The Trumpet. Pastor s Pen. June 2012

Transcription

1 June 2012 The Trumpet The trumpet shall sound and we shall be changed (I Corinthians 15:52) 1 Volume 6, Issue 6 Pastor s Pen A few months before I left Escalon to come to Mountain Home, the local newspaper carried as its lead stories the downfall of two area pastors who had been recently arrested on unrelated charges. In one case the pastor forged paperwork, sold the church for over $700,000, pocketed the money, and bought the church secretary (who he was making plans to marry) a new BMW car. He later pled guilty and negotiated a lesser sentence, getting credit for jailtime already served and a fine, to turn states evidence in an open murder case. In the other story, a pastor was arrested and jailed while awaiting trial on murder charges (which he was later found guilty of). He was arrested following a lengthy investigation into two suspicious car accidents, the second of which took the life of a man who had made him the trustee of his million-dollar estate. Whether these charges prove to be legitimate is still to be determined in a court of law. Revelations like these cause folks within the Christian community to shake its collective head in bewilderment; among non-christians can be heard shouts of hypocrites. It s peculiar but true; the plethora social ministries, children s ministries, community outreach programs and providing a place of worship hardly get recognized. Churches labor undeterred to feed the poor; provide clothing for the indigent; shelter for the homeless; and help for the needy. Pastors are called on do weddings, funerals, and all forms of family counseling. They sit by the bed of the sick and offer encouragement to the broken-hearted. But let a Christian stumble and fall, particularly a pastor, and its headline news. Much to our chagrin this is reality. I suspect that s why the Apostle Paul said to the church at Thessalonica, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil. (I Thess ) Inside This Edition Pastor s Pen page 1 Commission 2012 page 2 Putting on Full Armor of God page 3 Calendar page 5 Awana News page 6 Birthdays and Anniversaries page 7 It might seem unfair to be under the world s magnifying glass and to have a different standard placed on us, but its not. We are called to represent the sovereign God of heaven and to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. That calling raises the bar for every person claiming Christ as personal Savior. So we labor in obscurity, work without fanfare, and care not about recognition. We seek the applause and the approval of God rather than man. We labor because we love God and because we re laying up treasures in heaven where they cannot be corrupted or destroyed.

2 Pastor s Pen Continued The world will scrutinize and criticize our every move. In some way they find validation for their behavior in our faults and failures. Remember this, when the world scrutinizes and demonizes you, You are of God, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. (I John 4:4). Blessings to all, Pastor Jim 2 We need all of the church family to get involved. Hosting commission is a great joy, but also requires the combined effort of many people.. There are sign up sheets in the foyer that list many ways you can get involved. Praise - There are 20 youth signed up so far. We still need one male and one female counselors for our youth. We need housing for staff members. Donate cookies - bake now and put in your freezer & Desserts for Sunday Evening June 24 Help prepare meals in the morning and serve them in the evening - Contact Marian Mitchell. Encourage and bring kids to Interactive tract at the church Tents to hold at least 7 people Plus more - see sign up sheets - there is something for everyone. Thank you! Crystal Gunderson/ Commission Director Rose Plympton or ext 238 Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child is a ministry formed by Franklin Graham that takes Christmas gifts and the Gospel to underprivileged children all over the world. We are collecting items to fill shoeboxes in November. Each month we will highlight a different item to bring in. But, please remember we will take all types of donations at any time! For June please bring in combs.

3 Putting on the Full Armor of God This month we begin a two part series on the history of the Word/Faith Movement showing its cultic origins. Permit me to encourage you to save this month s Trumpet so you can read the two parts together next month. The Cultic Origins of the Word/Faith Movement Many people think the origin of the Word/Faith Movement was with Kenneth Hagin. He is certainly a very important figure - men like Kenneth Copeland and Fred Price have followed in his footsteps - but the beginning of the movement must be credited to another. However Hagin was the man from whom men like Copeland and Price learned the Word/Faith Gospel. Hagin died September 22, 2003 and his ministry is carried on by his son, Kenneth Hagin, Jr., but the primary leadership of the movement is now held by Kenneth Copeland. Other important men would include the late John Osteen, Charles Capps, Benny Hinn, John Avanzini, Robert Tilton, Marilyn Hickey, Paul Yonggi Cho, Jerry Savelle, Morris Cerullo and Paul Crouch of TBN. Of course, John Osteen has been succeeded by his son Joel. Joel has changed the terminology somewhat, but his teaching is essentially the same. The real roots of the movement go back to a man by the name of E. W. Kenyon. Essek William Kenyon was born in 1867 and died in His first book on the subject was published in 1916, while Hagin s first book was not published until Yet if we compare Hagin s books with Kenyon we find in them the similarities so great that they can only be explained by plagiarism. Here are two examples of that plagiarism. 3 1a. Kenneth Hagin The 22nd Psalm gives a graphic picture of the crucifixion of Jesus - more vivid than that of John, Matthew or Mark who witnessed it. "From Christ our Substitute", The Word of Faith March b. E. W. Kenyon The twenty-second Psalm gives a graphic picture of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is more vivid than that of John, Matthew or Mark who witnessed it. From What Happened from the Cross to the Throne, Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society a. Kenneth Hagin What does Identification mean? It means our complete union with Christ. This gives us the key which unlocks the great teachings of identification. Christ became one with us in sin that we might become one with Him in righteousness. He became as we were to the end that we might become as He is now. He died to make us live. He became weak to make us strong. He suffered shame to give us glory He went to hell to take us to heaven. He was condemned to justify us He was made sick that healing might be ours. From "The Resurrection, What it Gives Us" The Word of Faith, April 1977

