I meant to top post this on Friday, but was busy with Holiday festivities. (aka… College Football)
A member of CLF left the following comment regarding The Lord's Pantry and how we can help. For those who are in the dark, Wendell Smith and The City Church are using the poor and hungry as pawns in a game of revenge. Nice, huh?
If anyone would like to help support The Lord’s Pantry, you can mail a check to The Lord’s Pantry, 4800 Central Park Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
As it is a part of Christian Life Fellowship, you can request a receipt if you would like one for tax purposes.
Thanks for posting this.
Despite disagreements about what should have happened, how it was handled, and what is in store for the future, we should not let people in need go hungry.
With a diversity of views on how we should gather in worship and service, we should all agree that our mandate is to love people and feed the hungry.
If everyone on this board gives just a little, we can help this food bank feed people in Grays Harbor, and the ministry will not become a casualty of this unfortunate situation.
Thanks,
Dan Wood
As someone who has attended and been a member of City Church on the Central Coast in California…. This is really embarrassing. I’ve alway promoted City Church here in California. I work at Social Services in SLO County. I find this disgusting that the leadership @City Church would do this. I will be reconsidering where to attend on the Central Coast in California. Although the new Pastor and his wife are very nice, I don’t want to be building a instution for the Washington City Church, if this is how they treat the poor…..
I also am related to someone on the board of elders at CLF. My grandfather, who is such a Godly and humble man, I am very sad that Pastor Wendall has chose to be so dismissive of the elders… Who really supported and loved their Pastor. I’ve grown up in church and I’ve seen all kinds of hurtful things happen. I know we just have keep our eyes on Christ, and not get sucked into putting these men on a pedestal.
Lisa,
Thanks for posting.
Which CLF eleder is your grandfather? Elmer? Stan? They are both good men of God (so are the others, but they are unlikely to be old enough to have grandchildren in another state).
Is City Church a denomination or network of churches? I thought it was just a single church in Kirkland.
I am sure that Wendell is a good man and has a heart after God.
It is just unfortunate that he has cut off The Lord’s Pantry as he did.
I was in the building Thursday evening that houses The Lord’s Pantry, and was shocked at how bare the shelves, refrigerators and freezers appear.
I am waiting for the main coordinators to return from a trip so I can speak with them about the entire operation.
But, from what I saw, it was Old Mother Hubbardsville in there.
Thanks for your concern,
Dan Wood
Hey Dan,
I grew up in Auburn and Kent, WA … my mom volunteered at the city food banks in each for years. It was typical to see them nearly out of food right after Thanksgiving – the holidays being their busiest time, and, well, food on the shelf isn’t feeding anyone. Still, bare shelves are sad – nothing to give out to needy people and it seems to be a sign of how generous (or selfish) the community is.
Jack
Thanks, Jack.
I understand the seasonal supply issues with food banks.
When I was a county commissioner in Grays Harbor, I volunteered at the Hoquiam Food Bank 1-2 Wednesdays each month, plus I served on the boards of the Food Banks Distribution Center and the Coastal Community Action Program (where I still serve).
The view Thursday night was alarming to me, seeing how bare the shelved, etc. appeared.
I have a little time between now and the beginning of legislative session in January, so I’ll see what I can do to help reverse the situation and compensate for the loss of supply from City Church.
The supply from City Church was generous to the people in need who were helped through The Lord’s Pantry, and I appreciate what they did for the season they did it.
Dan Wood
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The City Church has planted churches in Central California, San Diego and Las Vegas. I was active in the Central Coast City Church, when Pastor Rocky Tannehill was there. I really love the church and the teachings are great. The current Pastor is a great teacher, I just feel like the things that have happened lately up in Washington, are red flags. I especially get concerned when games are played at the expense of the poor. After reading the information about Pastor Doug, I am alarmed when abusive people minimize their actions, and leave the people that were hurt ,feeling unvalidated,and thrown off balance. Verbal abuse from a person who is in a position of power is devasting. There is a great book by Patricia Evans “The Verbally abusive relationship”. But back to the Lord’s Pantry.. I know God is faithful and he will help this ministry. I work at Social Services, and we always team up with the local food bank coalitions, when the churches are running low. In CA we are going out to the local churches and community groups to make sure people are applying for food assistance(formerly called Food stamps) Since it is a federal program, I’m sure that you can team up with Social Services in WA. They may have a outreach program like we do. I will look it up and see if they do and get back to you.
Hi Lisa, I’m not sure where you are moving but a close friend of mine attended the San Diego City Church ‘outlet’ and her entire family felt used-abused and deeply hurt. Her daughter who was involved in every youth type of thing in the past has just married a non believer recently. She was involved heavily there –in the core. The control issues at that church were ‘out of control.’
i can’t help but wonder if a tree produces lemon after lemon isn’t it a lemon tree? And you shall know them by their fruit. Isn’t that the parable?
