We can choose to be lonely, or rejoice in the Lord Jesus always (Philippians 4:4)

Al Sabado

Shared publicly  -  10:29 AM

When I stopped attending a physical church in 2009, loneliness was evident. But I discovered it's a choice to dwell in such a state, and it's a choice to rejoice in the Lord Jesus always (Philippians 4:4, http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-Chapter-4/#4). I've chosen the latter.

Why leave church? Perhaps, a more appropriate question is, "Why become part of a church whose errors unfold brazenly and contradict fearlessly what God's Word firmly teaches and commands us to do, and not what to do?" Think about it. If you're too comfortable in your church, beware...

Let's read God's Word and know what God's will is. But I hope you and I know by now that the Bible translation, "The Message," is such a mystic mess,http://www.av1611.org/kjv/mess_bible.html. Let's read the King James Bible version instead,http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611-Bible/.

A blessed stay-at-home Sunday to you and your loved ones! :)

Letter to the Editor: Alone and Dismayed By Condition of Churches in a Midwest Town -

lighthousetrailsresearch.com

Dear Lighthouse Trails Editors: I live in the Midwest, and one would think that the apostate church has not infiltrated us here. Nothing could be further from the truth. My 

Should Christians expose error? Definitely, yes.

Al Sabado

Shared publicly  -  10:00 AM

Definitely, yes! A lovely stay-at-home Sunday to all! :)

Should Christians Expose Error? -

lighthousetrailsresearch.com

By Harry Ironside Objection is often raised—even by some sound in the faith—regarding the exposure of error as being entirely negative and of no real edification. Of late, the hue and cry has been against any and all negative teaching. But 

If Rick Warren's purpose-driven life/church is not of God, then whose is it?

Read more . . .

Rick Warren's Global Peace Plan vs. 
Scriptural Teachings on Peace

by James Sundquist

To buy the book, visit the book website/store.

REPOST: List Of (Probable) False Christian Leaders, False Christian Teachers and False Prophets (As Indicated By The Ecumenical or Heretical Organisations They Belong To)

[This post by John Chingford has been copied from his website and pasted here with his consent (see "Please Distribute This Blog"), to inform and warn the brethren of false teachers and false church leaders. The style and formatting has been modified, if not removed, for the article to be compatible with this current web page. You may visit the complete and comprehensive post by clicking here.]

Groups
Latter Rain
Manifest Sons of God
Fullers Theological Seminary
Word of Faith
Shepherding Movement
Restoration and House Church Movement
New Frontiers
Spring Harvest
New Breed
Joel's Army and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Third Wave Movement
Vineyard
Toronto Blessing, Pensacola and Lakeland Revivals
Alpha
Kingsway International Church (KICC)
TBN
Seeker Friendly
Purpose Driven (Rick Warren)
Emerging Church
HillSong
Promise-Keepers
Renovaré
Elijah List (list of prophetic Ministries)
Manhattan Declaration
Westminster 2010 Declaration
THE MESSAGE (Bible translation by Eugene Peterson) endorsers
Jerusalem Prayer Team
Lausanne Movement (founded By Billy Graham)
International Apostolic Council (IAC)
International Coalition of Apostles (ICA)
Mission America Coalition (MAC)
American Society for Church Growth (ASCG)
Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1994

The following list of leaders replaces a list I previously gave. That older list used to appear on this earlier article  List and Details On Other False Teachers and Prophets which was compiled on RR's website. I had to remove the RR list as I found it too questionable to retain. Please note that that older article still exists and retains some very useful information and shortcut links which complement this article, so would still be good to refer to.

Leaders
Before you look at  the list of leaders table (alphabetical order) please familiarise yourselves with a few pointers.

Note "Emerging Church Links" is based on list found on http://www.buzzardhut.net/index/htm/
entitled CENTERING PRAYER, CHURCH GROWTH, CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY,
EMERGING CHURCH, LABYRINTH, MYSTICISM, PURPOSE DRIVEN:

ASCG
American Society for Church Growth

ECT
Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1994 Signed  Ecumenical Document

FL5 and SM
Fort Lauderdale 5 and Shepherding Movement

Fullers
Graduated or  Faculty (Lectured) at Fullers Theological Seminary

IAC
International Apostolic Council

ICA
International Coalition of Apostles (Council Membership)

JPT
Jerusalem Prayer Team

LM
Lausanne Movement

MAC
Missions America Coalition

MD
signed the ecumenical Manhattan Declaration

Message
endorsed "The Message" Counterfeit Bible

NAR
New Apostolic Reformation

PK
endorsed/speaker of Promise Keepers

SH
Spring Harvest

TB
Toronto Blessing

WD
signed ecumenical Westminster Declaration

WPC
World Prayer Centre Leader

TEACHER, PROPHET, LEADER GROUPS THEY ARE MOST COMMONLY LINKED WITH, i.e., WHO THEY LEAD, WORK FOR, ENDORSE, SUPPORT, OR ASSOCIATE WITH:

Dave Adams
New Frontiers

Julian Adams
New Frontiers

Miriam Adeney
LM

Doug Addison
Elijah List

Che Ahn
ICA, Elijah List, MD

Daniel Akin
MD

Randy Alcorn
MD

Joe Aldrich
MAC member

Rory and Wendy Alec
God TV, Elijah List

Michael Nazir Ali
WD

Lon Allison
MAC vice chairman

Beth Alves
Elijah List

Joni Ames
Elijah List

David Anderson
MD

Julie Anderson
WD

Leith Anderson
Fullers (graduated), Message, LM, MD, MAC Board

Alan Andrews
MAC Board

Ian Andrews
Elijah List

Ernest Angley
Word Faith

Gleason Archer
Fullers (Faculty)

Don Argue
MAC member

Charles Arn
ASCG Past President

Carol Arnott
Latter Rain, NAR, TB, Elijah List

John Arnott
Latter Rain, NAR, TB, Alpha Supporter, Elijah List

Kay Arthur
MD

Matthew Ashimolowo
Word Faith. KICC,

Yemisi Ashimolowo
Word Faith. KICC,

Paul Ashton
WD

David Augsburger
Fullers (Faculty)

Liz Babbs
Emerging Church Links

Mark L. Bailey
MD

George Bakalov
ICA

Heidi Baker
Elijah List

Jim and Lori Bakker
Elijah List

Colin Baron
New Frontiers

Karl Barth
Emerging Church

Ruth Haley Barton
Emerging Church Links

Don Basham
FL5 and SM

Gary Bauer
MD

Ern Baxter
FL5 and SM

Bob Beckett
Latter Rain, Joels Army

Rob Bell
Fullers (Graduated), Emerging Church,

John Belt
Elijah List

Todd Bentley
Joels Army, New Breed, NAR,

John Bevere
Word Faith, Hillsong Speaker

Mike Bickle
Latter Rain, New Breed, NAR, TB, Alpha Supporter, Elijah List, Emerging Church Links

