but a common sense, clear-headed examination of the pastors and the competitive operating environment is needed.<br />
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Then, solutions might be found.<br />
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But a solution is not to blame the people for not loving Jesus enough, or not telling enough people in your city about the lovely Lord Jesus.<br />
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Let's examine some of the reasons a mega church may experience decline.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-16607812632523928732017-08-11T23:06:00.001-04:002017-08-11T23:06:12.806-04:00Modern Day "Circuit Riders": Traveling Mega Church Pastors Finding Another Way to Fleece the Flocks and Recycle Their Sermons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAQmJry3ytGVky5aS0zquHKYzyVN0Ribw2qLvkqgLhQQvISKOKiBKn6ZcFnzGaZQTu7qgD5NE1JSjZbRDewNA_nLCQ4DAJvo7480kSvF_ua6i8ITrlq70riyu3YtQ4BczRhpTCJBffMYg/s1600/preacher.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638209734111839554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAQmJry3ytGVky5aS0zquHKYzyVN0Ribw2qLvkqgLhQQvISKOKiBKn6ZcFnzGaZQTu7qgD5NE1JSjZbRDewNA_nLCQ4DAJvo7480kSvF_ua6i8ITrlq70riyu3YtQ4BczRhpTCJBffMYg/s400/preacher.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 368px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 342px;" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b><b><i>In the next installment of the best of the FBC Jax Watchdog, I am posting an updated and revised article from 2011 on Modern Day Circuit Riders. Nothing has changed since this article first posted - preachers double-dipping by recycling their sermons on the preaching circuit. Another method to fleece the sheep.</i></b></b></div>
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<b><i>Enjoy.</i></b><br />
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In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Methodists used "circuit rider" preachers to minister to rural flocks. In our modern evangelical mega church world, we have our own sort of "circuit rider" - the traveling mega church preacher fleecing congregations by accepting large sums of money for recycled sermons at churches they visit.<br />
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Just look at who was preaching where this summer [2001], and you see a virtual guest-speaker fest. It is hard to keep track of 'em all. Johnny Hunt goes on sabbatical, and Woodstock has to not only continue to pay Hunt's salary and bennies, they have to pay to bring in some big name preachers to preach the word.<br />
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Steve Gaines was preaching at Johnny Hunt's church last Sunday on his vacation, then on Wednesday he preached at Charles Stanley's church. Not bad, get your vacation fully paid by popping into a few churches to recycle an old sermon and tell the peeps they're thieves unless they give the magical 10%. Gaines' church in turn has to hire speakers for the Sunday night sermons in August. [correction: Gaines' church brings in the big guns on Wednesday nights in August, has for several years].<br />
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The emergents are masters at this. They travel to each others' churches and conferences and push their books, and expand their market for selling their Holy Land trips and building their brand image.<br />
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My word, Steve Gaines is even taking <a href="http://newbbcopenforum.blogspot.com/2011/07/enlarging-our-borders-are-we.html">speaking gigs at the Assemblies of God functions</a>!<br />
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Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church flew out to Charlotte to be at emergent Steven Furtick's church this weekend, while Kevin Ezell comes to Prestonwood to fill in for Pastor Jack. It is a musical chairs of preachers during the summer as they earn extra scratch for their new boat or condo.<br />
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Why do they do this? Of course they will tell you they have the most noble of intentions. They are just spreading the gospel, right?<br />
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No, not really. It is another example of how the great masses in mega churches are fleeced by greedy mega men of God. Their sermons are already on the Internet, and we don't need to fly them in. It is all completely unnecessary. You want to hear Perry Noble tell you you're scum? Go to his website. Want to hear the latest tithing nonsense? Dial up Gaines or Young on your browser. You don't need to fly him in to the church. Besides, can't other staff members at the church fill in for the mega church pastor who is on vacation or sabbatical? The sad answer is no, they can't, because they aren't celebrities. Many worshipers view Johnny Hunt preaching behind their pulpit in the same way a giggling high school girl would see Justin Beiber crooning at their high school. It is all about celebrity.<br />
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Insiders tell me that visiting preachers at mega churches will earn up to $3000 for a Sunday morning sermon, or $5000 if they do the hard work of staying over and preaching the Sunday evening sermon also. But I'm sure they have not one iota of guilt, since they tithe on the money, which makes them super spiritual.<br />