Isn’t City Church SD led by Jerry and Tami? That would be Gini’s sister….
That would explain
In another related development, Associate Pastor Dan Gebhart announced his resignation from a paid staff position on Sunday.
Gebhart stated that he was using the amount of offerings in the collection as a guide as to whether he could (or should) continue on in a paid staff position. He commented that because of a decline in the offerings, he felt it would be best for him to seek employment elsewhere, but would continue his association with CLF. Gebhart said that since he was the least senior of the paid staff, he felt it would be better if he sought employment elsewhere, as opposed to senior staff members having to seek employment outside of CLF.
In my opinion, attendance at CLF is noticably decreased from the time that Doug Cotton was Senior Pastor. If I had to guess at an estimate, I would say at least a 10-15% drop on the attendance, and possibly much more.
Prior to Cotton’s departure, there were plans for a Saturday service being enacted, due to capacity being exceeded at the two Sunday services. Since Cotton’s resignation, there has been no more talk of a Saturday service, and there are noticable vacant seats between groups of worshippers during services.
That’s a good thing, Heathen. More room for you charismatics to roll around and flail your arms about during worship. Being slain in the Spirit is no fun when you’re shoulder to shoulder with people – no where to fall – in fact, in tight quarters, you might slain and have to remain standing up!
You got it Living Life. I thought we were oppressed but this situation gave new meaning to the word ‘guilt’ as in manipulating them with it.
Fortunately she found a church that came from Calvary Chapel and does nothing but helping the poor and mission work. The odd thing is the more they send people out the more their numbers go up. What a principle –instead of holding people back continually.
She’s told me that she still holds back a part of her heart though –never ever wanting to get hurt like that again. No kidding!
The Lords Pantry… This is so sad …. I wonder what man would take food from a childs mouth ??? From a family that goes to bed hungry??? From people who really don’t care who the pastor of a church is, only that it has food to get them through the week !!!!… The devil is laughing his guts out watching christians act so stupid !!!!..Windell Smith do you care ????
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Obviously, he does not.
In fairness, nobody at City Church is taking food away from anyone; they just stopped giving it to The Lord’s Pantry, reportedly because of the leadership situation at CLF.
“Saddened” reported that they are directing the food resources to another food bank on Grays Harbor. If that is so, then some of those people previously served by The Lord’s Pantry might be getting food from another food bank, although that is logistically unlikely due to local geographic issues and food bank limits on the number of visits per week or month.
Saddened was going to check to see if the report of another food bank receiving the redirected food was true.
Any info, saddened?
Thanks,
Dan Wood
Are you sayin’ “you can’t get there from here”, Dan?
(Drivin’ to Ocean Shores around that harbor can be slow as molasses on a Friday afternoon.)
Our food bank (The Lord’s Pantry) is in Central Park, about 5 minutes West of Aberdeen.
From it’s location, the greatest portion of Grays Harbor’s population is within 30 minutes.
I work with a non-profit social services agency and formerly served on the School Board, County Commission, Senior Center Board and Chamber of Commerce Board.
From that experience, I can tell you that people of limited income do not have the resources to travel the distances between the foodbanks, and that is why the Central Park location was a good addition to the food bank sites in Grays Harbor.
Moving resources to Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Montesano, Elma, Ocean Shores, (or other places where food banks exist) does not serve the needs of the people who have limited means to access resources.
Thanks,
Dan Wood
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The poor have transportation difficulties. The food now denied to “The Lord’s Pantry” was being distributed by “The Lord’s Pantry” to multiple churches around Grays Harbor. As far as I know, those churches are not being supplied by pastor wendell smith since the time he decided to not allow CLF access to the food.
I just have to say that all of this is a load of Bull CRAP. Im a member of both the city church on the centrel coast and the city church in seattle. You people are telling lies and know it. Your putting lies into the minds of others that dont know anything elses, so saddly they receve that lie. Iv been at city church on the coast since the first day it started in the Tannehill’s living room, and we treat the poor with love and respect just like Jesus dose. It really herts my heart that you guys are doing this. Thats ok if City Church isnt the church for you, but churches are suppose to be together. We all have the same foundation… Jesus Christ the one and only live God. My heart herts to see and hear what you all are saying.