Adrian Birks
New Frontiers

Markus Bishop
Word Faith

Tim Blaber
New Frontiers

Paul and Cheryl Black
Elijah List

Henry Blackaby
PK Leader

Bishop Charles E. Blake
JPT

William Blake
Emerging Church

Ken Blanchard
Emerging Church Links

Ron Blue
PK Speaker

Ken Boa
MD

Ryan Bolger
Fullers (Faculty), Emerging Church

Shawn Bolz
Elijah List

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Emerging Church

Reinhard Bonnke
Word Faith, MAC member

Wellington Boone
PK Leader, Message

Marcus Borg
Emerging Church

David Bosch
Emerging Church

Cynthia Bourgeault
Emerging Church

Lyndon Bowring
Elim, WD

Gregory Boyd
Emerging Church

Steve Brady
WD

William Branham
Latter Rain Founder, Manifest Sons Of God

Randy & Sarah Brannon
MD

Barbie Breathitt
Elijah List

James Brenneman
Fullers (Graduated)

Bill Bright
Fullers (Graduated), PK Speaker, JPT, ECT

Mrs. Vonette Bright
MAC member

Stuart and Jill Briscoe
Message

Troy Bronsink
Emerging Church Links

Peter Brooks
New Frontiers

Colin Brown

Fullers (Faculty)
Warren S. Brown
Fullers (Faculty)

Walter Brueggemann
Emerging Church

Jamie Buckingham
Renovare Board

Frederick Buechner
Message

Bob Buford
Emerging Church Links

Isak Burger
LM

Edward Buria
New Frontiers

Spencer Burke
Emerging Church

Jim Burns
Message

Glenn Burris, Jr
MAC Board

Luis Bush
MAC member

Nick Butterworth
Restoration

Dave Butts
MAC Board

Roger Bye
New Frontiers

Juanita Bynum
Word Faith

Christine Caine
Hillsong Speaker

Paul Cain
Latter Rain, Manifest Sons Of God, NAR

Clive Calver
SH, MAC member

Wes and Stacey Campbell
Elijah List

Tony Campolo
Emerging Church, SH, TB, Alpha Supporter, Renovare Board, Message

Peter J. Cannon
MAC member

Michael Card
Message

George Carey
Alpha Supporter, WD

G. Raymond Carlson
Renovare Board

Edward John Carnell
Fullers (Faculty)

Michael Cassidy
LM

Paul Cedar
MAC Chairman

Morris Cerullo
Word Faith

Steve Chalke
Emerging Church, SH

Willie Champion
MAC Board

Bryan Chapell
LM, MD

Gary Chapman
Message

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Emerging Church

Martin Charlesworth
New Frontiers

Nick Chatrath
New Frontiers

Mahesh & Bonnie Chavda
Elijah List

Michel & Natalie Chevalier
Elijah List

Mark Chironna
ICA

Tapiwa Chizana
New Frontiers

James Chosa
ICA

Shane Claiborne
Emerging Church

Patsy Clairmont
Message

Heather Clark
Elijah List

Nolan Clark
Latter Rain, Joels Army, Elijah List

Randy Clark
Latter Rain, NAR, Word Faith, Elijah List

Stephen Clark
Catholic renewalists joined Fort Lauderdale 5

Gary Clarke
Hillsong Speaker

Philip Clayton
Fullers (Graduated)

Kim Clement
Word Faith, Elijah List

Anita Cleverly
WD

Steve Clifford
WD

Denny and Ann Cline
Vineyard, Elijah List

Timothy Clinton
MD

Gerald Coates
Restoration, Pioneer Network Leader, TB, Alpha Supporter, WD

Chris Cole
WD

Edward Cole
PK Leader

Bob Coleman
MAC Board

Jim Collins
Emerging Church Links

Chuck Colson
PK Speaker, MD, MAC member, ECT (Co-Signer)

Bobby Conner
Elijah List

Gordon-Conwell
PK Speaker

Graham Cooke
Elijah List

Barney Coombs
Restoration, Salt and Light Leader

Kenneth Copeland
Word Faith, Message, JPT

John Corts
MAC member

Ron Cottle
ICA

Paul and Donna Cox
Elijah List

Larry Crabb
PK Speaker, Emerging Church Links

Denny Cramer
Elijah List

Andy Crouch
Emerging Church

Jan Crouch
TBN

Paul Crouch
Word Faith, TBN

John Crowder
Latter Rain, NAR

Loren Cunningham
LM, MAC member

Jim Daly
LM, MD

Kimberly Daniels
Elijah List

Paul Keith Davis
New Breed, Elijah List

John Dawson
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR, PK Speaker

Joy Dawson
Latter Rain, NAR

Jack Deere
Latter Rain, NAR

Eric Delve
SH

Martin DeHaan
MAC member

Danny de León
MAC Board

Mark DeMoss
PK Leader

Karl Dennis
KICC

Jacques Derrida
Emerging Church

David Devenish
New Frontiers

James Dobson
PK, MD, MAC member

Shirley Dobson
MAC member

Creflo Dollar
Word Faith

Steve Douglass
LM, MAC Board

Naomi Dowdy
ICA

James T. Draper
JPT

Dave Dravecky
Message

Mark Driscoll
Emerging Church Links, New Frontiers

Phil Driscoll
Message

Malcolm Duncan
SH

Maxie D Dunnam
MAC member

Martyn Dunsford
New Frontiers

Jesse Duplantis
Word Faith

Colin Dye
Elim links with Latter Rain and Word Faith

Joni Eareckson Tada
Message, MD

John Eckhardt
ICA, Elijah List

Meister Eckhart
Emerging Church Links

Joel Edwards
New Frontiers, SH, EA, Alpha Supporter

Tilden Edwards
Emerging Church

Garris Elkins
Elijah List

Ray Ellis
ASCG Past President

Gordon England
PK Leader

Lou Engle
Elijah List

Ted W. Engstrom
Renovare Board, MAC member

Aaron Evans
Elijah List

Louis Evans
MAC member

Mike Evans
Elijah List

Tony Evans
PK Speaker

Jerry Falwell
PK Speaker, JPT

Jeff Farmer
MAC Board

Gary Fawver
Renovare Board

Gordon Fee
Message

Richard Felix
Renovare Board

Ana Mendez-Ferrell
Elijah List

Emerson Mendez-Ferrell
Elijah List

Dave Fickett
Message

Edward L Foggs
MAC member

Ken Fong
LM

Leighton Ford
TB, Alpha Supporter, Message, LM, MAC member

Theresa Forkins-Phillips
Elijah List

Faith Forster
Restoration, Renovare Board

Roger Forster
Restoration, Ichthus Leader, TB, Alpha Supporter, Renovare Board

Richard Foster
Fullers (Faculty), Emerging Church, Renovare Founder, Message,

George Fox
Emerging Church Links

Matthew Fox
Emerging Church

Pat Francis
ICA

Francis Frangipane
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR, Elijah List

