Ministerial Qualifications

Saw this recent news article about Ted Haggard's replacement at New Life Church in Colorado Springs--Rev. Brady Boyd (Click here: Colorado church recommends replacement for Haggard (OneNewsNow.com)). 

Here is his bio as given in the news story:

"Boyd, a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, served as senior pastor of Trinity Fellowship Church in Hereford, Texas, before joining Gateway in 2001. He has experience in sales management and in TV and radio broadcasting, according to his Web site. He is married with two children."

I think that just about says it all . . .  

Sadly, this is what far too many evangelicals are looking for--a pastor with sales experience and a face for TV.

Speaking in Tongues Is Alive and Well -- In Some Surprising Places

This news would come as no surprise if this post was speaking about Pentecostal churches.  But tongue-speaking is alive and well in some very surprising places.

How about among Southern Baptists?

"A new study from LifeWay Research shows that two-thirds of Protestant pastors -- and half of Southern Baptist pastors -- believe the Holy Spirit gives some people a special prayer language from the Lord.  The phone study surveyed 1,004 Protestant laity, 405 pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), and 600 non-SBC senior pastors. Pastors were asked if they believed the Holy Spirit gave some people the gift of a special language to pray privately to God. Fifty percent of SBC pastors said the Holy Spirit still gave some people the gift of tongues, 43 percent said no, and seven percent didn't know."  Click here: Survey says ... half of So. Baptist pastors believe private prayer language is valid (OneNewsNow.com)

Or how about in the Christian Reformed Church?

"Third Wave Pentecostalism

It might seem odd for a synod of a Reformed church to be discussing a Pentecostal movement, but as Rev. Peter Hoytema pointed out in his article `Riding The Third Wave' (May 2007 Banner), this movement has had a greater influence within the CRC than many people realize. Synod 2004 appointed a committee to study it. That committee is reporting to Synod 2007 with two reports, one from the majority of the committee and one from the minority.  The two groups could not agree on the biblical basis or the place in the CRC of practices such as prophesying, healing ministries, spiritual warfare and deliverance ministries.  The majority of the committee, while cautioning against spiritual elitism, found that the Third Wave movement has much to offer the CRC. However, the minority group said that some of the dangers cautioned against by the majority are so serious that they could not agree with the positive assessment. Synod 2007 will have to make its own judgment."  (Click here: wfn.org | CRC NEWS: What to Watch for at Synod 2007).

I have only one thing to say, but unless you have the gift of interpretation, you wouldn't understand it.    

The Latest from Barna -- No Surprises

Here's the latest from Barna, and will probably not come as a major surprise:  Click here: Welcome to The Barna Group!

"Most Americans still embrace a traditional view of God, but they are less likely than ever to do so. Currently two-thirds of Americans believe that God is best described as the all-powerful, all-knowing perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today (66%). However, this proportion is lower than it was a year ago (71%) and represents the lowest percentage in more than twenty years of similar surveys.

Few adults possess orthodox views about Jesus and the Devil. Currently, just one-third of Americans strongly disagree that Jesus sinned (37%) and just one-quarter strongly reject the idea that Satan is not a real spiritual being (24%). Each of these beliefs is lower than last year and among the lowest points in nearly two decades of tracking these views.

The other changes in beliefs include greater reluctance to explain their faith to other people (just 29% strongly endorse this view, compared with 39% in 2006) and the willingness to reject good works as a means to personal salvation (down to 27% from 31%)."

Is Your Church's Liability Insurance Current?

A warning to all pastors and church workers!  Make sure that your church has paid its liability insurance in full, because if someone cracks their noggin when you slay them in the Spirit, they just might sue you!

According to an article which appeared in the Lansing State Journal (Click here: Lansing State Journal: Pastor testifies he was told woman suing church appeared coached,)  

"Judith Dadd, 52, of Lansing is suing Mount Hope Church, based in Delta Township, and Williams. She says she went to the altar during a July 18, 2002 rally for church leaders and was `slain in the Spirit' according to testimony. She fell backward and struck her head on the floor. Dadd claims she still suffers from the effects of the fall, including depression, memory loss and difficulty concentrating."

