We want to hear from you...
Countless times we've all ran into each other out in local shopping centers, restaurants, and even other churches. By now we've all become familiar with those seemingly "divine" chance-encounters haven't we? So we quickly gravitate toward the usual friendly "Hey, how are ya?" greets...stopping for a minute to chat or continue walking on. Either way--"The Million Dollar" question that comes to everyone’s mind is: "Why did YOU leave?"
Most members that became deeply involved for years at Cornerstone, would have never imagined themselves leaving -ever. So after continuously serving, worshipping, and supporting the same pastor and his teachings together...we cannot help but to wonder the same things. What changed and when? However, when it comes to the point of actually stating our reasons FOR leaving --it can be initially a little awkward to be the first without knowing where the other party lies. If anything else, folks tend to make sure they at least communicate the fact that they ARE doing GREAT and (despite what we've been told) our life hasn't "fallen apart" since leaving the 'Stone. (Yes, everyone that leaves Cornerstone discovers this POWERFUL TRUTH -The Blessing and Favor of God are NOT attached to a Leader or a church building. This "fear factor" is simply a tool that spiritually abusive leaders use to control.)
One of the primary reasons people DON'T share why they leave...is because so many CREDIBLE members have been VILLAINIZED once they do...their "reasons" for leaving are always dismissed or due to "offense". -Surely there couldn't be a REAL REASON for leaving Cornerstone...I'm sure "Bishop" has his reasons for handling things the way he does??right? However --your ability to SHARE your transition with others, is a KEY indicator of where you are in terms of "living out" your new position of FREEDOM. You are no longer PHYSICALLY bound as a slave inEgypt …so why would you allow yourself to remain MENTALLY bound by the same control OUT of? You are now FREE to speak without "Pharaoh" and his minions STILL controlling your every move. How long must some of us continue to sit by and "watch", paralyzed in FEAR by the OPINIONS of others? You have been "unplugged from the Matrix" -it's time to stop living in it. It's not "spiritual warfare" that's being launched ...it's psychological. Egypt
With that being said, those brief encounters in public are often NOT by chance. The folks that are considering the decision TO leave Cornerstone are certainly not likely to inquire INSIDE the walls of 1520 Reynolds Rd. So, both parties are given "their moment" ...and then it passes. Sometimes we walk away thinking, "I wish I would have said this or that..."
So, whether you are still committed to staying or currently sitting "on the fence" a lot of people are "seeing things" and starting to ask those tough questions. It's TIME to put it out there... and to hear THE FACTS DIRECTLY from those WHO HAVE ALREADY LEFT.
Was there an "IT" in the whole process that did it for you?
What was YOUR experience when you discussed what you were seeing with either:
•Michael Pitts•Robert Pitts
•David Banks
•Jeffrey Smith
•Janet Wend
•David Roberts -Lima
•Janet Wend
•David Roberts -Lima
"So...Why DID you leave?"
Answer: -The Exploitation of The Dream- PART 1
ReplyDelete(yes, the God-given one) The Exploitation of The Dream...
placed within my heart- by my Creator- LONG BEFORE crossing paths with smooth-speaking, snake-skinned “wow”-ers, the likes of MSP.
Why did I leave? The Exploitation of The God-Conceived Dream- that (thankfully) led me to pursue a very singular thing… (most ironically, the “one thing” that I first felt so strongly that MP possessed in the mid-90’s that I just couldn’t stop gushing about to all who asked me why I was in Toledo, “revelation”)… that one thing so greatly seen/felt by all who once heard such preaching… I left by Revelation, not of man, neither from any man, but rather by REVELATION OF TRUTH-- that I personally paid the price to track down and pursue... after over a decade of riding the Pitts Express to Nowhere.
Just what was this Revelation that signaled my final “exit stage left”? -- It was the uncovering, unveiling, taking the lid off the concealment of this fact… that “apostle” (yes, I left before he was “anointed” most holy “bishop”) Michael Pitts was -in reality- a USURPER OF GIFTS. One who “took claim to” those with God-given talents, gifts, anointings, callings, whatever you call them- and then exalted himself as “the anointed one that covers (or, smothers you)”. From ye ‘ole dictionary:
usurp |yoōˈsərp| verb [trans.]
take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force : Richard usurped the throne.
