Comments on: Conversation #5: The Luxury Life of TV Evangelists is Coming to an End http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/ Change Revolution Tue, 22 May 2012 02:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Derek Emrie http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-13809 Derek Emrie Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-13809 Know what, I notice some of the really big TV evangalist now days, using the BIG letters (Phd, etc.) behind their name, so now, many of those that do have to have armed guards with them when they do these big city "revivals" (did they used to call them crusades?), their level of fame and fortune (God wants us to PROSPER, right?) requires this level of physical security when they are in large crowds, until such time that they can make it back to their "castles".  They have their success, their beautiful homes, nice clothes, and ALL THAT, hopefully they have peace at their "Kublakan".  I for one can not muster the energy to "bless their ministry" with my offering, while I drive a +10 year old car and they fly around in private jets, own millions in real estate, etc. Do not wish them any harm or malice, but some preach as if you do not want mansions and Rolls Royces you are not accepting the scriptures...to thine own self be true. When I want to be a blessing I give blood, volunteer at a food bank, etc., my time is my donation. Imagine the dollar amount that some of these prosperity ministers have spent defending themselves and some of their practices, hmmm? Know what, I notice some of the really big TV evangalist now days, using the BIG letters (Phd, etc.) behind their name, so now, many of those that do have to have armed guards with them when they do these big city “revivals” (did they used to call them crusades?), their level of fame and fortune (God wants us to PROSPER, right?) requires this level of physical security when they are in large crowds, until such time that they can make it back to their “castles”.  They have their success, their beautiful homes, nice clothes, and ALL THAT, hopefully they have peace at their “Kublakan”.  I for one can not muster the energy to “bless their ministry” with my offering, while I drive a +10 year old car and they fly around in private jets, own millions in real estate, etc. Do not wish them any harm or malice, but some preach as if you do not want mansions and Rolls Royces you are not accepting the scriptures…to thine own self be true. When I want to be a blessing I give blood, volunteer at a food bank, etc., my time is my donation. Imagine the dollar amount that some of these prosperity ministers have spent defending themselves and some of their practices, hmmm?

]]> By: Linda http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6970 Linda Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6970 <p> Dr Kennedy also was a Dominionist so that was enough for me not to see him as one to admire. </p> <p> Only America mattered to him and if he had any concern for the rest of the world I never saw it. </p> <p> Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel and this means what it says. </p> <p> I am sure that this country will see the worse judgment of God more than any nation on earth for taking the gospel in Rome from the apostles and bringing it here to save themselves. </p> <p> Yes the Romans are here today only now they are called Americans. </p> <p> If you study history it is that the Romans were saved once and after the apostles died they took the gospel only to themselves and it ended up here and no further. </p> <p> Kennedy was a promoter of that. </p> Dr Kennedy also was a Dominionist so that was enough for me not to see him as one to admire.

Only America mattered to him and if he had any concern for the rest of the world I never saw it.

Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel and this means what it says.

I am sure that this country will see the worse judgment of God more than any nation on earth for taking the gospel in Rome from the apostles and bringing it here to save themselves.

Yes the Romans are here today only now they are called Americans.

If you study history it is that the Romans were saved once and after the apostles died they took the gospel only to themselves and it ended up here and no further.

Kennedy was a promoter of that.

]]> By: Eric Dye http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6971 Eric Dye Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6971 Agreed. Agreed.

]]> By: Jeff Reid http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6972 Jeff Reid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6972 <p>It's one thing to be blessed by your congregation as an honest expression of their appreciation. And it's another thing entirely, when that blessing is demanded and then, becomes just another form of addiction. (And it can happen to anyone of us if we're not careful.) </p><p>If the television ministries had poured their on-air resources into creating "Must See TV" rather than just pandering for cash, they could've had a stream of income that would've lasted for a long, long time. But Christian broadcasters have never thought about it that way. Maybe some of the new guard can do just that. And, pour that extra income into production, and project development ~ rather than just another trip to the mall, or a salary increase. Let's hope. Let's ask God for financial wisdom to filter down into every aspect of Christian media.   </p><p> </p> It's one thing to be blessed by your congregation as an honest expression of their appreciation. And it's another thing entirely, when that blessing is demanded and then, becomes just another form of addiction. (And it can happen to anyone of us if we're not careful.)