This is a warning to all of us.  Make sure your "catchers" are up to the task!   If not, you might end up in court!

The Sorry State of American Evangelicalism

Many of you have heard the recent news that Dr. Francis Beckwith, president of the Evangelical Theological Society, has returned to the Roman Catholic Church in which he was raised.  Beckwith will resign as president, but remain in the society as a member.

Obviously, there are a number of important issues here which relate to things we have discussed on the White Horse Inn for many years.

First, you should read Dr. Beckwith's own reasons for returning to Romanism.  Click here: Right Reason: My Return to the Catholic Church.

Second, you should read the thoughtful and excellent responses by Dr. Carl Trueman Click here: Reformation21 » Professor Beckwith and Dr. Scott Clark Click here: http://www.oceansideurc.org/ - The Heidelblog (Scott Clark) - - ETS President Converts to Rome and Click here: http://www.oceansideurc.org/ - The Heidelblog (Scott Clark) - - Of "Evangelical" and "Catholic"

For years you have have heard us on the White Horse Inn lamenting the current state of evangelicalism.  As Drs. Trueman and Clark point out, the old evangelical alliance is now in tatters.  ETS (of which I am a member--although I never have actively participated) is made up of everything from staunch Calvinists to open theists.  Its doctrinal statement is one line--“The Bible alone, and the Bible in its entirety, is the Word of God written and is therefore inerrant in the autographs.”  As Drs. Trueman and Clark have done, I too will let my membership expire--not out of anger or protest, I am just not interested in the work of ETS anymore . . .

As Clark and Trueman point out, the evangelical movement is now ahistorical, attracted (it seems) to every new theological fad, and largely disinterested in doctrine--especially confessional Protestant doctrine.  Defections to Rome, while lamentable are not a surprise and make sense in the current theological climate.

How many times has our Lutheran brother--Dr. Rosenbladt--told us of the direct connection between Luther-Calvin and Wesley-Rome?  Says Rod:  "If you don't get justification right, Rome makes perfect sense."

After reading Dr. Beckwith's explanation, Rod, it appears, is a prophet. 

Update on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 10:12AM by Kim Riddlebarger

Dr. Beckwith has also resigned from his membership in ETS and ETS has responded.  Click here: ETS on Beckwith | Liveblog | Christianity Today

Here's Your Big Chance . . .

According to a recent article (Click here: TBN on the lookout for 'innovative' Christian programming (OneNewsNow.com), our friends at TBN have "launched a contest in search of quality, independently produced programming that is family-friendly." 

This could be your big chance to propose new programming for Paul and Jan and the TBN network!

"The contest is called the `INNOVATE Program Challenge' and involves each of Trinity Broadcasting Network's four digital networks. Entrants could submit programs at the recent Radio-Television News Directors Association meeting in Las Vegas. Submissions can also be mailed to the network's California offices.

According to TBN's Bob Higley, the content of Christian television is changing. `We are trying to change the face of Christian television and to take it to the next level with all the user-content that's going out on the Internet with YouTube,' he says; `and I understand there's a new website called 'GodTube.' `Well, why not get some of these creative shows and submit them to us and let's see if we can get them on television?'

The Christian broadcasting entity hopes to `capture the imagination' of its viewers, says a press statement about the contest, and to move past the status quo. `The stereotype is that Christian television is basically the TV evangelists up there [delivering] fire-and-brimstone preaching, waving the Bible, and asking for your money,' says Higley. `We don't believe, at TBN, it's like that anymore -- and with the creation of our digital networks, we're really trying to have something for every member of the family.'"

OK, so here's your big chance!  What "innovative programming" would you propose for TBN?  How about an "American Idol" type competition for the best faith-healer? What about a show like "The Osbournes" (remember?  Ozzy and Sharon?), only set around the daily life of Paul and Jan? 

The imagination runs wild with possibilities . . .   Leave your idea in the comments section!

The Moses Model Revisited -- Why Biblical Church Government Matters

Christianity Today has posted yet another sad story on the internal troubles at Calvary Chapel.  Click here: Day of Reckoning | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction.  I dealt with the "Moses Model of ministry" a while back, when these same issues surfaced previously.  Click here: Riddleblog - The Latest Post - The "Moses Model" of Ministry Backfires . . .