4 4 2b. E. W. Kenyon At once you might ask, "What does identification mean?" It means our complete union with Him in His Substitutionary Sacrifice. This gives us the key that unlocks the great teaching of identification. Christ became one with us in sin that we might become one with Him in righteousness. He became as we were to the end that we might become as He is now. He died to make us live. He became weak to make us strong. He suffered shame to give us glory. He went to hell to take us to heaven. He was condemned to justify us. He was made sick that healing might be ours. From Identification, A Romance in Redemption, Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society. Try to think of the importance of the two men to the movement in this way. Kenyon is the source of the doctrines. Hagin is the founder of the movement. The origin of Kenyon s teaching lies in the late 19 th century metaphysical cults such as New Thought and Christian Science. Here is one quote from Kenneth Hagin that supports that claim. When I preach on the mind, it frightens some congregations. They immediately think of Christian Science. Let me define for you what I mean when I refer to a belief system as a cult. Sometimes that term is used more broadly than I would like. For me the definition of a cult begins with the definition of orthodox beliefs because the reason we define a movement as cultic is because its beliefs deviate so far from what the scripture teaches that its adherents cannot even be called Christian. And for our purposes we are talking about Christian cults, not about some group that makes no claim to be Christian. Also, I want to differentiate between cults and apostate churches. The Roman Catholic Church is an apostate church not a cult, though its errors are most serious indeed. Also, I am convinced there are some Christians within the Roman church, though they are believers in spite of Roman Catholic teaching. The beliefs of cults are so perverted that they cannot be called Christian in any sense nor are any members of cults Christians. The primary heresies of cults are: 1. They do not have a correct definition of who God is 2. They have a different Gospel. Next month - Part 2. Remember to save this month s issue of the Trumpet so you can read part one and part two together.

5 5 Ministry Opportunities at FSBC June Calendar 2 Jessica Lundberg Baby Shower (2:00 p.m.) 3 Pot Luck Fellowship (12:30 p.m.) Men s Leadership Team Meeting (1:30 p.m.) 5 Ladies Leadership Team Meeting Maintenance Committee Meeting (7:30 p.m.) 6 PR Meeting (7:30 p.m.) 9 Rummage Sale (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon) 10 Gideon Presentation (11:00 a.m.) Deacon s Meeting (6:30 p.m.) 14 Ladies Craft Group (6:30 p.m.) 16 Ladies Wedding Party 17 Father s Day - No Evening Service 19 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans (19th & 20th) Sunday School Teachers Meeting (6:30 p.m.) 23 All Church Work Day - Chairs (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon) Ladies Craft Group (6:30 p.m.) 27 God & Country Festival (6:00 p.m.) Commission

6 6 Congratulations to all the Awana clubbers who earned awards this year! Cubbies Book 1/Bear: Levi Furrow Liam Lewellen Cubbies Book 2/Ribbon: McKenzie Furrow Karston Walker Andrew Gibson Sparks Book 1/Ribbon: Kent Clark Robert Elston Rebekah Thayer Zachary Thayer Samantha Worthey Sparks Book 2/Ribbon: Rylee Carley Brogan Paslay Aiden Shepard Sparks Book 3/Sparky Plaque: Brogan Paslay 3 rd 12 th grade Accumulative Awards Book1/Alpha Award: William Gibson Michael Nellis Brayden Paslay Book2/Excellence Award: Dakota Carley Makayla Clark Matthew Luna Jenny Martinez Brayden Paslay Book3/Challenge Award: Dakota Carley Makayla Clark Matthew Luna Book 4/Timothy Award: Jenna Crowe Book 5/Milestone Award: Megan Clark Book 7/Milestone Award & Journey Pin: Alicia Clark Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you all next year! Registration: Wednesday, August 22 nd, from 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

7 Hymn of the Month (Comedy) Corner This month s Hymn has to be shared by Realtors and Logicians (people who study logic) 7 Standing on the Premises June Birthdays and Anniversaries 4 Steve Noland 17 Janet Nesbitt Aaron Menhart 18 Jackie Grinnell 5 Rae Ann Stoecker 19 Martha Hazelbaker 6 Trey Gebhardt 20 Makayla Clark 12 John Ring 22 Richard Hitt Susan Croyle 26 Aaron Nielson 13 Marian Mitchell Augi Grajeda Shannon Crowe 28 McKenzie Furrow 11 Rick & Janice Sebring 23 Tim & Shelby Lawrence 12 James & Sarah Gregory 26 Ken & Pam Anderson 15 Gus & Melissa Gephardt If you do not see your name here and would like to: please contact the church office at and let us know your birthday and/or anniversary. Mother's Day Out News Our Mother's Day Out program is now registering for the school year! We also have added a summer session to our program. The summer session will run from June 5 th to July 31 st with the Fourth of July off. We will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 2:30 p.m. If you are interested in enrolling your child(ren) please see Nicole Clark in the office. Discounts are available for FSBC members and regular attendees. We are also excited to announce that we are adding a full-time program director. Heather Phillips will begin her tenure at the start of the summer session.