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Not bad scratch. If they earn $3000 in addition to their travel, meals and lodging, that is about $100 per minute for an average 30-minute sermon. Not an hour. A MINUTE. That is professional baseball player per minute money. While churches everywhere are seeing their revenue continue to decline, the mega church pastors are hot and heavy to get out on the circuit to get their share of the visiting preacher dollars.<br />
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And usually what they are preaching is a sermon that is recycled from one they just were paid to prepare and preach at their mega church. Nothing new or fresh. Johnny Hunt does it. Steve Gaines does it. The master was Ergun Caner - as for years and years he was preaching virtually the same story, same jokes and lines at churches all over the country.<br />
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Sometimes preachers are brought in to do the dirty work of the pastor. One of the more brazen moves was Perry Noble of NewSpring church hiring <a href="http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/06/robert-morris-issues-money-back.html">Robert Morris</a> to come in for two straight weeks to beat up the sheep over tithing, telling them of the curse on them and their money unless they gave Perry's church 10% of their income. Shameless.<br />
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And don't get me started on the Holy Land trips and luxury cruises hosted by the pastor and his family. I'm just amazed that in these days where governments at all levels are searching for creative ways to gain new revenue that they haven't figured out there is an entire market that continues to operate tax-free.<br />
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So next time the visiting mega church preacher shows up at your church, put a little extra in the offering plate for the poor traveling preacher.<br />
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And the next time YOUR mega church pastor takes a sabbatical, you might be shocked to see him preaching the very same sermon multiple times out on the circuit. And the crowds will be eating it up.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-89869610913677466392017-08-07T23:23:00.000-04:002017-08-07T23:30:44.051-04:00NSA Has Secretly Wiretapped a Conversation of God "Calling" a Southern Baptist Pastor to Change Churches<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0xfXsQfT3I3DJSujV2pwrZgcx0_0fAwxYfwEM3iOQaZyNKmJ_WxKnwwcQzwM9rD6Zcj6cp6EEMnPkMZGm1rld-kPu-JSZnOVBYvMSyqvuu5EHYlroylHj7vJerazn8zBsBrZ-Bp_w2ip/s1600/warrantless-wiretap-190x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0xfXsQfT3I3DJSujV2pwrZgcx0_0fAwxYfwEM3iOQaZyNKmJ_WxKnwwcQzwM9rD6Zcj6cp6EEMnPkMZGm1rld-kPu-JSZnOVBYvMSyqvuu5EHYlroylHj7vJerazn8zBsBrZ-Bp_w2ip/s1600/warrantless-wiretap-190x300.jpg" /></a>Washington, DC (WD Press) - Sources inside the the National Security Agency (NSA) have contacted WD Press to leak information about what may be the first wiretapped "calls of God" to a Southern Baptist mega church pastor to change churches.<br />
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According to the NSA and the the Department of Homeland Security, a pastor surveillance program was initiated under the Obama Administration in 2009 after SBC megachurch pastors began claiming as far back as 2005 that it was God who "called" them to leave a church and go to another one, usually a much bigger one, with ironically always a much larger salary and benefits package.<br />
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"If these pastors have a direct line of communication with some sky fairy or higher power that is giving them audible, specific directives, resulting in a great gain in personal wealth and power, it is in the best interests of the federal government to know the details and origins of such communications and how they might be used by other men of God in other religions for nefarious purposes," said the NSA source to the WD Press on Monday.<br />
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Steve Gaines, the President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Lord Albert Mohler of the Southern Seminary, have issued a joint statement condemning the wiretapping program and the latest leak.<br />
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"The communications between God and SBC mega church pastors are private and protected by the first amendment and the oracles of God Almighty and in the matchless name or our Lord Jesus Christ", said Gaines and Mohler. "To think that our godless government under the Obama Administration has been surveilling our trusted men of God should send chills down the spine of every God-fearing American. We call on President Trump and the head of the NSA to put an immediate halt to the pastor surveillance program, and we ask Attorney General Sessions to prosecute the leakers to the fullest extent of the law. "<br />
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According to sources inside the Department of Homeland Security, the surveillance program was almost scrapped after only one year due to the logistical challenges presented in capturing many of these "calls of God" to SBC megachurch pastors.<br />