• take the place of (someone in a position of power) illegally: supplant : the Hanoverian dynasty had usurped the Stuarts.
• [intrans.] ( usurp on/upon) archaic: encroach or infringe upon (someone's rights) : the Church had usurped upon the domain of the state.
-DERIVATIVES
usurpation |ˌyoōsərˈpā sh ən| noun
usurper noun
-ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense [appropriate (a right) wrongfully] ): from Old French usurper, from Latin usurpare ‘seize for use.’
This phrase shook me to my core one Sunday morning after a time of worship, when MP began speaking into the mic. I had just been lost for a moment (remember those days?) in my own time of worship at the ‘Stone... (for fair and fine the musical giftings once flowed, in spite of the hidden sins on that stage by this time, circa 2006). I had just returned from a conference I attended alone (yes, without “permission” of the boss-men, or their knowledge even) in another city. After a few days of re-acquaintance with the person of the Holy Spirit, (who I sadly had lost touch with while slaving- er, serving- the exalted vision of another man) and sitting at His feet to hear Truth again, I returned to the by-now-getting-wearisome Sunday morning show. My first reaction was mental at hearing such a phrase spoken about someone I had given years of my life to. I shook my head to ensure the “devil” wasn’t speaking in my ear… Nope! I knew the Voice of My True Shepherd. “He is a usurper of gifts.” And that was all that was spoken… and the lights came on a bit more clearly. In reality, MP wasn’t just usurping “my gift” or “your gift”. He was taking (usurping) the place of the ONLY ONE you/I will bow our knee to and confess as your Lord, one day. Sure, it took another full year to “unplug” and finally turn in my key to the building to David Martinez (on Easter Sunday, 2007), but as I pursued the Revelation of Truth in greater focus and passion, LIGHT OVERPOWERED (the fast-dimming) DARKNESS!
PART 2 (con't)
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, it was simple really. I began to reclaim and renew my commitment to Jesus- as my only Master and Lord. As I reviewed both His Written Word, and the many words He had graciously spoken to Me in my younger days of walking closely with Him, I began to see just how gross and defiled my own calling in life had become... as long as I kept laying it at the feet of another man. Ummm, one who did NOT call me, anoint me, save me, sanctify me, heal me, deliver me, baptize me with the HOLY Spirit, provide for my needs, love me, CORRECT and CHASTEN me when needed, nor author the Dream in my heart, from an era of childlike faith and innocence.
Jesus stated to his own band one day, “IF you CONTINUE IN MY WORD… THEN are you MY disciples indeed… AND YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH shall MAKE YOU FREE” Yes, Truth Himself made me free to “walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts”. It was the uncovering and revealing of Someone now too hidden, yet still present with me- and His DIRECT, ACCURATE, UNMISTAKEABLE WORDS to my heart that began to “make me free”… indeed!
(Note- once you’ve been publicly blasted from the platform, maligned along with all the other “devils” who left, despised and forgotten by those same men who vainly claimed they “loved you”… after all that, I have no qualms or reservations about speaking so pointedly and accurately. It took a sharp Sword to penetrate my ‘Stoned heart, hopefully these words will truly empower your journey into Freedom. If not…no worries, bro/sis… doing my best to longer react to, or take personally, any opinions that don’t agree with The One- or His Word.)
