Monthly Archives: March 2010

Why I Continue To Blog On City Business Church

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This comment just came in a couple of days ago:

NoStatusQuo: I have been following the blog for a long while, sort of lingering. I am a young woman, attend City Bible Church in Portland Oregon (can’t give any more details at the moment) and at first was completely offended by the posts here. But, I have to be honest… over the last year, I’ve totally begun to agree with nearly everything I read here. Really, I feel like someone who has woken up from a dream. I grew up in the church and have always known it as the only (my) church. I’ve definitely attended others, but it was frowned upon greatly when I left temporarily to try out another church for an extended period of time. I really appreciate what you’re doing in a lot of ways, by offering a chance for us to examine what we’ve always known. I have a lot of things to pray about and a lot of situations to think about, but right now, I honestly feel trapped. I can’t expose who I am, but I wanted to ask you to continue supporting others who have come to realize there is something majorly wrong in the leadership.

NoStatusQuo (and anyone else currently in her shoes) I say get up and run and never look back.  The feeling of being trapped is only in your head.  Yes it's a long and tedious process to shed the years of mind altering brain control that City Bible has on your life, but once you have fully awoken from the dream and your head is out of the clouds, you will finally live your life serving God the way it's suppose to be lived.  So much so, you will ask yourself "why didn't I go sooner?"  That giant weight on your shoulders will be lifted, you will become a new person.  I'll be honest though, you will probably lose some friends and maybe even family (if they go there too).  You may even be asked not to come back (as I was).  Your best help is prayer for strength, advice from others who've been there, a good Christ centered, Gospel preaching church and faith.  Never lose your faith, no matter how difficult the road out can be.  I know a lot of people who spent years (if not their whole lives) at CBC and it takes a good 5 to 10 years to undo all the damage, but eventually you overcome it.  If you do leave, good job…and welcome to your new life!

Why Complete Obedience is Dangerous

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It's coming out that the problem of child abuse in the Catholic Church was quite widespread. The most recent accusations involve a priest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who molested hundreds of deaf children: 

To many, Father Murphy appeared to be a saint: a hearing man gifted at communicating in American Sign Language and an effective fund-raiser for deaf causes. A priest of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, he started as a teacher at St. John’s School for the Deaf, in St. Francis, in 1950. He was promoted to run the school in 1963 even though students had disclosed to church officials in the 1950s that he was a predator.

Victims give similar accounts of Father Murphy’s pulling down their pants and touching them in his office, his car, his mother’s country house, on class excursions and fund-raising trips and in their dormitory beds at night. Arthur Budzinski said he was first molested when he went to Father Murphy for confession when he was about 12, in 1960.

“If he was a real mean guy, I would have stayed away,” said Mr. Budzinski, now 61, who worked for years as a journeyman printer. “But he was so friendly, and so nice and understanding. I knew he was wrong, but I couldn’t really believe it.” 

Just a reminder, but when you preach complete obedience. When questioning authority is a sin. When it's improper to report the sin of a pastor. You create situations like this. Where a person in power can abuse people without consequence. 

And of course, they're often nice wonderful people, in public.

“Darlings of the City Church”

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Here's a quick note from another very satisfied reader:  (Changed a little; to hide the writers identity)

My friends are darlings of the City Church up here in Seattle. Reading their posts on social media sites disturbed me–ALWAYS hyper positive (I mean literally they never have a bad day it seems), scripture quoting, and City Church praising. Not to mention frequent bubblings about how God wants us to have whatever we want. I could go on and on about the myriad of other beliefs they have but it would take hours. Suffice it to say this site was a breath of fresh air for me, providing the affirmation that I'm not crazy and this really isn't a sound church organization. At least I know I'm not the only one who hates hypocrisy and craves justice. Anyway, thanks for listening to my incoherent blabbing. 

Thanks for this blog!!! One post a month would be enough!

ONE POST A MONTH! Now you're getting greedy. I was leaning toward two posts a year, both of them focused primarily on my boozing habits.

And by "This blog is a breath of fresh air", I think the writer means "This blog reeks like the stale pungent aroma of a cheap cigar."  

I'm actually surprised that people still find this blog. It's a testament to the power of the internet, I guess. 

