Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an
overseer (bishop), he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be
above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church ? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He
must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
I Timothy 3
It's amazing to me how much clearer the scriptures are when I read them now. I spent years at a church (very similar to this one in Toledo). After God delivered me out..I started to realize that "we" have the power -the church body itself. WE are to be equipped to do the work of the ministry. Not sitting back watching the "one man show".
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. The problem is that these men appeal more to our flesh than our spirit. We become enthralled by their giftedness and "special anointings and revelation". We then get caught up in the gospel show and rather than being equipped by these men, we idolize and esteem them like the all powerful OZ. We are entertained and hold onto the promise of new levels and anointings for things that are not biblical. I have yet to read about a protocol anointing in the Bible as "Bishop" Michael Pitts has mentioned in his messages. That is merely his way of establishing a perverted style of authority in the church. Catholics are great on protocol and the scary thing is that once I left CStone, I began to see that the religious things Michael preaches against, he embraces, like all of the garb he now wears that he would often make fun of about the Catholics.
ReplyDeleteHe has also mentioned anointings for mantles of all manner. Again, find chapter and verse on mantle anointings. It is like some new age concept. What about just living according to what Jesus patterned for us in the gospels. Jesus didn't go on and on about mantles and new levels all the time. The apostle Paul wasn't big on titles and new levels.
The other problem with these so called "Bishops", whose lifestyles are questionable at best(what about avoiding the appearance of evil), is that they adhere to very authoritative styles of church structure. They often like to be thought of as the "father" of the house or the "pappa" of the house as Michael has called himself. That is merely a way to make the father term easier to swallow, so maybe it doesn't sound as religious as the Catholics. The Bible is very clear in Matt.23:9 to call no man father. And our heavenly Father sets the culture in the church today, not men who ordain themselves into these positions by other questionable men.
If you look up Kindom Now doctrine/theology, your eyes will be enlightened to these authoritative sytle of churches with "headship" that must be submitted to exclusively and nothing can be questioned or you will be asked/told to leave. That style of "headship" becomes abusive and controlling among other things.
My prayer for anyone feeling like something is wrong, but you are afraid to question things, go with your instincts and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. Fear no man and search out the Word for yourself. Read these blogs and seek out other christians for advice outside of your church. Being stuck in these churches is like being caught in a dysfunctional family/relationship. It's all you know or have known for a very long time and it is familiar. I know, I was a member for 18 years at CStone and had a very difficult time leaving as well. I didn't want to believe some things that I began questioning, but I searched things out for myself and prayed and went with what I knew in my spirit was the right thing to do based on the Word of God, not man's revelation, which adds to and takes from the Word of God to make it more appealing.
As Lance said, we are not to be watching "one man shows" in awe of these men/women. We all have the anointing within us and are all called to minister to the needs of others, not continually be fed and pumped up about awaiting for the next powerful anointing and level to come. If we are continually waiting for some anointing and level, then we don't live in the moment and we fail to meet real needs until we have arrived at some magical level where we will finally be ready to launch out into our ministry.
A man dressed in a long purple robe saying, "I am 'Poppa'" - sounds like the type of website one sets up as a pay-per-view except there are farm animals usually involved.
ReplyDeleteI feel God has blessed me in that I have always questioned. I even questioned the questions. No one's answer was ever good enough, and I was told that I had a spirit of rebellion. I told back that Jesus had the same spirit, if the Bible was correct.
The Stone is "Don't Ask/Don't Tell."
I am all so tired of separating Humanity. I feel like I need a transcendental sieve to sift out the crap that I carry from having been there.
This is the saddest part of all. I thought I had put a lot of personal luggage down at the altar. It turns out, however, when I left I decided to take an extra overnight bag with me.
Jesus spent a good amount of His time calling out the religious leaders of His day because they placed burdens and heavy yokes on people but they themselves did not follow their own rules that they enforced on others.
ReplyDeleteThis is called HYPOCRISY and DOUBLE STANDARDS and it is rampant in these church businesses.
Here are some examples:
Michael teaches that you need to submit to your Pastor and his headship regardless of whether you agree with everything or not, but if Michael wants to split from his Pastor in Lima to start Cornerstone, well that is alright. If Michael wants to rotate Pastors for whatever reason then it's quite alright. Hypocrisy.
Many of these leaders don't tithe themselves to anyone but yet you are required to tithe. Hypocrisy.
It's a game of double standards and religious hypocrisy with these leaders in these church business set ups.
Then you can label yourself whatever title and not have to follow the lifestyle the Bible says that a "Bishop" should follow???
Everyone else is required to have a "covering" except you? And trust me, all these guys that set up their supposed mentor / Pastor still run their own show. It's just for looks and marketing to certain demographic groups to try to increase membership and tithing contributions.
