Pasted below are two emails I received from someone close to MFI. In the first email, Frank Damazio explains to the members of MFI that Wendell Smith has resigned his leadership role and The City Church is no longer a member of MFI.  In the second email, Dick Iverson offers his thoughts on Wendell's decision to leave. 

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Dear MFI,

Greetings and blessings on you all! Summer is quickly coming to an end but the Fall is a great time for churches as we all begin to gear up for a new season. At MFI, we are also gearing up and seeing lots of momentum for the MFI October Annual Conference.

This letter is to communicate a change that has taken place with Pastor Wendell Smith’s involvement with MFI. Wendell has resigned his leadership role and withdrawn as a member of MFI, along with Judah Smith. He feels a different direction for himself and his local church leaders. Although I know this change will be a surprise to many, it does not affect our relationship with Wendell and Gini. We love them and will continue our friendships with them and their leaders. There is no problem between Wendell and myself or between Wendell and the Apostolic Leadership Team; this is a philosophy difference, not a relational one.

The Apostolic Leadership Team is working together with amazing unity. Bob MacGregor and Mike Servello, the Vice-Chairmen, are working together with the ALT and myself in a very fruitful manner. The fellowship is strong with great signs of momentum as we approach the Fall conference. We have a steady stream of new pastors and new support ministry seeking to join MFI. Bro. Dick is also involved as much as he wants to be at this season of life. We are working together and I am thrilled to have his strength and wisdom alongside all of us.

All in all, we are having a great time and I believe we will continue to impact the world for Christ. I love you all and pray for you all. I am truly pumped about our Fall conference. We have some great things to introduce, some great reports to give, and some awesome soaking time in God’s presence.

Blessings on you all,

Frank Damazio
Chairman, Ministers Fellowship International

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Dear MFI family,

Greetings in Jesus’ name.

Let me first thank you for all your prayers, cards and letters sent during my surgery and for my birthday as well.  I am doing great and have recovered very quickly from this major ordeal.

I am so saddened by Wendell’s decision to withdraw from membership in MFI, along with Judah, the new pastor of The City Church.   I know that Wendell & Gini love all of us but they have chosen to go a different direction but maintain a good relationship with all of us.  We need to continue to pray for Wendell & Gini as this is a major decision for them.  We love them and please don’t read into this that there is any problem between us as that is absolutely not true. We must also continue to contend for Wendell’s healing.

I believe that MFI, under the direction of our new Chairman and the Apostolic Leadership Team, has a bright future.  I am supporting Pastor Frank with all my heart and strength.  He is a great leader.  I am believing that the Lord is going to bless us with continued growth around the world.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the conference in October.

In His name,

Dick Iverson

Founder, Ministers Fellowship International

Franky D has a new strategy on raising money. Attract the bigots. Last Sunday, August 15, he exhorted his congregation to be proud of their bigotry.  In the middle of his sermon he goes on a lengthy rant refusing to respect all religions. And then he says, and I quote: 

"The problem with that, if you talk to many people the way that I am preaching they will say 'You're a bigoted narrow-minded Christian.' And all you need to do to respond to that is say, 'Thank you very much, that's exactly what I am.'"

The only conclusion I can come to is that Frank got ahold of some informing showing that bigots tithe on a much higher percentage than non-bigots. And thus, he's beginning a 10 month series on attracting bigots to your church. Brilliant! How does he do it? Such a smart pastor. If the members of MFI were thinking properly, all the pastors would stop preaching immediately and just simulcast Frank's sermons directly into their own churches. 

I can just see Mike Servello addressing his congregation, "I was going to speak on having a fire and passion for God. But I just got word that Frank is starting a year long series entitled "Got Bigotry?" And by golly, that's gold. So pay close attention folks. Because after the sermon, we're going to burn some crosses, beat up some homos and then fly down to Hollywood and personally deport the entire cast of The George Lopez Show. Now repeat after me: God is good…."

Way to stay classy, Frank.

(You can view his remarks at www.citybiblechurch.org The lower right hand corner of the front page shows Franks latest sermon. Fast forward to about the 25 minute mark, and you can witness his smooth and professional preaching style in all it's glory)

Well, hell has officially frozen over, because I am about to quote approvingly of City Bible Church. An article in today's Portland Tribune asks What Would Jesus Do About Immigrants? In the article, the reporter interviews several pastors at CBC.

Pastor Ben Trolese’s parents were missionaries, and he spent much of his childhood growing up in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Now he leads the Spanish-language service in Tigard for City Bible Church, a charismatic evangelical congregation generally viewed as socially conservative.

Trolese doesn’t know the legal status of his congregants, but assumes not all of them are here legally.

“Some have been here decades,” he says. “I work with them. I can tell you stories of the separated families.”

It’s almost laughable, he says, when immigration authorities arbitrarily decide to deport a father but not a mother, so their children who are legal citizens can remain with at least one parent.

And further in the article:

Trolese, of City Bible Church, says with millions of illegal immigrants living here in the shadows, it’s clear something has to be done. But those who suggest simplistic approaches, such as mass deportations or building an impregnable wall at the border, aren’t being realistic, he says.