This guy didn’t start a blog; he sued his pastor. And won

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I love this story. From the comments:

I found your website and well just say it’s a blessing for me, liberating to be exact that I’m not the only one. Not saying that ur pastor’s an ass, just the thought that it’s ok to questioning the church authority and getting them responsible of it. I did, my ex pastor stepped down a few months ago, now being investigated of fraud. Nice guy, just forgot that he’s serving God not the goods… well anyway what i did to my (ex) pastor was :

Step 1. Questioning him privately first, bluntly in his face (we had lunch, my mom’s one of the church’s biggest donor, he loved us.. a lot), he denied my accusation and play the angry card, accusing me i was a bitter young guy in need for a big-time repent. Then apparently he told everyone about the evil me, hence the asst. pastor calling me -not by name- (quote) “the thorn” in a Sunday service sermon in front of 5000 people, sent by the devil spreading rumors to shake and hurt the “God-Anointed man”.

Well something just ain’t right in the equation about the first class “mission” family trip to Maldives, Hawaii, Baha etc, new SLK & S-Series, ,”the Canaan” (20k sqf mansion, with a private bowling alley thank you) and of course the old time favorite & repeated tithing sermons…
I’m OK with people getting rich, but not with my money (well to be fair, my mom’s mostly) in it and there’re people in the church losing their job, fighting bankruptcy and with illness, yet being told to tithe tithe tithe!
And yet here’s another 45k$ Patek Philippe for the “god anointed man” doing nothing really with no real job but being fat and speaking about how everyone need to give him more $$$.

Step 2. Feed up. I had enough. So I talked with people, convince my mom to take action, looking for affirmation (one of the affirmation was form this lovely site.. again THANK YOU!), yes there’re a lot of people told me to mind my own business, that I’m just a young rascal (was 25 back then) and somehow kept hearing that it is a sin to question “god’s anointing”, well I know a tiger when i see one.

Step 3. I collected all my guts left in me (after been brutally eaten by the church pack) and we (me and some of the elders, my mom included) reported him to the financial committee. Filed a lawsuit (thanks to my mom’s company legal team) and there you go, now he’s spent $$$ paying for the legal fees, bye2 mansion, and sorry Mrs. pastor no more visit to the plastic surgeon…

Am I evil or what? :) Well tell that to the “man of god” who stop funding the elderly home, shutting it literally, denied financial assistance plea from a mother with breast cancer (told her to pray harder, tithe more and god will send miracle depending on how much she will put a seed of faith in here tithing, saying it’s by grace she’ll be healed, she died a few month after unhealed) and bought a new 150k church sound system instead (which cost only 100k, he tithed 50k for himself apparently), not that the one we had broken, it just the Hillsong singers coming and we need to bling up. And oh yes… he gave the infamously evil CA’s props8 tons of $$$ (move away mormons, he gave approx. 215k of the church money) denying people the rights to love and be equal… and we’re not even in USA! (the devil’s own friend, rev. jerry falwell & soon-to-go rev. pat robertson will love this guy company in hell surely).

After the legal huricane, new pastor got in, so this one better keep his hand off my money and use it for the right cause.
Yes you heard me “my money”, I don’t be believe in tithing as a return of God’s money thing, no way, in the The Parable of the Talents, it’s said that the master will taken us into account of the money (skill, etc) entrusted in us… so no way I’m gonna deposit mine in some crooks (who happened ran a money-hunger church) and do nothing about it. Never my intention to dictate pastor what to do, i just expect them to do the right thing as church supposed to do: To act love.

Money (or other things) is not the source of all evil, it’s the willingly evil human hearts, any human hearts are vulnerable including the so-called “anointed one”.

My point is maybe everyone should man up and talk to these pastors in the face, and enjoy the wild ride :)

I Challenge Frank Damazio to a Badminton Duel

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In the credit where credit is due file, I see that City Bible is starting an intramural program this April, which people can join for a very reasonable fee of $25.

This year we will be offering a wide variety of sports, including Men's and Women's Basketball, Co-ed Volleyball, Co-ed Badminton and Co-ed Ultimate Frisbee.

It seems like this is a positive outreach to the community and congregation, and it's more than just prayer meetings, bake sales and bible studies. (not that there's anything wrong with that).

My senior year in college, my roomates and I took an early morning badminton class to fulfill our PE requirement.  One of us even bought a special badminton racket specifically for the class. In truth, we took it a little too seriously. And after some sessions, we would be so angry with eachother that we wouldn't speak for days. 

