Concerned FBC Jax Members: July is "Independence from Mac Brunson" Month

We, the concerned members of First Baptist Jacksonville, decree the month of July 2008 as the "Independence from the Abuses of Mac Brunson Month" and hereby decree the following:

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has come to our church and our city and purposely enriched himself by accepting a large gift from one of our donors rather than doing the honorable thing and directing that gift to the church;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has on multiple occasions spoken ill of our church to outsiders - as in claiming he is in a "hotbed of legalism" to a group of North Carolina pastors - and not defending us publicly when Paige Patterson decreed in his presence that Mac was attacked by "recalcitrants" on his arrival to Jax and received no "honeymoon" and equated our treatment of Mac on his arrival to wanting to "kill" him;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson and/or our lay leadership allowed $100,000 of church money to be used to convert valuable space in the Children's Building to a personal office suite for himself, his wife, and his dogs;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has allowed the significant modification of the bylaws of our church without allowing widespread dissemination of the proposed changes, and presiding over the business meeting (click here to listen) where the vote was taken and never offering one word of explanation to his sheep for the changes;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has seen fit to place wife and son on staff at our church with no stated ministry responsibilities;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson held an unannounced business meeting, possibly in violation of our church by-laws, to approve a $500,000 loan of church monies to start a school, giving justification for the school as an absolute necessity to reach our city for Jesus Christ because door-to-door evangelism is dead as "no one is ever at home anymore";

Whereas Donald M. Brunson allowed "prominent deacons" to persuade him to allow our church facilities, which have been built to the glory of God for the furtherence of the gosepl of Jesus Christ, to be used to host a non-evangelistic event called "A Time to Stand With Israel" event to raise funds for a Jewish hospital, a hospital where state funded abortions occur;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has shown himself to live a vastly different lifestyle in regards to finances and gifts and wealth than what he portrays in his book used to train Baptist pastors;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has carelessly declared that he "prays" the federal government does not come to Jacksonville to help us if we are devastated by a hurricane (click here to listen yourself);

Whereas Donald M. Brunson on multiple occasions has attempted to place Christians under the legalistic yoke of tithing by declaring they are robbing God unless they give 10% of their income, and claimed that people are suffering or will suffer unless they succumb to his legalistic yoke of Old Testament tithing (click here to listen);

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has declared that those who might disagree with him that the Christians are obligated to tithe and that the Old Testament "storehouse" refers to the New Testament church, are "doing the work of Satan";

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has used his pulpit as a "bully pulpit" to attack those who might disagree with him or who don't respond as he likes to his requests (click here and here);

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has embarrassed our church by agreeing to serve on the mayor's Crime Prevention Steering Committee and only attended 2 of 7 meetings, and never giving an explanation to his congregation or publicly to the city;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson purposely deceived his congregation about the $300,000 land gift on June 22, 2008 by saying he is "paying for his house" when he in fact did not pay for all of it but one of our generous church members gave him the land (click here to listen);

Whereas Donald M. Brunson says we should all "thank Jesus" we haven't gotten a raise because we are all so stupid as to use that extra money to go further in debt;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has used our Ressurrection Day service as an opportunity to collect money to put his sermons on national TV, yet never explaining why the better option is to archive video feeds of all of our services;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson has repeatedly shown an indifference to his responsibilities as pastor, leaving before greeting visitors on Easter Sunday, leaving before the completion of the invitation on Father's Day, failing to preach on Sunday nights because of book manuscripts;

Whereas Donald M. Brunson is using our church website to advertise for a "Holy Land Trip" that is not a church ministry;

Now therefore until the pastor and/or the church lay leadership begin to address these concerns, including public explanation of the bylaw changes enacted in December 2007, and until the pastor begins to display the humble servant-leadership as portrayed in the New Testament, our tithes and offerings will be given to other worthwhile Christian purposes that will meet people's needs and further the gospel. We do not feel compelled by scripture to continue to financially support the ministry of FBC Jacksonville as continued giving to the church is to condone the past practices and encourage even more abuses in the future.

Be it decreed this, the 25th day of June, in the year 2008.

Concerned Members of FBC Jacksonville

Mac is Back on TV!!

UPDATE 7/2/08: Around 6/29, the INSP website removed the link to "FBC Jacksonville" from their ministry list, and there is no FBC Jacksonville program on their July 2008 schedule published at their website. So either this was an error on the part of INSP, or for some reason the programming was pulled at the last minute. So as best we can tell as of July 1, there is no FBC Jax programming on the INSP Network. Would be nice to get an update from the pastor on this during announcements in a worship service, seeing as he saw fit to ask us all to give to this ministry on Easter Sunday, but that apparently is asking too much. The Watchdog will continue to monitor and will update as necessary.

