Day: March 19, 2014

FAITH BAPTIST, DE~COULD CHOCOLATE BE A METAPHOR FOR GOD’S “EXTRAVAGANT” GRACE?~DESTROYING THE GOSPEL FROM WITHIN THE CHURCH

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL RIGHT BACK TO 
“LEADERSHIP NETWORK”

JEFFREY PINDER’S FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 


PROCEEDS TO WATER DOWN THE GOSPEL, 
TO CHEAPEN GRACE, TO COZY UP TO THE WORLD 
IN THE NAME OF “SERVANT/FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM”, 
CLAIMING TO BE “OUTWARD LOOKING”

GALATIANS 1: 11-12
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel 
which was preached by me is not according to man.
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, 
but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
ISAIAH 5:21
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, 
and prudent in their own sight!”


MARKETING CAMPAIGN EXTRAORDINAIRE;
JUST THE START OF A WHOLE SUITE
OF CHURCH GROWTH GIMMICKS 
TO FILL THE CHURCH WITH THE WORLD’S OWN
    In addition to proving the friendliness of Christians to the unregenerate world of Delaware by distributing bags of ice melting salt and light bulbs, another one of pastor Pinder’s “missional/marketing” ideas is to sell a package to women (who make all the decisions for their wimpy husbands anyway) called “Cafe Chocolat”, (French for Chocolate Coffee), self-described as a “metaphor of God’s extravagant grace” allegedly demonstrated through the miracles of Jesus Christ. 
    Its goal is to grow the membership of a church by allegedly saved Christian church women inviting their unsaved relatives, friends and neighbors to this so-called “retreat”, but not to hear the real gospel of sin, repentance, and salvation through the five solas. Instead, through a non-offensive, non-judgmental, sin avoiding, consensus building, diaprax creating, small group, watered down “soup” of sappy, sweet, sentimental niceties, theological errors, feelings based therapeutic/psychological quips, watered down with lady like, intimate, discreet, and heart felt “revelations”, reminiscent of the Victorian era’s tea and crumpets gossip parties, they all agree on something or other unrelated to the real gospel. The only perceived difference may be that today’s “Christian” ladies here are theme dressed in milk or semi-sweet chocolate clothing for atmosphere. 
    This “retreat” overrides and supercedes any semblance of increasing and promulgating Bible knowledge or the gospel of sin and salvation itself. In truth, it is a retreat from the battle of contending for and defending the faith, besides being an opportunity lost for Christ and those lost in their sins.
    Just to make it look authentically biblical though, a smattering of Bible is offered in the 8:30AM to 3:30PM time slot, concentrating on the miracles of Christ, as if to say His miracles are the primary and leading cause of salvation in lieu of Christ Himself and His Word. Hence, what we have here is a heretical false gospel of signs and wonders that alleges to be the cause of and evidence for salvations, no different from the unbiblical false gospel of John Wimber’s Vineyard church, or a number of other NAR Dominionist/Word of Faith pentecostals and charismatics. 
    Indeed, this package costs $69 from the company which purposes to cater to the religious interests of gnostic “Millenials” (the 18-29 year old bright visionaries) who, even though they may or may not be “born again” in the traditional sense, see through the hypocrisies of former modes of evangelism that the older generation was too stupid to perceive, and/or too set in their ways to consider changing. They have better ideas.
    You will see from the evidence that this is one more deceptive, below the radar device, implemented in stealth mode, that is “seeker friendly” as per Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven” and the methodologies of Bill Hybels/Andy Stanley/Louie Giglio, etc. Only this program goes a lot further to destroy, drone style, the very foundations of the church. 
    This is one of many steps in bringing in the unregenerate into ministry in the church to subvert it from within to suit Satan and the world. As shown below, the hope is that within 20 years everything will change to the ways and values prescribed by the visionaries.


Cafe Chocolat Women’s Ministry Retreat Overview 

Group Women’s Ministry:

Published on Apr 24, 2013


Get a glimpse of what goes on at a Cafe Chocolat Women’s Ministry Retreat. Visit http://group.com/cafechocolat to learn more about this incredible women’s retreat.
THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH 
ACCORDING TO GROUP.COM:
THE SOURCE FOR CUTTING EDGE BUT HERETICAL
EMERGING, GOSPEL REPLACING MATERIALS:
QUOTE FROM ABOVE: 
“2013 FINDINGS”:
5 Forces That Will Reform the Church
The American church is entering a time of unprecedented upheaval. In 20 years, what we call the church will look very different from today.
Thinkers at this year’s national Future of the Church summit, sponsored by Group Publishing, envisioned a new–and quite hopeful–picture for the church of tomorrow. This group of church leaders, authors, media writers, academics and students grappled with a flurry of present trends to frame their futuristic perspectives.
They reviewed the American population’s declining participation in church activities. Less than 20 percent of the population attends a church service in a typical week. Four out of five churches say they’re stuck or in decline. Practically every American denomination is losing members year after year. Younger generations are fleeing the church in record numbers.
After hearing from experts, practitioners, the churched and the unchurched, the old and the young, the summit participants were asked to choose likely scenarios for several church crossroads directions. Here’s where they landed.
THE CHURCH IN 20 YEARS
An upward trend. Though things are likely to get worse before they get better, the church will grow again in America. It’s not likely to mimic the spiritual evaporation that Europe has seen. Rather, the trends may begin to look more like those found in China, where the church is flourishing organically despite the lack of a faith-friendly government.
Denominational dissipation. As the culture’s suspicion of institutions deepens, the cachet of a congregation’s affiliation to a denomination will continue to fade. The value–and cost–may become very difficult to justify. Denominations may be overshadowed by networks of like-minded congregations–not based on rules but on shared resources.
Values over personalities. Summit participants acknowledged that celebrity pastors–national and local–will continue to draw crowds on the strength of their personalities. But ultimately the churches of the future will be known more for their values than their human purveyors.
Outward focus. The majority of today’s churches direct almost all their attention, programs, personnel, facilities and budget toward the insiders, the members. But the thriving churches of tomorrow will balance their ministry with a deliberate focus toward those on the outside, many of whom will never become Sunday pew sitters.
Millennial reshape. After hearing data and personal accounts about the unique traits of the Millennial generation, summit participants concluded these young people (ages 18-29) are game-changers for the church. Unlike previous generations, Millennials will not succumb to the church’s longstanding traditions and ways of defining and doing church. They will not merely return to church-as-we-know-it once they start having children, as other generations have done. They will significantly reshape the church’s practices and attitudes according to their values.
What are some of these values? Gordon College president Michael Lindsay told participants that Millennials are uniquely driven to start new things. They’re drawn to authenticity, and they’re repulsed by anything that seems slick. “It’s about being vulnerable,” he said.
Gordon College student David Hicks said, “We don’t want adults who are trying to be edgy.” He told how he was turned off when his former church’s praise band used musical tactics to manipulate people into a false crescendo of worship. “I became cynical.” After leaving the church entirely, he now attends a more traditional church. “There are no ‘cool’ churches. I’m hungry for transcendence,” he said.
Barna Group vice president Roxy Wieman, herself a Millennial, also spoke about the hunger for transcendence–and community. But current church communities seem inauthentic, in part because Millennials have not had a hand in developing them.
Several speakers mentioned the Millennials’ innate desire to be involved, to participate. They’re not interested in being passive consumers or spectators at church. Leadership Journal managing editor Drew Dyck said Millennials “want to be heard from day one.”
Social entrepreneur Justin Mayo said Millennials want to reach out to and accept those the church often rejects. “You’re never going to reach someone you choose to isolate,” he said. “How do we create dialogue? Not by criticizing them at the front door. Do we even have the kind of relationship that allows us to say a hard thing to someone?”
David Hicks said, “We’re willing to go where they (people outside the church) are. We’re not asking them to come to our thing and clean themselves up first. We’re willing to enter their world and be ourselves.”
A glimpse into the future of the church.
____________________________________________________
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Thom Schultz is the president and founder of Group Publishing and Lifetree Café. He’s the author of many books including Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore and The 1 Thing, and he’s the director of the documentary film When God Left the Building. Thom is the founder of Group Cares, a non-profit organization that provides mission trips for thousands of volunteers each year. Thom’s blog, HolySoup.com, challenges the status quo.
Joani Schultz is Group’s Chief Creative Officer. She oversees the creation of Group’s resources, training, and services for children’s ministry, youth ministry, adult ministry, and church leadership. She’s the author of numerous books including Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore, and The 1 Thing. She leads the teams that create Group’s Bible curriculum, vacation Bible school programs, books, magazines, conferences, music, and trainings.
____________________________________________________
THOM SCHULTZ’S HOLY SOUP WEBSITE:
SEE: http://holysoup.com/2012/08/22/forget-evangelism-forget-discipleship/

