Trend: Catholics Disent From Teachings

HEBREWS 10
1) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3) But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein ; which are offered by the law;
9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.
15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21) And having a high priest over the house of God;
22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.


An article below concerning a trend of Catholics moving away from teachings in their church. It is imperative people realize Christ is the way--the only way to salvation and eternal life. No church denomination can save you, Mary cannot save you, Joseph cannot save you, a priest cannot save you, how many people you feed cannot save. Jesus Christ is the only way!
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New survey finds US Catholics distant from Church teachings, sacraments
Catholic World News


A new survey of American Catholics finds that most are comfortable with their faith, but not with the teachings of the Church.

An overwhelming 86% of those surveyed said that “you can disagree with aspects of church teachings and still remain loyal to the church.” That attitude was underlined by responses to individual questions, as only about one-third attended Mass weekly and accepted the teaching authority of the Church.

“It’s the core creedal sacramental issues that really matter to American Catholics, more than the external trappings of church authority,” said Michele Dillon, a co-author of the survey report. But if doctrinal teachings are dismissed as “external trappings,” the study finds a lukewarm interest in Catholic sacramental life. Nearly half of the respondents (47%) reported attending Mass less than once a month, and only 63% said that the sacramental life is very important. In fact only 73% thought that the Resurrection was important to their faith.

Getting Back To The Gospel in The US

Oh what a great message below! This was received via email by Andrew Strom's ministry.

"A BURDEN"
-Michael Carl.

'Have you ever wondered how we can have million dollar church buildings and pack-in huge crowds on Sunday, but have no power in our witness? Do you wonder how about half of the people in this country claim to have had a born again experience and how the churches are having so little of an impact? Have you been amazed at the fact that American society is becoming increasingly antagonistic to the church.

How can this be?

The answer seems to be that it's because the pastors in the pulpits have sold out to the 'Seeker Sensitive' movement. We've opted for programs, lights, smoke machines, stage props, and the prosperity Gospel.

Pastors preach the Gospel of Self-Fulfillment and talk about how we're destined to reign. Our pulpits echo with: 'God wants you to be happy' and 'You can have your best life now'. We have major tele-preachers holding 'camp meetings' where the 'preacher' shouts, 'Let's celebrate you!'

I heard a preacher say once that if you have trials in your life, then you don't have enough faith. What a ludicrous statement and how utterly un-Biblical!

Paul had more faith than most of us and he never stopped going through trials. We talk faith and prosperity while the church around the world grows in not merely number, but in depth and maturity. They see miracles and God's power; they sense His presence.

How? They've learned to persevere through trials. A Charismatic Episcopal Church Bishop in Pakistan had a Muslim slit his throat, throw him off of a bus and leave him for dead just because the Bishop was a Christian. But the Bishop's ministry grows and he sees the fruit.

Christians in other parts of the world weep for revival in the American church. What does that say about us?

It means that we are weak and self-absorbed.

I heard another television preacher turn the tables and suggest that a preacher who focused on subjects like F. F. Bruce's The Hard Sayings of Jesus was not preaching the Gospel and ignoring the truth of the Word! 'They didn't want to hear that' he claimed!

What utter disregard for the truth! Jesus said, '"The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head,"' and told His followers of His coming arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion.

This means we're deceived and taken with greed.

There are no tears for revival and the only One weeping is Jesus. He bled and died for us and we proclaim that the Gospel is a means to prosperity, power and influence. Church services look more like pop concerts and the preaching is only a babbling collection of self-absorbed slogans and how God wants us to be happy!

No, God wants us to be holy!

Where is the message of repentance? Where is the '"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me"'?

Folks, the message of the cross is foolishness and offensive to the world. Paul told us that 191/2 centuries ago.

Paul also told us that if he wanted to please the world, he would not be a follower of Christ.

Can you imagine Elijah having a chat with the wicked King Ahab about how we can 'Coexist'? Or, do you think John the Baptist should have opened a dialogue with Herod about tolerance?

No, those mighty men of God were sent to confront the leaders of their time about the sin in the society! Why is it that our evangelicals spend their time trying to cozy up and make nice with our politicians while there are souls perishing hourly and going into a Christ-less eternity?

This is the message that will transform this culture and turn this country around.

Rob Bell Leaves Mars Hill

Chirst did not come in the flesh only to die in vain. Hell is very real--it is NOT a metaphor. Hell is not a pleasant topic--but it is a necessary one.



John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.


Trendy Grand Rapids pastor leaving church he founded to pursue 'strategic opportunities'
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

A Grand Rapids pastor who is one of Michigan's best-known religious leaders is leaving the church he founded.

Rob Bell -- an evangelical Christian who has attracted national attention for his hip style and unconventional preaching -- is leaving Mars Hill, a church he started a dozen years ago in a suburb of Grand Rapids. Church officials made the announcement Thursday on the church's Web site, saying that Bell, 41, is leaving to "devote his full energy to sharing the message of God's love with a broader audience."

Earlier this year, Time magazine named Bell as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, a list that included notables such as Oprah Winfrey and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. And on Thursday, Bell's name trended nationally at one point on Twitter after the church said he was leaving, indicating the buzz surrounding his departure.

Bell has written several successful books, and he has toured internationally, preaching a Christianity that is accessible to younger people. His church came out of a strong Christian presence in west Michigan heavily influenced by Protestant traditions such as Calvinism, but had a casual manner that appealed to younger people.

Church leaders said in the statement that Bell was "feeling the call from God to pursue strategic opportunities."

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Angel Food Ministries Forced To Close

*Below is an article which discusses the impact of the end of Angel Food Ministries upon a particular community. The closure of this organization is producing nationwide repercussions.

Angel Food Ministries Closing After 17 Years

RANTOUL — A food ministry that served low-income residents and others affected by the poor economy is, itself, a victim of the economy.

Angel Food Ministries, which at one time served 500,000 families a month in 35 states, said last week it was closing after 17 years.

The shutdown was effective immediately.

Angel Food Ministries had been founded in January to replace the SHARE Food bulk food program in Rantoul when SHARE Food shut down in December because of low numbers.

Nancy Brown, Angel Foods' director in Rantoul, said the shutdown is going to hit many area residents hard, including her.

Brown said one person who had participated in both the SHARE Food and Angel Food programs got a shock when she went to a store to buy meat.

"She didn't realize what a bargain she was getting," Brown said.

Another customer used the program because she has acute allergies that don't allow her to be around people. The program offered home delivery.

An announcement on the Angel Food Ministries website said organizers "realize the pressure that this places on our host sites, community food banks and customers."

The announcement said most, if not all, food ministries have shut down in recent years. The rapid rise in food costs and fuel costs were cited for the decision.

Brown said Rantoul area residents who placed a food order for September will receive refunds.

She said she had no inkling that the program was struggling until it was announced that the September order of food would not be coming.

Despite starting up less than a year ago, the Rantoul site was in Illinois' top three in terms of customer numbers, Brown said. An average of more than 100 people signed up for food each month.

"It's devastating to have it happen twice in a year," Brown said.

She said she is actively seeking a replacement program but doesn't know if any are available.

"It's hard, even in your own mind, to accept this and hold your head up and go on," Brown said.

The Angel Food Ministries program saved customers money through bulk purchasing. J.C. Neff of Effingham said about 180 distribution sites were set up in Illinois and about 5,500 host sites in the country.

Participants were able to sign up at either one of two monthly signup periods at Community Service Center or online using a debit card or credit card. They were also able to use their Link Card or SNAP card when paying on-site.

Income level didn't matter. Anyone could order through the program, regardless of how much money they made. And participants weren't limited to Rantoul.

Food was trucked from Georgia to distribution sites. Rantoul's site was the Community Service Center.

Pastors Joseph and Linda Wingo started the program in 1994 in Georgia.

The shutdown of the Rantoul program will have an effect in another area as well.

Some Champaign County residents sentenced to perform community service will have to look for another work site.

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Whoa Mr. Robertson!

Well, Mr. Robertson’s foot is in his mouth again. I wonder if he simply does not think before he speaks. Even more so the secular world is outraged by this, because they view it as hypocrisy. The unbeliever cannot see that Christians do fail and display selfish bad attitudes—but is that a reflection of the goodness, mercy, and power of God? Absolutely not!! Weigh the individual, my unbelieving friend out there! These tea party folks carrying the “God and NAR and vote for ME” card spouting ugly venom at the poor and crushed in the U.S.—do that reflect all of us believers? It does not reflect me! I have never seen a president treated with such disrespectful contempt like President Obama by the tea party “God and NAR and vote for ME” card carrying crowd—and I am convinced racist attitudes are at play at times. Recently I had unbelieving relatives discussing these topics with myself and my family. Sigh…little wonder at times those trapped in darkness cannot see through the individual unto the Message which truly matters. An article on Robertson’s latest controversy below:


Pat Robertson says Alzheimer's makes divorce OK
by Associated Press

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson told his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is "a kind of death."

During the portion of the show where the one-time Republican presidential candidate takes questions from viewers, Robertson was asked what advice a man should give to a friend who began seeing another woman after his wife started suffering from the incurable neurological disorder.

"I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her," Robertson said.

The chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, which airs the "700 Club," said he wouldn't "put a guilt trip" on anyone who divorces a spouse who suffers from the illness, but added, "Get some ethicist besides me to give you the answer."

