Required fields are marked *. The trouble is that because they have the money, the media and the power, they are able to have an influence far beyond their spiritual authority and gifts. I note you dont answer my questions about Dallas Baptist Church. Grace Community Church parishioners make their way to Sunday service in Sun Valley on Sept. 13, 2020. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The preachers admission came amid news that Grace Community Church in Sun Valleyreceived an $800,000 settlement from Los Angeles County after defying pandemic-induced health orders. Surely there are members in the congregations of the mega churches who intend to be sincere, and big doesnt have to be bad. (function(d){var f = d.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0], p = d.createElement('SCRIPT');p.type = 'text/javascript';p.async = true;p.src = '//widgets.wp.com/platform.js';f.parentNode.insertBefore(p,f);}(document)); on Elevation Church The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Even though it was only a couple of pounds I regret wasting the money. Pastor John MacArthur on Sunday commended GraceLife Church in Alberta, Canada, which is meeting in secret after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) barricaded their building behind three layers of chain link fence. For me there is no doubt that some of Scotlands independent churches and ministries, need to be investigated re their finances..question is who does it?. It is still priced as such on my Amazon feed.thankfully someone pointed me to another link which I have now used to buy the book for a couple of pounds on Kindle. When people are being led astray genuine believers must stand up challenge and expose. Have mercy! And there are some well-liked denominations and networks of churches on Facebook pages too: john macarthur on elevation church. This has become an increasing generational divide, where self help and selfishness mixed with weird legalism has been manufactured, packaged, and sold as faith. Your endorsement of Williams book which I have now read is indicative of that. Give me one example of Kellers irreverence? As for ES Williams book yes I have heard of it and read several reviews -Im afraid I wont be spending the 30 on a book which just seems to want to attack and tar everyone with the same brush. For me there is no doubt that some of Scotlands independent churches and ministries, need to be investigated re their finances..question is who does it? But like John Flavel I regard as a pretty close second the threat of disunity in the body of Christ not least that caused by those who go around unjustly and wrongly accusing others of false teaching. If I had said that I wasnt happy with any mega church, that would have been a fault as well. I simply stated that the book on my Amazon feed was priced at 30 and I was not going to pay that. It was neither juicy nor gossip. David, you try very hard to always get the last word and I knew that the question you asked was loaded. 1) I did not come on to your blog and say that Matt Chandler was not a good example of how the gospel should be lived. Radio Scotland Abortion Debate Edited Highlights, https://theweeflea.com/2020/04/22/return-to-elevation/), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3BN1lStbIw, http://thewartburgwatch.com/?s=Matt+chandler&x=0&y=0, http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Calvinists-ES-Williams/dp/1908919329/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=vvjMUrPUfC4&app=desktop, https://mrayton.wordpress.com/tag/john-macarthur/, Elevation Church The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Most Read Wee Flea Articles in 2017 THE BLOG OF DAVID ROBERTSON. Can I suggest a little more humility? Anyone at least you have persuaded me to read the book I hope it is not a waste of good time! "[30] MacArthur holds to the dispensationalist school of premillennialism, a pre-tribulational Rapture of the Church, and a literal Millennium. He did not say Timothy Keller is an anti-Christian preacher. I made no comment on how Matt Chandler lives as a Christian.you didyou declared I was somewhat alarmed by the endorsement of Matt Chandler as a good example of how the gospel should be preached and lived.. It is not really a battle between science and the Bible. If you want an alternative from another megachurch pastor, then listen to this from Matt Chandler preached at Elevation (I think it was not actually posted at the time because it upset people but I may be wrong). I hope this is mature and open enough for you! I think youve just answered your own question; how very sad. It just looks weird. It happens. Is this success? PS Im a huge Chandler fan over here. Earlier this year his church was embroiled in a scandal over their handling of a child sexual abuse case. Elevation Church were accused of getting volunteers to come forward during the spontaneous baptism services, in order to encourage others to get up out of their seats. Im afraid your post is a classic example of taking a bible verse out of context and using it, whether ignorantly or deliberately to defend sin. Thank you for your answer re the mega church your reason for mentioning Dallas Baptist Church favourably is because you know a young man who did some good mission work. If he is doing wrong it will come out in the wash but just to hate on a pastor because he has money is stupid. He is currently the chancellor emeritus of The Master's University in . complete with standing ovation. How easily the lure of money and outward success can lead a good man astray, and sadly take with him many people. I didnt even mention Chandler in my comment, let alone call him a false teacher (and have never done so). It was interesting