Above article republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:

Forget Evangelism. Forget Discipleship.

Maybe it’s time to mothball two of the church’s favorite terms: evangelism and discipleship.
The current meaning of these terms has deteriorated into something far afield from the original intent.
Let’s start with evangelism. For most churches, evangelism boils down to one of two activities:
  • Lecture a roomful of people about sin and God.
  • Hope that stalwarts from your denomination move to town and join your church.
The past few months I’ve contemplated the effectiveness–or lack thereof–of these approaches. Then I traveled to the cornfields of Iowa. Here, a fledgling ministry called Cana exercises evangelism in a refreshing–and effective–way.
REAL EVANGELISM
Last year Barbara Huisman and a few of her friends talked about planting a church in their hometown of Fort Dodge, Iowa. They worked with their denomination to gain support, but they stipulated that they didn’t want to follow the typical church-planting model.
Instead, they dreamed of a “creative space where life and faith come together.” So they leased an old downtown storefront location across the street from a budget motel that rents rooms by the hour.

While most church plants establish themselves with a Sunday worship service, Cana started with a Tuesday night Lifetree Cafe, a weekly hour of conversation about life and faith. If people are interested in a regular church service, Barbara refers them to the many churches in the community.
At Cana, the team demonstrates what Barbara calls “radical hospitality.” It’s a highly relational approach that community members experience the moment they step inside.
Jodie, a woman struggling with addictive behavior, wandered into Cana’s Lifetree Cafe one dark Tuesday night and was immediately embraced and invited to sit with Joyce, a Cana regular who enveloped Jodie with the simple love of Christ. Jodie said that night changed her life. The non-judgmental acceptance overwhelmed her. And “God went through me like a lightning bolt,” she said.
She experienced evangelism–true evangelism. Through relationship. With God’s people and the Holy Spirit.
And then Jodie experienced discipleship. But not in the usual way.
REAL DISCIPLESHIP
Usually, the church approach to discipleship means sitting through informational classes and sermons. But that’s not how Jodie was discipled at Cana. She spent time with followers of Christ who lived out Cana’s motto: “Where your passion meets the community’s need. Where miracles happen!”
Jodie’s miracles began that first Tuesday night last year. Her addiction ended that night. Week after week God transformed her. She found her new and real identity in Christ. Cana’s mentors surrounded her with God’s love and guidance.
Then Jodie stepped forward and told Barbara she wanted to start a ministry. She wanted to form a recovery house for women struggling with addictions. It seemed like a far-fetched dream. But Barbara and the people of Cana encouraged Jodie. They suggested she seek funding from local churches. So Jodie met with leaders at a local church–and walked out with a $50,000 commitment for the recovery house.
Cana formed a new 501(c)(3) organization, and the Gateway to Discovery women’s center is on its way. But that’s not all. Other Cana people wanted to pursue their ministry passion for the arts. So they leased the space next to the Lifetree location to accommodate PieceWorks, a new non-profit arts ministry.
Still other people at Cana found they shared a love for horses. So they established Stable Connections, another Cana non-profit that uses horses for mental health therapy.

In just the past year, this little ministry outpost called Cana has launched three new non-profit organizations, a prayer ministry, and a community Bible time, in addition to their Lifetree Cafe.
It’s a picture of discipleship. Everyday people growing in their relationship with God, becoming active disciples of Jesus, carrying his love into the community.
I like the reclamation of evangelism and discipleship I found in Iowa. It’s not an academic exercise. It’s not mass-produced. It’s a personalized, relational approach. Much like Jesus modeled 2000 years ago.
_____________________________________________________________________
Thom Scultz’s other money raising/money making websites include, with a chocolate theme again:
GROUP CARES:
GroupCares.org

Your Sunday school can save the lives of kids NOW with a simple K.I.S.S.

The Kindness Initiative for Sunday School to squash malaria campaign is here! Our goal for the campaign is to save the lives of nearly 500,000 children.
THE “CONVERSATION CAFE” KNOWN AS:
LIFETREE CAFE: http://lifetreecafe.com/what-is-lifetree/; AGAIN WITH A CHOCOLATE COFFEE THEME TO GIVE YOU COMFORT IN YOUR SINS, AND NOT HEAR “CONDEMNATION” FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

An hour of stories and conversation to feed your soul.

Lifetree Café is a comfortable place and time to gather weekly to explore life and faith. It looks and feels like the kind of place you’d typically meet a friend for food, drink and fun. Where the atmosphere encourages conversations, questions, and personal stories.
Join us for compelling stories about fascinating people. Stories from the news. Stories from our own lives. The story of what God is doing in the world around us. At Lifetree Café, we explore all those stories – and make sense of our faith and our lives.
Every week, Lifetree Café gathers friendly people to experience the intriguing stories of life around us. Stories about the big-and little stuff that shapes our lives. Family. Friends. Fears. Busyness. Balance. Money. Materialism. Health. Heaven. Peace. Purpose.
The Lifetree motto is…
You’re welcome just as you are. Your thoughts are welcome. Your doubts are welcome. We’re all in this together. God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.
Lifetree Café is a safe place where great conversation is served up daily.
 “On film and in person, you’ll hear stories that will make you think, spice your conversation, help you make sense of the world, and inspire you. And in the fun, casual, safe environment of Lifetree Café, you may share your story, too. If you’re looking for a place where you can explore life, meet new friends, and experience God…then Lifetree Cafe is your kind of place. But don’t take our word for it. here’s what others have shared about their Lifetree experience.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lifetree Café?
Simply put, it’s a “conversation café”-a place and time for people to gather weekly to experience stories and talk about thought-provoking topics relating to life and faith.