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"Some of these 'calls of God' were made while pastors were riding donkeys up the sides of mountains in the Middle East," said the DHS source, "Or while on long sabbaticals where the whereabouts of the pastor were unknown by even their own church members, as the pastors left town unexpectedly for long periods of time."<br />
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The NSA leaker has told WD Press the name of the pastor who was "called" by God last week, and the churches involved. At this time, however, the WD Press can only confirm that the call of God did indeed involve an enormous pay increase, a 1500 square foot office, a land gift and interest-free loan to build an 8500 square foot home, and an 8-week sabbatical - at his new position that God "called" him to take.FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-81728238923391585792017-08-03T22:23:00.001-04:002017-08-03T22:23:41.244-04:00Reminder of Why We Have Pompous Pastors in the Pulpit: They Learned it from the Master Manipulator Himself, Lord Paige Patterson<div style="text-align: center;">
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The next installment of the "Best of FBC Jax Watchdog" is a must see for all SBC church members. If you wonder why so many SBC pastors are pompous jackasses in the pulpit strutting around and popping off with phony doctrines to manipulate the sheep, your answer is right here.</div>
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Below I have captured a seminary chapel sermon preached by Lord Paige Patterson, on tithing. He has the audacity to say college students are poor because they don't tithe, then brags about his own level of giving. I've already documented on this blog the truth about tithing from SBC bible scholars like David Croteau and Andreas Kostenberger - but at SWBTS the up and coming pastors are instead taught the phony-baloney theology of Patterson to manipulate church members.</div>
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I'm not kidding, watching this explains so much of what we see in SBC churches today - wannabe Paige Pattersons who think their arrogance and pride comes across as intelligence and wisdom to the pew sitter.</div>
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Watch and learn. The Watchdog has captured this for your education and edification. That's right. Amen and amen.</div>
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Enjoy.</div>
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FBC Jax Watchdog</div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">----------------------------------------------<br />"Young people, one of the reasons that you're poor, is because you've been cheating on God...I'm just saying many of you are poor because God can't bless you when you're stealing from him."</span> Paige Patterson to his SWBTS Seminary Students in <a href="http://www.swbts.edu/chapel/chapel_archive.cfm">Chapel 4/5/11</a></span><br />
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Paige Patterson entered the tithing debate in his <a href="http://www.swbts.edu/chapel/chapel_archive.cfm">SWBTS chapel sermon from 4/5/11 on the 8th commandment "thou shalt not steal"</a>. And of course no self-respecting Southern Baptist will teach on stealing, without touching on the worst form of stealing: robbing God by failing to give 10% of their income to the local church. Let's all say the eighth commandment: "thou shalt not, not tithe."<br />
Patterson told his students that one of the reasons they are poor, is because they're robbing God of the tithe. But of course, he goes on to explain how wonderfully blessed he is, because when he was 15 years old he made a vow to God that he would give 20% of his income to the Lord in exchange for a pulpit to preach in every Sunday.<br />
Patterson even says at times he had to borrow money to keep his 20% vow to the Lord. Perhaps Patterson wants his students to be tithing on their Pell Grants and federal student loans. Should they tithe on their "increase" when dear 'ol dad sends a few hundred bucks for expenses?<br />
You'll also see and hear in the video where Patterson puts the principle of the tithe on par with one of the ten commandments. Really - you have to see it to believe it.<br />
Someone needs to remind Patterson that according to the Old Testament standard, he too is robbing God, because 20% is still short of the 23 1/3% annual amount specified in the bible. And I think Jesus said something to the rich young ruler about selling all of his possessions. But Jesus apparently smiles on Patterson's 20%, and punishes the seminary students with poverty for their stinginess.<br />
I can't decide which is more disgusting: watching a wealthy preacher who has literally traveled the world and made millions off of the generosity of Christians his whole life, tell these same Christians that they are poor because they don't tithe....or the thought that his students at his seminary listen and believe him, and will then repeat this rubbish to their own congregations.<br />
This message really does harken back to the Catholic church and indulgences: telling the poor to give their alms to the religious institution so that they and their seed may be blessed by God - while the religious leaders live high on the hog as evidence of how God has blessed them and not the plebe.<br />
