This movement of the A/G into the seeker-sensitive realm has lasting effects. I don’t know whether you have commented on Bill Hybels confession on this site.

I read this in Bob Burney’s blog:

“Willow Creek has released the results of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of their programs and philosophy of ministry. The study’s findings are in a new book titled, Reveal: Where Are You?, co-authored by Cally Parkinson and Greg Hawkins, executive pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels himself called the findings ‘earth shaking’, ‘ground breaking’ and ‘mind blowing’. And no wonder: it seems that the “experts” were wrong.
“The report reveals that most of what they have been doing for these many years and what they have taught millions of others to do is not producing solid disciples of Jesus Christ. Numbers yes, but not disciples. It gets worse. Hybels laments:

“‘Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for.’

“If you simply want a crowd, the ’seeker sensitive’ model produces results. If you want solid, sincere, mature followers of Christ, it’s a bust.” In a shocking confession, Hybels states:

“We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we should have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ’self feeders’. We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”

“Incredibly, the guru of church growth now tells us that people need to be reading their bibles and taking responsibility for their spiritual growth” (end quotes from Bob Burney).

The results are in a new book, Reveal: Where Are you? by Greg Hawkins & Cally Parkinson (Willow Creek Association 2007). I have not read the book but some of the statements from Hybels are revealing in the book’s blurb.

I ask: Where has the “seeker-sensitive” movement taken its followers? I have visited some of the churches who follow this model, and there seems to be an absence from the pulpit of solid biblical doctrine. Doctrine is hardly a seek-sensitive hot word for keeping the unbelievers coming to church, but it does dumb down the people of God in core areas of biblical teaching and growth.

These are some thoughts from a sinful fellow-traveller.

Sincerely

By Spencer Gear on Dec 15, 2007

These past 20 years in Pentecostal churches in Australia have seen the virtual elimination of expository biblical preaching & teaching, and replacing this has been the introduction of the use of the Bible as a motivational quotebook from which the preacher then launches off to share about themself, and usually recounting their heroic spiritual exploits (if that’s what you call them). What has resulted from this change?
Christians who claim to be Spirit-filled are now more biblically-illiterate than previously (surveys in USA-Canada reveal over 70% only have exposure to Scripture’s teachings for 90 minutes on Sunday, throughout their whole week). They don’t know how to handle God’s word to be able to feed themselves spiritually & equip themselves for ministry.
As a result, superstitious teachings have multiplied and been accepted instead of challenged & rejected and consequently we now have Old Covenantal obligatory tithing (instead of New Covenantal generous freewill giving) being practised ….. with a false hope of getting rich financially. We have brothers & sisters living in denial of unpleasant facts & situations because Word-of-Faith movement teaching has permeated them and they refuse to speak what they are scared is not a ‘positive confession’. People applying parts of OT teaching out of context and forceably inserting them into Christian theology, continues to wreak havoc in New Covenantal living. We have Christians who hold such narrow eschatological understandings (generally of Dispensationalist Premillennialism) that they can’t accept an amillennial understanding as being biblical or Christian, for example. My point is that we must return to teaching through the whole counsel of God methodically - preferably through books of the Bible so that people become familiar with their teachings, and develop a thirst for studying it privately also.
In the past month I’ve watched Hillsong Houston on TV and listened to Brisbane’s Tribe of Judah Motorcycle Ministries’ pastor Terry Walker in person as they have used their teaching time to manipulate people to tithe - “use the ATM inside the front door if you only have your credit card” - instead of expounding the spiritual riches we have been blessed with in Christ . If people are not fed spiritual meat they need to go elsewhere and find true sustenance. [I wonder what has happened to all those bikers who used to be in ToJMM church in the 1990s - only a handful left in a congregation of 50-60 during this past month. I pray the others will find Bible-teaching fellowships to follow Christ in.]
IMHO this drought of expository teaching is critical.
….. a small potato

By Paul on Mar 29, 2008

to Small Potato…. Thank you for an excellent comment above. An excellent and truthful appraisal of today’s consumer christianity. Look foward to more of your comments … Bless you!