If the television ministries had poured their on-air resources into creating "Must See TV" rather than just pandering for cash, they could've had a stream of income that would've lasted for a long, long time. But Christian broadcasters have never thought about it that way. Maybe some of the new guard can do just that. And, pour that extra income into production, and project development ~ rather than just another trip to the mall, or a salary increase. Let's hope. Let's ask God for financial wisdom to filter down into every aspect of Christian media.   

 

]]> By: michael buckingham http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6973 michael buckingham Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6973 <p>It's about balance.</p><p>There are pastors who lives in a million dollar home...those attending his church live in trailers.</p><p>There are other pastors who lives in a million dollar home...those attending his church have several homes that are multi-million dollars.</p><p>There are churches who pay their pastors very well, and do little for there community.<br />There are other churches who pay their pastors well and give abundantly. </p><p>There are pastors who demand, even preach, private jets.<br />There are pastors who have frozen their own pay raises to give raises to jr. staff.</p><p>Side note: I believe in being generous to the pastor...but I also believe in the pastor and the church to be just as generous. Don't preach about me needing to give generously and then turn around in a Tuesday meeting and ask me to do everything for free.</p><p>Balance.  <br /></p> It's about balance.

There are pastors who lives in a million dollar home…those attending his church live in trailers.

There are other pastors who lives in a million dollar home…those attending his church have several homes that are multi-million dollars.

There are churches who pay their pastors very well, and do little for there community.
There are other churches who pay their pastors well and give abundantly.

There are pastors who demand, even preach, private jets.
There are pastors who have frozen their own pay raises to give raises to jr. staff.

Side note: I believe in being generous to the pastor…but I also believe in the pastor and the church to be just as generous. Don't preach about me needing to give generously and then turn around in a Tuesday meeting and ask me to do everything for free.

Balance. 

]]> By: under a rock http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6974 under a rock Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6974 <div style="margin: 0px">Oooh!!  At the risk of speaking my mind...I love it!!! </div><div style="margin: 0px">Too many preachers living high on the hog while their congregation is struggling to meet the next house payment...they preach "if you only believe it, it will come to pass"...the folks believe with all their heart, and nothing changes....why is another story but, never the less it doesn't ...then what follows for the congregant...a crisis of faith...self doubt...abandonment of the church for "other" paths....The CHURCH leaders need to be very careful what they tell their congregation and how they live by comparison...  Their is so much more to asking for God's blessings!</div><div style="margin: 0px">God wants us to succeed, but God's plan for success requires that we live our lives with HIM as our focus!  We need to be the change the world wants to see. It is not about getting, but giving, making more of what you have in order to be a blessing.  I love the parable of the talents...that says it all! </div><div style="margin: 0px">Nothing wrong with success...lots wrong with living like the world!  </div><div style="margin: 0px">Preach it Phil....be the voice of reason!!!<br /></div> Oooh!!  At the risk of speaking my mind…I love it!!! 
Too many preachers living high on the hog while their congregation is struggling to meet the next house payment…they preach "if you only believe it, it will come to pass"…the folks believe with all their heart, and nothing changes….why is another story but, never the less it doesn't …then what follows for the congregant…a crisis of faith…self doubt…abandonment of the church for "other" paths….The CHURCH leaders need to be very careful what they tell their congregation and how they live by comparison…  Their is so much more to asking for God's blessings!
God wants us to succeed, but God's plan for success requires that we live our lives with HIM as our focus!  We need to be the change the world wants to see. It is not about getting, but giving, making more of what you have in order to be a blessing.  I love the parable of the talents…that says it all! 
Nothing wrong with success…lots wrong with living like the world!  
Preach it Phil….be the voice of reason!!!
]]> By: Debbie http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6975 Debbie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6975 I think the word is discernment! For the pastor and the church member. We're all accountable. I think the word is discernment! For the pastor and the church member. We're all accountable.