How long does it last?
The Lifetree experience lasts an hour.

Why is it called a “Café”?
Lifetree looks and feels like a cozy café-small tables, comfortable seating, warm environment. Plus, the refreshments at Lifetree Café are free!

What happens there? The Lifetree hour typically includes real-life stories on film, presentation of interesting and relevant information, conversation with others, and helpful tips to take home.

Is there an admission charge?
It’s absolutely FREE! Nada! Zilch!

Who is it for?
Regardless of beliefs, Lifetree welcomes everyone-individuals, couples, singles, students, and families.

What’s the purpose?
Lifetree brings people together to explore important and intriguing life issues, serve the community, and experience God through Jesus Christ.

Is Lifetree a church?
No. Lifetree is a weekly event in a comfortable cafe-like environment. There’s no membership, no preaching, no singing.

How free am I to share my opinion?
You are very welcome to share your opinion and stories with others. Lifetree is an open and inviting space where everyone’s thoughts are welcome. And, at Lifetree Café, you’re free to simply listen too. Everyone is treated with respect, even when opinions on a particular subject may differ.

________________________________________________________________
YOUTUBE VIDEOS AT LIFETREE CHANNEL: 
A MIXTURE OF PSEUDO-THEOLOGY, HERESY, NEW AGE, HUMANISM, AFTER DEATH EXPERIENCES, REINCARNATION, PSYCHOHERESY, SECULAR TOPICS, OTHER RELIGIONS, ALIENS, DRUGS, PET COMMUNICATIONS, PET ASCENSION TO HEAVEN, PSYCHIC FORTUNETELLERS, ANGEL ENCOUNTERS, AND CHURCH DAMNING CONVERSATIONS.
SAMPLES:

Do Good Dogs Go to Heaven Trailer;

Discusses the Afterlife—For Pets:

Published on Dec 26, 2013



Given that we’re often deeply attached to our pets, it’s a fair question to ask if they’ll be with us in the afterlife.


We’ll explore the intimate connection between pets and their owners, and whether or not pets have a place in heaven during this hour at Lifetree Café.


What will heaven ultimately be like? Come join the conversation!


Find out more at www.Lifetreecafe.com



What’s Your Pet Trying to Tell You?:

Published on May 18, 2012



See an exclusive film of a woman who claims animals share their thoughts with her. From cats to dogs to whales, she’s ready to describe what they’re thinking…and how we can connect with them.


Many pet owners believe their pets are trying to communicate with them. This program allows us to explore if that’s possible and how it might happen.



To Heaven and Back Trailer: 

Child Visits With Jesus, Angel, and Dead Relatives:

Published on Mar 7, 2014



See an exclusive filmed interview with Todd Burpo, author of New York Times best seller Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back.


In 2003, Todd nearly lost his 4-year-old son, Colton. The boy’s appendix burst, and he fought a life-threatening infection. To save Colton’s life, emergency surgery was conducted. After the surgery, Colton began telling his parents about his “visit to heaven.”


Colton’s parents had to decide: Had their son gone to heaven and returned? Visit Lifetree Cafe and decide for yourself.


Reincarnation and Past Lives Explored at Lifetree Café:

Uploaded on Aug 12, 2011



Déjà vu, reincarnation, and past-life therapy will be explored at Lifetree Café locations across the nation. To find a location near you, click: http://goo.gl/Adp90


This Lifetree event, titled “Reincarnation,” features exclusive filmed interviews with people describing past life experiences as well as philosophers who explore biblical explanations of what happens in the afterlife.


“Who hasn’t thought, ‘I’ve been here before?'” asks Lifetree Café representative Craig Cable. “But for many people, the idea of past lives goes way deeper. It affects their everyday living in surprising ways.”


Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Find the Lifetree Café nearest you by clickinghttp://goo.gl/Adp90.


Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversations about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. More about Lifetree may be found at our website http://lifetreecafe.com/



Lifetree Café Examines Fortunetellers:

Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011



A psychic discusses her profession and demonstrates how she says she foretells the future in an exclusive film at Lifetree Café the week of March 13-19.


The Lifetree event also features a filmed interview with a Christian in a prophetic ministry.


According to Lifetree Café representative Mikal Keefer, “The future’s out there, and most of us wish we could see what’s coming before it arrives. At Lifetree we’ll explore if there’s any way to know what our futures hold.”


Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. The Lifetree Café nearest you can be located by clicking http://lifetreecafe.com/find-a-lifetree.


Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversations about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. More information about Lifetree can be found at http://lifetreecafe.com/.



Lifetree Cafe with Thom and Joani; 

Helping You Boost Your Conversational Skills:

What is Lifetree Cafe? DEFINITELY NOT A CHURCH!
DEVOID OF PREACHING, SCRIPTURE, AND DOCTRINE PRODUCING A CERTAIN SELF ESTEEM & EUPHORIA & OFFERING YOU CONGRATULATIONS FOR JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!
Uploaded on May 4, 2010
Lifetree Cafe is a comfortable place and time for people to gather weekly to explore life and faith. It looks and feels like the kind of place you’d typically meet a friend for food and drink and fun. Where the atmosphere encourages conversations, questions, and personal stories.


Ted Haggard Interview Broadcast to 

All Lifetree Cafes:


Slams the Church for Not Restoring 


Significant People Like Him, 

Only Insignificant People 


For Marketing Purposes; 


“We Are Idiots; We Are Hypocrites”:


This is the same Ted Haggard that had a homosexual relationship, and gave up his pastoral ministry:
VIDEO: 

“Pastor’s “Complicated” Sexuality”; 

Haggard says he doesn’t fit any one sexual category; 

wife claims Jesus showed her not to judge!:

Uploaded on Jan 30, 2009



“The Trials Of Ted Haggard,” an HBO documentary, profiles the former evangelical pastor after his gay sex scandal changed his life. Harry Smith talks to Haggard and his wife, Gayle.
Paul Young, Author of the Heretical “Shack”


Lifetree Café Interview Preview:



____________________________________________________________


PUTTING GOD IN A BOX:


“CHURCH UNIQUE VISION KIT”: 

WAS $500; NOW ON SALE $250:










INCLUDES ALL THIS!:

The Church Unique Vision Kit includes all the custom-designed supplies and tools you need for 9 participants to fully own and appreciate their journey toward unleashing your church’s one-of-a-kind potential.