SWBTS seminary students, do you really buy this? And are you going to teach this doctrine to your churches?<br />
Pastor search committee members: you might want to play this video when interviewing any SWBTS seminary grads and ask your prospective hire if they really believe this taught by their seminary's high priest.<br />
Watch the video above and enjoy, as you watch legalism and prosperity gospel - Southern Baptist Style - in full display. FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-62693864207949722482017-08-03T07:07:00.001-04:002017-08-03T07:07:04.242-04:00Best of WD: "Want to Start a Church? Then Get a Job, Pastor"From the 2011 Watchdog archives, below is an article commenting on "church planters".<br />
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I still wince when I hear full-time ministers discuss THEIR profession as being "in the ministry", while everyone else holds "secular" jobs.<br />
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Not saying that the job of minister or pastor is a piece of cake, but those "in the ministry" should see what the peeps jobs are like, working 60 hours a week, no affirmation, no "sabbaticals" for a "time of refreshing".<br />
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Anyways, enjoy this installment of "The Best of WD":<br />
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In his blog post <a href="http://lesliepuryear.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-plant-church-with-little-or-no.html">"How to Plant a Church With Little or No Outside Funding"</a>, Les Puryear gives 6 tips on how someone who feels led to start a church can do it without tapping into the SBC resources.<br />
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I commend Les for this kind of thinking. Yes, a church can be started without having to tap a financial straw into the SBC Cooperative Program. It can be done with putting no one's money at risk.<br />
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But as Les points out, it would require the church planter to do something they are not prone to do, and for which their years at seminary have left them completely unprepared:<br />
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They must get a real job. Or what Les calls a "secular" job.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Get a Secular Job</span>" is Les's # 1 tip.<br />
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Les' plan is for the planter to start a "bible study" in the home, with the idea it will grow into a church plant. So toward this end, Les' offers his explanation about this "secular job", and how long the "planter" must endure it, and how to get out of it, and why it would be good for business:<br />
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"Don't take any salary from the new church until the church can meet its financial needs for startup costs and weekly expenses. Also, when you are in a secular job, you are actually around lost people. These are the people you are trying to reach with your new church plant."</blockquote>
Let me give you the Watchdog's "WIV" interpretation of that paragraph:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Get yourself a real job, but only until you can get enough members into your home bible study to the point you can begin collecting money they earn in THEIR secular jobs, take that money, rent some space for your church, quit your real job, and then begin drawing an income as a "pastor". And in the meantime you can use the opportunity of rubbing elbows with lost people in your secular job to invite them to your bible study, where you can teach them tithing and they can begin contributing money toward the goal of quitting your job and becoming their pastor."</span></blockquote>
I know that is cynical. But if a pastor can get a "secular job", and if they are a solid bible teacher and have a bible study in their home, why must the natural progression be: get job - start bible study - collect money from those who do work - quit job - rent space - become pastor - have church?<br />
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Why can't a church planter just do what most committed Christians do: they have careers and families, and they serve the body of Christ for free as a part of their time away from work. I have seen the most committed Christians lay people work a full time job, AND be incredibly productive in ministry at a church for no pay at all.<br />
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I think Les' use of the word "secular job" is significant. I know he is using it to differentiate from a "religious" job such as a pastor...but let's be real. I wish pastors would stop viewing their jobs as ministers as something different or "special" from those who work in "secular" jobs. Their jobs as minister is "secular" every bit as much as a school teacher's or a doctor, or anyone else. They have a job, they have an employer, they have a boss to whom they are accountable, they have a job description, and they earn pay in exchange for their services. They get evaluated, and they earn raises based on their tenure and performance. I know pastors and ordained ministers say they were "called by God" into their ministry, but they are working stiffs like anyone else is. A pastor or a minister is not any more called into their profession than an engineer, doctor, or educator, or electrician, etc.<br />