Jentezen Franklin
Hillsong Speaker

William C. Frey
Renovare Board

Millard Fuller
Renovare Board, MAC member

Bill and Gloria Gaither
Message

Henry Gariepy
Renovare Board

Joseph Garlington
PK Leader, Elijah List

Carl F. George
ASCG Past President

Timothy George
LM

Eddie Gibbs
Fullers (Faculty), Emerging Church, ASCG Past President

Livy Gibbs
New Frontiers

Ken Gire
Emerging Church Links

John Glass
Elim, Links with New Age, WD

Martin Goldsmith
WD

James & Michal Ann Goll
Elijah List

Dr. Goodwill Shana
New Frontiers

Richard Gorsuch
Fullers (Faculty)

Ken Gott
TB, Alpha Supporter

Billy Graham
Fullers (Trustees Board), PK Speaker (taped messages at events), LM (Founder), Message, MAC member

Franklin Graham
PK Speaker

Jack Graham
JPT, MD

Amy Grant
Message

Robert Grant
Fullers (Graduated)

Joel B. Green
Fullers (Faculty)

Lynn Green
WD

Phillip Greenslade
New Frontiers

Pete Greig
Emerging Church Links

Emilie Griffin
Emerging Church Links

Vernon Grounds
Message

John Groves
New Frontiers

Wayne Grudem
New Frontiers

John Guest
MAC member

Os Guinness
LM

Kenn Gulliksen
Vineyard

Nicky Gumbel
Alpha Leader, TB, Hillsong Speaker

Madam Guyon
Emerging Church

Ted Haggard
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR

Kenneth E Hagin
Word Faith (father of movement)

Kenneth W Hagin Jnr
Word Faith

Bill Hamon
Latter Rain,  NAR, ICA, Elijah List

Jane Hansen
MAC member

Michael Harper
Renovare Board

Greg Haslam
New Frontiers

Matt Hatch
New Frontiers

Gary Haugen
LM

Jack W. Hayford
TB, Alpha Supporter, PK Regular Speaker, Renovare Speaker, Message, JPT, LM, MAC member

David Hazard
Emerging Church Links

Keith Hazell
New Frontiers

Jack and Cynthia Heald
Message

Larry Helyer
Fullers (Graduated)

Ken Hemphill
MAC Board

Howard Hendricks
PK Speaker

James B Henry
MAC member

Les Henson
Fullers (Graduated)

Roberta Hestenes
Renovare Board

Marilyn Hickey
Word Faith

Andy Hickford
SH

Robert Hicks
PK Speaker

Scott Hicks
Elijah List

Alec Hill
MD, MAC member

Clifford and Monica Hill
WD

E.V. Hill.
PK Speaker

Steve Hill
Latter Rain, NAR, Pensacola

Benny Hinn
New Breed, Word Faith, Message

Dean Hirsch
LM

C B Hogue
MAC member

Tom Hohstadt
Emerging Church

David Holden
New Frontiers

Liz Holden
New Frontiers

Simon Holley
New Frontiers

Adrian Holloway
New Frontiers

David Hope
Alpha Supporter

John Hosier
New Frontiers

Matt Hosier
New Frontiers

Sue Hosier
New Frontiers

Judith Hougen
Emerging Church Links

Bobbie Houston
Hillsong Speaker

Brian Houston
Hillsong Founder and Speaker

Rodney Howard-Browne
Latter Rain, Word Faith, TB, Elijah List

David Hubbard
Fullers (Faculty)

Larry Huch
Word Faith

John A Huffman Jr
MAC member

Ray Hughes
Elijah List

Hannah Hunard
Emerging Church Links

George Hunter III
ASCG Past President

Kent R Hunter
ASCG Past President

Theresa Hurlbert
Elijah List

Sterling Huston
MAC Board

Bill Hybels
Seeker Friendly, TB, Alpha Supporter, PK Speaker, Emerging Church Links, Message

Bill Jackson
Vineyard

John Paul Jackson
Latter Rain, NAR

Harry Jackson Jr
Elijah List

Cindy Jacobs
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR, Elijah List

T.D. Jakes
Word Faith, Hillsong Speaker, JPT

Jerry Jenkins
Message

Willie Jennings
Fullers (Graduated)

Paul Jewett
Fullers (Faculty)

Kate and Paul Jinadu
WD

Bill Johnson
Latter Rain, NAR, Elijah List

Jan Johnson
Emerging Church Links

Andy Johnston
New Frontiers

Alan Jones
Emerging Church Links

Bob Jones
Latter Rain,  NAR, Elijah List

Bonnie Jones
Elijah List

Bryn Jones
Restoration

Laurie Beth Jones
Emerging Church Links

Tony Jones
Fullers (Graduated), Emerging Church

Rick Joyner
Latter Rain, NAR. New Breed, Elijah List, Knight of Malta

Carl Jung
Emerging Church

Dan Juster
ICA

Stephen Kaberia
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Walter Kaiser Jr
Message

Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
Fullers (Faculty)

Reese R. Kauffman
MAC member

Malcolm Kayes
New Frontiers

Thomas Keating
Emerging Church

Tim Keller
LM

Gerard Kelly
SH

John P Kelly
ICA (2010 Presiding Apostle), IAC

Morton Kelsey
Emerging Church Links

R.T. Kendall
Alpha Supporter

Billy and Caroline Kennedy
Restoration Link, National Churches Forum UK (Leader)

Ron Kenoly
Message

Carol Kent
Message

Keri Wyatt Kent
Emerging Church Links

E.W. Kenyon
Originator of Word Faith Teachings (leading to Kenneth E Hagan’s  becoming “father” of that movement)

Jay Kesler
Message

Lawrence Khong
IAC

Sue Monk Kidd
Emerging Church Links

Søren Kierkegaard
Emerging Church

John Kilpatrick
Latter Rain, NAR

Billy Kim
PK Speaker

Joon Gon Kim
Fullers (Graduated)