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Congrats to Mac Brunson - the Sunday after he told us all how we need to stop spending so much and need to tithe, Mac has managed to find the funds necessary to put himself back on nationwide TV. FBC Jax church members will recall how Mac took up a special "Media Evangelism" offering on Easter Sunday to raise $180,000 to get his sermons back on nationwide TV. I blogged about it here and here.

I don't recall Mac giving us any update on whether the goal was reached. This usually means the goal wasn't reached.

But either it was, or they found the money somewhere, because starting this Sunday at 7:00 pm Mac is back on nationwide TV, Sunday nights at 7:00 pm on the INSP network. Click here and you'll see the FBC Jax hyperlink added this week to the INSP ministry list.

Another example of the ego and misplaced priorities of Mac Brunson: we could have used the $180,000 for other ministry and had an outreach via archiving video of our services - but there is nothing glamorous about that - the mega pastors move up a notch in the echelon of mega church pastors if they can get on a nationwide network. All part of the "Mac Brunson" branding strategy - all on the backs of FBC Jax members.

Way to go Mac and our crack team of Trustees! We love how you spend our money! It would have been nice to tell us.

Mac Brunson "Live" - He Bared it All Sunday - Part 1

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As you'll see below, Mac accused his congregation of "robbing God". What does "robbing God" look like? Perhaps it looks like a deed signed by a greedy preacher to take property valued at $307,000 that he could have directed the giver to give the church and avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and benefit the church. Mac's defenders say this gift was given AFTER Mac had agreed to come, thus its reasonable to assume the church had already offered Mac a generous relocation package. So Mac Brunson, YOU ARE THE ROBBER OF GOD, not the faithful people of FBC Jax.

Click HERE to see what "robbing God" looks like.

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This past Sunday Mac displayed a little bit of everything...he showed just why many in our church are beginning to doubt Mac Brunson is the man called to lead our church into the next generation. While some heard him and loved every minute of his "sermon", and giggled and clapped like little girls while he displayed his raw arrogance and a clever ability to misuse scripture, many left wondering how we have fallen so far as to have to endure this "preacher" in our church.

All in one sermon on "Giving God Control of Your Finances" (you can listen to all of it at his 501(c)3 website Inlight.org) Mac managed to do the following:

- He had an opportunity to tell the truth to his congregation about something that has concerned many members, that is the accepting of a $300,000 land gift from one of our members - but instead chose to purposely deceive people about it.

- He didn't preach a certain text, but hunted and pecked to find scripture to make the points he wanted.

- He chose not to preach Jesus, but to preach something that he professes he knows nothing about: finances

- He chose again to put the yoke of "tithing" on the people (listen here), declaring that we are robbing God if we are only giving 3%, and declaring that people who are in financial trouble are likely in trouble because they don't tithe.

- He declares that people who might take exception to his interpretation that tithing is required and that it must all come to the "storehouse" as being "from Satan".

- He uses his sermon to brag that he "gives away" 15% of his income - loves to tell us how much he gives, but never in a million years would he disclose the huge salary number from which he gives (reportedly over $400,000 for wife and self - so he gives away $60,000 and somehow manages to get by with just $340,000)

- He contradicts himself multiple times in the sermon - for example declaring at the opening of his sermon that the government is not our standard for finances, yet arrogantly announces that "last time I checked the U.S. government allows me to live anywhere I want to live" as though the standard of our behavior and lifestyle is measured by government standards. So he openly admits that he doesn't live according to the same standard he sets forth for other pastors in his book (not living in "executive homes") because its legal for him to do so

- speaks condescendingly to his congregation - that they should "thank Jesus" they didn't get a raise last year, because no body needs more money - they all just need more spending discipline. In fact, we're all so stupid that if we got more money we would all be more in debt! Sorry Mac, you're an arrogant, rich jerk - as prices for food and fuel rise drastically - the "little guy" out here that doesn't make your huge salary DOES NEED A RAISE. He uses the government as an example - but if its good that we don't get more money, and the government shouldn't get any more - than why is his hand out all the time asking US FOR MORE MONEY FOR THE CHURCH? What, our church can't get by on $15 million per year?

This is all too much to comment on in one post, so we'll take this in parts.

The Big Lie About His Land - How Clintonesque Can He Be?