At the end of the day, you can put ANY TILE you want in front of your name but unless you demonstrate the fruit of it and operate out of Love toward people then it doesn't matter.
From Michaels FB site today:
ReplyDeleteclean water wells..new school built in africa..houses built in haiti..women n children freed from human trafficing..and great times of presence.....why doth the heathen rage..he that sits in the heavens will laugh....
This is the exercise of one of the classes taught in brain washing 101. It's called diversion tactics. It's the same thing Eddie Long is doing to keep people's attention off other issues that need to be addressed.
It's the old hey hey look over here and focus on this so you forget about this trick.
Elementary. Don't fall for it.
I have an idea. How about addressing the needs of the people right there in your own building that pay for everything?
I had a friend who went to Cornerstone, actually was a leader there for many years, who fell upon hard times and his tithe check bounced. Now realize he had been tithing and giving into crazy non biblical offerings for years and giving his time to help with ministry.
They send him a letter to let him know that it bounced and there was some fee involved for the bounce. He said, yea, thanks for letting me know I have no money to pay my bills. But you got money to build stuff over in another country with an oppressive government?
I guess it makes better highlight reels and if things go sideways you can bail to Africa.
How about a phone call to my buddy like hey brother we know you have been a faithful giver and our records show you have given 6K over the past 4 years while you were living on ramen noodles in college and sacrificing so we could get new rings and cars.
Anyhow, HOW CAN WE HELP A BROTHER IN NEED? Can we get you anything to make sure you don't file BK like David Banks?
Enough said...
To Anonymous 4:51 PM,
ReplyDeleteWell stated about the diversionary tactics and making it look like those of us pointing out
the truth are like "heathen raging". We are not. Rather we are christian brothers & sisters of which they forget we are.
Also, we are merely those who believe in the simplicity of God's Word as it is stated, as opposed to those who follow "hyped up revelation" of God's Word taken out of context or added to with emotional promises of levels and anointings to come.
It's nice that "Bishop" is giving of the members's money to help do all of those things in conjunction with other ministries. It is not all of Cornerstone's doings. They like to ride on the coat tails of other ministries and take much credit for those things. I guess it is a token for what they won't do for their own poor or for this city period, other than token gifts to organizations at Christmas.
So much for taking this city and binding all of the curses over it. If they can't heal this city, how can they heal all of the nations?? Don't the people of Toledo count for anything?? Look at the number of homeless families seeking shelter.
I know as "bishop" has said in the past when it comes to helping their own members - "We are not a bank". Funny thing though, they are when it comes to giving money to a guy who owns a TV station and they see it as an investment for themselves (Robert & Michael). I believe the
blade article quoted Robert as saying he gave him $900,000 overall to help with the station. Just think what that could have done for the poor in this city...
Again, look at the qualifications of a bishop as stated in the article above. And as Anonymous 10-10-10 11:10 said, where is the demonstration of real fruit and where is the love?
Not a bad set up if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteGet money from people who are struggling by dangling false hopes in front of them.
Once they give the money to the 501c3, set up corporation ventures to buy real estate, jets, houses,radio stations, and only God knows what else because no one can see the financial statements.
All the stuff you buy is in the corporations name so if any of your donors leave they basically pissed away their money to make you rich and they have no claim to the assets of the corporation.
Then go solicit a bunch of third world country folk in the name of missions trips who are broke and tell them how God wants to make them rich even though their goverment is corrupt as hell and show them how (make you their covering) and (give you 10% every month off their gross collections).
This is how the majority of these independent one man show 501c3's are doing it these days.
Keep on giving though because God will bless you no matter what they use the money for...
Wrong: God already blessed you as much as you are going to be blessed. If you want more money then exercise your gifts, they will make room for you, and you will get a higher salary.
I have a plethora of friends that love God and don't tithe and they are MONEY RICH because they work hard and are good stewards of their gifts and finances.
Liar Liar.
hmmm... Must admit... if this little man (MP) is so "reversed" in his twisted views, I'm quite honored to be referred to as a "raging heathen" by such an "angel of light"! His FB post should read: Divorce in my church being stopped, Adultery on my staff being done away with, our teenagers learning the Word of God (not getting drunk/pregnant), sexual perversion banished on my platform, my own self free from the root of ALL evil (love of $$), etc, etc. "He whom THE SON sets free, is FREE INDEED!"
ReplyDeleteSorry so lengthy, but read JESUS words in full below, since "St. Michael" is touting so many "good works" to his easily-wowed FB "Crew":
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7: 21 " Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER knew you: depart FROM me, ye that work INIQUITY (aka LAWLESSNESS). (yikes!)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT. "
No, MP, no one is laughing, especially over the fact your empire is FINISHED - but our hearts ARE breaking for the path of destruction your "ministry" has left all over this city, - our oft-divorced friends, separated families, mind-captured brothers/sisters, misunderstood moms, dads, and ex-ministry pals. (Even so, COME LORD JESUS!)