Most Christian denominations at least discourage divorce, citing Jesus' words in the Gospel of Mark that equate divorce and remarriage with adultery.

Terry Meeuwsen, Robertson's co-host, asked him about couples' marriage vows to take care of each other "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health."

"If you respect that vow, you say 'til death do us part,'" Robertson said during the Tuesday broadcast. "This is a kind of death."

A network spokesman said Wednesday that Robertson had no further statement.

Divorce is uncommon among couples where one partner is suffering from Alzheimer's, said Beth Kallmyer, director of constituent services for the Alzheimer's Association, which provides resources to sufferers and their families.

"We don't hear a lot of people saying 'I'm going to get divorced,'" she told The Associated Press. "Families typically respond the way they do to any other fatal disease."

The stress can be significant in marriages though, Kallmyer said, because it results in the gradual loss of a person's mental faculties.

"The caregiving can be really stressful on a couple of levels," she said. "There's the physical level. There's also the emotional level of feeling like you're losing that person you love."

As a result, she said, it's important for couples to make decisions about care together in the early stages of the illness, when its effects aren't as prominent.

Prayer and Personal Privacy

When Calls for Prayer Trample Personal Privacy
By Bill Broadway, Washington Post Staff Writer


Disclosing Details of Members' Health Could Pose Legal Problem for Churches

Bryan Mitnaul of Virginia Beach might be the only person to have won a lawsuit against a church over the publication of personal medical information.

But he won't hold the title long if religious communities don't revise the way they publicize such information, according to specialists who advise clergy on privacy matters.

In Mitnaul's case, an April 2000 article posted on the Web site of Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland heralded the minister of music's return from an illness:

"We have good news for you!" the article read. "Bryan Mitnaul is returning to Fairmount after a long medical leave of absence.

"Since the summer of last year, Bryan has been treated for bi-polar illness, a condition which at time has resulted in serious depression for him. Various therapies and medications have been tried, and finally, after much experimentation, his health has improved considerably. For that we are all very happy."

The church's comments, no matter how well-intentioned, crossed a line that should be a warning to any religious group that shares members' medical information in newsletters and during worship services, several ministers and specialists said.

Legally, publishing details of Mitnaul's condition without his permission was an invasion of privacy because it "included information in a way that would be highly offensive to the ordinary person," said Richard Hammar, general counsel for the Missouri-based Assemblies of God and publisher of Church Law & Tax Report, a national bimonthly newsletter.

Some conditions carry more of a stigma than others, and mental illness is one of them, Hammar said. Saying a person is recovering from a heart attack or being treated for cancer is "much less offensive," he said.

That's the way an Ohio appeals court ruled in 2002, citing invasion of privacy in sending the case back to a lower court that had issued a summary judgment favoring the church.

"It would have been okay to say I had been in the hospital and was very ill and had recovered to the point I could return to work," Mitnaul, 49, said in a telephone interview from the Eastern Shore Chapel, an Episcopal church where he has been director of music for 21/2 years.

Most people in the 1,600-member Cleveland church knew of his depression, Mitnaul said. But no one other than the pastoral staff was aware of the diagnosis, which was "put on the Internet for anyone in the world to see."

"It changed who I was, not just to the people at Fairmount church, but anyone who did a Google search," said Mitnaul, adding that he is healthy and that most Eastern Shore members are unaware of his medical history and the lawsuit. "Once it's out there, you can't get it back. It took a while to get it off the Web site."

Mitnaul said he settled out of court "because it was too stressful" to continue to be drawn into an increasingly antagonistic relationship with the church. In addition to the dispute over the Web site announcement, the church terminated his employment after he was unable to return to work on an agreed-upon date, saying he was "not physically or mentally able . . . to continue in the position in which you have so distinguished yourself," according to court documents.

On that matter, too, the appellate court ruled in Mitnaul's favor. But it's the privacy issue that has caught the attention of denominational legal offices, especially with last year's implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

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Nasty Politics Fueled By Wanna Be Christians

The following "conversational" exchange was sent via email through Andrew Strom's ministry. It concerns the nasty behavior exhibited by U.S. Christians in the political arena. The world is watching folks, and I say little wonder many nonbelievers discount us when they see some of the behavior Christians exhibit when it comes to politics--especially by the tea party crowd. (and the NAR is certainly flaming some of it!) And boy howdy how some are so skillful at yanking the strings of conservative evangelicals in America. I call it prostituting the Gospel myself for political gain. The Message is not about politics, it is about Jesus Christ. Shouldn't we be about our Father's business?

"Sorry to see you go, but hey... we will certainly meet again."

Email presented directly below:


USA POLITICS, RICK PERRY & the N.A.R.
-by Andrew Strom.