Dan Kimball
Emerging Church

Tim Kimmel
Message

Patricia King
Latter Rain, NAR, Elijah List

Dennis Kinlaw
MAC member

Immanuel Kinoti
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Kiogora
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Jerry R. Kirk
Renovare Board

Denny Kline
Latter Rain, Joels Army

Mark Knoll
ECT

Stephen Gitonga Kobia
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Clarence A. Kopp, Sr.
Renovare Board

Alex Kpikpi
New Frontiers

John Kpikpi
New Frontiers

Charles H. Kraft
Fullers (Faculty), Third Wave

George Eldon Ladd
Fullers (Faculty)

Tim and Beverly LaHaye
JPT, MAC members,

Anne Lamont
Emerging Church

Richard Land
ECT

Beverley Landreth-Smith
New Frontiers

Curt Landry
Elijah List

Paul Larsen
MAC member

Greg Laurie
PK Speaker

William Law
Emerging Church Links

Vinton Lee
PK Leader

Anderson Lekesike
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Madeleine L'Engle
Message

Robert Lenguliai
New Frontiers (Kenya)

David LeShana
Renovare Board

C.S. Lewis
Emerging Church

Larry Lewis
MAC Board, ECT

David Lillie
Restoration

Bishop Nathaniel Linsey
MAC member

Stef Liston
New Frontiers

Duane Litfin
LM

Lex Loizides
New Frontiers

H. B. London, Jr
PK Leader, Renovare

Bishop Eddie L. Long
Word Faith

Tremper Longman III
Message

Peter Lord
Renovare Board

Ray Lowe
New Frontiers

T.L. Lowery
JPT

Max Lucado
PK Speaker, Message, MAC member

Martha Lucia
Elijah List

Keith and Sanna Luker
Elijah List

Carl H. Lundquist
Renovare Board

Peter Lyne
Restoration

Gordon MacDonald
Message

Hugh Maclellan
LM

Nancy Magiera
Elijah List

Peter Maiden
SH, WD

Al Maingi
New Frontiers (Kenya)

David & Karen Mains
Renovare Board

Mbonisi Malaba
New Frontiers

Alan Mann
Emerging Church

Judy Littler Manners
WD

Brennan Manning
Emerging Church

David Mansell
Restoration

Jonathan Maracle
Elijah List

Scott Marques
New Frontiers

Ralph Martin
Catholic renewalists joined Fort Lauderdale 5

Martin Marty
Renovare Board

Yaqub Masih
WD

James Earl Massey
MAC member

John Mathison
MAC member

Joseph Mattera
ICA

David Matthew
Restoration

John Maxwell
Fullers (Graduated), Hillsong Speaker, Message, MAC member

Gerald May
Emerging Church Links

John Mbui
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Campbell McAlpine
Restoration

Bill McCartney
PK Top Leader, Vineyard, MAC member

Clarence McClendon
Word Faith

Floyd McClung
SH

Ian McCulloch
Restoration

Gordon MacDonald
Message

Josh McDowell
PK Speaker, MD, MAC member

Ken McGeorge
PK Leader

Cindy McGill
Elijah List

Alistair McGrath
Alpha Supporter

Gary L. McIntosh
ASCG Past President

Paul McKaughan
MAC member

David L. McKenna
Renovare Board

Brian McLaren
Emerging Church, SH

John McLaughlan
Restoration

Hugh Maclellan
LM

Alan McMahan
ASCG Past President

Erwin McManus
Emerging Church

Reeni Mederos
Elijah List

Ana Mendez-Ferrell
Elijah List

Emerson Mendez-Ferrell
Elijah List

Thomas Merton
Emerging Church

Joyce Meyer
Word Faith, Message

Sandy Millar
Alpha Leader, TB

Calvin Miller
Renovare Board, Emerging Church Links

Donald Miller
Emerging Church

Guy Miller
New Frontiers

Keith Miller
Elijah List, Message

Joshua and Janet Mills
Elijah List

Jesse Miranda
LM, ECT

Don Moen
Message

R. Albert Mohler, Jr
MD

Jürgen Moltmann
Emerging Church

Sue Monk Kidd
Emerging Church Links

James Montgomery
MAC member

Beth Moore
Emerging Church

Derek Morphew
Vineyard

Tony Morton
Restoration

Richard Mouw
Fullers (Faculty - Current President), LM, ECT

David Mugambi
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Mel Mullen
ICA

Richard Muller
Fullers (Faculty)

Wayne Muller
Emerging Church Links

Bob Mumford
FL5 and SM

Eleanor Mumford
TB, Vineyard, Alpha Supporter

John Mumford
Vineyard

Myles Munroe
Word Faith, Elijah List

Steve Munsey
Word Faith

Mike Murdock
Word Faith

Ayub Murithi
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Nancey Murphy
Fullers (Faculty)

Michael Mutea
New Frontiers (Kenya)

Sammy Mutiria
New Frontiers (Kenya)

David J. Muyskens
Emerging Church Links

Harold L. Myra
MAC member

Michael Nazir-Ali
WD

Alex Ndombi
New Frontiers (Kenya)

David Neff
LM

Richard John Neuhaus
ECT Catholic Co-Signer

Joseph Njagi
New Frontiers (Kenya)

John Noble
Restoration

Henri Nouwen
Emerging Church, Renovare Board

Nims Obunge
KICC

Peter Ochs
LM

Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga
KICC

Lloyd John Ogilvie
Renovare Board, MAC member

Gary Oliver
PK Speaker

Steve Oliver
New Frontiers

Jonathan Oloyede
WD

Dipo Oluyomi
KICC

Amos Onyango
New Frontiers(Kenya)

J. Edwin Orr
Fuller (Faculty)

John Ortberg
Fullers (Graduated), Emerging Church Links

Juan Carlos Ortiz
PK Speaker

T L Osborn
Latter Rain

Joel Osteen
Word Faith, Hillsong Speaker

George Otis Jr
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR

Jane Overstreet
LM

J.I. Packer
Alpha Supporter, Renovare Board, Message, MD, ECT

Doug Pagitt
Emerging Church

Luis Palau
Alpha Supporter, PK Speaker, LM, MAC member

Tom Panich
Elijah List

William Pannell
Renovare Board

Joy Parrott
Elijah List

Les Parrott
Fullers (Graduated)

Roger Parrott
MAC Board

Rod Parsley
Word Faith, Message

Richard Peace
Fullers (Faculty)

Dennis Peacock
ICA, IAC

M. Scott Peck
Emerging Church

Kathy Peel
Message

Basil Pennington
Emerging Church Links

John Perkins
LM, MAC member

Graham Perrins
Restoration

Ben Peters
Elijah List

Eugene H. Peterson
Renovare Board, Emerging Church Links, Author "The Message"