By truwit on Apr 14, 2008

Thank you Spencer, Paul and Truwit for your insightful comments which are ALL most helpful. I am convinced that we can achieve most by working together as much as we can. That does not mean that I think you must all just support CWM and what we are trying to do. Fellowship and ministry must be two ways at least. However someone must take the lead and try to set the Agenda. As you have all intimated (in summary) there must be a re-discovery and a re-institution of TRUE New Covenant (Testament) Christianity.
To this end we at CWM are holding a �Live-IN Conference� scheduled for September 21 to 27, 2008 on the theme of �LIVING LIFE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE NEW COVENANT�. You can find all the details on our CWM-Fellowship website at www.cwmfellowship.org Click on �NEWS� on the top agenda and surf down to the CWM-CAMP-CONFERENCE Icon. Select and all will be revealed.
There are groups of people registering from a number of countries - notably, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada and Bangladesh.
We welcome your involvement.
TOGETHER we can make a difference with the Lord�s Help.
Philip.

By philip on Apr 15, 2008

Thanks for your invitation Philip, I’ll see if we can scratch that kind of money together as the conference has a vital theme.
I couldn’t access the conference topics page though , on the CWM Fellowship website.
Will be great if the (relatively) new development of ‘New Covenant Theology’ is included. In my 20s I was taught biblical covenants alongside a moderate Dispensationalist Theology, however ongoing study of the covenants over the years together with exposure to the type of Biblical Theology taught by Sydney’s Evangelical Anglicans (via St Matthias Media, Moore Theol College, etc) and it’s emphasis on Jesus in all the scriptures, attracted me towards Covenantal Theology, however I couldn’t buy the concept of the covenant being with whole households rather than with individual believers. I also recognise that this resistance may actually be influenced more from my western cultural worldview than from biblical understandings. Also their concept of the covenant of redemption occurring before creation between the members of the Godhead strikes me as more philosophical and not a biblical covenant, though of course it is possible in the eternal counsel of God. It seems wiser to allow the revealed word of God to shape our theologies rather than interpretations or extrapolations and conjectures, wouldn’t you agree?
In more recent years (in my 50s) I have discovered a few theologians who expound N/C Theology, which has been quite enjoyable. Although not crossing every ‘t’ with them, the overall thrust of the New Covenant absorbing and surpassing all previous divine covenants and fulfilled completely in Christ Jesus, is much more aligned to the teaching of the New Testament (& particularly the Book of Hebrews) than either dispensationalism or covenantalism, from my viewpoint. [I hold this aspect of theology with an ‘open hand’ as no singular system of Bible-based theology is ‘watertight’ and all provide perspectives on the revealed mind of the triune God, even if expressed crudely & roughly.]
A Google search provides many riches in theological enquiry for every believer, though we must always be discerning as there are many false teachers publishing on the internet also. Years spending a day here & there in theological college & university libraries can now be condensed into online searches with much the same results. Yet nothing should surpass our diligent study of the New Testament and absorption of it into our life.
This website has been a thorough blessing to discover and to respond to the various topics & blogs that have been posted elsewhere on the site. Among others, Philip, I am truly grateful for your ministry in this way. As a counsellor I have been very concerned about the spiritual abuse that keeps occurring in parts of the body of Christ, and affirm strongly that what we believe affects our attitudes and our emotions and this flows through into our behaviours, life habits, and the activities we engage in. Spiritual wholeness can come as we embrace Jesus and learn from him, and as we learn to say ‘no thanks’ to those who would bring harm to our lives.
Truwit, thank you for the compliment. I am a flawed sinner on this wonderful journey of following Jesus, who graciously has reconciled me to himself. May he bless you also.
…….. a small potato

By Paul on Apr 23, 2008

It is certainly sad that many have abandoned sound doctrine in exchange for an “experience”. Real Holy Spirit led discernment and Word based ministry has been replaced by emotions and supposed latter day fads that are sweeping the church away from everything Biblical. The Pentecostal movement is utterly sick and astray from a faith grounded in the Bible, and solid doctrine. Get out of Babylon and find a church with sound Bible teaching.

By Andrew Craig on Jun 6, 2008

You paint with far too broad a brush Andrew. Your opening statement is without foundation. Certainly neo-Pentecostalism is false but traditional classical Pentecostalism is totally biblical and supportive. While there were some aberrations within early Pentecostalism, as there has always been in every movement, including the Baptists [and especially the strict Baptists with their totally false Cessationism], most early Pentecostals were “people of the book” who strove to ensure their teachings, including the teaching about tongues speaking, were based upon Scripture. I am Pentecostal but as you know I decry all of the extremes and the present nonsense associated with recent movements such as Toronto and Pensacola and the latest Florida scams, and false teachers like Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland et al.