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I also noticed that Les advocates "have your wife get a secular job" and putting the kiddos in public school. Yes, "have" her (make her, as she must obey you) go out and get a secular job, too. Les says she needs to be around "lost people", so get her out there to make a buck to help you start your church.<br />
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My advice for Les: keep your secular job, maybe even go to night school and re-educate yourself to get a better job, but keep your Bible study in your home. If you teach tithing to your attendees, have them tithe and imagine what good you could accomplish in your community helping people with that cash flow that does not have to go to buildings, utilities, and salaries. If the bible study gets too big, then sure, rent out the YMCA for your meetings. Or meet at a library or a conference room of one of your attendees' employers.<br />
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It is called "home church" or "organic church" - a church without a team of men who demand payment for their ministry services, and they are becoming more and more popular.</div>
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FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-50991481435803957902017-08-03T00:37:00.001-04:002017-08-03T00:46:49.535-04:00Get Ready for the Best of the FBC Jax WatchdogHi Readers - in between my attempts at satire, I will be publishing some of the best and eternally relevant (in my humble, but correct, opinion) blog posts over the past 10 years. There is a lot to choose from - nearly 900 blog posts. <br />
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As I peruse these older posts, I'm shocked at some of the shenanigans these charlatan pastors have tried to pull, and every so often it is worth revisiting these so maybe the new converts to the mega church scene can be warned.<br />
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Some of you old timers remember when Teddy Kennedy in the 1970's and maybe early 1980's would every so often float the idea of running for president, reporters would go into their proverbial closets and get out their notes on the Mary Jo Kopechne tragedy. Teddy would quickly realize they still have the goods on him, and his aspirations would be dashed. So, too, us bloggers should revisit the shenanigans of mega church pastors.<br />
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It seems the more churches and pastors change, the more things stay the same. So much of what I've written is still so relevant, and so needed - again, in my truly humble opinion.<br />
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So get ready, and ENJOY.<br />
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FBCJWFBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8384632623933772727.post-53815768842371365742017-07-26T21:57:00.002-04:002017-07-26T22:03:10.747-04:00Perry Noble Announces His New Church in South Carolina - The Church of Universal Life at Timmonsville<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnl3Gwy2PeQsCBQG5IPmpkQ6gBwj7RErO7PDZTiuiZ-23pjzlTJtBLLMRASjeeuDh5fjyM5MkhbaB2sNkDzTKAQirCSEB5eM_per_2nw_Z5xJmEd1gOfc_5j6sXGCzWo1KQfnntJD006F/s1600/NOble.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnl3Gwy2PeQsCBQG5IPmpkQ6gBwj7RErO7PDZTiuiZ-23pjzlTJtBLLMRASjeeuDh5fjyM5MkhbaB2sNkDzTKAQirCSEB5eM_per_2nw_Z5xJmEd1gOfc_5j6sXGCzWo1KQfnntJD006F/s320/NOble.png" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnl3Gwy2PeQsCBQG5IPmpkQ6gBwj7RErO7PDZTiuiZ-23pjzlTJtBLLMRASjeeuDh5fjyM5MkhbaB2sNkDzTKAQirCSEB5eM_per_2nw_Z5xJmEd1gOfc_5j6sXGCzWo1KQfnntJD006F/s1600/NOble.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Timmonsville, SC (WD) - Sources close to Perry Noble say he is only days away from announcing the location of his new church - the Church of Universal Life at Timmonsville (CULT) - a little more than one year after being dismissed as senior pastor at the church he founded, Newspring Church based in Anderson.<br />
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Noble's new start-up church will be located in Timmonsville, SC, in the eastern half of South Carolina just outside of Florence, about 200 miles away from Newspring Church.<br />
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Sources say that Noble plans to build the church rapidly into an international church, with satellite CULT's planned from Toronto, followed by Tallahassee, Florida.<br />
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An Hispanic satellite in Bradenton, Florida is planned, and will be called Church de Life Universal at Bradenton (CLUB).<br />
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Perry says his CULT locations will be built on the emphasis of the "universal love of God for all people", along with the love expressed for God through the tithing of his followers.<br />
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"My greatest regret in having left Newspring was not being able to continue to teach and warn Christians of the danger of not tithing," said Noble. "Our CULT will be built through the faithful tithing of our CULT members, and the Lord will certainly prosper."FBC Jax Watchdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10740366031265491559noreply@blogger.com9