For those of you who have been chewing over the articles and comments on this much-needed blog, you have no doubt noticed my screen name in every comment and the two articles I have written is/has always been hyper-linked to my own website… and my identity (again, this is NOT my blog, in case any “ass-ume”) is no secret. My name is Darrin McCormick and I seek no applause, offering, sheep-following or exalted recognition. I invested years, thousands of dollars, and thousands of hours having (what was advertised as) Life AT Cornerstone Church, Incorporated. During the last few years since leaving, Life AFTER CC has been challenging, rewarding, humbling, perfecting and quite honestly, breath-taking. I now am seeking the One… But for now, I am living Life IN the Cornerstone, the Author and Finisher of our faith! It is a life meant to be shared together with “all who love His appearing”… and it is truly an overcoming life! What a change, huh?!? Free, yet bound, yoked, (planted, ha!) -now only to Him. An owner of nothing really, yet possessing everything. No longer I who live, but Christ that lives IN Me (and you, and you, and you). Dead to sin, but ALIVE unto God. Imperfect, but being perfected “as we behold His Glory, the Glory of the ONLY begotten of the Father, FULL OF GRACE … and… TRUTH!
After writing two guest articles, and posting a few replies now, I’ll be focusing on my Life IN THE Cornerstone, and leaving the blog here to proceed as its author best sees fit. (and Kudos by the way!) I’ve truly enjoyed hearing so many powerful testimonies on here. I look forward to your ever-expanding freedom in 2011… in a new and living Way. Drop me a line at: darrin@624creations.com if you’d like. Remember, “They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren't in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.”
PS- The merriest of Christmases and happiest of New Years to you and yours!!! Ho-ho-ho! :o)
I left CC because when I went to MP or his lackies for a kind word or encourgement, I received continual criticism and rebuke. Then, after having a number of abusive encounters, I started "redirecting" my giving to other ministries that, by my estimation, needed my money more. When this became another issue for rebuke, I confirmed my growing suspicion that I was tolerated for body count and income only . . . "I" wasn't really wanted, just what I could give by way of offering and energy. CC is a ONE-WAY street and you're kidding yourself to think otherwise. The defining moment was when Paula White preached and said "why would you go where you are only tolerated and not celebrated?" (paraphrased from memory). It seemed like good advise. Since that time, not a single CC person has reached out or even contacted me (as is their "protocol"). So much for the biblical protocol of "leaving the ninety and nine to seek the one" lost sheep. But then again, why should a little thing like scripture be important in a Church?
ReplyDelete1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)
ReplyDelete1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
John 13:34-35 (The Message)
ReplyDelete34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."
1 John 4:19-21 (The Message)
19We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
20-21If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
So why did I leave? Because I stopped believing that Apostle, Bishop, Overseer and Pastor displayed Christianity and didn't deserved the simple, less magnificent title, "Christian".
ReplyDeleteI realized that new levels, anointings, dimensions, blessings, and whatever other carrot is dangled in front of you while your pocket is being picked do not exist in the NT. Ask yourself how many of those false hope messages ever REALLY come to fruition in your life or in the "church" over the years. You have to stop lying to yourself. That is step one.
ReplyDeleteWe already have EVERYTHING we will ever have in Christ by faith in Him alone. You are blessed by faith in Jesus Christ. The amount of money you earn or get in life "financial blessing" is directly proportionate to what value you and your gifts provide to the marketplace. It has nothing to do with anything else.
Tithing does not make you blessed, not tithing does not curse you when you are already blessed in Christ. Abraham was blessed by faith in God's promise to him ALONE. Less than 17% of Christians tithe (fact at George Barna's site). I know Christians who never tithed who have more money and PEACE then most people I knew at Cornerstone over a 5 year period. They love God, they give as they purpose in their heart (that is the NT instructive on giving folks). MP and RP don't even tithe, Banks has been teaching tithing for 20 years and went bankrupt...anyone? anyone?
You will never be any more anointed or blessed than what you already are in Christ. If you think otherwise, please provide scripture to support the strive, strive, strive message that MP and the guest wolves bring all year round.
Godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain. When is the last time you heard a message on contentment by MP? Here is your answer: Never, because it doesn't make him money.
Step One out of the system: Stop lying to yourself and conveniently skipping scriptures that you know are contrary to what MP teaches...
That was what I had to do to get the ball rolling out of the Stone years ago. Best decision I ever ever ever made in my entire life.