Let us NOT go beyond that which is written - and that applies as much to you as it does to me and to all of us.

Kind regards IN CHRIST,

Philip L. POWELL.
http://www.cwmfellowship.org
http://www.christian-witness.org

By philip on Jun 6, 2008

By philip on Jun 6, 2008

I agree fairly with Philip Powell’s sentiments to the extent that I too decry all the extremes in the Pentecostal church, however I disagree that he should label Benny Hinn a false teacher [for all we know maybe he does speak to God].
……………………..
mani kanna

By mani kanna on Jun 23, 2008

Benny Hinn netted over $300,000 AUD for his one-night performance in Brisbane, Qld, a couple of months ago and more in the other cities …. as if his multi-million USD income is not enough ! When will my brothers and sisters stop throwing money at this charlatan whose decadently, lavish lifestyle betrays the fact he is not a simple disciple of Christ Jesus. Thousands of Christian evangelists & pastors in China, India and elsewhere are under-supported (& literally struggling financially) because we give to people like Hinn and his ‘clones’ who strut about with “rings on their fingers & bells on their toes”.
What was it again that Jesus said to that rich ruler who wanted to be his disciple ?
….Paul…. a small potato

By Paul on Jun 23, 2008

Having had parents who were in the Brisbane Pentecostal Movement in the early 1920s, I, of course, was reared from babyhood in the Christian and Pentecostal way with emphasis on the Bible.
During the days of my youth in what now is Glad Tidings Tabernacle [as it was known in Barry Parade] but which earlier had been founded by William Booth-Clibborn as Christian Covenant Church, I often heard about the prophecy given by Smith-Wigglesworth. He was revered, of course, and it was said that he prophesied Australia would be the last country to have revival before the coming of the Lord. One of our earlier beloved Pastors there, Alex Buchanan, had taken Smith throughout New Zealand. I cannot remember whether Pastor Buchanan subscribed to that belief in the prophecy. Many of the members did. In later years, when people mentioned it, I have said, “Smith Wigglesworth was a man of God but he was wrong in that prophecy”.
God did move in a sovereign way in Australia in at least the 1970s. If that is to be called “revival” it has come and gone. The Lord has not returned. Therefore, the prophecy was false.
There is a fine line between the spirit and the soul. Sometimes, Pentecostals have stayed in the soul area and prophesied or said other things. They were out of the spirit. At least Smith had no faults in the moral area! Even the Apostle Paul was not perfect in his ministry.
This does not excuse any heresy such as is common today.

By Irene Bonney Faulkes on Jun 26, 2008

We have left an AoG church we had attended for 30 years where the Pastor declared that he had received an “anointing” by impartation. The last sermon he preached at which my wife and I were present was to “explain the anointing to people who did not understand it.” He informed me that he was not interested in bible doctrine but was only interested in his anointing. He told the church he was not much of a preacher and that if we wanted to hear preaching we should go and listen to Benny Hinn. He had been increasingly engaging in socio-political comment and activities.
His youth pastor told my daughter that they were not interested in checking out whether Benny Hinn was scripturally correct either as both he and they were too busy building the kingdom. Anything that attracts people in numbers must be good therefore checking teachings out against the canon of scripture is a waste of time for busy kingdom builders according to these people.
Generally speaking, having a Pastor who has the “anointing” means that they are not subject to biblical accountability nor are their teachings or more appropriately directions to the church membership to be subject to testing by biblical standards.
The horror of these developments is highlighted by even superficial reference to Holy Scripture.
See for example 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Judge all things: hold fast to that which is good.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 …”stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or by our epistle.”

By Wayne Capell on Jun 30, 2008

As a Pastor of an A/G church and a man anointed by God, let me say this: my anointing did not come from man but from GOD HIMSELF. My calling did not come from man but GOD HIMSELF. I most sincerely believe that the anointing on my life (which many have testified to, so that there are well more than 2 or 3 witnesses) comes from my deep-seated drive to know and share God’s Word, truthfully, accurately and completely.

