Thanks Rick, but you owe me no apology!
Dude,
I will take resposibility here, seems like there are some in here that will go to great lengths to defend anything and everything that is done by RW. I have made several posts about him and they always say I'm trying to run down a good man's ministry because of my bad experiences with him. I'm not attempting to get these posters riled up, that is not my intention, but instead I'm trying to inform fellow Christians of the possible false directions he may be taking his followers. Obviously discernment about RW is not well recieved in here and in the future I will prayerfully consider any more posts on the subject. I wish I could just make posts to those who are willing to listen and not just throw rocks.
When it comes to certain folks on the board, I always remain baffled at how they can come to the conclusions they arrive at, and how they take things out of context. This is why I never did well in my government jobs [both as a grant developer, contractor, and civil servant]. I would speak my heart, and be taken apart by nitpicking spin masters.
Thanks for taking responsibility, but, in fact, you did nothing wrong.
As for me, I'll say this one last time. I am not RW's fan. Someone posted on this page that, "Saddle back is his ministry. The evidence is in his ministry."
I'd like to point out, that while that is a solid argument, it doesn't wash with me, as many preachers/teachers [like Hinn, Duplantis, Hagan, TBN/Paul and Jan Crouch, Osteen, Jack Shaap, Hagee, for some] have mega ministries, and they also stray from teaching the entire truth [mostly the name it claim it folks]. Does their having a mega ministry speak to the evidence of their being "right?"
Then there are the fallen preachers [like Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker and now Robert Schuller], who were once at the top, and now all but disappeared. I guess the evidence can be clearly seen in their ministries, now that they are no longer one of the top 100 Fastest Growing Churches listed in this link -
http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches
Big doesn't always mean "right!" I guess we'll have to wait and see if RW and Saddleback stand the test of time.
In my heart, I'd take a smaller congregation over a large salary and a mega church any day. Because mega and success don't mean much in this day of "here today, gone tomorrow" fellowships brought down by the vanity and hidden sins of its founders and leaders.
Granted, satan is great at exposing the hidden things of those on the fast-track to success for the Kingdom, so those with mega ministries, like Graham, have to live a squeaky-clean life, account for every dime, and not live audaciously off the profits of huge offerings.
As I said in the beginning, from the moment, my pastor handed me a Purpose-Driven Life book and asked me to read it, because they were going to use it in home Bible studies, I asked myself why he'd want to use another man's program to build the faith and direction of his congregation around?
After reading the book, within my spirit, I just didn't like what I read, and after hearing and seeing RW at public events throughout the Southern Cali area, I grew more cautious of the man and his "purpose!"
Sorry if that offends anyone, but I do have my right to my thoughts. And as for my comments about the ecumenical movement, I've felt that way since the mid 70s when the Catholic church was the main impetus behind its forward thrust.
I do not believe that is a positive thing to join in fellowship with those of religions that are not professing Jesus as Son of God, Savior of man, and Lord of our life!
I resigned my commission with the Boy Scouts of America once they signed on with the Mormon church to be their official youth program. I knew I'd have to eventually, attend Mormon services, go to Mormon fellowships, and solicit their funding. I, in good consciousness, could not do this, as I felt then, and still do believe that they are nothing more than a cult!
Now before anyone thinks I'm saying RW and Saddleback is a cult, let me clarify that statement by sating, that everything I know of his teaching, lends itself to the Word. RW has a pastor's heart for the lost; it's just that I have this strange Holy Spirit tingle within me when it comes to his approach to reaching people and building a church(es).
And when I see this man, who professes that Christ is Lord, sitting down with leaders of cults and false religions, like they are members of the fellowship of Christ, a red flag goes up. If he can do this in all good consciousness, so be it. Good for him. I just know it is not for me! If that makes Dawg upset with me, sorry to him and anyone else on the board whose feathers I ruffled. It is not intentional, and I by no means am standing in judgment of RW or you. I say, go for it. I just have to remain on the sideline when it comes to ecumenical events and gatherings.
In closing, my Social Work Professor once told me that if I ruffled up an ire spirit, it was because I must have said something that didn't sit well with their way of thinking. And that is what debating is all about. Apparently, ou and I, stepped on a few toes around here, and now the toes we injured when we stepped down a little too hard, will have to heal [and they will heal], and then they can MOVE ON, like I plan to do!
BYE.... :smilewinkgrin:
