Comments on: Ministry Flash Points http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/ Change Revolution Tue, 22 May 2012 02:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: ChURcHwORlD 2.0 http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9272 ChURcHwORlD 2.0 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9272 Agreed. (Amen, Amen, and AMEN.) I scratch my head at the fact that this even needs to be said. (Though I shouldn’t.) Jesus wept. Agreed. (Amen, Amen, and AMEN.) I scratch my head at the fact that this even needs to be said. (Though I shouldn’t.) Jesus wept.

]]> By: Jenn http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9273 Jenn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9273 <p>Well said!</p> Well said!

]]> By: ChURcHwORlD 2.0 http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9274 ChURcHwORlD 2.0 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9274 (over Jerusalem.) (over Jerusalem.)

]]> By: Al Cortez http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9275 Al Cortez Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9275 One main reason that I tremendously appreciate and admire Billy Graham is because he keenly understood this principle, and strived to be careful to always "abstain from the APPEARANCE of evil". It's amazing that despite his tremendous success, he hasn't attracted attention for a lavish or gaudy lifestyl. I read somewhere that Rev. Graham's rule of thumb regarding spending ministry or even personal money is to always buy "in the middle". That is, not to stay in a cheap motel, but neither the most expensive resort, instead select a nice place "in the middle". As a result, Billy Graham's ministry has been fruitful for over 60 or more years, never bringing reproach to the precious gospel of Christ....to the glory of God. Way to go, Billy!!! One main reason that I tremendously appreciate and admire Billy Graham is because he keenly understood this principle, and strived to be careful to always “abstain from the APPEARANCE of evil”. It’s amazing that despite his tremendous success, he hasn’t attracted attention for a lavish or gaudy lifestyl. I read somewhere that Rev. Graham’s rule of thumb regarding spending ministry or even personal money is to always buy “in the middle”. That is, not to stay in a cheap motel, but neither the most expensive resort, instead select a nice place “in the middle”. As a result, Billy Graham’s ministry has been fruitful for over 60 or more years, never bringing reproach to the precious gospel of Christ….to the glory of God. Way to go, Billy!!!

]]> By: ocube o http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9276 ocube o Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9276 <p>A case of all things being lawful but not expedient! Well said!</p> A case of all things being lawful but not expedient! Well said!

]]> By: Robert Winkler Burke http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9277 Robert Winkler Burke Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9277 A good definition of liberty is "mutual dedication to self-retraint." Today's banksters have simply followed today's mega-rich ministers. They, like socialist politicians, believe that plebes must support their exceptional lack of self-restraint. And they call it good, when any person with common sense knows it ain't necessarily so! Mutual dedication to self-restraint, except mega-rich ministers, is not liberty. Heck, it is licentious! It turns the nose. UGH! A good definition of liberty is “mutual dedication to self-retraint.” Today’s banksters have simply followed today’s mega-rich ministers. They, like socialist politicians, believe that plebes must support their exceptional lack of self-restraint. And they call it good, when any person with common sense knows it ain’t necessarily so! Mutual dedication to self-restraint, except mega-rich ministers, is not liberty. Heck, it is licentious! It turns the nose. UGH!

]]> By: Alex Tillman http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9278 Alex Tillman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9278 Phil, I agree with you on your thought of Pastors buying these extravagant items, but what are your thoughts on Pastors being given some of these things as gifts? I know for a fact that Crefflo Dollar has said from the pulpit that he's been given at least one Bentley in the past. Is it then wrong for him to keep that gift? Or should he be required to keep it under wraps to avoid controversy? And if he was to sell the item he was given, how would that affect the person who gave the gift? Just wanted your thoughts from another angle. :) Phil,
I agree with you on your thought of Pastors buying these extravagant items, but what are your thoughts on Pastors being given some of these things as gifts?

I know for a fact that Crefflo Dollar has said from the pulpit that he’s been given at least one Bentley in the past. Is it then wrong for him to keep that gift? Or should he be required to keep it under wraps to avoid controversy? And if he was to sell the item he was given, how would that affect the person who gave the gift?

Just wanted your thoughts from another angle. :)

]]> By: Phil http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9279 Phil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9279 <p>Gifts are no different for me.  How you use your money, or how you handle gifts have the same perception in the eyes of donors, congregation, or the public.</p> Gifts are no different for me.  How you use your money, or how you handle gifts have the same perception in the eyes of donors, congregation, or the public.

]]> By: Will http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9280 Will Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9280 <p>People who continue to support "ministry leaders" that exhibit poor judgement and ostentatious spending are also seriously responsible for misuse of the Lord's treasure. Discernment in all things...</p><p>This recent article from ICR provides a bibical perspective on these trangressions.</p><p><a href="http://www.icr.org/articles/type/6/" rel="nofollow">http://www.icr.org/articles/type/6/</a></p> People who continue to support “ministry leaders” that exhibit poor judgement and ostentatious spending are also seriously responsible for misuse of the Lord’s treasure. Discernment in all things…

This recent article from ICR provides a bibical perspective on these trangressions.

http://www.icr.org/articles/type/6/

]]> By: Alan Smithee http://philcooke.com/ministry_flash_points/#comment-9281 Alan Smithee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://philcooke.vintom.com/ministry_flash_points#comment-9281 Once had ministry leaders fly to an event on the Concorde (because they supposedly had waited "too late" to book normal air tickets). They had the boldness to ask for a discount on our group's rented camera gear and lights.<div> Heard about an extremely well-known evangelist that will not allow the crew or fellow passengers to use the bathroom on his private jet. Only the evangelist can. Entitlement...what a disease. Where is the Apostle Paul when you need him? Like the "middle" approach Al Cortez cited about Billy Graham. Once had ministry leaders fly to an event on the Concorde (because they supposedly had waited “too late” to book normal air tickets). They had the boldness to ask for a discount on our group’s rented camera gear and lights.

Heard about an extremely well-known evangelist that will not allow the crew or fellow passengers to use the bathroom on his private jet. Only the evangelist can.

Entitlement…what a disease. Where is the Apostle Paul when you need him?

Like the “middle” approach Al Cortez cited about Billy Graham.

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