Mark Pfeifer
ICA

Randy Phillip
PK Leader

Jason Phillips
Elijah List

Theresa Forkins-Phillips
Elijah List

Tom Phillips
MAC Board

Chuck Pierce
Latter Rain, NAR, ICA, IAC, Elijah List, WPC Leader

Michael Pierce
Latter Rain, Joels Army

John Piper
Fullers (Graduated), LM, NAR links

Becky Pippert
LM

Sam Poe
New Frontiers

Bill Pollard
LM

John Poole
FL5 and SM

Peter Popoff
Word Faith

Philip Porter
PK Leader

Simon Ponsonby
Vineyard

Don Potter
Elijah List

Fred Price
Word Faith

Paula Price
Elijah List

Derek Prince
FL5 and SM

Joseph Prince
Hillsong Speaker

Mary Pytches
Vineyard

Dennis Rainey
PK Speaker

Rollin Ramsaran
Fullers (Graduated)

Larry Randolph
Elijah List

R. Daniel Reeves
ASCG Past President

Gustave Reininger
Emerging Church Links

Tricia Rhodes
Emerging Church Links

Robert Ricciardelli
Elijah List

Wayne Rice
Message

D. John Richard
MAC member

Rick Ridings
Elijah List

Alberto Rivera
(not Chick Pub Alberto), Elijah List

Kimberly Rivera
Elijah List (not Jack Chick's Alberto)

John D. Robb
Fullers (Graduated)

Duffy Robbins
Message, Emerging Church Links

Maggie Robbins
Emerging Church Links

Cecil Mel Robeck
Fullers (Faculty)

Oral Roberts
Word Faith, JPT

Pat Robertson
(assumed Word Faith because of his strong links), MAC member, ECT

Haddon Robinson
PK Speaker

Ras Robinson
Elijah List

Tri Robinson
Vineyard

James Robison
PK Speaker

Rick Rogan
Fullers (Graduated)

Adrian Rogers
MAC member

Richard Rohr
Emerging Church Links

Richard Rolle
Emerging Church Links

Rob Rufus
New Frontiers

Ruth Ruibal
Latter Rain, Joels Army

Julio Ruibal
Latter Rain, Joels Army

Rick Ryan
PK Speaker

Thomas Ryan
Emerging Church Links

James Ryle
Vineyard, PK Founder (Spoke 1994)

Rebecca St. James
Message

Philip St. Romain
Emerging Church Links

Will Sampson
Emerging Church Links

John & Paula Sandford
Elijah List

Jerry Savelle
Message

Mark Scandrette
Emerging Church Links

Michael Scanlan
Renovare Board

Pete Scazzero
Emerging Church Links

M. Scott Peck
Emerging Church

Dale Schlafer
PK Leader

David M. Scholer
Fullers (Faculty)

Robert  A Schuller Jnr
Fullers (Graduated), Seeker Friendly

Robert H Schuller Snr
Seeker Friendly, JPT, Emerging Church Links

Chris Seay
Emerging Church

Samir Selmanovic
Emerging Church Links

Peter Senge
Emerging Church Links

Dr. Cory SerVaas
JPT

R.W. Shambach
Word Faith

Dr. Goodwill Shana
New Frontiers

David LeShana
Renovare Board

Nick Sharp
New Frontiers

Luci Shaw
Message

Tom Shaw
New Frontiers

Dutch Sheets
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR, Elijah List

Greg Shepherd
New Frontiers

Priscilla Shirer
Hillsong Speaker

David Shosanya
WD

Robert Shuler
See Robert Schuller above

Steve Shultz Leader
Elijah List

Sibs Sibanda
New Frontiers

Ronald J. Sider
Renovare Board

Ed Silvoso
Latter Rain, Joels Army, NAR, ICA, IAC

Brian Simmons
Elijah List

Arthur Simon
Renovare Board

Jeremy Simpkins
New Frontiers

Charles Simpson
FL5 and SM

Kent Simpson
Elijah List

Mary Lance Sisk
MAC Board

Steve Sjogren
Vineyard

Donna Smallenberg
Elijah List

Gary Smalley
PK Speaker, Message

Lewis B. Smedes
Fullers (Faculty), Renovare Board

Chuck Smith Snr ????
PK Speaker Spoke 1994

Chuck Smith Jnr
Emerging Church Links

David Smith
New Frontiers

Don Smith
New Frontiers

Judah Smith
Hillsong Speaker

Maurice Smith
Restoration

Michael W. Smith
Message

Rolland Smith
MAC member

Jim Smoke
PK Speaker

Ashleigh Smyth
New Frontiers

P-J Smyth
New Frontiers

Olave Snelling
WD

Howard A. Snyder
Renovare Board

Matt Sorger
Latter Rain, Joels Army, Elijah List

Dan Southerland
Emerging Church Links

Peter Spencer
Elijah List

Russell P. Spittler
Fullers (Faculty), Renovare Board

Wess Staford
LM

Glen Stassen
Fullers (Faculty)

Richard E. Stearns
MAC member

Dave Steell
SH

John Robert Stevens
Latter Rain, NAR, The Walk

Don Stewart
Word Faith

Mark Stibbe
TB, Alpha Supporter, WD

John Stott
LM

Joseph Stowell
PK Speaker

Karl Strader
Word Faith

David Stroud
New Frontiers, Vineyard, WD

B. V. Subbamma
Fullers (Graduated)

Bill Sullivan
ASCG Past President

Tim Sutherland
Fullers (Graduated)

Jay Swallow
Elijah List

Leonard Sweet
Emerging Church

Chuck Swindoll
PK Speaker, Message, MD

Joni Eareckson Tada
Message, MD

John Michael Talbot
Emerging Church Links

Thomas Talbott
Fullers (Faculty)

George Tarleton
Restoration (later became new ager)

Chad Taylor
Latter Rain, NAR

Mick Taylor
New Frontiers

Wade Taylor
Elijah List

Pierre  Teilhard de Chardin
Emerging Church

Tommy Tenney
Latter Rain, NAR

Brock and Bodie Thoene
Message

Gary Thomas
Emerging Church Links

Hugh Thompson
Restoration

Marianne Meye Thompson
Fullers (Faculty)