I’ve been a member of The City Church Central Coast ever since Rocky Tannehill was pastoring in Arroyo Grande. I would probably be considered “A babe In Christ Jesus” since I’ve only been born again since 2001. Right before I started attending the City Church, I was a member of a small Christian church for about a year; long story short, something happened that several families did not agree with the Pastor, so we decided to find another church (The City Church). It would have been very easy for me 1 yr. new in Christ, to just throw in the towel and return to “the world” when the church and the pastor that God used to open my eyes and heart of understanding “fell from grace”. I remember saying to myself, “It’s no different here in church than in the world, too much drama!” But I know that God was doing a quick work in me and my entire family because I made the choice to stay focused on God and not the Man! It was a very difficult time, but I told God that he would not have to teach me this lesson every again, and that was to keep my eyes and heart focused on HIM and HIS word. I’m sure as fellow christians, you must agree that the God’s word says Man may fail you, but God our Father never will. He’s always faithful to his word, and instead of judging others, and that goes for Pastors as well, we have to realize that they have a heavy mantel on their shoulders, and instead of putting them down, we should all be lifting them up in prayers. If we’re truly Christians, we should be praying for the leaders in the church, in our gov’t, in official places because that’s what our Father called us to do. Search out the scriptures, and you’ll find all in proverbs that we are to look for the Good and not the Bad and let’s face it, we all have both, also remember, there’s always two sides to a story. In the end, we all have to answer to our Heavenly Father. We all should remember, until we go home to Our Father, we are ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS.
A-menn brotha! Stick it to the man! I’m telling you, it’s a way of life.
I’ve never been to TCC Central Coast, where’s that at exactly? I almost went to college at Cal Poly, be-a-utiful town.
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I attend The City Church-Central Coast located in Nipomo, CA. Nipomo is approximately 25 minutes south of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. I agree, very beautiful area. Thank you for your comment, first and foremost, To God the Glory for doing a quick work in me (but He’s still not finished), and to my Pastor’s at TCC-Central Coast for their guidance and wisdom through The Holy Spirit. I would also like to lift up in prayer, all those who were affected by what happened with The Lord’s Pantry, and all those who were negatively hurt with the decision. I know, without a doubt, that Our Father is bigger than this situation, and He has already provided for all His children. For all those who have been hurt or offended with their previous pastors or churches, May God heal their hearts and minds of all offenses and Thank you Father for making them all stronger and closer to YOU! Amen
TCC Central Coast Member said: He’s always faithful to his word, and instead of judging others, and that goes for Pastors as well…
TCC, Since you’re a young Christian, I want to encourage you to continue to love the Lord and other people; i appreciate your spirit of peace and reconciliation that you bring; at the same time, i want to ask you a few questions about some of your excellent and sincere comments…
TCC, If you don’t mind me asking: Why did your former pastor “fall from grace?” Was it by chance (at least partly) because he was aloof from true accountability, which is a nice form of “judgment,”? Were you aware that one of the reasons why Ted Haggard fell from grace was because he had adopted a type of leadership style in which he was accountable only to a handful of pastors across the country and not to his own elders or congregation? so i agree with you that we should not judge pastors in the way that jesus condemns it, but don’t you think that even in relationship to pastors all must exercise discernment and accountability?
TCC said: we have to realize that they have a heavy mantel on their shoulders,
TCC, did you know that pastors are not the only ones in the church who carry a heavy mantle on their shoulders? every maturing christian does; also, i want you to realize that one of the reasons why the mantle on their shoulders is too heavy is because they have assumed too much power and control unto themselves in their senior pastor ministry philosophy. if interested see: pagan christianity by frank viola and george barna
TCC said: and instead of putting them down, we should all be lifting them up in prayers. If we’re truly Christians, we should be praying for the leaders in the church, in our gov’t, in official places because that’s what our Father called us to do.
TCC, who is to say that when we raise a question or a concern that it automatically means that we are not also praying for them? I am regularly praying for pastors with whom i have strong disagreements…
TCC said: Search out the scriptures, and you’ll find all in proverbs that we are to look for the Good and not the Bad and let’s face it, we all have both…
TCC, I’d like to recommend that you get a good bible dictionary article and commentary on the book of proverbs and read it; if i’m correct, you will see that the book or proverbs was written by those who supported the monarchy of israel in an effort to train young princes of the court how to behave before the king in a society in which the king had ultimate authority…do you think that pastors should rule as kings over their congregations? if you do, then I recommend that you read: I Peter 5:3 and Luke 22:24-26.
TCC said: also remember, there’s always two sides to a story. In the end, we all have to answer to our Heavenly Father…
TCC, i agree that there’s always two sides to a story and that is why i just recently talked to a pastor i had openly criticized by name on this blog and apologized to him for doing so in a forum in which he could not (or would not) defend himself, i.e., give the other side of the story; when we need to get the other side of a story, then someone (maybe you?) should go out and get it when we fail to do our homework…
TCC said: We all should remember, until we go home to Our Father, we are ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS…
TCC, this is true, God is working on all of us and I do admit that sometimes we can come across too self-righteous on this blog; at the same time, just because we bring out questions or concerns about pastors and churches, it does not mean that we don’t realize that we are also far from perfect…and do remember, that when you said “we are ALL…,” you included pastors, too. : )
Thank you for your advice and comments. I will continue to search out the scriptures and always ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and discernment.