·         Church Unique book



·         Leader’s Guide



·         9 Participant Guides



·         Vision Deck



·         Wall Charts



·         Will Mancini teaching DVD



·         Exclusive Discovery Tools



o    Joe Grow



o    Compass



o    Collaboration Cube



o    Vision Frame



o    Alignment Ring


o    Role Cards

o    Mission Cards

Church Unique Vision Kit
 

Church Unique Introduction by Will Mancini; 

Refers to Church Growth Proponent, Lyle E. Schaller


See: Lyle Schaller: 
EXCERPT:

In 2006 Schaller’s fifty-third and last solo authored book was published. It’s title is From Cooperation to Competition: Change, Choice, and Conflict in the Congregation. He is also responsible for forty other books where her was either the series editor, co-author, or “with” author. He co-authored an audio book with Leith Anderson. Abingdon Press compiled forty-six of his books and hundreds of editions of The Parish Paper onto a CD Rom. All were published by Abingdon Press in Nashville, Tennessee. HIs best selling books include the following:



The change agent (1972)



Community organization: conflict and reconciliation


The impact of the future 1969

Planning for Protestantism in urban America 1965
The churches’ war on poverty 1967
Understanding tomorrow 1976
Assimilating new members 1978
Parish planning 1968
The decision-makers; how to improve the quality of decision-making in the churches 1974
Creative church administration 1975
Survival tactics in the parish 1977 Strategies for Change argues that church growth techniques and measurements are only symptomatic. Change is the larger issue in any institution.
The small church is different (1982) l.
Effective church planning (1979)
The multiple staff and the larger church (1980)
Hey, that’s our church by Lyle E Schaller (1975)
The local church looks to the future by Lyle E Schaller (1968)
Growing plans by Lyle E Schaller (1983)
Activating the passive church : diagnosis & treatment (1981)
The pastor and the people; building a new partnership for effective ministry (1973)
Getting things done : concepts and skills for leaders 1986
ALSO SEE: 

“Lyle Schaller’s Wisdom for Today”; (Leadership Network Website):

Will Mancini (see: http://www.willmancini.com/about);

EXCERPTS:
“During my teen years, I was influenced by a godly mother and the ministry of Harvey Nowland at The Willowdale Chapel in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.”
“After seminary, I served as as the pastor of spiritual formation and leadership development at Clear Creek Community Church.”
SEE OUR POSTS ABOUT WILLOWDALE CHAPEL:

“WILLOWDALE CHAPEL ADVISED BY TIM KELLER; SOCIAL GOSPEL BROUGHT TO CULTURE BY MERGING PURPOSE DRIVEN, DOMINIONISM & FASCIST COLLECTIVISM”:

“WILLOWDALE CHAPEL PART 2: USING WEALTH TO POWER UNBIBLICAL “CULTURAL MANDATE” SUPERCEDING “GOSPEL MANDATE” POWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT”:

About the author: Will Mancini, aka: Clarity Evangelist, followed his calling and passion to emerge from local church leadership to service as vision architect for hundreds of leading churches, from all denominations across the country. Will’s style blends the best of three worlds: the process thinking from the discipline of engineering, the communications savvy as an ad agency executive, and the practical theology as a pastoral leader. His education includes a ThM in Pastoral Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State.

Church Unique by Will Mancini; 

Video on Leadership Network Channel on YouTube:

Uploaded on Mar 31, 2008



Church Unique establishes visionary practice in a way that transcends “church growth” and re-interprets the elements of vision around a missional reorientation.

– Experience a deeper sense of wonder about what God wants to do in and through your church.

– Forge a stunningly unique, movement oriented vision.

– Provide new tools and language to guide team conversations.
View this unique video presentation featuring Will Mancini, author of Church Unique.

Click here to download a 52 page graphic Visual Summary of Church Unique to see highlights in an enjoyable format.



Take your leadership team through a guided process to discover your church’s one-of-a-kind potential.

Every church is a one-of-a-kind expression of God’s creativity, with an essential and unique role in His divine plan. New levels of inspiration, participation, and influence are possible when you have a guiding vision inspired by your congregation’s collective soul. The Church Unique Vision Kit is a journey of discovery that will help your leadership team define a vision, communicate it clearly, and create inspired strategies drawn from an authentic sense of purpose. Innovative exercises, lessons, and tools based on Will Mancini’s celebrated methods create a joyful process for your leadership team to fully realize and implement God’s unique plan for your congregation.

The Church Unique Vision Kit will help your church:



  • Change the way you think of yourself and the ministry opportunities ahead.
  • Learn why you’re best suited to meet certain crying needs in your community.
  • Define and overcome the obstacles that are currently holding you back.
  • Build strong team relationships as you discover and realize God’s plan for you.



Your Church Unique Vision Kit includes everything you need for a team of nine. Order additional Participant Packs for each additional team member.


SEE OUR PREVIOUS POSTS ABOUT 
“LEADERSHIP NETWORK”:


“”GAME CHANGERS” HEADING YOUR CHURCH?”:








“CLUB/COFFEEHOUSE CHURCHES-“REFORMED” & LEADERSHIP NETWORK APPLAUD”:

“SOCIALISM IS SLAVERY-WHY NOT END IT IN THE U.S. TOO?”:

“COMMUNITARIAN SOCIAL JUSTICE AGENDA IN EMERGING CHURCHES”:


Church Unique Promo: Going Beyond Rick Warren’s


“Purpose Driven Church” Model;




Man’s Wisdom Over God’s Wisdom;



The Vision of Man Over the Vision of the Holy Spirit:




Uploaded on Sep 23, 2011



Every church is a one-of-a-kind expression of God’s creativity, with an essential and unique role in His divine plan. New levels of inspiration, participation, and influence are possible when you have a guiding vision inspired by your congregation’s collective soul. The Church Unique Vision Kit is a journey of discovery that will help your leadership team define a vision, communicate it clearly, and create inspired strategies drawn from an authentic sense of purpose. Innovative exercises, lessons, and tools based on Will Mancini’s celebrated methods create a joyful process for your leadership team to fully realize and implement God’s unique plan for your congregation.















SCANDALS OF BILL GOTHARD, VOICE OF THE MARTYRS, & VISION FORUM EXPOSED!

Bill Gothard Resigns 
From Institute in Basic Life Principles 
Under Allegations of Sexual Abuse;
Allegations From 30 Women 
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:

LTRP Note: On March 7th, Bill Gothard, the founder and president of the Institute in Basic Life Principles resigned from his position in the organization after allegations from over thirty women were made public that Gothard sexually harassed, and in one case out right sexually abused, these women while they were teens or young women. In preparing to make this announcement to Lighthouse Trails readers, we searched both secular and Christian media for a news story that would give a good representation of the situation. However, after we were unable to find such an article, we decided to post the article directly from the group—Recovering Grace—who blew the whistle on Gothard in the first place.
One of the women who has come forth is a woman named Charlotte. She has publicly testified that while she was a young homeschool teen and was sent to “work” at the Institute, Gothard preyed upon her, which led to his sexually abusing her.  The cult-like, legalistic, abusively authoritative teachings1 of Bill Gothard’s Institute provided a “perfect” platform for sexual abuse to occur where young girls were not taught to defend themselves against abuse (on the contrary, the opposite occurred). According to the criteria of the Lighthouse Trails book Seducers Among Our Childrenwritten by investigative sergeant Patrick Crough, Bill Gothard fits the profile of a sexual predator.
Below the article by Recovering Grace, we have posted two excerpts, one from Seducers Among Our Children titled “What is a Sexual Predator of Children?” by Patrick Crough and one titled “A Predator’s Toolkit” written by Gregory Reid, author of The Color Pain (also published by LT). These two excerpts are given to provide some help to parents to protect their children from sexual predators. Also below are some other resources such as a recent radio interview between Patrick Crough and Jan Markell and a video preview of a DVD called The Kinsey Syndrome (Adullam Films) (exposing the truth about Alfred Kinsey who was instrumental in the high incidence of sexual molestation today). The reason Lighthouse Trails has published and carried resources like this is because statistics show that a huge percentage of boys and girls are sexually abused before they are 18 years old. There has got to be voices speaking up and protecting them. Sexual abuse scars children. As Patrick Crough says in his book, we are to be the shepherd’s of children, protecting them from the wolves.
Let us remember that God’s Word does not take harming children lightly:

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and thathe were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)

Article By Recovering Grace website:
On March 6, 2014, Administrative Director David Waller communicated via email to ATI families that Mr. Gothard has “resigned as president of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, its Board of Directors, and its affiliated entities.” Mr. Waller indicated the board’s desire to appoint interim leadership, and named Chris Hogan as one who “will play an active role in the upcoming conferences as president of ATI.” This follows the report on February 27 in which World Magazine confirmed that the Board of IBLP had placed Bill Gothard on administrative leave, “in order to further investigate the mounting claims of sexual harassment and misconduct that have been reported on the Recovering Grace website.”

The letter goes on to state that Mr. Gothard has “communicated to the Board of Directors his desire to follow Matthew 5:23–24 and listen to those who have ‘ought against’ him” and states that his resignation is motivated by a desire to give full attention to the issues at hand (view the full letter).

On February 3, Recovering Grace made a public case that Bill Gothard had disqualified himself from ministry by his actions. In doing so, we called for Mr. Gothard to repent and be reconciled to those who have been damaged under his ministry and teachings. While we acknowledge the range of emotions that our readers are likely feeling in light of this letter, we do not take joy in this announcement, and we understand the gravity and sadness of this situation. Mr. Gothard’s resignation will doubtless produce relief in some of our readers and deep disappointment in others. Nonetheless, we realize this is an important moment. Click here to read this entire article.

_______________________________________________________________________
DOUG PHILLIPS OF VISION FORUM 
RESIGNS FOR HAVING AN AFFAIR
EXCERPTS:
“Former Vision Forum Ministries president Doug Phillips revealed on Oct. 30 that he had had an affair and would be stepping down from his leadership position in the company.While the nonprofit shut down on Nov. 11, Phillips had confirmed that he had intended to maintain control over Vision Forum Inc., the for-proft arm of the organization that sold toys, books and DVDs espousing its “biblical patriarchy” views.”
_______________________________________________________________________
RICHARD WURMBRAND’S SON, 
MICHAEL WURMBRAND, COMES FORTH- 
ASKS “V.O.M.” TO ALLOW INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL, FINANCIAL ISSUES
SEE: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2014/newsletter20140317.htm#18; republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
On March 14th, Lighthouse Trails received an e-mail from Michael Wurmbrand, the son of the late Richard Wurmbrand, founder of Voice of the Martyrs. In order to verify the authenticity of the letter we received, we contacted VOM first. A man answering the phone and listening to our question transferred us to a message machine. We left our question but did not receive a call back as of the writing of this article. We then searched on the Internet and found a phone number for Michael Wurmbrand. We called and had a ten-minute conversation with him. We also have had e-mail correspondence with him since. After our phone call with him, we were convinced that this letter below is indeed from Richard Wurmbrand’s son. We have also been able to verify many of the statements he has made below. We also believe Michael is not making these statements out of any vindictive motive.
Some may be asking why we are posting this, given the fact that VOM works to help persecuted Christians worldwide. A few comments on that:
First, as Lighthouse Trails has always maintained, the power of sin lies in its secrecy; and this is especially true in cases of child sexual abuse. According to Michael Wurmbrand’s letter, after VOM director Tom White committed suicide on the same day a police investigation was opened on allegations that White had molested a 10-year-old girl,1 Michael Wurmbrand requested that an independent investigation be conducted, especially given the fact that the Chief of Police in Bartlesville (the city where VOM exists) is also on the board of VOM, and the Bartlesville police closed the case shortly after White’s death. Michael explains below what happened after he made that request.
Second, if indeed Michael’s statements are true (and we have no reason or evidence to doubt they are), then in all fairness, the body of Christ needs to know these things. There have been other concerns about VOM (ecumenism, Catholic sympathies, contemplative, etc.), and to ignore these important issues is wrong, especially in view of the acceleration of worldwide spiritual deception happening today.
Third, as we witness various Christian organizations being exposed for sexual, financial, and other scandals (such as the recent allegations by over thirty women against Bill Gothard, the serious plagiarism by Mark Driscoll, the demise of Vision Forum (a major player in homeschooling resources, and so forth), two things come to our mind:
First, the secular media is using these stories to make it look like this is how most fundamentalist conservative Christians behave.
Second, we think of the Scripture that talks tells us “judgment beginning in the house of the God” (1 Peter 4:17). The evangelical/Protestant church is in big trouble. It needs to be shaken in order to return to its “first love.” Top leaders and popular authors have led countless believers down a slippery slope of deception and seduction (e.g.,  Gothard’s cult-like legalism and ultra-authoritarianism, Driscoll’s contemplative promotion and mockery of the Bible’s warning of the end-times, Thomas Nelson’s altering of Jesus Calling to make it look more “Christian”). The church is filled with mega-corporation-style organizations that act as if they can do anything they want while they toy with the emotional and spiritual lives of millions and play catch-me-if-you-can. Add to this the utter catastrophe of contemplative mysticism (i.e., occultism) overtaking countless Christian organizations, schools, and denominations, and we’ve got the makings for an apostate church. But many of these Christian “leaders” are beginning to be exposed. While we know that the liberal secular media and the emerging church will use these stories for political gain and actually to cause confused Christians to come over to their side, we also know that God can use these situations to bring about genuine conversion and repentance among many. Already Lighthouse Trails has heard from many believers who have repented after being deceived by the “Jesus” of Jesus Calling.
And this is why we are compelled to post articles like this letter below by Michael Wurmbrand—to bring light to areas of darkness but also to defend true Christianity, to say to the world that there are believers in Christ all over the world who day after day, year after year serve the Lord faithfully, who do not molest children, do not plagiarize, do not practice the contemplative “stillness” in order to know God, and do not steal money or grow monstrous corporations that knock down everything in their path. While we know that 1 John tells us we are liars if we say we do not sin (1 John 1:8-10) (for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God), it also says if we continue in sin, we do not have God in our lives (1 John 3:6-10).
While it is not the intention of Lighthouse Trails to destroy any ministry, we cannot in good conscience push under the rug situations that come to our attention when they affect so many. Our hope for these ministries is that they would walk in repentance and godliness just as God has called all Christians to do so.
We do have a concern in the midst of these “kingdoms” crumbling and that is for the Christians who have been followers of these organizations. Many of them are sincere conservative Bible-believing Christians, and they are the ones who are going to be most hurt by what their leaders have done. For example, millions of homeschool families have sought out the teachings of Bill Gothard. As they learn that their leader has been sexually assaulting young girls for the past number of decades, will these dear families swing to the opposite of the pendulum and enter the emerging/new spirituality? We have heard rumors that this is already happening to some of them. They now realize that Gothard’s teachings were wrong; sadly, rather than finding what true biblical Christianity is, many will merely turn to another extreme and perhaps even away from God all together, blaming Him for what man has done.
This situation with homeschoolers is serious. Even Michael Wurmbrand told us that VOM has been targeting American homeschoolers with campaign literature. And it was just recently that a major homeschool curriculum CEO (from Vision Forum) stepped down after admitting to an extra-marital affair. The entire organization shut down, leaving a vacuum within the homeschool world. What is going to happen to these homeschoolers? Who or what is going to fill the void? Sadly, it may not be true Christianity.
We have carefully and prayerfully considered the ramifications of posting this letter from Michael. We are not the only ones doing so in a spirit of deep concern. One very good friend of Richard Wurmbrand’s posted his own thoughts about this, stating,