“You’re not going to build a high enough wall, or enough of it,” Trolese says. “I think border control is important, but it’s one sliver. It’s 25 percent of the issue.”

He wonders why the United States can’t be more like Canada, which has managed to welcome immigrants while tightly enforcing laws against illegal immigration.

Ben is one of the good guys over there at City Boobie Church. And it's nice to see CBC taking a more moderate approach to illegal immigration. I understand that the US can't afford to take-in every immigrant in the world. But I never understood the hatred for people who, for the most part, just want to work hard and support their family. 

On a related note, read this gripping article about a house in Phoenix where illigal immigrants are kidnapped and tortured.

I know we've been a little Dick heavy on this blog. (Yes, you read that correctly. I'm not afraid to go low class for a cheap joke). But I heard some recent news that adds a little context to DI's marriage.

Reportedly, in her last days, Edie (Dick Iverson's wife) was concerned about her husband and worried what would happen to him upon her death. So she asked Roxie to marry Dick and take care of him when she died.  After losing his wife, DI was incredibly lonely and thought that a marriage to Roxie would help the loneliness go away. (It probably also extended his life several years, if you ask me.) Dick informed his family, who were none to pleased. According to my friend, who is Dick Iversons' grandson, only he and his wife supported Dick's marriage. The rest of the family adamantly opposed. Which is partly what led to Dick's removal as Chair of MFI. (Allegedly)

Anyway, not sure what to make of this news. It doesn't really change my opinion much. I've never had a problem with Dick getting married to his long-time secretary. Because even if everything was completely legit, and there was no fooling around before the marriage, it certainly looked sketchy. I believe that Dick Iverson created a church where image was predominent. And I understood the MFI crew being very leery of how the marriage would look to the public and their respective congregations. Thus, Dick was hoisted upon his own petard.  

To be fair, Dick's Grandson does not feel that Bible Temple was an image conscious church when Dick left. I don't agree with this. But it's his grandfather. If it was my grandad, I'd probably defend him as well.

I always liked Iverson. But I think he made a mistake in appointing Frank Damazio to head pastor. And I think he has put church over people. And MFI over congregation.  I firmly believe that people are more important than institutions. And I don't think Dick Iverson shares this belief.

City Bible is honoring Dick Iverson's service to MFI in October, and they are hoping to buy him a new car.  

From a commenter, here's the pitch.

Dear MFI Pastor,

The October Annual Conference is going to be a great time together. This conference is a historical event for MFI as together we will honor Bro. Dick Iverson for his life and ministry to MFI as the founder. There will only be one founder as a founder is one who establishes, lays a foundation, originates something, starting it for the first time. Bro. Dick is the apostolic founder of MFI and a spiritual father too many. We will honor him at the Monday night banquet at the beginning of the conference. There will be videos of his ministry to MFI, leaders sharing, and all of us thanking Bro. Dick.

We want to replace his old Cadillac with a new one (He is a GM man and Cads are his kind of car) and will do this at the banquet. Using his old Cadillac as a trade-in, we would need to raise about $44,000 by September 20. We have many churches and leaders who can raise this easily if we all step up. I want this to be from all of us, not just some of us. Please give whatever amount you can. Send the check to MFI, 9200 NE Fremont, Portland, Oregon 97220 and indicate “For Iverson gift”.

When we have the $44,000 needed, we will let you know to stop the giving. Thank you for your prompt response to this. It will be a momentous time! We will also be giving Roxy a great gift for her 23 years of serving MFI, but Monday night will be focused on Bro. Dick as the founder.

Personally, I have no problem with this. I won't be giving, but it seems like a nice idea.

That said, if you want to know reason #82 why I'm going to hell. It's because when I read this letter, I immediately thought of this clip from Dumber and Dumber.

It's summer time, what can I say. I'm failing in my blogging duties.

But, in the meantime, here is a recent comment from someone who just left those large magnificent breasts on the hill.

So true.  I have felt the same way, but GUESS WHAT?! I have a new church! I have attended one service and love it. I’m going to get involved in a Bible study there, it’s super close to where I live, the pastor’s sermons are solid & Bible-soaked (imagine: a message on the Bible - and applicable principles based on it… rather than principles with the Bible based on the agenda/message intended to get across). It’s the coolest thing. They don’t collect tithes, but rather have buckets in the back for it, as you walk out. No pressure and it can be between you and God - kind of like the churches that do communion with individual prayer and allow plenty of time, rather than CBC’s version, where everyone eats together and then drinks together with NO time to actually thank Jesus for His sacrifice (or even think about it) before the pastor goes up and makes everyone do something. It was aggravating.

The worship was very different, but very genuine. I got the impression that one of the worship leaders (there were technically several) was up there to show off (seriously… stop smiling at everyone ALL the time and “almost” winking), but you just choose to ignore him. Everyone has issues and I’m afraid I deal with pride and insecurities more than I ever thought possible. I shouldn’t be the one to judge. It just reminds me that my own heart isn’t in the right place often.