I post this link not because I am glad that this sorry saga continues.  On the contrary, there is nothing mentioned in the CT article in regards to the failings and sins of ministers and church leaders at Calvary, which cannot also be found in Reformed and Presbyterian churches.  I've heard of (or witnessed first-hand) Reformed ministers commit all kinds of public sins.  I've seen them arrested and tried.  I've seen them fall into adultery.  I've seen them do most everything mentioned in the CT article. 

But I've also witnessed how their churches disciplined them.  Therefore, this is not a post about how bad "they" are (Calvary), and how much "better" we are (the Reformed/Presbyterian churches). Rather, this is a post about the importance of biblical church government. 

There is a reason why the Belgic Confession (the confession of faith of the Reformed Churches) devotes six entire articles (27-32) to the subject of church government (Click here: Christ Reformed Church: The Belgic Confession).  There is a vast amount of biblical teaching on church government which needs to be summarized and confessed, teaching which once affirmed and confessed, will spare God's people from the very thing going on at Calvary as described by CT. 

The New Testament devotes a great deal of attention to the subject of what constitutes a true church as well as who is a true Christian (summarized in article 29).  The New Testament speaks of the catholicity (or universality) of the church (summarized in article 27), as well as the necessity of church membership and the responsibilities of church members (summarized in article 28).  The New Testament carefully describes how the church is to be governed, and lists both the duties and qualifications of the officers which govern the church (ministers, elders, deacons--as summarized in article 30).  The New Testament tell us how ministers are to be called, and supervised, and of what their duties consist (article 31).  Then, finally, the New Testament instructs us how our churches are to exercise church discipline over erring members and especially church officers (article 32).

I know that many people find ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) boring.  I've seen people's eyes glaze over when the topic is even mentioned.  But this is an important aspect of biblical teaching and we neglect it to our peril.

So, for those of you still in Calvary, or similar churches, or for those of you struggling to understand how things like this can happen, please realize that the New Testament doesn't blush at the sins of Christians or of Christian leaders.  It speaks of such sinners being restored and reconciled after being disciplined.  There is clear instruction about how to govern our churches, and what to do when ministers fall into public sin or create scandal.  Sadly, that teaching is not found nor practiced at Calvary Chapel.  The "Moses Model" does not reflect the New Testament's teaching about ministers and their accountability to their fellow elders.

My advice:  please consider the Reformed confessions and the numerous verses they summarize.  There is a way out of this continuing problem--biblical (Presbyterian/Reformed) church government!

This Will Pack 'Em In!

Looking for a way to pack people into your church?  How about this?  Porn and Pancakes!

According to an article on wcbstv (Click here: wcbstv.com - Upstate NY Church Hosts 'Porn And Pancakes' Event) . . .

"(AP) ONTARIO, N.Y. It's not your typical church breakfast.

An event billed as `Porn and Pancakes' is being hosted by a church in rural upstate New York. The breakfast discussion on the pornography industry in America is planned next month at the Living Word Assembly of God Church in the town of Ontario, in rural Wayne County about ten miles east of Rochester. A billboard advertisement near the church shows the words `Porn and Pancakes' written in syrup on a stack of flapjacks. Organizers said the Feb. 10 event will be an honest discussion about pornography and its impact on society. The discussion will be led by XXX Church, a group of youth ministers who travel the country talking about porn and the porn industry. The pastor of the Wayne County church said that churches from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse have asked about also hosting `Porn and Pancakes' events."

And you thought I was kidding . . . This one is so bad it is hard to say anything in reply.  Before anyone has a cow, the picture comes from the wcbstv website reporting on the event. 

Looks to me like a "bait and switch" operation of the first order.  And just what will the pastor say to all the sweet little old ladies and curious teens and their angry parents in his church?  I guess they just have to put up with this so the church can "reach out."

I give up . . . 

Help Needed with Celebrity Endorsement!

Ed Young of the Fellowship Church managed to secure Hulk Hogan for a promo video for his church. 