]]> By: Hector http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6976 Hector Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6976 <div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="498583821-09012009"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Hello Phil.  Thanks for this piece.  </font></span></div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="498583821-09012009"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">It's a shame that many of Dr. Kennedy's TV peers failed to emulate his lifestyle.  Here's a man that tithed his entire salary back to the Church, relinquished millions of dollars in royalties to Coral Ridge Ministries (which he could have kept for himself), lived in a modest home, and was practically begged by his congregants to upgrade his dated car.  It was his desire live a life above reproach and wanted nothing to detract an individual from coming to Christ...and that included his lifestyle.</font></span></div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="498583821-09012009"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">One story comes to mind.  I am told that he would not go to restaurants on Sundays after Church because one day, while at lunch at a local restaurant, a waitress approached him and told him that it was because people like him (allegedly customers) that she was unable to attend Church.  While I am certain that this was an excuse on behalf of the waitress (she could have quit her job), it nevertheless convicted the man sufficiently to keep him and his family from restaurants on Sunday afternoons.  </font></span></div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"> </div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"><span class="498583821-09012009"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">It is not my intention to deify the man because we know he was a fallen man redeemed by Christ, but can we find this type of integrity and self-sacrifice amongst TV Evangelists today (1Cor 11:1)?  If young pastors are looking for a role model, Dr. D. James Kennedy has my vote.</font></span></div> <div dir="ltr" align="left"> <br /></div> Hello Phil.  Thanks for this piece. 
 
It's a shame that many of Dr. Kennedy's TV peers failed to emulate his lifestyle.  Here's a man that tithed his entire salary back to the Church, relinquished millions of dollars in royalties to Coral Ridge Ministries (which he could have kept for himself), lived in a modest home, and was practically begged by his congregants to upgrade his dated car.  It was his desire live a life above reproach and wanted nothing to detract an individual from coming to Christ…and that included his lifestyle.
 
One story comes to mind.  I am told that he would not go to restaurants on Sundays after Church because one day, while at lunch at a local restaurant, a waitress approached him and told him that it was because people like him (allegedly customers) that she was unable to attend Church.  While I am certain that this was an excuse on behalf of the waitress (she could have quit her job), it nevertheless convicted the man sufficiently to keep him and his family from restaurants on Sunday afternoons. 
 
It is not my intention to deify the man because we know he was a fallen man redeemed by Christ, but can we find this type of integrity and self-sacrifice amongst TV Evangelists today (1Cor 11:1)?  If young pastors are looking for a role model, Dr. D. James Kennedy has my vote.
]]> By: Paul Crouch, Jr. http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6977 Paul Crouch, Jr. Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6977 While I agree with this article to a certain extent, it seems a bit short sighted to me.  "TV Evangelism" is for the most part an American creation, because you don't see it very prevalent in other countries.  How does this argument hold up when dealing with the Catholic church?  (The foundation of our faith!)  Isn't the Pope a TV evangelist?  After all, I see him every Christmas and Easter on TV....in 26 languages no less!  What does his house cost?  What is his salary?  What does the bullet proof "Popemobile" cost?  Does he deserve to live in such luxury?  But the bigger issue is....."Does it matter?"  Hundreds of millions, donate billions of dollars to that church, many who live in shacks and can only afford to give farm animals.  But I don't hear any of them whining.  Why? While I agree with this article to a certain extent, it seems a bit short sighted to me.  "TV Evangelism" is for the most part an American creation, because you don't see it very prevalent in other countries.  How does this argument hold up when dealing with the Catholic church?  (The foundation of our faith!)  Isn't the Pope a TV evangelist?  After all, I see him every Christmas and Easter on TV….in 26 languages no less!  What does his house cost?  What is his salary?  What does the bullet proof "Popemobile" cost?  Does he deserve to live in such luxury?  But the bigger issue is….."Does it matter?"  Hundreds of millions, donate billions of dollars to that church, many who live in shacks and can only afford to give farm animals.  But I don't hear any of them whining.  Why?

]]> By: bygracenotmerit http://philcooke.com/luxury_living/#comment-6978 bygracenotmerit Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/luxury_living#comment-6978 I would say that is a very good bottom line! :-) Remaining Steadfast, Dominique http://anunlikelyperspective2.squarespace.com I would say that is a very good bottom line! :-)

Remaining Steadfast,
Dominique
http://anunlikelyperspective2.squarespace.com

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