Tony Thompson
New Frontiers

Tite Tienou
LM

Robert Tilton
Word Faith

Mike Timmis
PK Speaker, a Roman Catholic and PK board member

Paul Tokunaga
LM

Elmer Towns
ASCG Past President

Patricia Treece
Emerging Church Links

Mike Treneer
LM

John Trent
PK Speaker

Ingrid Trobisch
Renovare Board

Richard Twiss
Latter Rain, NAR, Elijah List

Tommy Tyson
Renovare Board

Evelyn Underhill
Emerging Church Links

Jason Upton
Latter Rain, Joels Army, Elijah List

Kris Vallotton
Elijah List

Charles VanEngen
ASCG Past President

Stephen Van Rhyn
New Frontiers

William Vaswig
Renovare Founder

John Vaughan
ASCG Past President

Alexander Venter
Vineyard

Joel Virgo
New Frontiers

Terry Virgo
Restoration, New Frontiers Leader

Wendy Virgo
New Frontiers

Miroslav Volf
Fullers (Faculty), Emerging Church

Berten A. Waggoner
Vineyard

C. Peter Wagner
Fullers (Faculty), Latter Rain, Joels Army, New Breed, NAR, ICA (Ex Presiding Apostle), IAC, TB, Alpha Supporter, Renovare Board, Elijah List, WPC Leader, MAC Member, ASCG Founding President

Doris Wagner
ICA

E Glenn Wagner
PK Leader

Todd Wagner
MD

Simon Walker
New Frontiers

Jim Wallace
SH

Arthur Wallis
Restoration

Lance Wallnau
ICA

Brian Walsh
Emerging Church

David and Kathie Walters
Elijah List

Thomas Wang
Renovare Board, MAC member

Walter Wangerin
Message

Karen Ward
Emerging Church Links

Sandy Warner
Elijah List

George Warnock
Latter Rain, Manifest Sons Of God

Neil Clark Warren
Fullers (Faculty)

Rick Warren
Fullers (Graduated), New Breed, Seeker Friendly, Emerging Church Links, Message, LM, MAC member

Raleigh Washington
PK Leader

Robert Webber
Emerging Church, Renovare Board

Barbara Wentroble
Elijah List

James White
Fullers (Graduated)

John White
ECT

John Wesley-White
PK Speaker

Mel White
Fullers (Faculty)

Paula White
Word Faith

Luder Whitlock Jr
MAC member

Warren Wiersbe
Message

Richard B. Wilke
Renovare Board

David Wilkerson
JPT

Bruce Wilkinson
PK Speaker, MAC member

Dallas Willard
Emerging Church, Renovare

Andrea Williams
WD

Don Williams
Vineyard

Pat Williams
Message

Rowan Williams
Emerging Church

Andrew Wilson
New Frontiers

Billy Wilson
MAC Board

H. Daniel Wilson
ICA

Ken Wilson
Vineyard

Peter Wilson
Hillsong Speaker

Phil Wilthew
New Frontiers

John Wimber
Fullers (Faculty), NAR, Vineyard, TB, Alpha Supporter, Renovare Board

Lauren Winner
Emerging Church Links

Ralph Winter
MAC member

Sharnael Wolverton
Elijah List

George Wood
LM

Paul Woolley
New Frontiers

N.T. Wright
Emerging Church

Dennis Wrigley
WD

Keri Wyatt Kent
Emerging Church Links

Mark Yaconelli
Emerging Church Links

Mike Yaconelli
Message

Flavil Yeakley, Jr
ASCG Past President

Barbara Yoder
Elijah List

Les Yoder
Vineyard, Elijah List

Paul (David) Yongi Cho
Word Faith, JPT

Ed Young
Word Faith

Ed Young Jnr
Hillsong Speaker

Paul Young
MD

Bill Yount
Elijah List

Michael Youssef
MD

Anthony C. Yu
Fullers (Graduated)

Ravi Zacharias
MAC member

--

Related posts:

• UPDATED: Lists of false (Christian) authors, churches, groups, leaders, practices, movement, teachers, etc.

• The Master List of Authors and Books Not Recommended

Yes, I've stopped tithing and attending a physical church

by Al Sabado


But no, I'm not satanic. I'm a Bible-believing person who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in 1991. I was a devout Catholic before that.

I'm writing briefly today in response to an online sermon whereby the pastor referred to those not attending a church or hearing a sermon as being arrogant and lacking submission to authority. The pastor seemed to negate the fact that there are valid reasons for not attending church. So, I uttered to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "Lord, what do you think about that?" My personal experience is just one story reflecting similar circumstances of fellow believers leaving church. I stopped tithing and attending church in 2009, and my explanations for doing so have been detailed in the book, Among the emergent churches in the Philippines and the reasons I left them.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

I became part of an evangelical church for about 11 years. I went church hopping for another couple of years. Then I became an attendee and member of a non-denominational, purpose-driven megachurch for nearly four years. I resigned from church membership of that last one--THANK GOD! I looked around for another home church, until I finally became content in reading God's Word every day. I don't count chapters anymore when I read the Holy Bible. I just read and sometimes tell God quietly if I don't understand parts of His Word. I'm not afraid realizing I don't fully understand His Word soon enough. I'm at peace in knowing that the Holy Spirit is in my heart, enabling me as well as my fellow believers to understand the Word of God.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-14)

If you're a pastor and you're teaching people to attend a church so that they'd come to know Jesus and grow spiritually in the faith, be careful . . . and think again. You might be claiming something for yourself or your church that ONLY the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to begin, continue, and accomplish.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14;6)

Related web posts:

Why believers should not attend church
Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Is Hebrews 10:25 a command?

by Al Sabado

[I have truncated my initial writing here because I realized that the gerund is the assembling, not the forsaking. (Editing myself . . .)]

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a woman who shared the dilemma that she and her husband endure concerning their current church. They wonder whether they should leave their church because mysticism has been evident in its preaching and Bible studies. The woman has also noted that "Christians adhere more to mysticism without them knowing and [church] leaders seem to be okay with it." I was delighted with the woman's discovery. She was able to discern the deception lurking in their church. But then, after realizing the compromises of her church, her closing statement in the form of a question is just saddening: "But what about the mandate to us in Hebrews 10:25?" Her question tells me that she's not ready to leave an erring church because of Hebrews 10:25.

But think about it, if the church we're attending is in error, do you think God would be pleased if we choose to stay there?

I disagree--now that I have seen the deception flowing in today's churches--that Hebrews 10:25 commands us to stay in compromising churches. I can only agree with an article stating that this verse is not a command and that it's not even a sentence. Besides, believers can gather anywhere and at any time to realize the fullness of Hebrews 10, that is, from verses 22 to 25.