[Michael Wurmbrand] is very serious and he is concerned about his father’s and mother’s names being used to raise money that he says is not going to the persecuted peoples of the world, but is rather being misused by “The Voice of the Martyrs.”

There is one more issue we want to address and that is the allegations of sexual abuse that were brought against Tom White by the parents of a 10-year-old girl. When we first posted the story about White’s suicide last year, someone commented to us that it was unlikely that Tom White molested a child and that perhaps this was a conspiracy of murder against White by Muslims angry at VOM for their work in Middle-eastern countries. As we have examined the facts that we have been able to obtain (including the testimony by Michael Wurmbrand to us by phone where he told us he knew the family, as well as a pastor who spoke with the father of the girl and posted the account online and who stated: “there is no doubt the abuse occurred”), we have no reason to doubt that the allegations are legitimate. Thus, it is more than reasonable for Voice of the Martyrs to be willing to allow an independent investigation into these allegations and also any other possible sexual abuses against children that may have occurred within their organization. It is a proven fact that most child predators do not molest just one child during the course of their lifetimes.
And now, the letter we received from Michael Wurmbrand:
Dear sisters and brethren in Christ:
This sad letter you are reading comes from Michael Wurmbrand, the son of the late Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, who spent fourteen years in the communist prisons of Romania, author of the book Tortured For Christ, a book of valiant Christian testimony under communist persecution that has been translated in over 85 languages. My parents died in 2000-2001, and I am now 74 years old.
Against my express request NOT TO DO SO, the mission Voice of the Martyrs of Bartlesville (VOM), Oklahoma, USA and its international affiliates, continue to use Richard Wurmbrand, Sabina Wurmbrand, my parents’ persona, pictures, writings and books, my persona also to obtain your donations!
Tom White, the past Voice of the Martyrs Chairman for more than 20-years, committed suicide in April, 2012, only two to three hours after an accusation of child molestation (pedophilia) of a 10-years old girl was formally filed by her parents with the local police, and while the Bartlesville, OK. police were searching to arrest him. This terrible event made world news. At the time of his committing suicide, Tom White had a $140,000+, plus perks, yearly salary and very substantial travel and expense accounts used in his extensive and frequent international travel year after year. Since the suspected perpetrator was dead, the police closed any further investigation of the molestation. The police chief and the former mayor of the town of Bartlesville, OK. were personally serving on the Board of Directors of Voice of the Martyrs. Some directors are related or get income from the organization.
I asked in writing of the Voice of the Martyrs Board of Directors for an independent investigation, to be undertaken from outside of VOM. The investigation in the famous legal action in England of Jimmy Saville, the BBC children program head while alive, started with only 2 cases BUT there were more than 600 pedophilia complaints after Saville died. In the last 4 years, the state of Arizona, for instance, failed to investigate 6,000 cases of children molestation. Being the son of Richard Wurmbrand, a person of my background and position could have more inside information than I can discuss publicly. I asked therefore for an independent investigation!
The main question in the letter I wrote to the entire Voice of the Martyrs Board of Directors was worded as follows: “In a Christian spirit of love and faith, if you want to continue using the names, persona and copyrights of my parents, I ask first that you do not try to accomplish this in an adversarial way through lawyers, etc. but rather in an amiable way by fulfilling only one request for the board to decide and approve: Please allow and pay for an independent “blue ribbon” commission … to investigate within the next two months, back at least two years, all Tom White’s travel points, contacts and especially financial expenditures to establish and put to rest any suspicions re. child molestation. Sorry, whether you like it or not, this unpleasant event that happened to VOM with its Chairman during twenty years cannot be dispensed with as just ‘a family affair’ or an unfortunate sudden decision. If you do not intend to accept the above request, the other decision I ask you to take is not to use the name Wurmbrand any more.”
Only 4 days after I addressed this letter to the Board of Directors, I received a curt letter of termination of employment. No “sorry” and no “thank you” for my founding the organization or the many years of service! My letter now for more than a year, has not been answered!
I should be entitled to make such a request since:

*  Voice of the Martyrs published for years a specially dedicated children’s magazine. This was done by sharing mailing lists with organizations focusing on families and children;
* My person, my life, and our family Wurmbrand story was used in this magazine;
* Without my knowledge, without my permission, a very laudatory biography of mine was written, printed and distributed to tens of thousands of American children;
* In order to obtain donations from the parents, the organization tried to gain credibility and goodwill with tens of thousands of Christian children in home-schooling families.

Donors should be aware that:

*  Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) spent $28 million dollars — not on the mission field but to build its own headquarter thus in economic times difficult for us all, encouraging construction in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA, a town of only about 32,000. To my knowledge, the previous headquarters of VOM in the same town cost in the neighborhood of about $90,000! To read more, [click here]. The present chairman of VOM is a former mayor of Bartlesville and was part of the city leadership.

VOM
Voice of the Martyrs headquarters in Bartlesville, OK

* This was done in secret, until the buildings were erected. Neither I nor the donors were told of such grandiose projects. It is hard to believe this could be done, but correspondence I display on the web (see link below), should convince you. I worked with VOM from Los Angeles, California, USA and never was part of the VOM board of directors. The donors only saw money spent for projects, and they trusted that the word “projects” referred to missionary work, like helping widows of Christians killed in Nigeria!
* A repeated offender 3rd degree felon, who as of 2013 was STILL UNDER A-10-YEARS CONVICTION SENTENCE AS AN EMBEZZLER was named the Voice of the Martyrs Vice President. Tens of thousands of dollars out of contributions for supposed missionary work were extended as a loan to him to pay back some of what he stole and escape parole supervision. To read more on this convicted felon, [click here or here].
*All of the above occurred while, at the same time, without any reasons proffered, they sent a termination of employment letter to me, Richard Wurmbrand’s son, who founded the mission, four days only after I asked for an independent investigation of the expenses and travels of the suicidal and suspected pedophile past chairman of VOM, USA.
* Voice of the Martyrs had agreed reluctantly in 2001 to help about 100 believers who were imprisoned 5-10 years for their faith in communist prisons in Romania, currently destitute in their 80s and 90s, with less than $1 (yes, one dollar) a month. As outrageous as it sounds, considering tens of millions of dollars solicited from you, it is documented. It was raised in the following year to the value of about 2 tanks of gas/month worth of help only because I wrote feet of email messages and renounced a total of over $100,000 of my salary over four years (I accepted being paid only $500/month!) just so these Christian martyrs would be helped. To read more on the “VOM claims of pretended lack of money,” [click here].
*A fundraiser for VOM was promised to be paid a percentage or cut of the funds he raised! We are far indeed from charitable actions through which one sacrifices for the interests of others.