To Wheat or Tares,
ReplyDeleteExcellent Scripture you quoted. I think there will be many who fall into that category. Men who think they are doing the works of God, but are merely living out fleshly exploits that appeal to men's emotions and are devoid of the true Spirit of God. Their true motives are not for Godly gain, but for personal gain.
You are also right in that no one is laughing. We are all concerned for those who have been hurt by MP's "ministry" and are trying to find their way and sift through deceptive teaching and overly authoritative headship that cares little for their sheep.
It is a bit to late to reconsider policies on contacting members who leave. I was a dedicated, tithing member for 18 years and served faithfully in many ministries. After I left, not one of the "pastors" called to see if I had fallen ill or what had happened to me. I guess I no longer mattered because I had stepped down from a ministry I was in.
What a sad commentary on what is supposed to be a christian church based on the Word of God. Where is the love, caring and true shepherding? What about searching for the one lost sheep?
Yes, the "Bishop's" ministry has left a trail of destruction among many lives and that is what these blogs are all about - a place to seek help and guidance and to know that all who left are not off or bitter or disgruntled.
There is life after "Bishop" and Cornerstone. The problem is we are not to follow a man and a ministry. We are to follow Jesus and His Word alone. And when we put a man and a ministry on a pedestal, because that is the what is pushed from the platform, then it can only bring a destructive end for man will always disappoint us, and God is a jealous god.
"I know as "bishop" has said in the past when it comes to helping their own members - "We are not a bank". Funny thing though, they are when it comes to giving money to a guy who owns a TV station and they see it as an investment for themselves (Robert & Michael). I believe the
ReplyDeleteblade article quoted Robert as saying he gave him $900,000 overall to help with the station. Just think what that could have done for the poor in this city..."
Unfortunately, that is what Judas told Jesus...
If I recall, that TV station was in court a long time until "ownership was granted."
A post on Toledo Talk shows that hard-won station was sold for $1. Robert's company has Jerry Jones and Weathersby's names on it. The company it sold to (for that dollar) also has Jerry Jones and Weathersby on it.
This confuses me.
Do a search for "Jerry Jones" and you will find the post which has links to the information posted also.
http://toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/tt.pl/article/66615/Cornerstone_church
To Anon 2:
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what you meant by "that is what Judas told Jesus".
It sounds like you're okay with a church to be in the business of buying and selling TV and or radio stations for gain rather than taking care of the poor.
I also am confused as to why it was sold for a $1 to individuals working for/with Robert.
Better check out the lavish lifestyles of the Pitts brothers who seem not to care for their own sheep unless it is to their advantage.
Better yet, read the qualifications of a Bishop again and you'll see that Michael clearly doesn't qualify.
Wow, that is going to leave a mark!!! Sold it for a $1.00 and invested over 900K???
ReplyDeleteI am sure someone is going to be looking into this at some point. No?
Confused about the $1 sale?
ReplyDeleteHow about Robert is getting a divorce because he's been visiting a few too many hotel rooms in the middle of the day and now he's hiding assets from the wife.
He really should have done a better job though. If we know I'm certain Kelly's divorce attorney does.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteTwo ministry leaders getting a divorce for nearly the same thing - adulterous liasons.
ReplyDeleteThese are facts and when they are divorced, it will be public knowledge - can't hide that.
Could it be that what is on the head is flowing down like the oil on Aaron's beard? Better check what is really on Michael that is permeating the sheep at CStone. Is it arrogance and pride? Is it a perverse and deceptive spirit? Perversion comes in many forms, not just sexual perversion.
Better yet, when the spirit of Jezebel (control) comes knocking, it defiles all under its control. With control often comes a spirit of rebellion and destruction.
Was there too much control in Michael's ministry and now we have leaders in rebellion to relieve the pressure from the controlling system in place? Everyone clamoring to be more anointed than the other?
RTF leaders you know about the control, rebellion, rejection stronghold and the fear, shame, control stronghold. A 3 fold cord is not easily broken. What sorts of strongholds have overtaken Michael's life through the years that have now impacted all at CStone?
Don't think it strange that these things could come upon Michael for he is a man like we are, only we have all elevated him to a position far above what is biblically acceptable.
Yes, we ooh and ahh at his "anointed revelation" and oh wasn't that a good service. I'm feeling the glory of the next level.
What next level?? Is this some kind of cosmic game where we aspire to levels that don't exist in the Bible? Where does Jesus talk about going to new levels, and how does getting to a higher level really help anyone other than you to give you a feel good goose bump. Ewww- I feel the glory. I'm at a new level...I'm so anointed...
Get out of the glory clouds and look around at the poor and hurting people in this city. Go find a family in need and sow some of your seed into their lives in secret for nothing other than to do what Christ commanded us to do.
