Randy And Paula White Update And Ministry Response
A
lot of readers have been following the earlier post about the controversy
that surrounded Randy and Paula White written up in the local paper,
The Tampa Tribune. Now the Tribune has posted a new storyabout how the church has responded
and is apparently addressing the concerns. At the same time, Lee Grady,
editor of Charisma Magazine responded as well. I'm posting it here to keep you
updated. One of our readers posted this official statement from the church but I haven't
verified it's authenticity yet. In watching this unfold - from a
media perspective - what do you think about the public relations factor and
how this is being viewed from an unbeliever's perspective? I'd like to hear
your thoughts.
wow, those ministry figures are huge! It's hard to fathom that kind of money!
Christianity is becoming such a joke and this is just one more straw on the camels back. Televangelism conjures up visions of the worst humanity has to offer. Money and power hungry leaders. Rather than care for the orphan and widow, lets fly our private jets over to Africa. That'll impress those starving children as well as our own that are stuck in the welfare system. Then we'll teach them about seed faith so they can be free from poverty.
It may sound harsh but this is what the world sees. I had a pastor come to my place of work and engage me in a conversation. When he left, co-workers asked me if they heard right that he was a pastor. They were astounded because ALL he talked about was his Mercedes, his luxury vacation, his motorcycle, etc. Praise the Lord. No, they were not impressed. It turned their stomaches. And these were well off people.
Don't we see enough debauchery and excessive indulgence on the covers of the tabloids? What are we offering the world? Anything Charles Schwab and an MBA can't give? We are so messed up. We (leaders and laymen) need to quit trying to compete with the world and just live our lives as we know we should. Imagine. Mowing the neighbor's lawn. That would be the best PR ever.
That's just it Jennifer. The competition with the world. The mindset is, "If the CEO can be rich and is not serving God, why can't I, who is serving God?
The answer to that is God called you to be a pastor a church (or so you say) and the CEO to lead that company. The calling to lead a church means that you need to be able to reach them-BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. A person finds it difficult to relate to a person in a Bentley or wearing designer suits. And here they are rolling up in a bus or a little put-put trying to make it to church. There is no wisdom or discernment in that!
Even Jesus spoke in parables to people; He did it so that EVERYONE could understand Him. He realized His audience. It was a MIXTURE of doctors, lawyers, and common people. So it should be in the church today.
Between the divorce of the Whites and Juanita Bynum being beat by her husband Christianity is yet again under the spot light. My sincere prayer is that they each come completely clean about whatever has happened. So many people have been lied to in church. Someone needs to stand and to the right thing and confess whatever issues there are. By mere appearance (at least in regards to the Whites) it seems that if they would have said no to at least six months of speaking engagements and major events their marriage could have been salvaged. When all is said and done God will hold them accountable to the lives they've affected. But if you're sick then your are in no condition to help others...
I think if everyone would just keep their eyes on god instead of everyone else everone would be just fine god is ower judge not man
To those who use the phrase"We are only human" please put these scriptures in your spirit. Romans Chapter 6:1- 23 and Galations 5:16. Jesus died so sin has no dominion over us. If we walk in the Spirit we will not, again I say, will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. We can not because the Holy Spirit on the inside of us is supposed to be overcoming that carnel nature that we were born with. The Holy Spirit that lives on the inside of God's children overrides that sin nature. So the phrase "We are only human," applies only to those that does not have God's spirit living on the inside. Sin is sin. Repent of your sins and continue to walk the straight and narrow way. God is faithful, he will forgive you of your sins. Romans 6:1 says, What shall we say then? Shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound? Verse 2: God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? I admonish the saints to think about this question and answer it in their hearts. Because Grace is present does not give the Christian's a license to sin. Example: Just because some of your financial institutions give you a grace period to get your money to them does not mean they would like for you to abuse that priviledge. Sometimes things will come up that is beyond your control. The financial institution understands that the mailing system may have a problem with delivering the mail, etc. PLEASE SAINTS LETS STOP ABUSING GOD'S GRACE. Let us not only pray but also be doers of the word and not hearers only. Faith without works is dead. If you pray and do not obey God's word, to what affect is prayer. BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY saith the Lord.
I feel your hearts, and I know that your faith has been challenged, but that is what the bible said, “ having done all stand…..”
Yes! We have to stand because our faith is not in the wisdom of men, sentiments or the craftiness of the evil one. Yes! The enemy would always try to attack all of our kingdoms institutions, e.g. marriage, leadership, our lives, etc But we are victors on every side because we know his age long tactics of striking the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep. The issue is not what the evil one did or is doing but our response to him. Paula & Randy, Juanita & Weeks are our family. Yes! We are one great and big family and right now they need our love and support and not our sermons and condemnation. You and I know that living the life of faith is challenging enough, talk less of living at the eyes of the public. You see brothers and sisters, love conquers all things even this one. I sincerely believe that we have an opportunity here to validate to the world and ourselves - whose (who) we really are. We are daughters & sons of Love and we know how to protect and nurture our own. If you are around them show them 1 Corinthians 13, because love is our nature and it is time to act it out. If you are by the media please focus on strength of the word of God – focus on the persons and not their wrong actions or mistakes - the persons involved are anointed women and men of God – FAMILY FIRST! We know that they have the Holy Spirit in them and he would lead them to all truth. Remember fruits or acts or love is for the matured and the strong, and if you must judge please give righteous judgment. Let us stay on our faith, each one practicing “excellence in expression” the word of faith in every area (marriage, leadership, living, etc) because we would be rewarded for how we dealt and made profit with the word of life. Share this mail with your friends I love you all Owusi Jerriewww.savemeafuturetoday.orgI wept when I heard this in CNN but Devil is a liar. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strenghtenes us. Not very good for the body of Christ. We need to pray for them.
There is not much to say concerning the event that is happening in Paula's life but I pray that she gathers herself together to be focused of her next phase of her life. Life is in phases but only the wise can comprehend what is the sign of the time. So move forward for your God giving assignment. You will not fail. You will complete all the Master has given you to do.
I'm praying for them to Step Down from the Pulpit so that they can be Restored back to God through overseers appointed by God.
This is a nightmare...and its not over.
Big black eye for the Body of Christ.
Someone please tell these two to step aside for a season, find healing and restoration. You cannot heal in the glare of a spotlight.