You don't realize how much all the preaching and teaching is centered around wealth accumulation and material goods until you leave this place.
ReplyDeleteIt is deceptive because they make you think it's to further the kingdom of God, when in reality it's about lining the Pitts pockets to further their lavish extravagant living.
I remember after one service MP was coming off the stage and my buddy (we were close to him) said to him, wow, that is a nice watch (it was a blinged out Rolex) and MP said it took him five revival services to get that....
I went home and thought to myself, what did he just say?
It's God or Mammon and unfortunately if you look at the lifestyle of the Pitts, it's 100% mammon. It's one thing to live a comfortable life style but another to live lavishly while most your members are living below the poverty level barely getting by in life. I think Jeremiah and Ezekial talk about this somewhere....lol.
And just for the record, ANY guy who COLLECTS the money and deposits it in his account is the winner. That is called a Ponzi scheme where others work and you skim off their efforts.
I would love to see MP and RP in the "real" world working sales jobs. Now that would be a heck of a reality show for sure....
Leave yesterday...
I hate to admit it, but I stayed for many years after I knew something was wrong. I really believed that it was my place to pray for the man of God. That the problems I was seeing wasn't him, but other people and unclean spirits "influencing" his decisions. In '97 I shared a dream I had in which I saw the spirit of Jezebel keeping guard over MP and keeping him away from the sheep, with Sis. Banks. I was acknowledged with a polite smile and a "that's nice." In 2001, I again shared the dream with Pastor Martinez. He actually received what I was saying. This was one of many, many dreams given to me that held warnings. But, like the previous dream, I continued to believe that I was shown these things so I could pray.
ReplyDeleteThe final 6 months that I was there, I actually felt as if I had a bi-polar disorder. When I was away from the church, I dreaded going back and knew there was a very serious problem. As soon as I was in the building, I was convinced that it was me, I had the issue. Yet, every time I was in service, I would read the passage that MP was preaching and actually take the time right there to read the entire chapter that contained the scripture. I found that too many times the passage that he used was being taken completely out of context with what the Bible actually said.
These are just a very few of the numerous red flags that were shown to me and my family. It was God himself who finally, audibly told me and my spouse not to return. We met with DB to turn in our keys and asked to be "released." Honestly, at that point, we simply wanted to go without a lot of debate or discussion. We were in and out within 10 min.
One of the biggest clinchers for us was when God gave a dream to my seven year old child regarding CC. In it the Holy Spirit was helping as many people as possible escape the church before the rocket the ministry was building to reach the stars (tower of Babel, anyone?) exploded on those who remained. If my child was sensitive enough to receive the word from God that my heart continued to refuse to, I knew that we had stayed WAY past the time we were called to leave.
Within one week of officially leaving CC, it seemed as if everywhere we went we would run into people who had "war" stories of their experiences with CC and the ministry. We didn't go looking for these people, we just had these "divinely" appointed encounters with others. God used person after person to re-affirm to us that indeed we were in His will and this is what He wanted of us, that something was terribly wrong at CC. Up until that point I never realized just how many "injured" saints are in this community needing healing from their "experience" at the hands of MP and RP. Yes, the healing does come from God, but I KNOW that He is using this site and others testimonies to help with that healing process! Keep up the good work!!!!!! Bless you!!!!!!
Part 1
ReplyDeleteWow, such profound revelation in each of the above posts. I too can relate to much of what was said.
I was a member for 18 years and for the last 3-4 years, my mind & thoughts seemed to be at war as I too felt many times that it was just me - I wasn't good enough. For some odd reason, no matter how hard I tried to live up to the religious works system of MP & RP, it always seemed that they acknowledged someone else with more degrees or better skills, even though I was no slacker & had 2 degrees & 20+ years of experience in my field of expertise.
In reality, it was whoever had the goods to make their empire look good. They could use them & their gifts to uplift their "vision" & increase their kingdom i.e. line their pockets & then have the audacity to tell people in need that we are not a bank - oh really...ATM machines in the lobby!!!!!