I had a couple from the USA write to me today with a rather hair-raising question on US politics. But before we get to their email,let me make a couple of points. As many of you know, I am astrongly conservative evangelical Christian. And yet, I have questioned for a long time whether conservative Christians (particularly in the USA) are trying to solve "SPIRITUAL" problems with Politics - which will never work. The sheer amount of money and energy and passion that Christians in the US are devoting to "electing the right guy" seems to even dwarf what they are willing to do SPIRITUALLY. There is something wrong. We are trying to use Politics to solve problems that only God Himself can solve! We need an actual Awakening - not just a "new guy" for President! A lot of this massive devotion and activism is a "distraction" and is also leading to enraged and "hateful" behaviour from Christians. Slander, gossip, anger, malicious talk, circulating hateful rumors, etc, etc. Real ugly behaviour that is not Christ-like at all. In fact, it is the very opposite of the way Jesus told us to be.

But now - let us get to the email. Here is what Carolyn and Wendell wrote to me-"Concerning America and patriotism. I have participated in this also... I have a question that I would greatly appreciate your input
concerning.

"My husband and I have become increasingly troubled by the emphasis on politics as an answer to our country's problems. At the birth of the Christian Right, which I date from Pat Robertson's call for Christians to register as Republicans and vote accordingly because of the issues of abortion and gay rights. At first this seemed right to my husband and me, but as time went by we became troubled in our spirits and began to seek the Lord about it. We should have done that before, but there was so much peer pressure that we never even questioned that it was the right path.

"The 'voice' was so strident and so angry that we SHOULD have questioned it at the onset. The strident voice grew louder and louder and more and more angry until it became actually hate filled and discernment became hard to find within the movement - to proclaim the Republican Party as the party God had chosen. To even question that God might NOT have blessed a specific party as a holy vessel and the other as evil was met with outrage.

"Christians began to send hate filled email forwards about President Obama that were clearly bald-faced lies, but were received with gladness. The intensity only increased. When we warned others that Romans 13 was still in the Bible we were met with derision, so great was the hatred for this man who was elected as President.

"Now, another Christian voice has risen, and as 'the savior of our country', Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas. We have heard from media reports that he has aligned himself with a group known as the "New Apostolic Reformation" which has been compared to the "Kingdom Now"... the "Reconstruction/Kingdom Dominionists" movements. In trying to ascertain the validity of this movement (actually a "doctrine", I believe), we have found an extremely troubling trend toward acceptance of the belief that God will restore America THROUGH a Christian political movement--ie. man's efforts.

"This sounds like to us exactly what Satan has devised and not in any way resembling our Holy Father's plan for redemption of His people in HIS KINGDOM IN HEAVEN. This human ordained plan for redemption of our country smacks of pride, arrogance and greed without even a hint of godliness. It sounds like a plan to establish a theocracy though it will not be called a theocracy... I ran across an internet article/blog authored by Dr. Orrel Steincamp (and another by Ken Silva) called "The Coalescing of the Christian Right with Apostolic Dominionism". This sounds like just what my husband and I had feared would transpire, but we aren't acquainted with these authors. We would greatly appreciate your prayerful consideration of this movement in order to give us more light and clarity on the subject."

ANDREW REPLIES: I will only be brief, because I'm sure others will have insights to share. But let me start by saying I am totally opposed to the so-called “New Apostolic Reformation” – since I believe it is neither “apostolic” nor any kind of real ‘reformation’ at all. It is essentially just another type of “hierarchy” trying to
impose itself over the church – made up (mostly) of presumptuous men with business cards displaying the word “apostle”. These are the same guys who got up on stage to endorse Todd Bentley at the Lakeland revival just before the whole thing collapsed. God gave them a public spanking then for their "apostolic" proclamations, but it looks like they are coming back for more. Once was not enough. This "2nd spanking" is now underway and is all over the media. God is yet again showing that these are no "apostles" of His. Rick Perry - if he knows what is good for him - will distance himself from these guys at the speed of light. But already they may have cost him the Presidency.

Regarding the "hatefulness" of Politics - yes it is totally unChristian to behave that way - yet so many Christians are getting caught up in it. That is because they are putting Politics ahead of God. HE is the only one that can save America. Not an "election"!! If you think that the Tea Party and Fox News can save America with their Political activism, you are totally out to lunch. JESUS is the only one who can save the country. No-one else. We need a REVIVAL - not just a political party!!

But it is even worse - because it is now starting to get so extreme that I believe civil strife can be expected on the streets if it keeps going this way. You know, when God judges a country He often gives them over to division and infighting and internal strife. I believe this is on the cards for America in the next few years. My friends, I urge you not to be part of it. Don't be part of the "mob hysteria" that is starting to get whipped up on both the Left and the Right. This is not what Jesus calls us to at all. The dangers are becoming more and more evident. U.S Christians - you have been warned.