Sunday, September 23, 2007
I learn from my mistakes, and my mistakes get better all the time!
church in the morning, wasted rest of the day, bad headache, relaxed and watched football, feeling better now, thanks for asking.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
are you still here?
Sorry, it's been a while. I've been outside with real people. Scary, huh?
Kevin Ayers has a new album out. It's big fun, I'll be listening to it over a nice bottle of wine when I have a few moments of my own this weekend.
Busy, busy busy.
Have a nice breakfast.
Kevin Ayers has a new album out. It's big fun, I'll be listening to it over a nice bottle of wine when I have a few moments of my own this weekend.
Busy, busy busy.
Have a nice breakfast.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
with a federal grant I can make it a lot more silly
My ministry career began with the denomination known as Calvary Chapel. I know, I was a nut, but I was young and impressionable and have grown much since then.
Lately, there has been much controversy surrounding these churches, both in my general area and around the world. Accusations of in-fighting, embezzlement, child abuse, womanizing, and general manipulation have reached epidemic levels. That's only counting circumstances that have come to light. Apparently, many more are swept under the rug.
In fact, in our general area alone this has been the norm for decades. Pastors have been kicked out to make room for those who are "better connected" to the hierarchy. The guy who was looked upon as the "authority" in NY State for the longest time was recently usurped by his son, who had earlier expressed no desire to pursue the ministry whatsoever. Several churches have left the organization in the past few months due to one pastor being found in sexual impropriety, for which he suffered no repercussions. This pastor has turned his church into a family business, with his wife and children on the pay roll, and others forced out to make way for them.
Business and church do not mix well, especially when the church is manipulative and abusive like at Calvary Chapels. They use methods of extortion to build up their treasury, and then cast people aside when they are done using them. Fear of punishment and promise of heavenly reward string people along and keep them obedient, while the leadership engage in lavish and sensual lifestyles. It is the worst form of hypocrisy, as it also causes others' lives to be destroyed.
Be skeptical of the church to which you belong. Calvary Chapel doesn't have the market cornered on this sort of behavior. It is everywhere. Does your church make financial requirements on you, tied directly to your standing in the organization and claims of your eternal condition? Flee.
Calvary Chapel used to be a small group of people meeting in a home talking about things that were important to them. Granted, these things were rather silly, but not so dangerous as those things which seem important to them now, such as pride, greed, and lust. Find people who share your interests and beliefs, and get together over coffee and hang out. That's what the church used to be. That's what we are trying to turn it back into.
By the way, if you're interested, Sunday mornings at 10 AM, Bruegger's Bagels, 1400 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY.
Cheers.
Lately, there has been much controversy surrounding these churches, both in my general area and around the world. Accusations of in-fighting, embezzlement, child abuse, womanizing, and general manipulation have reached epidemic levels. That's only counting circumstances that have come to light. Apparently, many more are swept under the rug.
In fact, in our general area alone this has been the norm for decades. Pastors have been kicked out to make room for those who are "better connected" to the hierarchy. The guy who was looked upon as the "authority" in NY State for the longest time was recently usurped by his son, who had earlier expressed no desire to pursue the ministry whatsoever. Several churches have left the organization in the past few months due to one pastor being found in sexual impropriety, for which he suffered no repercussions. This pastor has turned his church into a family business, with his wife and children on the pay roll, and others forced out to make way for them.
Business and church do not mix well, especially when the church is manipulative and abusive like at Calvary Chapels. They use methods of extortion to build up their treasury, and then cast people aside when they are done using them. Fear of punishment and promise of heavenly reward string people along and keep them obedient, while the leadership engage in lavish and sensual lifestyles. It is the worst form of hypocrisy, as it also causes others' lives to be destroyed.
Be skeptical of the church to which you belong. Calvary Chapel doesn't have the market cornered on this sort of behavior. It is everywhere. Does your church make financial requirements on you, tied directly to your standing in the organization and claims of your eternal condition? Flee.
Calvary Chapel used to be a small group of people meeting in a home talking about things that were important to them. Granted, these things were rather silly, but not so dangerous as those things which seem important to them now, such as pride, greed, and lust. Find people who share your interests and beliefs, and get together over coffee and hang out. That's what the church used to be. That's what we are trying to turn it back into.
By the way, if you're interested, Sunday mornings at 10 AM, Bruegger's Bagels, 1400 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY.
Cheers.
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