As I am reading through Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch’s book, The Shaping of Things to Come, I’m struck by one idea. This book is a bit academic and I actually like that! Also, the theory and theology isn’t new. I think what is really helpful is taking that biblical theology of what it means to follow Jesus and applying it to the current post-modern context, giving it a cohesive language that we can all use in discussing these ideas, dealing with leadership structures and missiology (especially contextualism–I love it when missiology is brought to the masses!). This is all good stuff. But within that context, something that has been bothering me my whole life lit up for me.

We are all called to share the good news of the gospel, but some are more gifted at it than others. I’m not talking about Billy Graham or anything; just ordinary regular people. I’m fairly decent at making and keeping friends. I enjoy people. I delight in relating with people. But I have never “closed” the deal in sharing the gospel. I know that isn’t a great choice of words, “closed”, but I don’t mean it in a small sense. I don’t mean someone saying the “sinner” prayer and going on their merry way. I mean the light of recognition going off in someone when they realize that the gospel story is true and that they must join in continuing that story. They are compelled by the love of God for them so that they desire to know God and partake in the redemption of the whole cosmos!

I’ve never had that happen to me.

And I’ve been semi-ok with that.

But now, I have completely new vision. Now I know what has been missing in my story of sharing the good news of Jesus. I need to know who the closers are in my circles! Once relationships are formed we include the closers into the mix and let them do there work. As I’m writing this, I’m regretting my choice of the word closer, because I think people will read that and think of marketing or the show with Kyra Sedgewick! It sounds crass and I don’t mean it that way. I mean it in a wonderful way. Maybe I should call them Openers! They open the door to the kingdom like no one else can. Yes that is better. Alan Hirsh just calls them evangelists–like the Bible does. Maybe I shouldn’t mess with a good thing.

So by evangelists I’m not talking about people who PUSH and DON’T LISTEN. We all need to listen and understand and dialog and respect people! These are people who are sensitive, loving, empathetic, non-pushy and that can share the story of God with us in such a way that others want to join in living life with Jesus.

Think of it: you live in community and form relationships. You then connect those in your community that are pre-believers with the Openers (!) and watch the magic happen! I love it. No pressure. God does the work using those God has gifted.

This is the other idea that really stood out for me from the book: Person of Peace article.  More comments later (maybe).

Platforms are not where ministry happens.

Ministry happens in the neighborhood;

With life rubbing up against life,

With the sharing of the miseo dei,

participating in Christ,

seeing the imago dei in others.

You can’t phone it in.

–Michael Frost, PGF 2007 closing talk

What does this mean for us? Living as Jesus did, being incarnational as He was, “dressed in his cloak” takes on many different faces. How do we do it in our lives? Does this mean we all move to marginal areas of society? Do we abandon our comfortable, banal, middle-class, consumer driven lives?

How will you embody Jesus in your community? Imagine for a moment that you are staying in your particular corner of suburbia (or urbanhood). Imagine living your life counter-culturally with in that context. What does that look like? Do you have the courage for that? Do I? I know that I want to.  I want to start where I am and be faithful countering all the ridiculous cultural baggage that has been attached to the idea of following Jesus. I want to identify it all and burn it up.

Most of the time.

Sometimes, I’m lazy and give in the numbing ready-made society I live in. Looking around, I see my response is not the minority.

My prayer is that I will not close my eyes. I will follow Jesus in the midst of suburbia, taking the necessary risks of letting go…of the institution, of the baggage, of materialism, consumerism, of the creature comforts, of my sin of omission, of not caring for those suffering around me, of the fear of being rejected, ridiculed, ignored…

Will you join me? Can we take in God’s love for us and then live it out?

Amen!!!

I couldn’t wait on the missional topic although I do need to get some sleep! I just went to the PGF in Long Beach and to start going back in the history of this “movement” here are two selections by Michael Frost from last year’s PGF. And while it is not an add-on, it is not NEW either! This is the old message of 2000 years ago put into our current context. So this is the language we are using to discuss this issue in our post-modern context. As the death of Christiandom becomes accepted as reality by the traditional and institutional churches we can re-learn how to live as “sent-out” disciples of Jesus. Learn or die.

