Dear Howard,

Thank you for your quick response. I appreciate you taking the time to acknowledge my letter.

The only reason I listed your name in my letter was because you are fortunate enough to have a "large" photo on the CBC website. I don't believe we've ever spoken and I certainly don't have any issues with you at all. Truth be told I don't really have issues with any of the pastors at CBC and I think that is part of my problem. I don't necessarily "like" all the pastors, but that's mostly a personality thing.

It would be real nice if I could come up with a couple of instances where I felt "hurt" or "wronged" by someone. That way I could go to them, address the specific issues, and hopefully move on. Unfortunately my concerns are much broader than that.

I'm not dying to get in long debates with you or any other pastor really, and I'm sure you would like to avoid that as well, but lately I have felt like I need to try and have some communication with some of the pastors.

That being said, I'll list a few of my "issues" for you to hear and then you can decide what to do with them.

1. I believe that City Bible Church is more focused on City Bible Church then on anything else. In other words I think CBC is self centered. The Forward Together campaign is a prime example, in it you have 4 steps of which none are focused on reaching the lost. Sure, a nicer looking building, a new building on the West Side, and advertising the CBC name could attract the lost but to me it sounds more like expanding the Kingdom of City Bible then the Kingdom of God.

2. I believe City Bible Church is overly concerned with their image. This starts with the Pastoral Staff and creeps down to the congregation. Again, Forward Together is a prime example.

3. I believe that City Bible Church miss-represents the Bible with it's teaching on tithe. I've spent a fair amount of time researching Tithe and the Bible and I just can't see how 10% still applies today. I've heard Marc explain the Covenant of Blessings but it all seems like such a stretch.

4. I believe City Bible Church indirectly teaches a "give to get" message. Although you may not specifically say that one is directly related to the other (except in one ridiculous message Frank preached on Malachi 3) the theme is constantly pushed.

5. I believe City Bible Church fails to push the truth behind the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After 10 years of extensive church attendance, youth group/camps/conferences, and even 3-1/2 years of Temple Christian High School, I could not have told anyone about the Gospel. The first time I truly heard it was after I left CBC. Again, like the above point, it is mentioned but the message always seemed muddled.

6. I believe City Bible Church attempts to control their members and keep them from thinking for themselves. Any time I ever saw anyone question anything they were always told something about "God placing that leader in that place and by questioning the leader you are questioning God". You can see why this would concern me.

7. I believe City Bible Church has a double standard when it comes to extra-marital sex. If you get someone pregnant you get in front of the church to repent; if you don't get them pregnant all is hidden…

So there you have it, 7 points of concern from Johnpaul Morton. I don't know if you can do anything about it, I don't know if you care to do anything about it, but at least you know how I feel.

If there is any other pastor who you think should hear this please forward it to them. Again, I'm not looking to pick a fight here…

I do welcome any thoughts, comments, or even criticism you may have for me. If you know of anyone that has personally been hurt or offended by my actions please ask them to contact me so we can try to rectify things.

And now for my final question: Do you mind if I post this letter on my blog?

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