But God's Word is never lacking when it comes to warning and commanding us to flee from the works of the evil one. God's Word commands us to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Th. 5:22)

I continued my response to the woman's email:

. . . What's long been misunderstood here--as I also thought Hebrews 10:25 as a command (of course, having trusted pastors, how could I not read it that way)--is that this verse is not even a sentence because it's a *continuation* of the previous verses (and perhaps, even chapters):

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25, emphasis mine) 

Reading these verses gives us the context, which is quite different from what we're taught in the churches of this day. These verses do not necessarily refer to a Sunday thing in particular but to a lifelong position of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ--anywhere, any day of the week.

You may read more on this passage from this link (not endorsing it, but sharing it for information only). 

Be of good courage then, dear sister with your husband. The Lord Jesus Christ is never weak to lead and bring us out of darkness! :)

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:6-13, emphases mine)

&&& 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

In Christ's ever powerful
and unfailing love,
Al

I did not hear from the woman again. Whether she disagrees with me and chooses to stay in her church--that is going to be "her" decision.

Joyously Free From the Burden, Oppression and Depression of Lordship “Salvation” and Calvinism

Link: Joyously Free From the Burden, Oppression and Depression of Lordship “Salvation” and Calvinism

Response to a friend who has stayed in an emergent church: "But God says in His Word. . ."

by Al Sabado


Very few of us will agree that this is no longer new: responding to former church mates and friends who tell us to attend a local church. I've mentioned before that I've nothing against attending a local church, unless of course, if that church chooses the path that leads its members to compromise their faith, then its messenger is accursed (Galatians 1:9).

So how do we respond to people's anxiety about our not attending a local church and their other concerns?

Honestly, we have no control over people's anxiety and concern. Some are probably inclined to think we're losing or neglecting our faith, now that we're not attending a local church. What I was more concerned about was how to tell the people about the false church we used to attend "together." I was distraught when people I cared so much about wouldn't take heed of the warning that the church we both attended have finally become false, emergent churches. Warning them was like talking to the wind that wouldn't obey the Word of God. Yes, they've made such poor choice to stay there, and that was just heartbreaking. But God's Word brought me back my strength upon reading John 21:22.

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22)

Accepting the indifference of people is also a process, and I've just gone through that like going into battle. But indeed, the battle is not ours but God's (2 Chronicles 20:15). This is nothing new indeed, for God has already told us in His Word:

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:12-17, emphases mine)

I can't help but notice that those who stay in emergent churches can give excuses for staying there--sans the Word of God. They say, "I'm staying for the sake of other people who don't know these things." Or they say, they heard God told them "No" when they asked God if they should leave these [emergent] churches. Their mission now for staying there is to intercede or pray for the emergent church. But we shouldn't do that, lest we too be deceived while being a part of it. Besides, we can pray while we're "out" of such congregation.

Worse, they say that they will only leave such church when it no longer mentions "Jesus." Well of course, such church will keep mentioning "Jesus." The Catholic Church does that, doesn't it? But see how its teachings and practices heavily contradict and malign God's Word.

Those who stay in emergent churches cannot even give a Scripture that supports their decision to stay. They will talk about "love" and "forgiveness," sure. But we know that God's sovereignty isn't limited by these two factors that the emergents propagate to win people. (An example of this is "Love Wins," a book authored by emergent leader Rob Bell.) And we also know that love without the Truth is a lie.

Brethren, be careful not to fall into such trap. God's Word is our guide in making decisions--not our thoughts, not our feelings, not the influence of people around us. What God says in His Word, that we shall do:

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7, emphases mine)

Following is my response (with the subject line, "But God says in His Word . . .") to a friend who has chosen to stay in the once-Biblical-turned-emergent church we both attended. English translations follow parts written in Tagalog: 

. . . [Hindi] ako nasaktan sa sulat mo. Hindi na bago sa akin ang usapang ito. Isa ka sa mga taong nagsabi sa akin . . . kung bakit ka hindi umalis sa church mo ngayon. (. . . Your letter does not offend me. This conversation is no longer new. You’re among the people who told me such reasons for staying in your church.)

Totoo, walang perfect church . . . Pero tinagubilinan tayo ng Panginoon sa Kanyang Salita na humiwalay tayo at huwag makiisa sa mga maling gawi ng tao. Hindi natin sila kinukundina, ngunit hindi tayo nakikiisa sa kanila. (True, there is no perfect church. But God commands us to separate ourselves and not to be one with the erring deeds of men.) God is firm in His Word. He doesn't only talk about loving and forgiving people. He commands us to stand firm, but not in a way that compromises our faith. We do this by holding on to His Word:

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:11-13, emphasis mine)

Sabi pa ng Panginoon (God has also said):

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:17, emphases mine)

Because . . . we're commanded to contend for the faith, and not to compromise by taking part in what we know is in "error."

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude, verse 3, emphasis mine)

I echo in the book what the apostles have also said in the Bible:

We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

Kung tungkol sa pagpapatawad at pagmamahal, hindi sukatan niyan ang manatiling makipanayam sa mga taong iba sa atin. Sabi sa Bible (With regard to forgiveness and love, that’s not measured by keeping in touch with people who are not among us. The Bible says):

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7, emphases mine)

Hindi na nakapagtataka kung bakit ganito ang nakikita natin sa churches ngayon. (It is no longer surprising why we find these traits in the churches.)

Pagdating naman sa hindi pagdalo sa church, ito ang aking pinanghahawakan (When it comes to not attending a church, I hold on to these Scriptures):

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5)

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

. . . [The] Lord Jesus is never weak. There is no perfect church, true. I love to fellowship with the brethren, which I do from time to time. But God warns us of compromising churches that are certainly not His. For this reason, God is most able to nourish His own flock in the purity and power of His Word--not in a "pigpen" or in any place that serves spoils.

You take care . . .

Rick Warren and Saddleback Celebrate Halloween

Link: Rick Warren and Saddleback Celebrate Halloween

Among the emergent churches in the Philippines and the reasons I left them (Revised Edition)

by Al Sabado

Open publication - Free publishing - More bol

. . . The Cult of Evangelical Leadership by Herescope

Link -> Sacred Cows and Stars: The Cult of Evangelical Leadership by Herescope

Among the emergent churches in the Philippines and the reasons I left them

by Al Sabado

Open publication - Free publishing - More bol

Christ's Commission Fellowship defends Rick Warren

by Al Sabado

__________________________________________________________

Update (November 2015): Few months ago, a CCF attendee excitedly narrated to me what she's learning from her Bible study group. I was alerted by her mention of Chuck Missler (into Bible codes and probably other forms of occultism) having a significant influence on their Bible study group facilitator, also from CCF. Another time this CCF attendee talked about the upcoming "blood moon" around September 2015. It dismayed her when I told her it's occult. CCF attendees seem to be lured, or are already, into occultism, with or without them realizing it.

