Applying The Bible to Our Culture and World

These are the opinions of Jeff Phillips, pastor of an inner city Southern Baptist church in the heart of the bible belt. These views do not represent Woodfield Park Baptist Church, Ashley my wife, our 3 dogs or 3 cats.







Thursday, October 24, 2013

Steven Furtick, Excess, and Discussing Another's Ministry-Appearances Mean Something

Colossians 3:5, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

This Sunday I'll be preaching from Colossians 3:1-11 as we continue an expository look at the book of Colossians at the church I pastor, Woodfield Park Baptist Church. Turns out the text is very timely in regards to a topic that is receiving much media coverage here in North and South Carolina, and is beginning to break nationwide. The topic of media discussion, a 1.7 million dollar, 16,000 square foot home located on a gated 19 acre lot, that is being built by Charlotte, NC mega church pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church.

For those with a short memory, let us harken back to the late 1980's, and the ministry of Jim and Tammy Bakker known as PTL. Spark any memories? Greed? Excess? Self indulgence? Self righteousness? Well, that occurred in the Charlotte area, so it should surprise no one that people in and around this area found it alarming that Furtick is building such an extravagant new residence. You see, Charlotte is ground zero for religious scams in the public eye. The PTL scandal was a nationwide phenomenon that brought laughs and scorn from across the nation and shame and harm to the body of Christ. Is Furtick's ministry another PTL? I am not saying that. Let's get that clear. But appearances do mean something.

As Christians, we talk of our "walk" with Christ very often. Our walk representing the life we lead and example we set before others. What exactly is the example being set when a pastor, a shepherd of God's flock, will be living in a home larger than the billionaire owner of the Carolina Panthers, Jerry Richardson? Appearances are important. This is the type thing we see on Dateline NBC exposes in regards to the "rock stars" of the ministerial wolfpack, people like Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer. The religious "leaders" who revel in wealth and luxury, with gold bath fixtures, multiple million dollar homes, private jets, $6000.00 a night hotel rooms. Those who tell you you can have all they have "if" your faith is strong enough. Those who hide behind tax exempt status with veiled financial disclosure. Those who declare a gospel of prosperity instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an opulent orgy of wealth all derived in the name of Jesus. It is, as Paul writes in Colossians 3:5, "covetousness, which is idolatry."

Understand, a pastor is deserving of a lifestyle as good as any church member. No one is saying because one shepherds God's flock you must take a vow of poverty. A pastor should be able to provide for his family, have his needs met, and yes, have some things that he enjoys. But when, is enough, ENOUGH!? Where do we draw the line? Christians, and pastors as much as any, are called to imitate Christ. Jesus Christ, who left the riches of heaven to dwell on earth as man, the God-man, God in the flesh. Who was dependent upon the kindness of strangers. Who had no place to lay his head. Jesus, who preached for us to store up treasures in heaven, not here on earth. Who warned that it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. Ever wonder what that means? It means, that covetousness, greed, a desire for wealth and possessions that outweighs the desire for God is an idol. That those who gain wealth have usually placed the acquisition of wealth above all things. That in many if not most cases, it is idolatry, those of which who practice such will not inherit the kingdom of God.

So let us ask a question? What does it appear is most important to someone on the outside when a pastor pursues such things as a gated mansion in a secluded, private, wealthy area? For Steven Furtick, does it seem to you that money and possessions are a pretty high priority? Total tax value of the property is around 3 million. Actual cost with a bargain on the land 1.7 million. But how much will it cost to furnish and decorate this palace? I can't see Furtick and his wife calling Rent-A-Center for the $34.99 a week living room combo. How many servants will it take to maintain the home which will have 7 1/2 baths? No offense to Mrs. Furtick, but I can't see her as Granny Clampett organizing the family for spring cleaning. How much to maintain the property? Intsall security? Heat and cool it? How much is enough? Appearances mean something.