My talents were of no use in their kingdom & they of course had no reason to encourage my gifts as it did not bring monetary influence to them. I taught in School of the Bible for years & then in Synergy. I received many accolades from those who took my class and said you need to get this out there. And yet, my headship gave no encouragement or acknowledgemnet of the teaching gift God had placed within me. I kept wondering if I was just full of pride & maybe I really didn't have a gift. Why was it that so many others were acknowledged & I didn't seem to exist? Perhaps it was because I wasn't trying to claw my way to the top & my praise was for MY heavenly Father & not the anointed MP.
To be continued.
So why did I leave? To be honest, it was extremely hard for me to make THAT decision and actually follow-through with it. It was a process for sure. It started out with me noticing things and then "excusing them" for years. Thinking it was just me and who am I to "say" how the church should be ran. I also use to take for granted that Pastor Pitts was running things the way God told him too. I learned the hard way not to ASSUME. I should have taken my Word out or at least prayed and asked the Lord WHY I was starting to notice the things that weren't right. I guess I was waiting for some audible voice from Heaven...probably out of fear or my inability to accept a truth that was so surreal at the time. I NEVER thought I would leave, so the concept itself was so foreign to say the least. Like considering to live in another world or something at the time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, once I DID realize that SOMETHING was not right. I decided to pray and make sure MY heart was right first. I also prayed for Pastor Pitts in the Spirit. I remember asking the HS to give me at least (1) specific thing to pray about. He said, "Pray that Michael's heart would return back to that of which it was, at the beginning of his ministry." WOW! It was like a light switch flipped on when God spoke this to me. It was evident at that point that it WASN'T me. Something is NOT right, as the Spirit had BEEN trying to show me. Lots of emotions at that point, especially saddness after the reality of it started to sink in.
I also had a prophetic dream about the ending of Pastor Pitts and Cornerstone. It was terribly disturbing. I asked the Lord if this meant I was suppose to stay and pray. Unfortunately, peace for staying never came and only MORE confirmations of leaving.
The whole process took me about 9 mos. It was very hard for me, because I was hung up on the whole "God wouldn't tell you to leave unless you KNEW where you were going next" thing. It's kinda funny and religious now, but that's where I was at at the time. I believe God meets you where you are at. That's why I try not to overly judge people that are still there -it's a process all of us have to go through. Some take longer than others.
At the end of the day, I realize (looking back) that I probably stayed longer than I should have. Hind-sight is 20/20. Thank God for his Grace. I have learned a lot since leaving. I still love my brother Michael Pitts. I still can remember sensing how God had anointed him to preach the Word in a very unique way. He was so full of passion for people and taught us that "breakthrough is on the inside of you" -not to let anything stop you. I think that's what people do though, they continue to project onto others what they "initially" knew to be true about them. That's easy to do when you fall in love with a personality and don't really follow the person's fruit over the years. Things change unfortunately. He is not the same pastor I met 13 yrs. ago. and Cornerstone is not the same either. I wish things were different, but sometimes people are the way they ARE because they WANT to be that way. They HAVE made their choice.
So WHEN do you leave? I say, usually when God doesn't give you an "exact date" to do something -it's because he means NOW. I'm glad I obeyed the Voice of the Holy Spirit. My life is SO much better but in a different way now.
Thank you for this blog, it's nice to share our experience. Again, wish things were different. But like Pastor Pitts once said, "There are some things in life you never "get over", you just learn to get past them." This would be one of those things in my life. I realize now that there IS a "RYTHM" to life as he use to so eliquently preach. But REAL LIFE is about following the Voice of the Holy Spirit and where He leads you..people are a part of that, not an "end all" to that.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteFor me, I kept feeling as though there was some sort of competitive atmosphere in which everyone or anyone of "importance" was vying for "daddy" Pitts's attention or the attention of the anointed ones on the platform. I kept feeling more and more inferior, not built up in Christ as I should have been by my pastors. I instead felt like we were always being put in our place and preached to as if we were bad, ignorant children who ahd to be continually reminded that we were in the best house in town...