Any “anointing” not based on a call from God (which must be witnessed and testified to by other Saints as well) and not based on sound biblical doctine is a lie of the devil. Anyone who would willingly participate in that lie should held accountable by the Saints. I developed my knowledge of ‘pentecost’ from the study of God’s Word and by reading accounts from the rock solid saints of early in the pentecostal movement. Everything I have read that I did not understand or I did not believe, was compared to the Word. If it does not line up with the Word, it’s a lie.

God still anoints his servants, He still calls us out to serve. The problem is, too many ministers today want to be served rather than serve.

God Bless You.

Go and compel them to come in!!!

By Ernie on Jul 10, 2008

Ernie:
I presume that’s short for “Ernest”. I know two ministers in UK who know the importance of being “Ernest”. Thanks for your comment, for which we are grateful. It would more fit the one Ernie that I know than the other, though of course you may be neither.

I would like to say two things:

Firstly self praise, of which there is an abundance among today’s ministers who should be humble, is no recommendation. Though you do claim that others think the same of you as you obviously do yourself, again it is really no commendation.

Secondly you have clearly misunderstood what the “anointing” really is in New Testament terms, though it is the generally accepted AoG opinion on the topic. It is false. The word is never used in that sense in the Bible. Do a study yourself and you will discover that there are only two senses in which the New Testament uses that word. Firstly with reference to Christ who is “anointed above His fellows” and is THE “Christ” or THE “Messiah” both of which words mean the “anointed one.” He too is the fulfillment of all typical Old Testament anointing. Secondly it is used of all of God’s people who are equally “anointed”. This is how John uses the word in his epistle to explain that those who are linked to Christ are “anointed” and do not need people to teach them that their relationship with Christ is valid and real, because “the anointing” teaches them.

Never in the New Testament do you find the idea that preachers were specially anointed — equipped and commissioned yes, anointed, NO. We are specifically told that the true “anointing” remains i.e. it does not come and go. This is an essential characteristic of the nature of anointing in the New Testament.

If we do not know our Bible we will err concerning the truth and we end up relying on something that is false. This is how the false shepherds retain their positions. They claim an “anointing” that they know nothing about

God bless you, Ernie.

By Philip L. POWELL on Jul 11, 2008

Brother Paul, I believe that there is no grey area in God’s Word. There may be situations in life that do not have a “thou shalt not” stamped on them, but as scripture states there is nothing new. Every life situation has a bibical answer. We have to be willing to study and trust God for the answers. As for titles, the only title that I am comfortable with is “brother” or “servant”. I wish to be a brother and fellow servant to all believers. I have always had an irritation with the title ‘Reverend”. We see far too many folks who use a title to get man’s respect. As for licensing and ordaining, it’s a human attempt to explain a divine call.

I want to use my life to serve Christ. If respect comes, fine: if not, fine. My reward is in Heaven, and any blessing on earth is from my Heavenly Father and not man.

As for the anointing issue, if anyone claims an anointing and they do not live a Christ-like life, that anointing is a false anointing. Anointing comes from the Holy One, 1 John 2:20.

Brother Philip, let me clarify what I previously wrote, because as I re-read it, it may seem to be a lack of humility on my part. I have an anointing on my life, it is no greater or lesser than the anointing God places on all other Saints. That anointing helps me to know God and serve God. Also, if I do not allow that anointing to teach me and help me remain in Christ, I believe that my anointing would then be false. 1 John 2:27. The word anointing in the English language means to be divinely chosen, chosen by God, which I am. But so are all the other Saints. I never have considered being anointed as something special for a cetain group of Saints. I’ve always considered it to be an outward manifestation of salvation for all saints. The Father anointed Jesus (Greek word “chrio”) with the Spirit and power. Acts 10:38. He also has anointed (chrio) us. 2 Cor. 1:21. That anointing is demonstrated, I believe, with the manifestation of Spiritual Gifts. So, if that is the case, all believers have an anointing, but not all believers choose to allow God to use them in this. I agree, the anointing does not come and go, but man chooses to use it or not to use it. And that is a terrible thing, wasting the talents given us by God. In addition, some run after and abuse idea of the anointing (Greek word “chrisma”), just like they run after and abuse teachings on faith. [As if anyone has the right to make demands of God because they say they have an anointing or they say they have faith.]