The other students in the class hated us. It's 8 am on a Tuesday morning, the jocks are hung-over, the hippies sleepy, and everyone else totally apathetic. But not us, we're doing calisthenics and some light jogging to prepare for the upcoming match. We would also spend a significant portion of the class arguing over archane Badminton rules or whether the shuttlecock (why is that word not used more often) landed in-bounds. 

This is all to say, I loved it, and if I lived in Portland and everyone up there didn't despise me, I would totally join their little club.

Couple Sent to Jail for 16 Months for Believing in Prayer

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That headline may be a little incindiary, but it's essentially correct. A judge sent an Oregon couple to jail for failing to provide medical help for their sixteen year old son.

The Beagleys knew Neil was ill two weeks before he died in June 2008 from complications of a urinary tract blockage, they testified. Despite the boy's failing health, the Beagleys didn't take Neil to a doctor. Instead, they decided to honor the boy's wish to put his fate in God's hands. 

The judge got this one right. If you as an adult want to put your medical help in God's hands, then fine. But when you have children, you're not afforded that liberty anymore. Parents need to do everything reasonable to help their child live a healthy life.  And frankly, your Faith in God just doesn't cut it. 

Or I guess another way to look at it, God decided not to save the boys life. And God also decided to send these parents to jail to teach the rest of the congregation a lesson:  GO TO THE HOSPITAL!

Some Of The Good Ones

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Since a lot of this blog highlights the dangerous pastors, preachers, and authors of today, I thought I would point out a few of the good ones I have learned from over the years.  These guys teach a message that does not involve money, celebrity, or false doctrine.

  • John Piper: Most people know of him.  Really powerful speaker and teacher with a lot of Gospel centered teachings.  Website: http://www.desiringgod.org/
  • Francis Chan: A guy who preaches really strong about serving and sacrifice for the greater good.  It's reported that he gives away about 90 percent of his income and no longer takes a salary form the church he pastors.  Website: http://francischansblog.blogspot.com/
  • Jared Wilson: Guy on the east coast with a heart to preach the Gospel and reach people.  Website: http://gospeldrivenchurch.blogspot.com/
  • Eric Knox: A former City Bible youth pastor who had a massive life change in the course of his ministry and founded two Gospel-centered churches (one in Portland and one in Los Angeles).  One of the best preachers/teachers you will ever hear.  Website: http://www.sojournvillage.com/
  • Donald Miller: Great author and speaker with an approach to religion and faith that speaks to everyone.  I highly recommend reading his books.  Website: http://donmilleris.com/
  • Brennan Manning: Another great author who wrote one of my favorite books of all time "The Ragamuffin Gospel."  Website: http://www.brennanmanning.com/

I know there are plenty more out there, but these are the few that I have come across who seem to have a really great message on Gospel-centered living.  If anyone knows of any other solid pastors, teachers, authors or leaders or thinks one of the people I mentioned are not so great, please do share.

Is Judah Smith The New Messiah?

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I was recently introduced to the Judah Smith fan page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/judahsmith).  All I have to say is WOW, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  Check out these recent posts (note that I did not change anything, so the spelling and gramical errors are their mistakes):

Kevin Salinas: "I listen to your sermon from G.U. 2010 at least twice a day. you are awesome."

Lynn Marie Kraus: "Pastor Judah, what an amazing message you gave yesterday…Your are really an inspiration to all the members, old and new. I love you."

Diana Forte Kenton: "Judah you are sooo annoited by God. in about from about 1999 to 2005 I was in a bad place, God used you to bring me back to Him And with your new messages i am inspired daily…I should be dead but JESUS has saved me, you have been a HUGE part of this!"

Nate Riley: “You are my hero…”

Brooke Papier: “The way God speaks through you Judah never ceases to amaze me…. Thank you for being a wonderful example of an obedient disciple!”

Laura Sinclair: “Thank you for laying your hand on me after the Encounter Retreat tonight. =) I felt the Holy Spirit through you.”

Ron Debbie Stoner: “GREATEST PASTOR IN THE WORLD.”

Nikolay Bertash: “I love you Judah Smith.”

Tony Solis: “pastor judah is one of those guys that you can't help liking. the good-natured messing around with his wife before he actually gets to preaching makes me laugh quite a bit…the fire this man has for God is second to none, and that's a real inspiration to me.”

And they go on and on like this.  In fact he has over 16,000 fans, all spouting the same kind of praise and worship.  I have to admit, if it were me all these crazies were claiming adoration for, it would be hard not to think I was God's next chosen son.  So it really does make me wonder…is Judah Smith the new Messiah??

