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Adding context: This clip comes from a longer video walking members through commitment cards for the $225 million Into the Breach campaign. Josh explains the “gifts from my stored resources” section, which includes savings, stocks, and property.
Honoring God with our resources is noble. But the implication here is that God may be calling you to “release” those resources by giving them to the church. Why else include this category on the card? And why specifically mention a home unless selling it to give to the church is a possibility they want people to consider?
Full video is here for context: intothebreach.lakepointe.chu…
I hope the folks at Lakepointe know they shouldn’t feel guilty for not wanting to sell their home or liquidate their savings, investments, or other valuable assets to fund Josh Howerton’s Into the Breach campaign.
You shouldn’t have to justify keeping your home by turning it into a ministry opportunity. Making people feel guilty for not surrendering their personal assets is manipulation, not discipleship.
I made a mistake.
I cut the clip too short.
Later in the video, Josh confirms that if you can’t redeem a resource by honoring God with it, God may be leading you to release it, by “giving those funds directly to His mission”. Which in this context, is writing that dollar amount in the Stored Resources section of the commitment card for the $225 million campaign.
Jon Roach retweeted
Josh is taking the mask off for everyone to see. At some point, you have to believe him when he tells you who he is. For those of you who don't know Doug Wilson is a slavery apologist and wrote a novel about sex robots.
Transparency and accountability are vital for the modern church. They protect those who give, help leaders avoid pitfalls, and build trust.
So grateful Nathan Apffel, host of the Religion Business, and @_jeremiahj had this conversation.
Check out the full conversation here:
youtu.be/Nz2iv-n6aiQ
I didn’t expect the volume of responses to this video and wanted to clarify some things.
I do believe there are times when pastors can and should address hot button issues. Every pastor I’ve had growing up in the church has done that, including Pastor Steve. And I believe Christians should be encouraged to be part of the political process to make a positive difference in our nation, which includes voting.
Personally, I see a danger when a church or pastor endorses a specific candidate or gets directly involved in a campaign, such as displaying Kalshi betting odds for the Texas Senate race, directing people to the church’s voting website, or encouraging Live Free Nation followers to flip an election.
In the video, Pastor Steve explains some of the reasons a church should avoid getting too political:
• The church has more important work than politics, because right leaders and right laws will not solve the problems that matter most.
• Identifying with a candidate or party can forfeit the opportunity to reach people for Christ whose hearts have not yet been changed.
• Heart change is what actually changes how people vote, so politics is the lesser thing.
• Once the church is tied to a candidate, it gets associated with whatever that candidate does afterward.
• He does not trust politicians to do only things the church would want to be identified with.
He still wanted people registered and voting their values, guided by the Holy Spirit rather than by him. And in my opinion, the wisdom he shared still holds true.
Biblical or Cultish? Examining the "Anointed Man" Church Leadership Model youtu.be/rcFDLuajqjI?is=emgR…
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For example:
I believe James Talarico is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, using Christianity for political gain.
I believe Paula White is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, using Christianity for political gain.
I believe both are dangerous and should be called out.
Jon Roach retweeted
Ministry leaders or pastors, I’d strongly caution you against making loyalty to you or to your organization a core value. It promotes a sick environment in a myriad of ways. A few:
Employees feel like they need to agree with us when actually our idea is not a good idea.
Employees whom God is directing elsewhere feel tremendous dread in leaving because we will likely receive it as disloyalty instead of what it really is: a disciple of Jesus doing exactly what a disciple is supposed to do.
Why, after all, would we want an employee to stay whom God has called to leave?? Our place is to bless them in their going as well as in their coming. From time to time I see leaders talk about people who started with them not staying with them as if they owed them that. They don’t. It’s not disloyalty. It’s true discipleship. We want our people to follow Jesus.
People and organizations where loyalty to leader is a core value also fear burning the bridge when they leave because we are too immature and insecure to not be offended and wounded (or angered!) by their departure.
Lastly and perhaps most chilling of all, loyalty to a leader or organization fosters secret-keeping. (“We can’t let that go public because it will destroy the church! Think of the church!” The ultimate spiritual manipulation. No, what will destroy the church is keeping a sick secret.)
Nothing will infect and implode a whole organization like a culture of secret-keeping.
Sure, we hope employees have integrity to not gossip about things we as their employers or leaders share in earnest from our private lives. I talk openly with my coworkers just as they do about personal challenges and experiences and needs for prayer. But there’s a big difference between hoping for privacy and demanding secrecy.
What I hope for and try to encourage in my employees is loyalty to Jesus. I know myself too well. I know my frailties, flaws and faults too intimately. I’ve told them in staff meetings that when their “loyalty” to me is contrary to their loyalty to Jesus, for crying out loud, go with Jesus! Even if it means going with him out the door. Even if I’m sad when they leave, it’s just because I’ll miss them. Not because they’ve done a single wrong. They’ve done exactly the right thing. They’ve gone with Jesus and will have my unqualified blessing.
I’m thinking a lot about these kinds of things as we at LPM take active steps toward major downsizing next late Spring. Steps that will include selling the building and cutting back to a skeletal staff of only a few. I’m thinking so much about how blessed I’ve been to work with women who were devoted to Jesus. Who loved him exceedingly more than they loved me, their other coworkers and the organization. Their greatest gift to me has undoubtedly been their deep devotion to Jesus.
Jon Roach retweeted
🚨 @josh6jung signed baseball giveaway 🚨
RT for a chance to win!
ALT Baseball signed by Rangers third baseman Josh Jung