Because we live in a time of great apostasy, and because God’s Word is being perpetually warped and twisted, I feel I must be as solid as I can be in God’s Word. The ability to be rock solid in the Word comes from the Holy Spirit, who enables me to understand the Word. I’m no dummy, I never trust my own understanding, but I always trust the Spirit to show me the truth.

Thank You both for your kind comments. May God Bless you all.

Your servant,

Ernie

By Ernie on Jul 11, 2008

Brother Paul,

I’m greatly encouraged to find that you and I have agreement in many areas of Biblical Doctrine. And as far as the decline in Doctrinal Teaching is concerned I agree with you too. Gone are the days of expository preaching (I say this with much longing for those days to return), gone are the days of humility, gone are the days when Christians studied their Bibles to check whether the message they heard is founded in the Word of God. Gone also, is the plain and clear reading of the Word of God. Imposters (or rather “wolves”, as the Apostle Paul put it) have come in amongst us and are teaching “doctrines of devils” swaying many to their deception.

We, and I comment in general here, have lacked the great gift of DISCERNMENT. I, too, am a sinner like the rest and deserve to be thrown into hell. Yet my Saviour, Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of GOD, died for me and paid the price that I know I should have paid!!! I’m a “little frail bark” on a stormy sea but the Captain of my soul is ever merciful and guides as only HE knows fit.

I must be perfectly honest and state, I am no Pastor, not even a scholar, just a lowly believer in Christ Jesus. And all I know HE has taught me from the WORD of GOD - all praise to the SON of GOD.

I hail from a RCC (when I was lost) background. I’ve swayed back and forth between Pentecostal and Reformed. I have noted that each time I head one way, the Lord would bring me back to the middle. Then I’d be off again in the other direction and the Lord would bring me back to the middle. And contrary to what I’ve have written, I find that I’m at peace in the middle for many years now - “settled” would be operative word. I’ve had criticism from both sides of the Church (if I could be strictly frank).

Discernment is what we lack. One wonders why though? What staggers me is that we are so blind! This verse comes to mind:

Jer 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Brother Philip’s news letter had links to a few video clips of John Crowder and Todd Bentley. To say I was thoroughly aroused with indignation with these Charlatans would be an understatement! I cannot understand how “Christian People” could be taken with them. The Scriptures are full of examples of these things, to warn us of the danger and yet people will go in blindly. The TR version of this verse says:

1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

We must make every effort to “keep ourselves” in the Word of GOD - and to know when we fail the SON of GOD is ever merciful and will gently Chide us. But we must be diligent to study what God has reveal about himself in the Bible HE has graciously preserved for our edification and salvation. I would prayerfully suggest to Manni that he keeps his eyes on Christ Jesus and the work, that great work that Christ has done on the cross, and NOT on the Benny Hinns, Avanzini’s, and etc., who are mere men. It is the only way to “keep oneself” on the narrow way that leads to eternal life - and few there be that find it.

Brother Philip, I am greatly encouraged.

from the “Little Frail Bark” from Kyneton Victoria.

…John

By John Douven on Jul 23, 2008

Paul,

The Lord Bless you for your encouraging words. I must say your words struck a particular cord in my thoughts. I’ve taken the idea of a “series of teaching” to heart for some time. Sometimes I feel “inadequate” because I know my weaknesses - how could I teach others when I have trouble teaching myself. I struggle (the war within when it comes to these things) each day with these ideas. Then there comes times when I’m confident. You know the danger - Pride. When I read the struggles of the Apostle Paul, as one reads through Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians and etc., I find that in some way my struggles are no different to what Paul’s were. Somehow I believe that we are meant to struggle (not alone in the struggles because Christ is there with me).

I remember a sermon by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones where he touches on Ro 7:24 & 25:

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I know that there are 2 schools of thought on these verses. One school believes this applies to the non-believer before he becomes a Christian; the other school believes it applies to the Believer in his daily struggle. I’m of the Latter opinion, mainly because I see myself in all this. Secondly, I see chapter 7 building up on chapter 6; and 6 on 5, and etc., because the Apostle is building to his climax (represented in 8:26-39). The apostle keeps his thoughts in line - he is a master at this - even though he makes references to some other important points. It is in this area of keeping one thoughts on topic that I fail terribly. Or to put it in another way, I write from the heart but sometimes it runs away on unrelated topics/matters, then the mind takes control and everything comes to a grinding halt.