I love the in your face honesty.

Here is part two:

So let’s start talking!

In certain circles, I can’t seem to get away from this freak show. Today I heard some friends of mine referencing the “revival” in Florida and Todd Bentley (as if this was something real and of God). Personally, I wouldn’t even want to have ever been associated with anyone who was gullible enough to buy into this in the first place. God amazes me in his willingness to put up with us and even touch people in the craziest of situations. Even among the charletons, God can show up, upset the apple cart and provide AUTHENTIC healing and relationship. It really is astounding. Think of how God does all these things IN SPITE of us!

It is sad, but not at all surprising that this blew up on way or another. I think this post from a sympathetic charismatic focuses on the salient points that bothered me the most. These are thoughtful questions and no one is bashing anyone. In my self-righteous moments I want to say “I told you so!” But that isn’t very often, luckily. Usually it just is plain sad to think about the human wreckage in the wake of the “BAM!” Show. But I would actually rather talk about other things, like being missional and how do we do that in a big ol’ institutional church…guess that will be next time!

Todd Bentley’s announcement that his marriage is ending has thrown our movement into a tailspin—and questions need to be answered.

It was not supposed to end like this.

Evangelist Todd Bentley had heralded the Lakeland revival as the greatest Pentecostal outpouring since Azusa Street. From his stage in a gigantic tent in Florida, Bentley preached to thousands, bringing many of them to the stage for prayer. Many claimed to be healed of deafness, blindness, heart problems, depression and dozens of other conditions in the Lakeland services, which ran for more than 100 consecutive nights. Bentley announced confidently that dozens of people had been raised from the dead during the revival.

But this week, a few days after the Canadian preacher announced the end of his visits to Lakeland, he told his staff that his marriage is ending. Without blaming the pace of the revival for Bentley’s personal problems, his board released a public statement saying that he and his wife, Shonnah, are separating. The news shocked Bentley’s adoring fans and saddened those who have questioned his credibility since the Lakeland movement erupted in early April.

I am astounded at how oblivious some people are to the hearts and souls of others, while simultaneously being perfectly “in tune” to each jot and tittle of their religion. When you find yourself fighting for your doctrine at the expense of people, you have crossed the line from loving to heartlessness.

–Darin Hufford, The Free Believers Network

I’ve been enjoying this podcast and blog that focuses on getting away from all the gross parts of the religion of Christianity.  The podcastors come from some mega-church charismatic/pentecostal experiences. I didn’t grow up with the guilt, emotional excess and manipulation that they talk about, but I have seen bits and pieces of it and find it infuriating all the same.  Previously, I have mentioned doctrinal differences I have with certain branches of Christianity, but that isn’t what motivates me.  I can resonate with the call to Love that is presented by Jesus in the Bible.  God is Love. We are to Love. So that is why I get a bit peeved at all the crap in religion, the excess, the thrashing of people in so many ways. It is not the way of Jesus.

This guy raises the very interesting question without all sorts of inflammatory end-times doom rhetoric–could Bentley go the way of Jim Jones? I didn’t remember the background on Jones (other than the sad kool-aid mass suicide) and was surprised to find out he was involved with the pentecostal heretical latter rain movement (from whence comes Bentley’s mentors’ beliefs). Time will tell if it is just showmanship or if the personality cult is developing. Food for thought. Eat it without the kool-aid though…

Excerpt:

In 1955, Jones attended a Latter Rain Pentecostal Conference where Rev. O.L. Jaggers laid hands on him and pronounced over him that he had a very special prophetic calling on his life. It was at that conference that Jones saw Pentecostalism as a perfect opportunity to draw the masses in. He would go on to hold many faith healing services where there were dramatic resurrections from the dead, people would come up out of their wheelchairs, and others would have tumors pulled from their bodies. We know from history Jones used sleight of hand to trick his followers into believing that these miracles and resurrections from the dead were actually taking place.