I Can’t Quit You City Business Church

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I had no intention of renewing my ownership of citbusinesschurch.org. I was going to let this website go gently into that good night. But they sent me one last reminder; I had a week to renew. A calm came over me, I blacked out, and when I came too, citybusinesschurch.org was back in my hands for another year. 

Meh. 

The problem is I have really lost all motivation to blog about City Bible Church. Mostly, because I feel like we won.  A quick perusal of their website confirms things are not going well financially. The website looks like it was a high-school sophomore computer project. And they're not holding a lot of their usual conferences. That church is definitely in trouble. And I don't want to kick them when they're down.

I've thought about focusing more on the Anti-Christ of the Northwest, Judah Smith. But his most recent twitter account said, and I quote, "Shopping with @frankdamazio…I luv outfitting a man of God!" I can't compete with that. How can you make fun of someone, who with no shame, admits he loves dressing up other pastors like dolls. You can't. 

Then there's always the fun little issue with MFI. Dick Iverson decided to marry his long-time mistress secretary. And the pastors in MFI were none too pleased. They asked him to step down. He declined. And now it appears that City Bible Church and the City Church are both starting their own separate "networks".  I suspect they're making a move to disafilliate with MFI. I wish I cared. 

This is all to say, I renewed the domain. The eight people that still read this blog have another exciting year of no blog posts. At least from me. 

Part of the problem is that the WordPress we're using is old. And the site doesn't really work all that well. Henri has been an amazing help. But I don't really want him to have to invest a lot of time and money into a blog that I only mildly care about. I am tempted to try to move the blog to another website. But we'll see. If any of you have any suggestions for what to do in the future. Let me know.  

Igniting A Generation For God…

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That's what I keep hearing from certain charismatic evangelical circles with the word "city" incorporated somewhere in the name of their church that host an annual generation conference.  In fact a quick search of "generation conference promo” on YouTube will bring up dozens of videos showing clips of youth pastors and teachers affiliated with these churches preaching all sorts of hype about how their conference will "change young people for God," or "ignite the hearts of people to see Jesus invade our culture," or "bring a radical impact to society."  These are the claims year after year after year, yet I don't see any of it.  In fact I don't see this generation of young people, say 13 to 23, acting any different today then any generation did 10, 15, or even 20 years ago.  Many people would even say kids have gotten worse over the generations, not better.  So why do these people continually tout their church/conference/gathering/message/etc. as the one that will "win this generation for God?"  I wish I had the answer; maybe then there would be no need for a blog like this.

Deep down I really am concerned about the perils of society, and I wish these gatherings would do more.  But right now, I just don’t think they are.  I mean these churches have so much money, with so many resources and so many volunteers, why in the hell can't they actually make a difference?  Now inevitably someone will say "Generation (fill in the blank) Conference" changed my life.  And as someone who participated in a few of these things I totally get it.  In fact I'm not even saying they are all bad.  What I am saying is that they could be so much better!  I mean if you really look at it, a majority of these conferences recycle the same 20 speakers, with the same 20 messages and the same 20 worship songs, reaching the same 20 types of people.  Can't you see what's wrong with that?

So for those who absolutely swear by these events, there's nothing anyone of us can really say or do that will cause you to think outside the box.  But for the rest of you out there, ask yourself WHERE IS THE CHANGE?  Not that I think the entire city of Portland, or Seattle, or San Diego, or Atlanta (or anywhere else these conferences are spreading) should become Christian Capital USA, but it should be safe to say that if these conferences really were "igniting a generation for God" or causing a "global movement" (as one promo claimed), there would be SOME sign of spiritual uprising, correct?  Am I wrong for thinking this?  I just want these churches and the people who run them to WAKE UP!  Stop positioning yourselves for fame and fortune.  Stop trying to be the most sought after conference speaker.  Stop using impressionable youth as a way to create name recognition.  And please for the love of God, stop trying to be so cool and hip and loved.  DO start representing Jesus the way He called you to, with truth, grace and most of all, humility.

So this is a call to anyone and everyone who participates in these giant gatherings to be more then just sheep lapping up everything put before you and following the ways of every other church that holds these things.  Ask questions, explore truths, seek answers and do not let your mind be lost in the “oo and ah” of the moment.  Because if you do, 10, 20, maybe even 30 years later, you will find yourself lost in a world of spiritual confusion that will take a long time to recover from.