It just seemed as there were favorites and the rest of us didn't really count for anything no matter how much time,energy or money was given to the Pitts empire. Janet Wend was particularly good at singling out her favorites and making the rest of us feel as though we were being ostracized by the popular in crowd as if still in high school.
Then one day when I spoke to a "guest ministry" during a training session, I was chastised by your highness Janet Wend,& she said,"You are not allowed to contact guest ministry. We want them to come back." As I left church that day, I thought myself something is wrong with that. If guest ministry doesn't want to come back because I talked to them, what on earth is wrong with that? Why was it that their was this unknown hierarchy in the church? And you didn't know it existed until you crossed the line & were chastised as if you had committed an unpardonable sin. Apparently at the Stone it was an unpardonable sin.
To be continued...
Part 3
ReplyDeleteThe other thing that caused me to take pause and say where was that in Scripture was the "Let's Make a Deal" offerings on New Year's Eve. One deal, one day, one door was the revelation given to sow your $1,000 "seed" & untold gain could be yours. The only gain was for MP & RP. And just wait til' MP finishes building his home in Australia w/your offerings. He'll be gone in a heartbeat & wrap it up in an anointed word that God is calling him to dig we$$s elsewhere. He won't think twice about his "sons & daughters" @ the Stone.
Whatever happened to giving in secret? Not at CStone. You had to parade in front of the congregation with your seed. In reality it was, "look at me and my devotion to MP & his "vision". It had nothing to do with blessing. As Anonymous 12:08 AM said, we are blessed by our faith in Christ, not because we have $1,000 to give.
So, when I actually did the math at the Let's Make a Deal service, MP & RP had to have pulled in the better part of a half million dollars. Pretty good for coming up with a catchy phrase for the year & dangling another carrot before the sheeple to chase after. It was always going to be the year to outdo all other years and of course the number of the year always meant something as if MP had some kind of connection to numerology (witchcraft).
The final clincher for me to leave came after the 2nd drunk driving conviction. Alcoholism runs in my family & I could not bare to deal w/it through my "pastor". And to add further insult to injury, he never took responsibility for it & wanted to continue to fight it & blame the people out there for setting him up. PLease, that was a tired old line.
So, I began to question & pray & eventually, I felt as if the Spirit had left the house. There was a different spirit residing there & it felt as if the anointing left the house. The music was wonderful, but there wasn't any spiritual pull behind it. It was just words being sung to really good music. Thus began the painful pulling away which took about 6 months. And when I finally left, not one "pastor" called to see what happened to me or to see if I needed anything. 18 years of service & tithe & not one single phone call.
That should say it all & make your decision to leave an easy one. MP & others really aren't pastors & do not have love for their sheep nor do they care for them. My advice to you is to RUN for the door & don't look back.
Why did I leave? I felt that there was no love in that house -- in the pastors; in ministry leaders (that I worked with); the constant competition and the associated feeling that I never could quite "measure up" -- spiritually, financially, creatively to others in leadership. I began to feel that I was losing my "personhood", that I was becoming a "cliche". It's difficult to put in words, because I NEVER thought I'd leave after being at CS for over 12 years. I began seeing (acknowledging) the "spirit of pride, arrogance,haughtiness and competition" that enveloped leadership and those same spirits parading through CS and attaching to me and impacting my personal relationships both within and outside CS. I'll never forget when MP preached that we shouldn't approach (or even acknowledge, i.e. speak to) ministry staff and their spouses unless they approach us first...and I thought, "boy that's cold blooded!" That was like the icing on the cake for me...I overlooked the dui's and other stuff; but that comment opened my eyes -- it showed me that I had no worth to them. Needless to say, I didn't leave right away, but I couldn't disregard the lukewarm and eventual cold feelings that I began to have while attending after that cold hearted remark was made...I felt so "fake" staying and eventually made the break (slowly at first as I would stay at home and watch it on the internet). I never once had a pastor (or anybody in leadership) call and inquire about me although I had faithfully tithed and attended for over 12 years. Since I left back in 2008, I, too, have had many "chance" encounters with current and former CS people. When they ask why I left (because they knew of my "faithfulness" as a member) I would more or less dodge the question and say that I believe it was my time to go. I, personally, appreciate that I wasn't influenced directly by anyone before I made my decision to leave -- that I left because I heard -- albeit on many occasions -- (and eventually heeded) the still small voice of the Lord. Now, however, when I have another "chance encounter" with a current/former CS member, I'll refer them to this blog should they ask why I left. As a side note, the psychological,emotional and spiritual damage done to me as a former CS member is slowly being undone and for that I thank God. Thanks to this blog for being a tool to let me know that I'm not alone and that there's nothing wrong with me -- plain and simple!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, MP and RP are under the complete control of a Jezebelic spirit. You can see all the manifestations as clear as the day and when you start to leave you can feel that spirit trying to make you think you are crazy and try to bring you into confusion to doubt your decision and return to her control.