Much like Todd Bentley, he had no details and no clear documentation of any healings. All people saw were the dramatic enactments taking place on stage. Jones was clever in the enactments. For example, he had chicken gizzards that he pulled out from up his sleeve to make it look as if he was pulling tumors from people’s bodies. I have no doubt that even in the meetings of Jones some probably did get healed, as I’m sure there are some in Bentley’s that have as well but it has everything to do with Jesus and nothing to with Bentley or Jones or the atmosphere around them. The Holy Spirit works in accordance with his own will, in his own time, and he doesn’t need any man to touch you in order for you to be healed. Though I believe in the gift of healing as described in I Corinthians 12- I don’t believe you need to be touched by any person in order to be healed.

Click on above link for more of article.

Oh Lordy, I am bad! Remember those videos from psych class on the maharishi movements where people are dancing wildly and hypnotically to music (the guru leading it all)? I think it was in the late 60s or early 70s. Well, here is the new “guru” for the new millenium! Whirling dervish craziness. LOOK at those people!

I’m probably gonna have to put all this Bentley stuff on a page later and get it out of the posts; especially when I stop rubbernecking and start developing thoughtful posts dealing with issues that aren’t so pop-culture related! Eegads!

First hand stories are interesting to me. The previous report by the guy who recognized all the hypnotic techniques being used by Bentley was wry and funny (if you missed that, it’s here). The following account is serious and has some typos. This person apparently has visions and comes from the prophetic/charismatic side of things. I copied the story about 2/3 down since there is a LOT of back story about his gifts and other details. Some might find that interesting so for the rest of that you can read here. Also, this guy’s presentation and cultural view is pretty dramatic–not my personal cup of tea. I haven’t done ANY research into his creds or history or theology. I just think it’s an interesting first person story.

I haven’t figured out what my fascination is with this topic…maybe it’s kinda like the rubbernecking response when there is a roadside accident, or just bad roadkill. It started with my yoga research, then friend connections (as mentioned previously), but now who knows. I’m not a spooky superstitious person. I prefer a reasoned argument, some good deep thinking. Ah, well. I do read trashy novels from time to time and maybe this is related. This is all so OUT there and melodramatic and televangelistic-type hype overkill (there’s that word again). One of my very literary, intelligent, artistic, brilliant friends loves to read vampire novels. I think we all have some of that in us somewhere. In regards to religious crap, usually it just makes me sick. And partly, this does, because the poor people involved make is tragedy-comedy.

It also might be the occultic connections that fascinate me since I study that stuff. And it does have a relationship with kundalini and other interesting things. But mainly, I’ll probably just be really sad when it is all over and so many people have been thrashed by it all. By then, I’m sure I’ll be able to watch the expose on tv!

Anyways, that is my long-winded explanation for posting the following story:

You are entering in the middle of the narrative. They are in Lakeland and plan to sing and speak to the crowd and he sees the Angel Emma that Bentley talks about…

We loaded his equipment and headed back down to where Todd Bentley was holding service that evening the Lakeland center or convention center. I’m really not sure what it was called. We arrived and found the place that I felt like the father wanted us to set up. There was plenty of parking in the parking lot where I could have set up or even parked but I had received a warning earlier myself from the father instructing me to not set on foot on that property, to just open my mouth and he would fill it.

Daniel started off singing a few songs playing the guitar and people where very aware of our presence and some started gathering across the road listening. Then I took the mic after a few songs and started in by saying “you like sheep are led astray, Judgment is coming to Florida and then I don’t remember anything else I said until something happened. The anointing was so strong I felt it coming in waves so strong I thought I would not be able to stand. Then my spiritual eyes where opened and I saw an angel coming from the building that was about a block away across the parking lot. She made her way across the parking lot almost instantaneously but the spirit rose up in me and said I rebuke you Emma and I bind you to do no harm.

At that moment it was like I saw her bound by something I could not see, but it rendered her motionless other then every mussel in her body strained trying to break free. And she stayed there until I was done speaking and then I saw her no more. But as sure as I am alive if I would have set one foot on their side of the street she would have killed me. I knew this was that same angel Todd had spoken about in his meetings. It does look like a woman though and looks to be in her mid to late 30’s but you can also tell that she is 1000’s of years old at the same time. She was very beautiful but very insidious at the same time. She was conjured there by other so called ministers and was there for one purpose. That was to deceive and to do lying signs and wonders in so much as if it where possible she would be able to deceive the very elect.