I just wanted to share the good news. I really am excited. They have a solid children’s ministry program, everyone’s super friendly and as far as I could tell, no one was putting on airs… they really were genuine with the people they interacted with before, during, and after the services. Many people seem to know many people, even though it is still a rather large church (not nearly as big as CBC). I also have some very dear friends who attend… on a different service than I went to, but I’ll probably start going “with” them.

Got all excited when the pastor would read entire passages and explain them, tell how they applied to today’s life, how they applied during the culture of the day, and tie everything together so well… without numbers.  No 1, 2, 3, 4, a, b, c, or incompletely finished messages.

Have a great day, y’all!

The next step NSQ, is to start inviting City Bible Members to your new church. It will drive them crazy.

Dear Pastors:

You are currently faced with a positive opportunity. The most reviled organization in the US is about to protest at your church, providing you a rare chance to separate yourself from the vile idealogy of Westboro Baptist.  As a church, you alienated yourself from the gay community in Portland with your staunch opposition to gay marriage. I’m not sure why you felt it necessary to spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours at the pulpit keeping gays from being in committed relationships, but you did.

Unfortunately for you, City Bible is not located in Tuscaloosa, where this type of message might resonate with the community. Your church is located in progressive and gay-friendly, Portland, Oregon.  Furthermore, gay marriage is a generational issue. The polling shows that the vast majority of young people support gay marriage. Your stance on this issue only further divides you from the youth in America. In 20 years gays will be allowed to be married. And your church will either be filled with young people who appreciate your message of love and compassion, or your church will be a nursing home filled with elderly Christians who believe that being a Christian means driving a Bentley and being a Republican.

I am fully aware of the verses in the Bible condemning homosexuals. However, I’m also aware of all the verses condemning people for eating seafood, and the verse against woman speaking in church, and the verses about the wonders of castration.   The Bible is a big book; it’s got a lot of verses.  However, when Christ was asked to sum up the Bible, he didn't say, “Be obsessed with other people’s sexuality.”  He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself and Love the lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul.”  And let’s be honest, that’s really what it’s all about.

You have a choice. You can continue this path toward irrelevancy, or you can inject some much needed passion and excitement into your church and take a stand on an issue that doesn’t involve the Republican Party or a new flat screen TV. And yeah, you will lose the folks who are still hung-up on homosexuality. But you know what, good riddance.  The church needs more Christians who love their neighbor and fewer who are worried about what their neighbor does in bed.

Do the right thing, CBC. And in twenty years, you’ll look back and be proud.

Sincerely,

Your Future Church

Seems Mr. Minnis got himself into a little trouble with a subordinate during a work trip. You can read the whole story by clicking on the link. But sufficed to say: Alcohol + San Diego Conference + Cute Secretary = Trouble (Well, at least if you're the boss it's trouble. If you're just another co-worker it's a recipe for "good times")

The Minnis' have close ties to City Bible Church, and I went to school with their children. I genuinely like the family. And it's a shame to see this happen.

But again, another Conservative Christian isn't quite as squeaky clean as his image. You'd think Evanglicals would take the hint and be a little more open to revealing their own flaws and sins. It would make them more likeable and more relevant. The sermons I remember most are the one's where the speaker opened up their own lives and revealed their own flaws. It's difficult. And it requires a fair amount of humility.  But it's a much more relatable message.

Anyway, I thought it would be odd, if I ignored this story. So, I'm posting it. That said, try to remember what Christ told the prostitute: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

If it seems like I'm taking a more compassionate approach on this story, I am. I genuinely like this famly, and I'm sad to see things turn out this way. In general, I don't like to pile on people when they fail.

(Except for you Judah Smith. If you so much as hug an intern too long, I'll be all over it.)

Well they are at it again.  Another City Bible Church is coming to a city near you.  This time in Baltimore, Maryland.  Find out more here http://www.cbcbteam.com/ and here http://www.cbcbaltimore.com/.  Pretty soon, no matter where you live, there will be a CBC nearby.

For those of you on Facebook, a page has been set up where you can Thank Brother Dick for all his many accomplishments. Specifically, the site says:

Please post a thank you note to this great Christian Pioneer and personal friend to many.

I also noticed that the MFI Leadership Page lists Dick Iverson as the Founder of MFI and Bob MacGregor as the Acting Chairman. Makes me think that perhaps the transition for Dick stepping down has begun. Though, I could be wrong.

Not sure if it has anything to do with his recent marriage, but I suspect it played a role.  As I've stated before, I'm fine with Dick Iverson marrying his long-time secretary, and I'm also fine with MFI asking him to step down. Everything could be completely on the up and up between Dick and Roxie, but it certainly looks fishy. And if MFI and City Bible are anything, they are all about image. Your leader marrying his long-time secretary a year after his wife dies, is not a good image.

(Also, Dick Iverson's real name is Keith Richard Iverson. I did not know that? He's been going by Dick his entire life when he could be going by Keith Richard. That's inexplicable. Come on Dick Iverson, you're better than that!)