Am I Allowed To Agree With Rod Parsley?
Over the last couple of weeks, the media has jumped all over a church story. A group of pastors in central Ohio has contacted the IRS asking them to examine the tax-exempt status of two mega-churches in Central Ohio. The two churches in question are Fairfield Christian Church and World Harvest Church. Russell Johnson is the pastor of Fairfield Christian, and Rod Parsely is the Pastor of World Harvest.
The thirty or so pastors that issued the complaint are from small churches in the area. All of these churches are associated with liberal denominations. These pastors are upset with an organization founded by pastors Johnson and Parsley. The organization is call the "Ohio Restoration Project". The goal of ORP is to get evangelical Christians to register to vote. Both Parsley and Johnson have close ties with Kenneth Blackwell who is running for Governor. Secretary of State Blackwell is a conservative Christian. He has been featured in ORP adds and at ORP events. Ken Blackwell has not been endorsed by ORP or by either of the churches in question. Nevertheless, Ken Blackwell's appearance at ORP events is what bothers the liberal pastors.
It is my opinion that politics and church do not mix. I never mention political candidates in my sermon. I have yet to find the word republican or democrat in my Bible. However, I am a very politically minded person. If you ask me my opinion, I will give you an answer. It is my opinion that if you preach the complete surrender to Jesus as Lord, the church for the most part will vote for the candidates that support Christian principles. This being said, the ORP is of no interest to me. However, what these liberal pastors are doing is of interest to me.
There are two problems I have with their actions. First, it is hypocritical. Liberal churches have democratic candidates speak from their pulpits all the time. The Bible tells us to get the log out of our own eye before we go looking for specks in others. The 30 or so pastors that filed this complaint need to be consistent. They need to file complaints with the IRS every time a democrat steps into a liberal church pulpit. They will not do this, because this complaint is not about right or wrong. It is about whose side you are on politically.
Second, The Bible tells us that if you have a complaint with a brother you go to him first. These pastors did no such thing. They did not even try to contact pastors Parsley and Johnson. They went straight to the IRS. This is wrong, and they should be ashamed of being so unBiblical. However, we should never expect liberal pastors to be Biblical. They are called liberal for a reason.
When I first became a Christian I went to a concert at World Harvest Church. I saw Carmen in concert. Today, I find the thought of me going to see Carmen at World Harvest absolutely hilarious. Oh, how we change over time.
I seldom agree theologically with Rod Parsley. I believe the Word Faith movement is a destructive movement. However, I am siding with Parsely and Johnson in this dispute. I do not like the way they have brought political activity in their church. However, I cannot say that what they are doing is wrong or illegal. As of the time of this post, the IRS has declined to investigate the two churches in question. My hope is that the 30 or so pastors that brought about these charges would be questioned by their own congregations. I am certain this is way to much to ask.
The thirty or so pastors that issued the complaint are from small churches in the area. All of these churches are associated with liberal denominations. These pastors are upset with an organization founded by pastors Johnson and Parsley. The organization is call the "Ohio Restoration Project". The goal of ORP is to get evangelical Christians to register to vote. Both Parsley and Johnson have close ties with Kenneth Blackwell who is running for Governor. Secretary of State Blackwell is a conservative Christian. He has been featured in ORP adds and at ORP events. Ken Blackwell has not been endorsed by ORP or by either of the churches in question. Nevertheless, Ken Blackwell's appearance at ORP events is what bothers the liberal pastors.
It is my opinion that politics and church do not mix. I never mention political candidates in my sermon. I have yet to find the word republican or democrat in my Bible. However, I am a very politically minded person. If you ask me my opinion, I will give you an answer. It is my opinion that if you preach the complete surrender to Jesus as Lord, the church for the most part will vote for the candidates that support Christian principles. This being said, the ORP is of no interest to me. However, what these liberal pastors are doing is of interest to me.
There are two problems I have with their actions. First, it is hypocritical. Liberal churches have democratic candidates speak from their pulpits all the time. The Bible tells us to get the log out of our own eye before we go looking for specks in others. The 30 or so pastors that filed this complaint need to be consistent. They need to file complaints with the IRS every time a democrat steps into a liberal church pulpit. They will not do this, because this complaint is not about right or wrong. It is about whose side you are on politically.
Second, The Bible tells us that if you have a complaint with a brother you go to him first. These pastors did no such thing. They did not even try to contact pastors Parsley and Johnson. They went straight to the IRS. This is wrong, and they should be ashamed of being so unBiblical. However, we should never expect liberal pastors to be Biblical. They are called liberal for a reason.
When I first became a Christian I went to a concert at World Harvest Church. I saw Carmen in concert. Today, I find the thought of me going to see Carmen at World Harvest absolutely hilarious. Oh, how we change over time.
I seldom agree theologically with Rod Parsley. I believe the Word Faith movement is a destructive movement. However, I am siding with Parsely and Johnson in this dispute. I do not like the way they have brought political activity in their church. However, I cannot say that what they are doing is wrong or illegal. As of the time of this post, the IRS has declined to investigate the two churches in question. My hope is that the 30 or so pastors that brought about these charges would be questioned by their own congregations. I am certain this is way to much to ask.
posted by Foundes Community Church @ 6:21 AM
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