I finished speaking and opened my eyes to see people coming across the street. They where all very nice people that really did love god but clearly where taken in by this false prophet some of them where just misled others where under strong delusion. They did not sing the praise to the lord, but to Todd rather. Asking if we had seen him or been in the meetings and one of them, a man from England started doing the convulsing thing like Todd. He then tried to grab me by the arm to lead me across the street. So that demon could attack me. I told him do not touch me you are not going to put any demons on me. Then the anointing started coming very strong again in those same waves. Every time a wave of the anointing would come, the man that was from England would flinch and dodge like I had taken a swing at him.

I talked with another guy for a bit but he kept trying to get me to cross the road, even after I told him that I had been instructed by the father not do so. The funny thing is that every one that came up to myself or Daniel told us that they could fill the anointing on us but, could not understand why we where speaking against Todd Bentley. I explained to them again that Todd was a false prophet working witchcraft, doing lying signs and wonders. He was no more than a spiritual charlatan. These words seem to fall on deaf ears except for a few people that seemed to be taking it all in but not yet convinced. Someone called the police in the middle of it all and when they showed up the officer ask us what we where doing there. I told him the whole spill about Todd and this false fire revival, and as I was talking to him I saw something change in him. He changed from police officer to someone that was in agreement with what the father was having us do. He walked back to his car and a few moments latter the chief of police in Lakeland showed up. They said they just wanted to make sure no one messed with us.

The police men stood back let us talk to the people until Todd’s body guards, crew, or whatever they were showed up. Seeing these two men approaching the two officers drew in a little closer, still not interrupting but at the same time letting us know that they where there to help us if things went bad. Yah sent us a Joshua and Caleb I have no doubt. We talked with them for a while, showing them in scripture why Todd could not be a true prophet, but our words fell on deaf ears. Then they started trying to get us to come inside. One of them actually said I believe the lord sent you here, and if he told you that Todd was a false prophet, I assure you that is not what he wants to be, so why don’t you just come in and talk with him. I told them again that I had been instructed by Yah not set one foot on the other side of the street. They where polite, shook our hands, then left. Daniel sang one more song and we began to pack up. As we where packing up I noticed a young man that had been standing near by during most of what had transpired returning but this time he was returning with a woman. He introduced her to Daniel and I, then the young man explained to us that she was his spiritual mother. He then ask us if we could tell her why we where there and we did.

She seemed somewhat offended at what we where telling her concerning Todd, and especially when I outright called him a false profit. She started trying to give me a warning about calling men false prophets, but as she was talking the father spoke to me and told me to tell her that her grand father was not afraid to call men false prophets when that’s what they were. She looked stunned at me and replied that, yes he did but, he did it very cautiously. She then told us who her grand father was. She was the granddaughter of A. A. Allen a true man of God no matter how they smeared his name at his death. We talked a bit about her grandfather’s ministry among other things prayed with them and then left. But during our conversation she said that she had gotten a check in her spirit several times since she had been there. And although I did not say it I was thinking to myself then why are you not running as fast as you can away from this place.

The four things that I left Lakeland knowing, besides judgment was for sure coming to Florida was this. #1 almost everyone there told us that they could fill the anointing on us but no one could see that this anointing was real and a warning for them. #2 almost everyone there when told that Judgment was coming to Florida almost seemed gleeful that it was coming and was very demonically deceived by a spirit of deception. #3 that there where real sheep there that where being lead astray not wacko’s fallowing some guru. #4 that there where real miracles going on there but they were not because of Todd, these miracles had nothing to do with him. The miracles came because Yah’s people came expecting and desiring to receive.

Later that evening we returned Brother Anthony’s equipment, and then met with Angus and Batya Wooten the leaders of the MIA. They had driven up from Orlando that evening to have a meal with us before we headed back home. It was my first time meeting them but I felt like I had known them all my life, we talked, plotted, and planed what our next plan of attack on the enemy mite be. Then parted ways because it was getting late and I felt compelled to get out of Florida as fast as I could. I drove several hours until we where almost out of Florida and the uneasiness subsided. Then we stopped and got a room to rest up for the rest of our trip home Friday morning.