According to Young, "This new series featuring Hulk Hogan, Larger than Life, promises to help you discover God's direction for your life, and also equip you with the tools necessary to find the path toward that larger life." (h.t. Jon Welborn)

My question is, "which celebrity should we get to help promote Christ Reformed?"  Dr. Phil is too obvious . . .

The Purpose-Driven Middle-East Peace Plan

Here's the lastest from Orange County's own Rick Warren.  You won't believe it--well, maybe you will.

According to the Syrian News Agency (notice the headline--Click here: American Priest Says no Peace without Syria SANA , Syria) . . .

"American Protestant Pastor Rick Warren on Monday said there was no peace in the region without Syria, noting that 80 percent of the American people rejected what the US Administration is doing in Iraq and considered the US policy in the Mideast as wrong. 

Syria’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Badr al-Din Hassoun received the American Pastor in Damascus in which he referred to the importance of spreading culture of amity, peace and coexistence instead of the 'clash of civilizations'.

The Mufti called for conveying the real image of Syria, national unity and its call to spread peace, amity and justice to the American people which the US administration has distorted their image before the world.

Pastor Warren expressed admiration of Syria and the coexistence he saw between Muslims and Christians, stressing that he will convey this image to his church and country."

Lets assume that Warren is quoted correctly (he may not have been in an Islamic state-run newspaper).  80% of Americans oppose the war in Iraq?  American foreign policy in the Middle East is wrong?  Syria is a model for Islamic-Christian co-existence? 

Aside from the legitimate differences that American Christians have over the war in Iraq, my question is simply "when did Rick Warren become Secretary of State?"  Or is he acting as Billy Graham's replacement--the "official" evangelical spokesman?  Or (allowing for the obvious confusion of the two kingdoms) is he attempting to be both?

Your thoughts?

Update on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 05:35PM by Kim Riddlebarger

Here's an update from Rick Warren and Saddleback on the trip to Syria.  As I suspected, Warren feels that he was misrepresented by SANA.  But I wonder how different this update would have been had the publicity been positive instead of negative.

"ABOUT SYRIA

Dear Saddleback Family

Tomorrow our team heads home from a three-nation P . E . A . C . E . plan tour of Germany, Syria, and Rwanda. Our trip began with a P . E . A . C . E . Plan briefing for 44 Christian missions organizations we'd gathered in Atlanta.

In hindsight, I wish we'd been better prepared for our visit to Syria . We would have handled some meetings differently, watched our words more closely, and been more aware of the agenda of their state press. We wanted to just slip in and out, but that's nearly impossible for me to do anymore. It's been a learning experience. Be sure to read the press release at the end of this note that gives you all the details.

Why did we go to Syria? The simple truth is that I was invited by my neighbor, Yassar. When we arrived, our first event was a home cooked meal with 20 of Yassar's family. Then , we were shown many of the historical Christian sites in Syria: the road to Damascus where Paul was converted, Straight street where the Holy Spirit led Paul, the house where Ananias prayed for his healing, the wall where Paul was let down in a basket to escape the Romans, the tomb of John the Baptist and the oldest Christian church building in existence.

Next, my neighbor arranged for us to meet some key Christian leaders, Muslim leaders, and government leaders - including the president of Syria. Franklin Graham has had years of experience with Lebanon and Syria, so I asked him what to say to the Syrian President. Franklin told me, `Thank him for protecting the freedom of Christians and Jews to worship there.'

As we left, the official state-controlled Syrian news agency issued some press release s that sounded like I was a politician negotiating the Iraq war by praising the Syrian President and everything else in Syria! Of course, that's ridiculous, but it created a stir among bloggers who t end to editorialize before verifying the truth. Does it seem ironic to you that people who distrust Syria are now believing Syrian press releases?

In our meeting with the president, I explained (as usual) the Saddleback P.E.A.C.E. P lan , and he gave us permission to send teams to Syria.

Friends, I am aware that inaccuracies, misquotes, and misperceived motivations get reported about me in the press daily. Most of the time, I just ignore them. Jesus said, `If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.' ( John 15:18 - NCV)

I love the paraphrase of Matthew 5:11-12 (Msg) : `Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.'

Just don't believe everything you read on the Internet or hear in the media."

Fair enough . . . Does that go for these updates Saddleback sends out?