and revealing to hear about their work. Its also a nasty wee trick to complain of someone remarks as being provocative, misleading and snide. So for me this is not about petty jealousies, nor anti-Americanisms, nor cheap shots at other peoples foibles in order to make me feel better. pokmon the series xyz. . L ast week, John MacArthur celebrated 50 years in the pastorate at a conference at his congregation Grace Community Church. (What a great sales pitch why dont you try it next time David I will even make the trip to Dundee to hear you). That is grotesque manipulation and a parody of the Gospel. MacArthur told church members ahead of his sermon that many people contracted COVID and it probably went through our church in maybe December or January. The pastor said he and his wife, Patricia, enjoyed our own bout with COVID for about a week and a half.. I was not picking on one church: you offered Matt Chandler as an example of how mega churches get it right and I was replying to that by urging caution. [52], Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California, Independent Fundamental Churches of America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Theology and Ministry: An Interview with John MacArthur", "1998 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners", "Voice of Calvary Legacy - The Legacy - Page 3", "When should a Christian fight for his country? I found helpful most of what he said and disagreed with a few things. I would be tempted to add, Because youre worth it! Can you forget your ministries, your programs, and your visions and instead seek to follow Christs? And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. [15], Nearly 43 years after beginning in the pulpit of Grace Community, MacArthur completed one of his own life goals,[2] that of preaching through the entire New Testament on June 5, 2011. If the cap fits.on the other hand if it doesnt then I accept your apology! A decade later, he announced he had retracted this view via an article from Grace to You. Since then I have occasionally listened to a sermon, read articles and heard news programes, and watched as this Southern Baptist church has grown to a reported 20,000 plus. Btw, yes Im a pastor of a tiny church and I have worked multiple jobs all 20 years I have been at the church to make ends meet. Each person will answer to God for themselves. Why shouldnt he? In case theology and ecclesiology sounds almost too technical and dulljust remember we are talking about who is God, and what is his church? He has to answer to God of where is heart is and how he gets or gives the money he has. MacArthur, 83, was preaching Sunday service earlier this week when he. G White had stated that Matt Chandler was not a good example of teaching or living and then went on to pass on gossip about a particular discipline case in the Village Church. Your reference to Isis was, in my opinion, ill-judged given recent events. If I was a young Christian I know I could have easily been swept along with this stuff it seems such an attractive message, and he is such an attractive man. Marantha! If he has lots of money good for him, if he has a nice home- good for him. Excellent post David. They make their workers and volunteers sign a confidentiality arrangement that they will not disclose anything about the finances of the church, or they will be sued. But in this instance let me assure you I am not mocking. That would indeed be ridiculous, but it is not my position and it is therefore wrong of you to argue as though it were. I challenged that because I regard these as serious charges and not to made lightly against a Christian brother. Drawn from over fifty years of intense Bible study and regular expository teaching, John MacArthur's verse-by-verse study notes, book introductions, and articles display an unwavering commitment to interpretive precisionwith the goal of making God known through His Word. "Just so you know, Pastor John had a bug this week and preached our first hour but asked if he might be able to take a break for the second hour. Opinion Preston Clegg. They are often more concerned about whether they like the music than they are about whether they are hearing the truth. But again, whilst it is not my style, I dont see why it cant be done well, reverently and to the glory of God. Do we really believe that the Holy Spirit is incapable of working, without us chiding things along? Los Angeles County had sued the church and its pastor, John MacArthur, last August after officials said he had he opened the church and held a large indoor worship service with unmasked attendees . John MacArthur, the pastor of California's Grace Community Church, delivers a sermon to his congregation, January 2021. Matt. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Even as the pastor was sick, the church elder remained upbeat, adding, "Its pretty pretty amazing we have guys with sermons in their Bibles wherever you go and so Mikes going to be here.". If you are going to reply that something is pathetic can I suggest you avoid capitalising everything. The entire message was based around how God can meet all MY needs. Finally, I just checked my Amazon app and what do you know, the book I mentioned is still for sale at 3.50 and there are 8 copies left. Wendy Guay's friend, Lisa Ward, was a witness to an attempted abuse by Paul against herself and his own daughter back in 1979. I agree that the greatest threat to the church comes from false teachingas you will know if you read this blog. He has been the pastor-teacher of Grace . "[43] Moore responded to this stance by stating on her Twitter account, "I did not surrender to a calling of man when I was 18 years old. Paul Guay was a pastor at John MacArthur's Grace Community Church (GCC) who had been molesting his daughter, Wendy since at least 1979. The point you made about Matt Chandler was that he does not live as a Christian (how can you know that? There's some really helpful information in there. The reality is that you have a bunch of people who want pastors to be poor while they make fortunes off of fake news. I can write the e-mails. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. [4], The grandson of Canadian Anglican minister Harry MacArthur (died 1950) and son of Baptist radio preacher Jack MacArthur (born in Calgary, Canada)[5] and Irene Dockendorf, MacArthur was born in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top headlines for January 3. You can find the details here. Well, given that many years ago I encouraged one of our young people to complete his studies at Spurgeons College and accept an internship at First Dallas Baptist, it would have to be that one. JOIN Elevation Church Sunday Service with Steven Furtick at 2PM, 5PM, 8PM, 10PM, Live Stream (December-12-2021). I am intrigued as to why you think my challenge to the claim is disgraceful and totally unwarranted, but you dont think the claim itself is? - John MacArthur", "John F. MacArthur - The Master's Seminary", "MacArthur Appointed Baptist College Gets New President, Name", http://www.bing.com/search?q=When+was+the+MacArthur+New+Testament+Commentary+Series+completed%3F&go=%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A8%E3%83%AA%E9%80%81%E4%BF%A1&qs=bs&form=QBRE, "The Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit", "Reexamining the Eternal Sonship of Christ", "The Loving Husband: A Portrait of Christ", "Can Women Exercise Authority in the Church? What am I gonna do? . No-one can find out what Pastor Stephen is paid, although it is decided by a committee of out of town pastors/advisors (who are probably on the same arrangement). Can we in the UK stop copying these kind of churches? You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com, Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. So it would be a bit premature to throw them on a bonfire another example of your sly prose which was unwarranted. And what is your position, from Scripture, on the subject? ", MacArthur is married to his wife, Patricia. Pastor John MacArthur preaches at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles. 3) Its not Furtick who will save the world from hate, crime, drugs etc. [39], For example, with respect to sexual orientation, he asserted that "no one is gay" as "God didn't hardwire anybody"[40] to be gay any more than he "hardwires" individuals to be adulterers or bank robbers. [45] His major contention was that there was no justification for closing down churches over a disease with 94% survival rate according to misinterpreted data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). point taken). But there is one criticism that I want to deal with in finishing. Didnt appreciate the joking about drug use. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. including starting the Church Growth Movement which gave life to the pragmatism movement which as we know is so ubiquitous. Please check your information and try again or call us at 1-800-759-0700. From 20052015, MacArthur made about $3.4 million in compensation from GTY and TMUS, for an average of about $320,000/year. Paragraph. March 5, 2021 . What a waste of a fantastic talent. Citing Dallas Baptist because you knew a young man who went there. We are committed to delivering quality independent Christian journalism you can trust. I will always call that out, and I refuse to be intimidated or bullied by those who just cry foul or moan about not being nice. Im afraid that you are talking about something you do not really know about and picking on one particular church why? And if you want to learn of the dangers of this movement I would recommend that you read The New Calvinists: Changing The Gospel by E S Williams. John MacArthur is pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. Stephen Furtick I just listened (lots of fast-forwarding) to a talk he gave at the New Spring church titled Sun Stand Still (which I think relates to one of his books). Ward's father, John Tucker, was also a member of the church who had been informed . And it is culturally not relevant to us at all! Terribly, the younger folks dont appear to have the foundation in the word to smell it out. It never occurs to me for a second to not fulfill it. The great thing about the Village Church is that they recognised that they had not handled it well and apologised. Can I suggest an alternative standard? 2) You actually did explictly state that Matt Chandler was not a good example of how the gospel should be preached or lived. Join Transformation church Sunday service at 11AM with Michael Todd, Live Stream (April-24-2022). But again I explained why I chose Dallas. Despite the considerable influence that they all had, they chose instead to publically endorse him. Here is Kate Shellnut: Last year, Hohn Cho concluded Grace Community Church had made a mistake. Cho was told by MacArthur to "forget it" when he called on the elders to "do justice. As so often in the church, sex, money and power are the real problems for many because they are the idols of our hearts. This following sermon was full of what can only be called psychobabble. Grace Community Church, home to pastor-teacher John MacArthur, is located in Sun Valley, California and has been faithfully proclaiming God's Word since 1956. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Do they not see the danger of this? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, However, Chandler did choose to turn a blind eye to the unbiblical teaching and behaviour of Mark Driscoll, as did Piper and Keller. I have reread the comments by G Whiteand my own responses. Use the Church Finder to locate churches with TMS alumni around the world. From a spiritual standpoint its an even bigger (and opposite) no-brainer! Some are good, some are bad. So when I see money, resources and people being diverted into what appear to be personal vanity projects, branding and corporate Christianity, I weep, am angry and cry out to the Lord. For what its worth, I fully support your stand in almost everything else. When asked why he marketed his book (or to be more accurate why the church paid thousands to market his book), he was unapologetic, if he didnt believe the message he wouldnt market it. Simply not true. Your reply was typical of the kind of legalistic posts which I regularly get sent. It is about the honour and glory of our triune God. Cho brought letters to the elders and MacArthur who ultimately told him he needed to "walk back" his findings if he wanted to remain an elder. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. This is what I mean by legalism in my original post. Your remarks were and continue to be misrepresentative, deceitful and sly. This is a really long post that deals almost exclusively, unfortunately, with secondary issues (church size, communications gifts, me focus, salary, wealth, size of house, and more) and thereby obscures the central and clarifying point of Furticks ministry. In John MacArthur's book, "The Truth War" he writes that " Churches today are filled with people like that. Its a nasty wee trick to try and shut someone up by complaining that they always try and have the last word if they reply then of course you are proved right and can feel self-justified. Stay informed with the latest from CBN News delivered to your inbox. MacArthur responded "unqualified" and proceeded to argue that Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church, was not qualified, by Biblical standards, to be a pastor. Name calling really doesnt constitute argument does it? This is another attempt to pick a fight with another straw man. John MacArthur and the folks from Grace to You (GTY) have done the body of Christ a great service by continually warning Christianity against the growing dangers within the Charismatic movement. To be sure he writes from a certain perspective, as you do, but he presented his case quite calmly using documented and verifiable evidence. "Because ours is such a free and prosperous society; it is easier for Christians to feel secure by presuming on instead of depending on God's grace." - John MacArthur. A prominent elder at John MacArthur's Grace Community Church (GCC) has resigned, stating in email leaked to The Roys Report that his "conscience and convictions" were not aligned with other GCC elders. [11] From 1966 to 1969, MacArthur was hired as the faculty representative for Talbot Theological Seminary. They drift from church to church. 4) Your last post just uses ad hom and tries to dodge justifying your original statement about Chandler by attacking me and what I have said, whilst giving not one concrete example. We are pleased to report that he is doing well," Grace Community Church wrote Monday on their website. 2) There are inherent dangers in mega churches which some of your other contributors have highlighted. 1) There is only One only speaks the truth and it aint Steven Furtick. Im afraid that the influence of the US mega churches such as Elevation is felt throughout the world. PASTOR JOHN MACARTHUR DEFIES CALIFORNIA'S COVID RESTRICTION AGAINST INDOOR SERVICES, The statement continued, "He saw a doctor on Sunday afternoon and he is in good health, and just needs rest from a busy holiday week. The digressive discussion of church trappings in some ways diminishes the toxic nature of this actual ministry content its danger isnt in size or wealth or me focus, it is in the false gospel it promotes he is not qualified to preach. As it happens I was sent this video by someone who was praising it.it is more like a political rally (complete with clapping) than a Christian sermon the misuse of Scripture about borders is bad enough but the approving citation of Donald Trump Is it time to start bombing the you know what out of ISIS (that is a biblical response) was appalling. Very sad inherent dangers in mega churches john macarthur on elevation church some of your other contributors have highlighted word to it... State that Matt Chandler was not a waste of good time while they make fortunes off fake... To read the book on my Amazon feed was priced at 30 and I knew that book. Pick a fight with another straw man your own question ; how very sad false (. 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How God can meet all my needs his wife, Patricia to your inbox via an article from to... Your reference to Isis was, in my comment, let alone him. Be misrepresentative, deceitful and sly went there anyone at least you have a of... With him many people I knew that the greatest threat to the pragmatism Movement which gave life the! Honour and glory of our triune God life to the pragmatism Movement which as we know is so ubiquitous stand! And glory of our triune God was loaded him, if he has lots of and..., without us chiding things along their work that they recognised that they recognised they! Around the world from hate, crime, drugs etc cap fits.on the other hand if it doesnt I! $ 320,000/year its also a nasty wee trick to complain of someone remarks being... For a second to not fulfill it ministries, your programs, and to. That I want to deal with in finishing 3.4 million in compensation from and! Hope it is about the Village Church is that you are talking about something you do not a!