After I brought all of these facts to light, I was asked also to keep quiet, not to rock the boat. Before being laid off I was offered substantial contractual financial incentives not to “badmouth” VOM. Some of the organizations endorsing Voice of the Martyrs have interrelated employees and interests. When I approached them, they were shy and sore afraid for their own interests to insist my letter be answered. Some pathetic answers like: “Do not cast the first stone,” “king Solomon made mistakes,” “we might also sin,” or “promise to keep correspondence private only” displayed the hypocrisy to protect the flow of donations rather than any interest in protecting possible children victims! Some answers were outright sarcastic, as if my requesting a proper investigation regarding suspected pedophilia among “Christian missionaries” would be some joke.
In the past, Voice of the Martyrs had written a dedication about myself sent to tens of thousands stating: “To the Rev. Michael Wurmbrand, who has lived his life in a fishbowl among both friends and enemies, and has done so with dignity to the glory of God. We are grateful for the numerous personal interviews in which he shared his memories with patience and enthusiasm.” As soon as I asked for this independent investigation, the VOM attitude of respect towards myself I enjoyed for years turned into one of incredible vindictiveness. Christians who were in the know could not believe how it was possible. The false answers given to those who inquired were that this is a personal (?!?) conflict with Michael Wurmbrand we try to solve with prayer and mediation! In reality, VOM employees were expressly forbidden to have contact with me, so as not to lose some income and employment positions from [one of the] largest employers in Bartlesville, OK. Same employees had before vied to be photographed with me and get my autograph.
The worst vindictive act towards myself though was the refusal on the part of VOM of my simple request to dump or allow myself even pay to withdraw immediately from the VOM circulation advertising, about 2,000 copies of Tortured For Christ, my father’s book, published by VOM with a preface by, and having right in the middle, a portrait of Tom White, the past chairman who had committed suicide after the police-filed accusation of suspected pedophilia. I was answered IN WRITING (by the convicted felon-embezzler who had meantime become Vice President of VOM, see above) that my request is morally wrong. I was written: “Tom White was VOM,” and according to VOM, I have no right to ask that my father’s name not be associated with this past chairman — even if he committed suicide under a strong suspicion of pedophilia. VOM even claimed to know apparently better than the parents of the victim, if there was or not substance to the police complaint. To spite me, the book showing Tom’s picture continued to be widely advertised and even offered for free for 6 more months following Tom’s suicide. VOM knew that during the first month my family arrived to the United States in the end of 1966, I had personally typed on a clunky typewriter four manuscript versions of this book. How could my request be refused?
How could I have foreseen that in a case of blatant suspected child-molestation some Christian VOM leaders I approached, imitated the priest and Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, trying their best re. suspected pedophilia, to “pass by on the other side,” so as to maintain their perks! John the Baptist was not beheaded because he sermonized in general asking people to repent. Against his own personal interest, he put his life at risk to denounce the sin of Herod, the ruler of the day. What about “missionary outreach” to poor “persecuted Christians?” Voice of the Martyrs, with its opulent ($28 million) headquarter built out of your sacrificial contributions, makes a mockery of the sacrifice of persecuted Christians like my parents. Imagine a surgeon insisting to operate, having no time to clean his hands after searching in garbage. What patient has any use for such a surgeon? The betrayer of [our] Lord Jesus, Judas, in his apparently most “unselfish” enunciation of a project to help the poor, was but a thief. (Indeed the Gospel of John 12:6 writes: “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS A THIEF!”)
VOM published even how within months of our arrival in the United States, from 1967 on, I worked together with my parents Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, to start what is now Voice of the Martyrs. Recently released documents from the archives of the Romanian secret police prove the communists had issued an order to kill our entire family.
We started what is now Voice of the Martyrs under a communist sentence of death. When I was only a child, the communists forcefully took away my parents to communist prisons. I suffered plenty. My parents died with a good name. I do not want to  allow VOM to use my parents’ good name, to raise money under false pretenses. I wrote the VOM directors: “If you enjoy, for motivations of your own, to wallow in the mire of suspected pedophilia go ahead. If you do not want to accept an independent investigation and complete transparency of your dealings, I begged you do not use my father’s long years of suffering in communist prisons and the intense suffering of his whole family to raise money from naive donors.” I was written by VOM, when asking help for formerly persecuted Christians under communism, now in their 90s, “we are technically out of money!…there will be NO check requests approved for anything other than absolutely essential” only to find out later that $9.5 million were available not for mission work, but for construction work in Oklahoma (see above link).
Christian parents please protect your children! Consider how grave it is to allow your children to trust and be reached by a missionary organization having had a case of suspected pedophilia and a suicide because of it in its midst, and then terminating me, its founder so as not to have to respond to a request for an independent investigation of possible child molestation. After all the laudatory words published of me, they also tried to badmouth me. If you are a minister, I can only beg you to share this letter with your congregation.
Michael (Mikai) Wurmbrand as a young boy with his parents

Michael (Mihai) Wurmbrand as a young boy with his parents
I tried to document the facts recited above, but think on your own: How can “Christian missionaries” in a good Christian conscience even indulge to build themselves an opulent $28,000,000 headquarter from your donations, while withholding help to persecuted Christians in far away lands badly in need of your donations? Love of money is the root of all evil. A way to stop evil is to stop financing it. If you were inspired by the Wurmbrand family story of suffering to donate to Voice of the Martyrs or its international affiliates in the ICA, as the only son of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, I humbly ask you not to. My parents’ Christian life-vision has been misused by Voice of the Martyrs.
Tortured for Christ circulated throughout the world with more than 10,000,000 copies. Inside the $28 million Voice of the Martyrs headquarter prominently named as the Richard Wurmbrand Center, there is a Wurmbrand museum. My own mother’s Bible to be displayed there was obtained from me under false pretenses. I have both moral and legal rights to the persona of my parents, even regarding the unauthorized use of my own name, pictures, etc. It would take a very long time and a lot of money to try to stop such use through courts. VOM would employ the millions of dollars of donations to fight me in court while my income is very limited. If you still want to help projects started by my parents, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, now hanging in the air, please help me reclaim my parents and my family name. Like the first Christians please ask: “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Book of Acts 2:37) You may write to me at the address below.
God Bless,
Michael Wurmbrand
Michael Wurmbrand,
PO Box 5161
Torrance, Ca. 90510, USA,
Email: appeal@wurmbrandmichael.com
 LTRP Note: We urge readers of this article to contact Voice of the Martyrs and beseech them to allow an independent investigation in order that other children connected to VOM may be protected.
Contact Information for VOM:
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 443
Bartlesville, OK 74005-0443
VOM
The previous VOM building, now for sale for $1,600,000 in Bartlesville, OK.
To understand more about the epidemic of child molestation and how to protect your children, please read Sergeant Patrick Crough’s book, Seducers Among Our Children. You may also listen to an interview between Crough and Jan Markell here.
_____________________________________________________________________

