Todd Bentley
Well it's over now. Who do I blame? Well if you read my blogg you will know I was worried but I with held direct criticism. Should I have blasted the wrong doctrine and the bizarre practices from the start? I knew something wasn't right but I said wait and see but maybe I should have gone with my first instincts.
But I really have some lost respect for those who went and commissioned Todd. They were well known personalities in "the Christian World." Some of them are now distancing themselves from that service! They knew what the rest of us didn't, that Todd had issues but "they wanted to stand with him in the midst of criticism." Well guys you did neither him or the Body of Christ any favours. At least stand up and say you got it wrong.
posted by Paul Reid at 4:29 PM
8 Comments:
Paul,
My respect for you and CFC has always remained high, CFC is my spiritual home and I've always felt confident in the leadership's sense of balance between embracing the most fulfilling experiences that God has to offer and discerning carefully at the same time. I love that CFC embraced Toronto and yet not Lakeland, and in hindsight those were the right decisions, which heightens my respect for the leadership at CFC yet again.
I'm concerned that you say you have "lost respect" for the Arnotts in particular, since I know CFC and TACF have always had a good relationship and we've all benefitted immensely from what the Arnotts have pastored. Are you throwing out more than just a bad decision or a deficiency of instinct? It seems to me that the greater body of Christ in general is simply hungry for God and in this case got carried away - that's the very definition of childlike faith to me - it was easy to want Todd to be more than he was. Plus I'd be very interested to hear from John and Carol about what they feel now about the commissioning and everything. They probably thought they were helping to harness whatever was going on and keep Todd accountable, rather than enabling Todd's shortcomings (which is what they ended up doing). I'd appreciate if you have any more insight on this.
When you say you've lost respect for them, would you have the Arnotts over for conferences again, or have anything to do with TACF?
5:47 PM
No! No! No! Paul It's NOT ALL OVER!! 'it's' continuing to happen.People are still being miraculously healed.God is still on the move. What God has done in Lakeland has had a massive impact on the Church. We've even received the blessing at CFC!!What excited me about Lakeland is that Todd and his ministry said "take what God has done in you back to your Church" NOT stay and come to mine! You said wait and see. What would have happened if you'd gone and seen? Ask that 'young man' who went.
I've just watched the Bill Johnson Youtube ('How in God's name can you endorse Todd Bentley') and all I hear is grace and mercy. I don't hear any condoning for what Todd has done.
Because of the Lakeland Revival more believers are stepping out in faith for healings. My expectation for what God can do thru His people has increased. Todd Bentley may still need some healing in his life (he can join the queue!) .......but God has not stopped impacting the Church with His Healing Hand.
Pete Roberts
7:32 PM
I'm sure this will shock you but I couldn't agree with you more. I'm also adding Rick Joyner's name to that list.
I've emailed back and forth with the Wagners but we don't seem to be living on the same planet.
3:13 AM
I find your comments curiously a bit arrogant. So you're going to say that God wasn't anywhere in those meetings? People got saved and there were healings, not to mention the people around the world who were encouraged in their faith, and that was all lacking the Holy Spirit? Because someone has issues, does that disqualify them from ministry? Have you never had issues of your own? The old saying - don't throw stones if you live in a glass house - rings only to true in the church. How quickly christians run away from fallen leaders and christians and denounce them. That is much sadder than Todd's fall by far. I noticed you didn't post my last couple comments I've made from previous posts, so I wouldn't be surprised if this one doesn't get posted as well.
5:09 AM
Todd didn't have "issues". Todd was practicing habitual sin. That's what Arnott says and Johnson. They also say they KNEW he had marriage problems and yet encouraged a non-stop "outpouring" schedule that neither a friend nor a pastor should encourage anyone to keep who is having marriage difficulties.
The people in charge in Lakeland could not produce 1 verifiable medical healing. I'm sure God heals despite us so I'm sure there were some healings as people came by faith for God touch them. But the claim was thousands upon thousands and with many investigating who WANTED healings to be taking place (see Charisma magazine) they couldn't find support for the claims.
Todd knowingly stood on the stage and claimed fake resurrections as real. Some of the stories he read as true and claimed to have verified were "planted". That's not his fault and shame on people for doing that. But knowing they're fake and STILL claiming them as true is also a very big "issue".
Rick Joyner had Todd "ministering" at his venue on the day Todd announced he was leaving his wife for another woman. Rick justified his choice by quoting Jeremiah 3 and stating "God's divorced and it hasn't disqualified him from ministry...". THAT is an example of arrogance and just how out of touch some of these "leaders" have become.
God often works despite us - I'd even say He USUALLY works despite us. God wasn't doing anything in Lakeland that He wasn't doing in Belfast long before that. Any expectations built on Lakeland rather than on the unchanging character and power of God are most likely built on land with an incredible view of the ocean.
11:23 AM
I was in Lakeland the night that these leaders stood over Todd Bentley. I was so reassured and pleased by the fact that these leaders whom I respected where standing with a man who I struggled with in my spirit, I found him loud, self promoting, bombastic and his style a little more than annoying but i always knew God could still use a man like TB if He so wanted to. I agree with you Paul, there judgement as leaders was well of the mark. I felt that there was no way these leaders would stand with him if they did not believe in him and his ministry and had a good insight into TB personal life. Clearly this was a mistake on their part. HOWEVER !!!!
This should not and is not the story about Lakeland. While i was there I witnessed healings and deliverance like never before. I was so impressed by Ignited Church and there leadership. What you never seen on TV was all the outreach, training and teaching behind the scenes it was just fantastic. The endless hours of worship that was incredibly powerful and God dwelled in the praises of his people. The people there were the ones who where key in God moving. It was the hunger of the people, the chats in the bathrooms and corridors, the hunger we all had to see God move that kept this going. I am now home and have been blessed and encouraged by what God has been doing in people’s lives. Healings and a rise of the gift of faith in people’s lives has been the friut of my praying with folks. I pray for TB and his family and there is always grace for restoration. But the warning that is in this is for leaders, be of good character because it is usually our character and not God that will destroy our ministries.
I Pray
'God its is you who heals, it is you whom we trust and it is you whom we must be grounded in. Please forgive our characters that are flawed. I only ask that you would not remove your blessing from us because it has not been handled with the care as it should have been. please increase more of your kingdom and power in our church so we see many come to know and love you because of your amazing healing power. I pray for MORE OF YOU and less of us'.
John A
3:11 PM
Paul,
I'm with Stace on this. Your sit on the fence approach to Lakeland was based on nothing more than your own fear and double mindedness towards the area of healing. Frankly I find your attempt now to pretend that you had some sort of great wisdom in this quite pathetic. It does not take a great man to sit on the sidelines and then spout whenever things go wrong. However it takes real courage to have a go - not perfection, but courage. Your thoughts posted above stink of pride and self righteousness and dont kid yourself that people dont see through them. I'm just grateful that God is gracious and merciful to all of us - should you not show the same? If someone was to count the healings in CFC in the last 12 months how many would that come to? Why not apply all your wisdom to that?
Paul people want leadership and what you have demonstrated here is nothing more than what a politician would do. It is clear, by your own admission, that you do not have the courage of your convictions and the people see that - you cannot hide it.
Comment Moderation? I know what will hapen with this..........
9:55 PM
Strongman!! Please don't hide behind your anonanimity with such strong criticism. Have the courage of YOUR convictions and be open. Personal attacks make it hard to hear any truth you might be wanting to share
Pete
3:28 PM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home