Aloha!You’ve
reached the PowerToStand
Ministries FGBC Concerns Synopsis Page! This is a message from Steve
Mitchell,
If
you clicked on one of the articles or article series recently presented
concerning CE National, the DRIVEN conferences, or various and sundry concerns
about recent developments in the Grace Brethren, here’s the story so far…
Perhaps
you’ve found the sheer volume of concerns I shared way too much to take
in…
Perhaps you
took offense at the fact that I shared what I shared…
Perhaps
you flat out disagree with me and see me as merely an alarmist, reactionary,
or well, you fill in the blank…
Perhaps
you missed my heart because of my tone, which you may have felt was snarky,
snitty, snotty, snooty, or snappy…allow me to sincerely apologize if I
came across that way.
If,
in fact, one or all of the above are true about your feelings on these
matters, I am attempting to encourage continued dialogue in a direction
and format that is more conducive to healthy discussion. So, just to straighten
some things out:
1)I
LOVE this fellowship and am CONCERNED with the direction
many seem to be looking, heading, and getting into. Until folks stop promoting
the ministries and products of teachers like Tony Jones, Rob bell, Doug
Pagitt, Erwin McManus, and others, I will continually be CONCERNED
and must share these CONCERNS with whoever will listen.
2)Because
I LOVE GOD, His people, and those we are trying to reach with the
gospel, I will continue to be CONCERNED and voice those CONCERNS
as long as many in leadership and FGBC churches continue to look towards
aberrant ministry paradigms like many of those offered by Willow Creek,
Saddleback, and many in what some call the “Emergent/Emerging” church crowd.
3)I
remain CONCERNED with what our young adults run the risk of being
exposed to concerning emergent philosophy or mystical practices through
recommended materials, sermons, “model ministry” visits, and some of what
is slated for their conference agendas.
4)I
am CONCERNED with the discernment level of what is being allowed
expression in some of our blogs and written works.
I
say all that to say this. I have shared these CONCERNS and appeals
to many. I have had good and not-so-good conversations with many in ministry
about these things and have been met with disdain, disagreement, and in
some cases, loving support. I realize that there is a wide variety of opinion
on these things but I believe the only way forward for the FGBC as a fellowship
that honors God and His Word above today’s pop culture, trends and man-made
wisdom is for a return to God’s Holy Word as the standard for our faith
and practice. I believe that most are trying to do this but we must face
the facts that there must be increased diligence in these last days.
We
truly ought to “test all things” and discard what is erroneous, unwise,
or heretical from among us. I say this to myself as a CHRISTIAN,
my ministry as a pastor in the Garden City GBC, and a fellow believer,
which would comprise most of the audience reading this.
Let’s
talk about these things. I look forward to hearing from you.
Feel
free to contact me anytime with questions, comments, or corrections.
We
Must: Preach the Word! Get back to the Bible! Be Vividly Biblical!
A
Revolution Will Follow!
In
Christ Jesus,
Steve
Mitchell powertostand@yahoo.com
Paul:
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who
is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have
their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance
to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and
will turn aside to myths.”
2
Timothy 4:1 -4