Reformer, This comment you made was so dead on I thought it deserved more attention and so I am posting it again. The letter that Frank sent out about the Lasit's church plant was so full of manipulation…it was hilariously ridiculous. Thank you, Reformer, for pointing out exactly what Frank Damazio was trying to say:
Pastor Frank Damazio says: If God speaks to you about being a part of this church plant team, we have learned from experience that it is better for everyone involved that you talk to your district pastor or an executive pastor first before talking to them. We are asking you to follow this process so that we can all be confident we are discovering God’s will in this together. We will not start this procedure until February so we can let emotions settle before plans are made. It would be wise not to assume who will go on this team and not to give your assumptions to others.
Are you kidding me? I just love this stuff. His actions make writing in this blog so easy. What he meant to say was:
“We have learned from experience that if we announce that a very popular youth pastor is leaving (a la Wendel Smith, Steve Carpenter, Bob McGregor, Eric Knox, etc.) that a huge majority of are tithing faithful will want to leave with them. Because this hurts our ability to throw big conferences, lease more needless buildings, buy new suits and drive luxury cars, it’s important that you tell us of your intention to leave so that we can talk you out of it by means of guilt and manipulation. We are waiting until February so that we have enough time to prep all of our district and executive pastors on how to do this. Please do not share you knowledge with others about who is leaving because we don’t want it to get out that some very popular families are tagging along, since that would mean others might decide to join. Trust us, we know what God’s plan is for your life. So please continue to sit in our pews, write checks to the order of CBC, and remain silent.”
What surprises me is that you’re not even allowed to hear from God by yourself. The pastors have to help you with that as well.
Hey thanks Pope. As I’ve said before the level of control urks me more than anything else when it comes to CBC. Why the hell do they think they have the power to tell people where to go to school, who to marry, what job to take, and what church to attend? It’s rediculous and ruins a lot of lives. As Cat says, don’t they understand that God speaks directly to people? Their arrogance is dumbfounding!
This would be bad enough if it was just isolated to CBC but since they are cloning themselves and sending others out to start churches this has become so widespread that many people are being destroyed by this (discipleship)control. Someone needs to tell these people that the discipleship movement was over years ago.
Ridiculous.
When Steve Carpenter left, Frank told the congregation that Wendell called and asked him to “loan” him a strong leader for a temporary period of time. This was absolute and complete BS – damage control.
When my wife and I left BT (CBC), we were told that it was not God’s will and that we would no longer experience the blessing of God.
We’ve been gone a long time and I was hoping that things changed but Frank is just evil, period.
How is this different than the Catholic church, especially before the Reformation. On second thought, it actually seems to be WORSE than that.
You guys are totally right. The control, the arrogance, the destructive fruit of it all.
Seriously, I just re-read the email Frank sent out. What struck me this time is that it’s not about Jesus at all. Not about what Jesus wants to do in the Lasits, in Denver, through the Lasits. It’s all about CBC. It’s about their process (I know, I shouldn’t be shocked at this point; I’m not, just baffled). The Lasits had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get their permission, their blessing. How absurd is that, given who the Lasits are in that place?! Even that “sub-culture,” they should have “earned” the freedom to do whatever God leads them to do (and we all know it’s all about performing and earning, right?), shouldn’t they??!! Now, if anyone wants to join the team, s/he must get permission from their higher-ups!!?? Frank doesn’t even pretend to trust God in anyone, not the Lasits, not the congregation. Heaven forbid he encourage people to seek God, pursue God, ask God for Him to reveal His will for each person’s life! If people did that, why would they need Frank and the intricate hierarchical b.s. structure of CBC? Again, reminscent of Catholicism.
OH, it just pisses me off. It shouldn’t. I’m usually so cynical, I just get sarcastic or shrug my shoulders. But, this spirit, this attitude, this style of “leadership” (if you can call it that) just incenses me because it’s so absolutely contrary to how Jesus tells us to live out our Christianity!!!!!
I can imagine how furious CBC leadership would be to know that someone sent this email out. Exposing “family business.” It’s the first no-no of a dysfunctional family. Keep the secrets. Protect the addict or abuser. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I need a glass of wine NOW.
my little pony said: I can imagine how furious CBC leadership would be to know that someone sent this email out. Exposing “family business.†It’s the first no-no of a dysfunctional family. Keep the secrets. Protect the addict or abuser.
No more furious than the leaders of the Morman Church were in Utah when some of their teenagers escaped and ended up telling their story on Oprah.
Why do these people continue to get away with this control and abuse and just because they are Christians some say we can not label them as a cult? These pastors need to have more than their finances investigated.
steve carpenter was an idiot.. remember the time in a restaurant with teens after an event he set off pepper spray…. that is the first one that comes to mind of the stupid stuff he did…
“Strong leader” ??? of WHAT??
a ten-month process?? this is a science for them?? If God calls, don’t you usually go on God’s timeline?? I don’t know, but this stood out most for me in that “frank” email than much of the other stuff.
living life said:
September 12th, 2008 at 6:52 am
This will take place next summer, so we have time to prepare all that is necessary to make this move. It is a ten-month process.
a ten-month process?? this is a science for them?? If God calls, don’t you usually go on God’s timeline?? I don’t know, but this stood out most for me in that “frank†email than much of the other stuff
This is a control maneuver. He is letting people know that it’s going to take some time so all of you impulsive, immature people that might even be thinking about joining them can just relax because this isn’t going to happen for awhile. This is beyond sick. When are people going to realize they are no longer children and get insulted when someone treats them like this? He so afraid of losing people and their tithe that he will stop at nothing and do anything to keep them in his church. It’s all a numbers game and has nothing to do with what he is even saying in his e-mail.
[Comment ID #34893 Will Be Quoted Here]
No, he wasn’t and isn’t. Steve is the antithesis of what you all criticize on this site.
If any man loves Jesus sincerely and reaches out to people for the right reasons, its Steve Carpenter and his wife.
Grrrr…
Steve did play lots of boyish pranks in his youth (and young adulthood). Some of the stuff he did to his friends at their bachelor parties was downright outrageous. I’m with anon 4:29pm, though. Steve is a good egg.
Steve was in our wedding – he’s a great guy!
Man, that makes me very curious about who you are. There is no doubt that we know each other.
We need a PM feature.
[Comment ID #34944 Will Be Quoted Here]
Me or someone else?
actually most people who make a lot of money, run a business or own a business lease cars not buy them.
I think I now know why I used to have nightmares about attending Portland Bible College.
Is there a support group called “Post PBC trauma” ?
after my years at PBC, I needed to de-program myself.