Richa

MULTI-SENSORY MYSTICAL WORSHIP OF THE EMERGING CHURCH~LOOKS, SOUNDS, SMELLS, & FEELS LIKE CATHOLICISM


PRAYER STATIONS, ICONS, INCENSE, CANDLES, LABYRINTHS, 
BEADS, CONTEMPLATIVE MYSTICISM REPLACE THE WORD OF GOD
SEE: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletters/2014/newsletter20140317.htm; republished below in full for informational, educational, and research purposes:

by Roger Oakland 
Understand the Times
(author of Faith Undone: the emerging church—a new reformation or an end-time deception)
Stimulating images that provide spiritual experiences are an essential element of the emerging church. While many are bewildered as to why their churches are darkening their sanctuaries and setting up prayer stations with candles, incense, and icons, promoters of the emerging church movement say they know exactly what they are doing. Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Fellowship explains:

Everything in the service needs to preach–architecture, lighting, songs, prayers, fellowship, the smell–it all preaches. All five senses must be engaged to experience God.1

Often, Christians who have been attending church all their lives find the changes their pastors are implementing disconcerting, as they see the trend away from Bible teaching to multi-sensory stimulation. Dan Kimball quotes an older gentleman who had expressed his concerns about the implementation of an emerging style of mystical worship:

Dan, why did you use incense? I am not sure I like walking over to those prayer stations with all those props; can’t we just pray from our seats? Why aren’t you just preaching just the Bible? I wasn’t too comfortable when you had those times of silence, and it’s a little too dark in there for me.2

The comment by this gentleman in his seventies is typical of the comments I hear from many as I travel and speak at conferences around North America. But comments like this not only come from the elderly; many younger people are saying the same things. Both young and old are becoming concerned as they see multi-sensory mystical worship replace the preaching and teaching of the Word.
Nevertheless, Kimball and many others are convinced they are on the right path based on their view that emerging generations desire a multi-sensory worship experience. For example, in a chapter of Kimball’s book titled “Creating a Sacred Space for Vintage Worship” Kimball states:

[A]esthetics is not an end in itself. But in our culture, which is becoming more multi-sensory and less respectful of God, we have a responsibility to pay attention to the design of the space where we assemble regularly. In the emerging culture, darkness represents spirituality. We see this in Buddhist temples, as well as Catholic and Orthodox churches. Darkness communicates that something serious is happening.3

Kimball further states:

How ironic that returning to a raw and ancient form of worship is now seen as new and even cutting edge. We are simply going back to a vintage form of worship which has been around for as long as the church has been in existence.4

Of course, that is not really true. There is no evidence in the Bible that the disciples or the early church turned to a “raw” form of worship, especially one that needed darkness to help them feel more spiritual. If the early believers were in darkness, it would have been because they were meeting in secret to avoid arrest. To insinuate they were thinking about multi-sensory practices is an insult to their courage and devotion to God. Nowhere in Scripture is there even a hint of this. (For more on the emerging church, read Faith Undone.)
Notes:
1. “The National Reevaluation Forum: The Story of the Gathering,”(Youth Leader Networks – NEXT Special Edition, 1999, click here),pp. 3-8, citing Mark Driscoll, “Themes of the Emerging Church.”
2. Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, p. 127.
3. Ibid., p. 136.
4. Ibid., p. 169.
Related Article:


MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL IN PA DEFENDS STRIP SEARCHING CHILD~SAYS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DO NOT APPLY AT SCHOOL

MOTHER SUES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS



    “A mother told a Federal court this week that school officials in Pennsylvania told her that they were within their rights to strip-search her daughter, asserting that the girl “does not have constitutional rights because she is in a private school.””
SEE: http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/03/17/66191.htm; AND
http://www.infowars.com/private-school-defends-strip-searching-child-says-constitutional-rights-do-not-apply/;
Republished below in full unedited for informational, educational, and research purposes:
Steve Watson

Infowars.com
March 18, 2014
A mother told a Federal court this week that school officials in Pennsylvania told her that they were within their rights to strip-search her daughter, asserting that the girl “does not have constitutional rights because she is in a private school.”

Milton Hershey School: Where your children’s Constitutional rights are apparently left at the gate.
The incident, which occurred last year, saw officials at the Milton Hershey School in Harrisburg order the girl, identified only as “C.W.,” to remove her shirt because they suspected she had a cell phone on her person.
Such devices are considered contraband at the school, which is described as “cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students from the families of low income, limited resources and social need operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The court complaint states that the school’s nurse “touched C.W. all over her body – including her chest – feeling for a smartphone.”
No phone was found.
“After the strip search, C.W., feeling violated, was visibly upset, crying and shaken,” according to the case.
The mother, Trina Howze, is suing the school, saying that the procedure was conducted without her knowledge or presence.
When Howze called a student home supervisor, she was told that “C.W. does not have constitutional rights because she is in a private school and that the school is backed up by the Derry County Police Department; and ‘it is what it is, Ms. Howze.’”
Howze’s complaint states that her daughter’s rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment ensure “personal security and bodily integrity,” and freedom from governmental intrusion.
“C.W. had the right to be free from the intrusive physical examination,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff, Howze had a right to attend the strip search. The School Defendants violated those rights by ordering the strip search of Plaintiff C.W. without the consent of the Plaintiff, Howze.”
The case also notes that the school officials actions were “malicious, intentional, and displayed with a reckless indifference to the rights, safety and well being of the Plaintiffs.”
Howze’s attorneys are pressing for damages for violations of civil rights and due process, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, assault and battery. They are seeking in excess of $75,000, plus punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs and injunctive relief.
Local law professor Randy Lee questioned whether the case will succeed in Federal court, noting that the Constitution protects again government intrusion, but not necessarily against private citizens or organizations. Lee suggested that Mrs Howze should seek a different legal route.
In a statement to the media, school communications officers said that they couldn’t comment on the suit because they had not seen it, adding “We take their privacy rights very seriously.”
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Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor for Alex Jones’ Infowars.com, andPrisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham, and a Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University.
This article was posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 12:53 pm
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School Defends Strip-Searching Child, 

Says Constitutional Rights Do Not Apply

Published on Mar 19, 2014
A mother told a Federal court this week that school officials in Pennsylvania told her that they were within their rights to strip-search her daughter, asserting that the girl “does not have constitutional rights because she is in a private school.”
The incident, which occurred last year, saw officials at the Milton Hershey School in Harrisburg order the girl, identified only as “C.W.,” to remove her shirt because they suspected she had a cell phone on her person.
http://www.infowars.com/private-schoo…