Hearing Mac preach on finances is like listening to Bill Clinton speak on marital fidelity - Mac has no credibility to be preaching to us about spiritual principles on finances. He tells his congregation that they are robbing God if they are only contributing 3% of their income to the church, while he himself selfishly accepted a $300,000 gift that he could have directed to the church. According to Mac's defenders who say Mac or the search committee knew nothing in advance about this gift, it stands to reason that our church had agreed to comfortably meet Mac's family's needs in his transition to Jax, but that wasn't enough to satisfy Mac - no he needed to build a "bigger barn". When one of our members offered him a $300,000 land gift just days after his arrival in Jax, Mac jumped at the chance and accepted it and built a million dollar home.

But the lie this past Sunday was this; when he talked about how Christians should not be in debt, he declared the following:

"I have one debt....the amount I owe on my house...and by the way, let me tell you something...the last time I checked the U.S. Government said I could live where ever I wanted to...by the way...and I'm paying for that house..." CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

He's a liar on par with Bill Clinton, what else can you say? Its Clintonesque to say "I'm paying for that house"...because that is a half truth (remember he said there are no "little white lies" - listen here and turn down your speakers)...he means that "the house", the physical structure, yes he is paying (through the generosity of the church paying him a huge salary)...but if he was honest and interested in helping his congregation understand the land gift issue he would have acknowledged that the land on which it sits he is NOT paying for that, it was DONATED.

This is purposeful deception on his part. He knew that many in his congregation were concerned over two things: the lavishness of his house and lifestyle, and the accepting of the land gift. He arrogantly dismisses the first issue - as though the legality of his behavior is the ultimate standard when he already said at the beginning of the sermon it was not - then he confuses the issue of the land gift by saying he is paying for the "house". The most common use of the words "our house" in relation to our debt or our asset - we mean not just the physical structure, but the structure and the land ("I'm selling my house" - means the structure and the land). So many in our congregation who have just heard bits and pieces of the land gift issue heard Mac say that there was no gift, that HE is paying for it. Very clever; I have to hand it to Mac - he is one sly little devil.

That's OK Mac, go ahead and keep your congregation in the dark about the land gift. Tell your little white lies about the land gift...but as you said a few weeks ago, little white lies become MAMMOTH PROBLEMS.

You have a "mammoth" problem on your hands, Mac. Come clean Mac. Stop the arrogance Mac. Stick to preaching the Bible (and history), Mac. Share with your congregation the circumstances of the gift, Mac. Most of your congregation will probably stand and cheer, and in fact there are probably a few gullible sheep who will follow J.D. Colllins' lead and donate MORE land to you - if you would just explain it all.

That ain't gonna happen.

Mac to FEMA: Stay Away From Jacksonville!

Thought the people of Jacksonville would like to hear what Mac Brunson believes about hurricane relief here in Jacksonville.

Listen to Mac

Mac actually says: "I hope that if a hurricane hits this city [Jacksonville] that the federal government doesn't get involved. I pray that the church rises up and does what the church is supposed to do."

The gall of that man. Yes, the federal government responded terribly after Katrina hit New Orleans - just ask New Orleans pastor Fred Luter - he preached about his experience after Katrina. But still the federal government has the resources to help in disaster relief. Right now while Mac and the A-Group are planning how to start this satellite, while Mac is planning his next book and how to get back onto nationwide TV and how to create a position for his next family member, FEMA is providing disaster relief in Iowa, and will be ready and will begin to fund disaster relief the minute a hurricane starts heading this way. When the hurricane hits Mac will be heading to higher ground, while FEMA gets ready to help Jacksonville.

Did you ever wonder what 1000 guillable sheep sound like? Listen to the "ameners" after Mac makes his ridiculous statement that he hopes the federal government doesn't get involved after a hurricane. And anyone wonders why Mac can do what he does and not be held accountable?

St. John's County Churches: Here Comes the Big Dog!

Today, June 21, 2008, FBC Jacksonville is launching the initial stage of its "satellite" ministry into St. John's County, the county bordering Jacksonville's Duval County to the south. This is the county experiencing rapid population growth, and this growth just so happens to be - lucky for FBC Jax - rich white people! FBC Jacksonville has decided that there are not enough churches currently in this area ministering, or the ones that are there and view this area as their mission field aren't doing a good enough job. So what is needed? A church plant with a new pastor to minister to people's needs in that area? Of course not - what' s needed is a place where people can come to get some of Mac Brunson's teaching!

The first stage of FBC Jacksonville moving south begins TODAY, as the training sessions begin for approximately 30 couples who will be hosting "in home churches" or "in home Bible studies" in the St. Johns County area from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday evenings, beginning very soon after these couples complete their weekend training sessions. These will be viewed by the church as extensions of FBC Jacksonville - according to Mac even the homes themselves will be inspected by our crack staff of executive pastors and staff members to ensure the home is suitable and safe (hope we've updated our church insurance policy to include coverage at these people's homes!). According to Mac even child care will be provided in the homes during the 2 hour "home bible study".