And when you find leaders in sin, run the other way. I don't think Jesus would approve of leaders living immoral lifestyles to be sitting in positions of authority in the church. Say what you want, forgive them, but if they are unrepentant and full of pride, you know a fall is coming.
I figured it went for a solid 4 quarters due to the impending divorce. That ever illegal hiding assets trick.
ReplyDeleteThat does seem like a hit though - $900,00 and then some. Unless, again, he sold it to HIMSELF???
It did not report it in the Blade as such. One has to check out the links given on TTalk.
The hotel room was for his lover and him. allegedly. Alleged Lover - Definitely him.
Cornerstone is a big church. The saints work everywhere. Apparently he did not phone ahead to see if he knew anyone on shift.
Get it? SHIFT?
To Anon2,
ReplyDeleteAmen. It wasn't until we finally smelled the stench of the SHIFT that we had to do a reality check and shake the SHIFT from our feet and move on.
It's just too bad there are still so many caught in the SHIFT and they have no idea how deep it has gotten. I'm not so sure they are going higher, maybe just deeper...deeper into their pockets, deeper into the lies and deception, deeper into the worship of a man and on and on we could go.
found this article on dmac624's blog- from last fall. Very honest, well- pointed assessment of his own experience in disconnecting from "Kool-Aid Man" and where many still are at today in "Bishop-land"
ReplyDeleteHere's link to WP (wordpress) post: http://wp.me/pDDUY-1
I read that also!! It really is a new lease on life and the love of God having found all of you.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon2,
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you found us too and that you have someone to share your experience with. We are not all "off" or disgruntled as some want to believe.
Rather, we have realized the false teaching we had been under for so long.
Keep on reading these blogs and the simple truth of God's Word will set you free indeed.
--To Anonymous (12:44 am)
ReplyDeleteYour heartfelt honesty is arresting and I dare say perhaps the most powerful comment I've yet seen among these growing lists.
My prayer is for your COMPLETE transformation (back) into Christ, your Soul Healer, Saving Guide, Time Redeemer, True Defender, and Loving Friend!
I add only from Proverbs 4 (NLT), where Wisdom pleads to us all:
14 Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. 15 Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, 16 for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. 17 They eat wickedness and drink violence!
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20 Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21 Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22 for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.
Amen!
To Wheat or Tares? Thank you, from Anonymous 12:44. I believe the author removed my post on here because I was trying to post under the topic "Abusive Churches" and reposted this morning under that topic, so they removed my post on this blog. I appreciate your kind words. I have a journey ahead of me now, but am a bit further along in it than some on here who are just now seeing the truth. The hardest part about being so close to any ministry is you also see how human we really are. Praise be to God, who makes our crooked paths straight, when we turn in repentance and walk away from sin. Thank you again, especially for your prayers. I need them!(my new "handle" is learningtoflyagain)
ReplyDeleteTo Learningtoflyagain,
ReplyDeleteGod sees your heart and He will honor your willingness to be honest and walk away from your sin. It is an awesome thing that we serve a God who can make our crooked paths straight when at last we humble ourselves, seek His forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways. His mercy really does endure forever.
And yes, we all have a difficult journey as we make our way along through sorting things out from our years at CStone. As one who was there 18 years, I remember the way it used to be when I first started going there. As the years went on a different spirit took over and there was more of a pressure to conform and then I felt as if I was in a competition for acknowledgement from "headship". Somehow no matter how hard I tried to serve and be a part, it seemed as if there was no personal caring from the pastors. Add to that all of the other things that kept happening with Michael and it caused me to begin questioning everything.
It was a difficult decision to leave, but it was one I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to do. I gradually pulled away and had no idea where to begin with sorting things out. I spent months feeling like something was wrong with me and felt numb about the fact that I was in the closest thing you could come to a cult. I doubted my decision and often felt guilty and thought about going back, yet knew I couldn't, because it would never be the same again. I cried many times as I prayed and asked God why, what happened and when was He going to deal with the headship at CStone. I was angry for so many reasons and went through a gamut of emotions from sadness, to anger to feeling numb and wanting to walk away from everything related to church.
Yet, having had a firm foundation as a christian, and having learned many wonderful things about faith and God from my earliest years at CStone, I always felt I could never truly walk away from my realtionship with Jesus. So I cried out to Him and looked to Him for comfort. I searched the Word for myself and got back to the basics of christianity, not the hyped up revelation of levels and anointings and whatever else I was ever striving for and waiting to come, but never did.
I am still in process and doing my best to move forward and find what God has for me outside of Cstone.
I pray for all of those who have found this blog and are trying to sort things out. May God guide you in your journey with His comfort and peace. And remember to reach out to others, check the resources listed on this blog site and the book learningtoflyagain mentioned in another post here. You will heal in time.