I know you thought that was the end of the story but it is not. When all the stuff was going on with Rich’s dad and everything when black concerning him, and after we had prayed for him and his mom I rode in silence, just meditating on the lord. Then again I saw the vision of the Elijah type person calling judgment down on Florida in what seemed like fire, but the vision did not stop this time it continued on. I saw the biggest blackest cloud I had ever seen over Florida. It was so black that it seemed like if it was placed in the shy on the darkest night, it would have still been visible. While looking at the cloud and asking the father what he was showing me, the cloud started shaking violently then the vision stopped. I felt like the father spoke to me “Judgment is coming to Florida”. I was shown this part of the vision, the part with the cloud several times the next day as we spoke to people, and received the same impression each time, “judgment is coming to Florida”.

Upon returning home I was informed that 90 wildfires burned out of control stating Friday afternoon about the time we were crossing the Stateline. The weird thing is that the fires were in the everglades, normally one of the wettest arias in Florida and not to far from Lakeland. There is part one of the judgment fulfilled, the calling down of fire. Now we await the second judgment. One that I fill will be one of the most devastating judgments we have ever seen as a nation. So if you know any one living in Florida please send them this e-mail with the instructions to be very prayerful on what they should do in the coming months. I am not calling for a mass evacuation of Florida I am simply saying, seek God and ask him his will in the matter and if he instructs you to leave do not hesitate. If you need some where to go we will do all that we can to help?

Shalom (Peace) be on you in these last days is my prayer.

End Time Preacher

James Gillispie

Hypnotism can be a very useful tool to change some bad habits. I’ve known friends that have used it for easier and better childbirth, quitting smoking and losing weight. I tried the losing weight audios and it didn’t work on me! Then I learned that people are different in how susceptible they are to hypnotism. I’m not easily hypnotized, which is fine by me. I’ll just use some other techniques.

Now, I don’t particularly want people using these techniques in religious settings, but they do. And it is very common in more ecstatic gatherings, whether called Christian, Hindu, New Age or whatever. Psychology has been studying this for decades. I think that people are too uninformed in religious settings though. This is not a good thing. Intention isn’t important in using these techniques. You could learn them without knowing they are ways to suggest behaviors by just mimicking a particular leader or speaker that you want to be like. I can see how this can happen in religious circles because of the leadership style in certain groups. People are told that they are receiving from God and they want it, so they are susceptible to this suggestion. It really doesn’t matter what is being said, the techniques work.

Here is a video that explains this a little bit:

I haven’t paid that much attention to the use of these techniques in Christian circles mainly b/c I just ignored the charlatans and ignored the weird behavior. I dismissed it our of hand as not worth attention. I’m trying to not be so dismissive now and see what is really happening.

I have been thinking a lot about community lately and also about what is beneficial about being in a well connected larger type church (I’m still speaking of church as our particular faith gathering community, even though the church is all believers, the body of Christ).

There are a lot of followers of Jesus out there who have opted out of the whole institutional church idea. And then, many more who are finding creative ways to experience living in a community of faith while attempting to be faithful to the gospel message.  At times, I am very frustrated with the large church “campus” and how much time and energy go into maintaining its perpetuation; very much like government in that way. It seems to just keep growing and getting more and more top heavy. Plus, programming people to death is another problem.

It’s too late and I am too tired to go into this beyond scratching the surface right now.

I am extremely grateful for the community that we have in our lives that has come specifically from our church connections. Without that we wouldn’t have been stretched with friendships and relationships. We wouldn’t have such close friends without my last two church involvements over the past 20 years. These are people that come along side us through the worst and the best.  They are amazing gifts from God to us. It was within the larger community that we were able to find each other to form this smaller more intimate community. And yes, it was intentional on everyone’s part and has taken time, energy, commitment and effort. But we do it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Even if we do leave our church eventually for something more organic, or smaller, or whatever (and we aren’t planning on doing this at the moment), I would still make the effort to keep the relationships with the body of believers there.

Just a few personal thought. More on this topic later.