Then, here's the kicker - once our team of 30 couples has built up their in home churches, guess what - we're going to move them over to a new St. Johns "satellite campus", perhaps to be called "First Baptist Jax South Branch" to be opened up Easter morning 2009! Yes, that's right! These people that we get into our "home churches" will eventually be told:

"Yes, getting you into my home to study the bible these past few months was part of a well thought-out scheme we started early in 2007 to allow my pastor to start a satellite church in this area. Satellite churches are like a branch of a bank, or a McDonald's franchise, or a Starbucks coffee shop. Just like you may be getting a new Bank of America branch here in your area to make it more convenient for you, well you're getting an "FBC Jax Branch Church" in your area, and you know what, congratulations, you've just won a genuine Majorca pearl necklace, and membership in a new SATELLITE CHURCH!

You see my pastor and his marketing firm decided that since this area of town didn't have any good churches or decent pastors who knew enough of the Bible (and history) to reach you, and since not enough people were coming downtown to hear him preach, that we could start a "satellite church". He told us when he cast his "Vision" for this satellite church that to start he would drive to the satellites and preach live until we get the live video feed from the "mother church". I know you like this in-home bible study we have, but this was just a ploy to get you moved over to the satellite so you could watch Mac on a video screen, and we could pass what we call an "offering plate". But until we get the live feed going (those are VERY expensive you know, so we'll be holding a "special offering" at the satellite to pay for it but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it) he'll drive from his modest home in Deerwood to preach to, er I mean minister to us on Sundays.

What's that? Will we be a stand-alone church? No, not really. Our preacher is not legalistic except in the area of tithing (and anonymous emails), so you'll hear sermons about how you need to give 10% of your income to receive God's blessings, and that 10% will go straight to the church downtown. But don't worry, they're really good stewards of the money downtown. Although we can't see any detail whatsoever in how its spent by our trustees, TRUST ME, we don't spend money on lavishness, so don't worry about that. No money goes to enriching the pastor and allowing him to live a lavish life style. We'll be great stewards of your money that you drop in the offering plate. In fact, we'll be doing you a favor, since this satellite will be a real money loser when it starts until we indoctrinate you and the others with the idea of "tithing"...then when we get the revenue flowing from this satellite, we will be able to launch another one somewhere. So, welcome to the FBC Jax family! Oh, and by the way, if you have any questions about the church, don't send any anonymous emails, the pastor HATES those."

Sorry for the cynical view, but I'm very skeptical when it comes to the motives and means of Mac Brunson and his inner circle of decision makers. Just a few remarks, and then you can comment as you wish on this topic:

- Did Mac reach out to the other churches who are in this area and let them know of his intentions, and maybe see what their long-term strategies are for reaching this area of our metroplex? Or does Mac know precisely that what God wants is a FBC Jax down there irrespective of what other churches are doing?

- When Mac cast the vision it was all about how we were going to get his excellent sermons down there to the satellites - he could drive he said because he doesn't mind preaching multiple times a day, until we get the live feed. Does St. John's County really need Mac Brunson sermons - live or feed?

- Mac told us last fall that the way to reach our city was to start a school - that "knocking on doors doesn't work anymore". So to butter us up for his Wednesday night unannounced vote to take $500,000 from our church funds to start a school, Mac told us that a FBC Jax school is a MUST to reach people. OK, so where do we start the school? Downtown where apparently no one likes to come to church because we are building a satellite church! So if its to reach people why are we putting it downtown, since the growth (and the people with the money) is to the south? And we already have an excellent church facility downtown - with many needed renovations and upgrades - but we are now focused on spending money for a satellite church and a school. So the logic is: build a church downtown to reach people where we know it will be hard and expensive for them to drive to every day - and we'll start a new church out in the suburbs so these people don't have to drive downtown to the excellent church we already have. Sorry, but my brain doesn't compute all of that. What it does mean is we all better DIG DEEP...we need half a million for the school, and we'll need big bucks to start our FBC Jax South Branch in St. John's county. And then the capital fund raising program for our local campus can't be too far behind.

- I do want to remind everyone that Mac cast the same vision for FBC Dallas - starting satellites - but he left and it died on the vine. I guess God wanted Dallas to build satellites so long as Mac was there, but when he left suddenly God wasn't in it anymore.

Seriously though - I hope that our 30 trained lay people starting these in home churches are open and honest with those that they bring into their home about the ultimate purpose - that is for FBC Jax to expand its brand into St. John's county.