Just to give you some idea of my problem, I’m currently working on 2 treaties (for want of a better word) - if not more. One is called “A Dog chasing its Tail”, and the other “There is War in the Camp.” In addition to that I’m working on a Biblical Chronology - which I suppose I will never be able to complete anyway, but I’m doing it. I’m also studying portions of the Greek Texts - the actual photographs of the hand written texts. At the same time I’m trying to study NT Greek, making notes on heresies (Irenaeus’s Against Heresies is invaluable) and many other little things and notes on the way. Please understand, this is not a boast but a jumbled mess that I struggle with each day. I’m very settled in my Doctrines but when it comes to putting things down on paper and arranging my thought patterns - that is where I’m at a loss.

I can’t say whether I’d ever be able to get “the works” (as I call everything) published. Then again, I’d be lying if I said I have never had anything published (as an article in one of CWM’s publications - I think it was CETF some years back, Philip will know). I hope this explains my problem - hopefully the Lord will just keep pulling his servant along.

You and I seem to have the same problems - we’re NOT “company men”. I like that. A rather well known minister (from the Reformed side) said to another minister that I was a “fugitive” - I found this quite funny - though I would say that saying something like this behind the fugitive’s back is not quite right. Looking at it again though, it is quite sad. If this is what they say of me what can I say but “I’ll be a fugitive for my LORD!” any time. I have to remember what my Lord went through on His Way to the Cross. May the Lord have mercy on that minister.

As I sit here think this verse pops into my head:

Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

May we continue to sharpen one another as that day approaches.

In Our Saviour’s Name.

By John Douven on Jul 24, 2008

Ernie, I have a problem with the way you use the word “annointing” because the reference in Scripture is as Philip has said. Your reference to

1Jo 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

is rather vague. The RCC also claim “an anointing” from this verse. It is called “extreme unction”. The question, and I do not question your integrity, is who is right and who is wrong. In my daily life I visit many Churches so one would see the pastor on his “regular day.” The problem is what I see when the “flock” is not there and what I see when the flock is there, does not tally up.

To labour the point a little, a work colleague of mine (lets call him “Peter”) went to an A/G (AOG) Church to perform a service on a piece of equipment. When Peter finished the job he had a little chat with the minister. Peter is not a Christian. Peter asked the minister how he got the people into the church. The minister’s reply was, “I give the people what they want to hear.” That is very sad! Do you want to know why? Before, Peter was open to the Word of God. It is some years ago and Peter has still not given his life to the Lord. Romans Chapter 2 comes to mind but especially this verse:

Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

This minister also claims the ‘anointing” just like you do; uses the same verses to prove it (I met him myself). I would rather not use the word “anointing”. I’m just trying to show you a problem. I’m a sinner like the rest and we all need to be reminded what we are - sinners. The fact that we are forgiven, justified and later to live in glory with Christ is our hope - but we are still sinners.

Let us strive to be perfect in speech that the name of our God is Glorified rather than blasphemed.

In our Saviour’s Name,

John, the Little Frail Bark

By John Douven on Jul 24, 2008

I have an article entitled “Biblical Anointing” on our CWM web site. You can find it at:

http://www.christian-witness.org/archives/van2001/anoint13.html

Happy reading.

BTW - John I’d like to see the treatises when you’ve written them. With your permission we may publish them in our CETF magazine. They sound interesting. Anything linked to Martyn Lloyd-Jones (alias the Dr affectionately) must be worth something.

God bless you all.

By Philip L. POWELL on Jul 24, 2008

We are a christian community based ministry .
Our desire is to preach the gospel of christ
WE request for partnership with your ministry
Kindly send us information with some teaching materials
P.O. Box 72012 Nairobi Kenya
Bishop Thomas

By thomas ombui on Aug 11, 2008

Doctrinal Death Dilemma

The idea that the AoG has become a Pastors Club or an assembly of pastors rather than churches, is a description that sits well with me. That could be one reason my own pastor seldom attends ministers’ meetings. Clearly, the modern AoG pastor is, (spiritually speaking), ‘as thick as eight planks of wood’. A great many of these new breed pastors have to be spiritually “thick” to believe that God is in the business of showering people with gold dust and fitting them out with gold teeth.

No wonder the AoG Church is in a mess. With pastors like these, one can’t help feeling sorry for their assemblies.

By Alexander Lennox on Oct 15, 2008