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SpeakTruth
I will address half the problem right now...
There are some Christian leaders who would claim that they are a pastors or apostles, or great wizards from Kalamazoo for all I care, yet their lives lived out prove the contrary. If one claims to be such a man of God, then why would they be so untouchable? Why would one be required to speak to 3 different assistants in order to just leave a message, let alone make actual contact, with a pastor or apostle. Some of the greatest Christian leaders of this generation remain approachable. I know a pastor that has a church 8x the size of RLC and is still personally caring for people. And if the excuse is "being so busy", then what should one suppose is being accomplished? If the purpose of a pastor is to shepherd the people, then where do people come into this equation? That is, unless those people are willing to abandon who God made them to be, so that they can become a mini-me... remember Austin Powers?
My point is, some "pastors" are not even in a position to act in such a way. If you pastor a church of 10,000 people, sure, you might have secretaries field calls/meetings. Or better yet, Dr. Cho has a church of 830K. Maybe then. But 1000-2000 people? Give me a break... "School of Ministry" students are only a SMALL part of the body.
Yeah, these pastors don't seem to realize that those people who they say are so incorrigible, wild, rebellious, unsubmissive, or "free-thinking", might just be the ones that God will choose to use. Remember, donkey's cannot attend School of Ministry, yet God spoke through one anyway.
SIDE NOTE: I think there were good intentions to begin with, but in the grand scheme of it all, it has failed miserably. When you go from loving God and loving people as the goal, to telling people to give up their friends and family because they don't fit the mold of our church, you've gone against the very good intentions that you began with.
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SpeakTruth
I agree. It would not be a good idea to pick and choose what to read. You should read this thing from the beginning... it has been ugly. It is also a good idea to not take everything at face-value. There are some clear exaggerations and there are also some clear cover-ups. Some posters "defend" without truly knowing what is actually happening in the background.
There is some good, and some bad.
This church has, in the past at least (I can't speak for the past year or so) done some good for the community, and has given people an opportunity to serve. I think at the heart of things, there are a bunch of well-meaning good hearted people. I know people there. Some are cool and just want to be committed, no matter the current condition. Still, others only encourage further destruction. Sweet on the outside, poisonous within.
I still don't know what to make of it all.
I want to ask this question again to the people who are no longer going to church there or have left the Lord altogether because of that place: "What specifically has hurt you so bad, and if you have not been able to clear your chest of it, what would it take for you to be reconciled?" I suppose I just want to at least help anyone who has been hurt. The good news is that I know many of us have been able to move on.
Whatajoke, what the heck are you talking about? I still dont know where youre coming from...?
are you for real??? all I want to see is the arrogant self assorbed pastor tony is to personaly go to to people he has taken advantage of "in the name of GOD" and reconsile with them that means giving back the resources and money he has squandered away with his suposed phrophit words and council. it makes me sick to hear about all the families that have lost there homes because they were convensed that Tony had a word from God.Quote
Committed2U
I have read through a few of the posts here (ok, ok...I have read through all of the posts on this thread), and I have a question for anyone on this thread who feels they have been hurt and/or harmed by someone at RLC: What do you think would help you heal? (i.e. a formal apology from the person who harmed you? Perhaps a face-to-face meeting with a person from RLC?). This is a genuine question with no strings attached.