__________________________________________________________

But the Bible says,

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12)

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Matthew 5:37)

Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF), a purpose-driven church, maintains its stand and support for Rick Warren despite the latter's questionable and dangerous associations with strong proponents of the New Age movement and promotion of the PEACE plan. And whose peace is Warren representing? The God of the Bible or a different kind of god? The Bible clearly teaches,

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Only the peace that comes from the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) will bring true peace, not the peace that comes from "global unity."

CCF has started a category on its website's Q&A section where it has responded to the following message:

Good day! I just want to know your opinion about the involvement of Rick Warren in the New Age Movement, because I’ve read his book. Please comment on this to enlighten my mind. Thanks and God bless. – Bernadette M.

The response of CCF indicates its solid trust in the words of Rick Warren by quoting him as a reliable source instead of verifying his teachings vis-a-vis what the Bible says. From CCF's response, we can also glean that it has overlooked the traces of New Age movement in Warren's associations and activities. However, Warren's propensities for the New Age are indicated in the Purpose Driven Life (PDL) where he boldly makes reference to a number of people with "cloudy" origins: St. Irenaeus (p. 55), Brother Lawrence (p. 88), and Mother Theresa (p. 125), among others. Warren also teaches "breath prayers" in PDL (p. 89) which is rooted from eastern mysticism--a major doctrinal issue. With "breath prayers," Warren teaches that a person can choose a word or phrase that he can utter repetitively. Where is that found in the Bible? A breath prayer is certainly not "praying without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but a form of mantra (read more, "Breath Prayer--Not Biblical Prayer.") What we are taught in the Bible is The Lord's Prayer. The Bible is also clear in saying that we should not pray repetitiously:

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8, KJV)

Reading PDL will also tell a discerning believer of Warren's pantheistic inclinations (p. 88, "He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything"). CCF adheres to a principle: "In essentials, unity." Doesn't CCF find these alarming indications essential in warning the flock of deception inside the Church?

Now, note how CCF Pastor Joey Geronimo has responded to a comment posted on the Q&A section:

Hi Tricia! We don't believe that using 40 Days of Love is putting Rick Warren on a pedestal. The leaders of CCF studied the material and evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the workbook and the video series. CCF adopted it for the use of the church as a bridging event tool.

The good news is that after the campaign it resulted in more than 500 new discipleship groups being added to the church. Now these same people can be discipled relationally in accordance with the discipleship principles of Jesus. We can now also establish them in the faith using the Biblical Foundation bible study series of CCF and train them to read and study the Bible just like the Bereans do.

I think you and I should rejoice over this fact!

From Pastor Joey's response, we can note that CCF, just like other purpose-driven churches, places so much importance on "church growth." But this seems to be a different kind of church growth from what the Bible teaches us. Moreover, how can church members be taught to be like the Bereans when the very foundation of teaching method is already erroneous?

Currently, CCF is among the churches whose programs are closely identical (if not patterned) with those of Saddleback Church, the congregation 'pastored' by Rick Warren. Examples of such similarities can be traced in the existence of small groups or discipleship groups, lecture series (Biblical Foundation 1 and 2, among others), the global leadership center or GLC, and a written "Covenant" with its members, among others. CCF has also held classes to study Warren's books such as the PDL. Numerous reviews of this book point to its failure to present the true Gospel in the light of God's Word. And of the many standard Bible versions, Warren has also used in the PDL many Scriptures taken from a questionable Bible translation, The Message by Eugene Peterson.

Sure, church memberships have grown. But what has happened to the genuine relationship of every Christian with Jesus Christ? What has happened to this thing called discernment? Countless modern-day Christians are made to believe that unless they are a member of a congregation, spiritual growth is impossible. But as Christians, we have to understand that the very source of spiritual growth is the Lord Jesus Christ through the purity and the power of His Word, the Holy Bible.

One's steadfast walk in the faith is not even supplemented by the fellowship of Christians or the reading of certain books recommended by many church leaders (who don't seem bothered when they endorse authors supporting and practicing contemplative spirituality). By saying this, we do not defy one's attendance in a church fellowship, certainly not. But if being a part of a fellowship or congregation misleads the members, compromises their faith in standing for the Gospel, or presents the only reason why members "can" walk efficiently as Christians, then we're missing the point. As Christians, we understand our position--whether or not we're surrounded by fellow Christians--based on what Jesus has taught us in the Bible:

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4-5, KJV)

For fellow Christians who contend for the faith, be encouraged to read Warren Smith's Discernment Detractors: Calling Good Evil.



Read more:

• Among the emergent churches in the Philippines and the reasons I left them (Revised Edition)  by Al Sabado
• Standing for the Gospel--it is a small price to pay by Roger Oakland, published by the Lighthouse Trails Research
• Why do modern churches lose the power of the Gospel? taken from Bill Koenig's article,  The 'Prayer of Jabez': The New Christian Mantra, link reposted by www.alsabado.com
• Master list of Christian authors, books, and bookstores NOT recommended

References

1. Rick Warren’s New Age Health Gurus by  Sarah Leslie, published by Kjos Ministries
2. Rick Warren’s Global PEACE Plan versus the Great Commission by A Ministry in His Service, published by the Lighthouse Trails Research
3. Q&A: Pastor Rick Warren in the New Age Movement? by Christ's Commission Fellowship
4. The Spiritual Direction of Rick Warren by the Lighthouse Trails Research
5. Breath Prayer--Not Biblical Prayer by  the Lighthouse Trails Research
6. Faulty Premises of the Church Growth Movement: Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Donald McGavran, and C. Peter Wagner Mislead the Church by Bob DeWaay
7. Book Reviews by the Apologetics Coordination Team: Vital Information about Deception in the Church
8. The Message Bible: A Mystic Mess by Dr. Terry Watkins, published by Dial the Truth Ministries
9. Master list of Christian authors, books, and bookstores NOT recommended
10. What is Contemplative Spirituality and Why Is It Dangerous? by John Caddock, published by Grace Evangelical Society
11. Discernment Detractors: Calling Good Evil by Warren B. Smith, first published by Mountain Stream Press and later by The Submerging Church

Rick Warren's False PEACE and the Antichrist Agenda

Earth Day: It’s More than Recycling

Link - Earth Day: It’s More than Recycling

Nobody can save earth other than the One True God who created it.

A restful weekend to everyone! ;)

Standing fast in the last days . . .

Standing fast in the last days

by Warren Smith

The global mind

by Warren Smith