Let me go on the record here. I do not believe at all their is anything unlawful going on here. I do not believe that Furtick has embezzled from Elevation Church as the Bakker's did from PTL. I do believe the property has been purchased by money from sales of his books. I believe every "i" is dotted and "t" crossed from a legal standpoint. But does that make it right? Is this representative of Jesus or His teachings? A fundamental question for me regarding all of this is how does one who lives such an eye popping lifestyle actually make disciples for Jesus? That is the role of a pastor and all Christians. How can one teach with any authority or credibility the teachings of Jesus? That if we desire to follow Him, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him? How does anything about this speak of denying oneself? Appearances mean something.

What has Furtick's response been to all of this attention? Well, it has not been full of grace. In a recent sermon Furtick stated almost defiantly, "it's not that great a house." It's larger than the house of the richest man in North Carolina! He stated that the investigative reporter from the Charlotte NBC affiliate who is pursuing this story was out to "hurt the church." I would highly recommend searching www.wcnc.com and their I-Team reports on this story. They reveal a lot. Some may say, but it's the media! Yes, it is, so use discernment. But still, the facts presented are beyond troubling, and now extend far beyond just the house. You decide if the reporting is fair, if questions should be asked, and remember, we're not talking about a businessman, we're speaking of a pastor!

And speaking of questions, perhaps more troubling to me is this. This has obviously been a hot topic on social media. Facebook has been full of posts, links and conversations and I have engaged in several. Most of the posts and responses I've seen have the same questions I do, and view this the same as me. It is excess and not the example a pastor should set. Some have disagreed, or questioned the questioning. Some have been fellow pastors. So what troubles me? Well, in 3 different conversations I've engaged in with fellow pastors they have later deleted their parts of the conversation. Is it wrong to now discuss things that appear so out of line with what the bible teaches? Can Christians no longer engage in civil discourse in the public forum regarding a controversial subject in the church?

Pastor John MacArthur recently hosted an event named "Strange Fire," discussing and putting forth a view contrary to the Charismatic movement in the church. Looking at it's excesses and how they actually compared to scripture. He and his fellow speakers were respectful but clear that they believed these excesses were not biblical. And the expected has happened, MacArthur has come under a lot of fire. One of the primary offenses of the Charismatic movement is the so-called prosperity Gospel, propogated by such charlitans as the aforementioned Copeland, Osteen, Meyer, Hinn and many others. They dominate the airwaves of Christian televison. These people lead lifestyles of the celebrity elite. Most in conservative, Christian circles recognize not only the unbiblical example their lifestyles establish, but also the false teaching involved with many of them. Tell me, who does Furtick resemble? This is a man after all who has partnered with Joyce Meyer and T.D. Jakes, who preach and model this prosperity gospel. Is Furtick teaching false doctrine? I don't know. I've never studied what he teaches. I've read things, but we all know how fickle others opinions can be. But one cannot argue what the appearance is of this boondoggle house in the Charlotte suburbs.

So how is it wrong? How is it offensive? How is it anything but biblical to look at a supposed brother and say, you know, this ain't right. You want to know why things like this happen in the church? WE THE CHURCH do not deal with it! We set it aside and say, "well, he can do what he wants." But brothers, what he does impacts the church of Jesus Christ whether we will recognize it or not! It reinforces the church's critics opinion that we're all about money! That it's about us! Me! Me! Me! Is not the biblical thing for someone who knows him to speak with him about this? To enforce church discipline if necassary? To establish some form of accountability? Is simply ignoring such things and avoiding them the answer?

The Church! The body of Christ is not the church I serve, or Elevation, or any other individual congregation. It is HIS church and we are all one in HIM! And until we begin to hold each other accountable, and can actually discuss such things in the open, these types of things will just continue and continue. We are each other's accountability, from the new convert to the most public of God's shepherds and servants. We must be civil and not leap to conclusions. We must show grace, but also speak the truth in love. We must be honest and be able to say, "this doesn't look right." And then have the courage to ask questions and act if needed. That's the biblical way. It's obvious to most, that money changers are in the temple in many, many places. If one is truly determined to be one after investigation, giving oneself over to covetousness, the old question applies. What would Jesus do? My plea to Steve Furtick is to sell this property and donate all proceeds and profits to his church. Remove the questions and set the example. I certainly pray he does. Appearances mean something.