ReplyDeleteBut oh what a feeling when you get free from this thing and experience the Love and Grace of Jesus in all fullness and realize this:
If you try to get what you already have....you can never get it...you have to realize you already have it and throw of the jezebelic yoke of bondage which is the striving and striving and striving for something, well, you already have in Christ. His YOKE IS EASY NOT HARD. MP's yoke is HARD and is witchcraft.
My prayer is that people realize that Paul warned that if someone is preaching that serving God is a conduit to financial gain to FLEE, RUN, and get as far away as possible from that place.
It really doesn't get any more clear than that..
My prayer is that everyone leaves this place in 2011 and that MP and RP return to their first love and go get a job like everyone else and quit skimming off the top of others hard labor and exploiting the laborers under their own corporation.
Again, anyone on the DB BK a few years ago? How does that work? I thought tithing meant you didn't go BK Dave? Seems like there is a contradiction here somewhere? What about MP and RP who do they tithe to? hypocrisy again....
To Anonymous 10:20 AM,
ReplyDeleteHow right you are about the Jezebelic spirit & its manifestations when you try to leave. Wow. You do think you are crazy & there is something wrong with you for having a mind of your own & thinking your own thoughts. I felt that same way and the guilt was overwhelming when I first left. I felt as if I had done something wrong. But then again, that's what that crazy controlling spirit that MP put on all of us does to us when we finally break free and leave.
Our freedom is outside of the Stone, not in the Stone where manipulation, guilt & shame is heaped upon you to keep you in your place. That type of behavior doesn't even remotely reflect what Jesus was all about.
That is what woke me up. MP's preaching had little to do with the red words of Jesus spoken in the Bible. All MP knew how to preach was levels, levels & more levels that nobody ever knew they had arrived at except for MP when his power partners came to visit to tell us MP had arrived, & could now be anointed Bishop even though he did not meet the biblical qualifications of a bishop. He may have met the religious ICCC definition of a bishop, but not the Bible definition of one. What a racket.
That was another thing, MP's system of levels was nothing more than a religious works system although he would never admit to that. Strive, strive, give, give, give to get to that next level. Everyone clawing their way to a higher status position in MP's dynasty so they could feel valued in MP & RP's eyes.
When at last the veil is removed from your eyes and your thinking is enlightened, you realize that MP has a religious spirit, the very one he preaches so strongly about that every other church in this city has according to him. Take the plank out of your own eye Mike & maybe you will see more clearly the religious works system you have set up. It is complete with guilt & shame and don't ask, don't tell, just do as I say because I am the good Beeeeeeeeshop!
Yes, MP's yoke is hard & he has you chasing things that are already freely yours in Christ and then the guilt comes when he tells you faith without works is dead. It's more like he'll work you until you're dead (in more ways than one) while he is out taking some time off due to his stressful job. How about us who held secular jobs & were expected to put in long hours at church and serve in ministry & be happy about it. And furthermore, we had no way to benefit from the giving of others. We worked at honest jobs giving of our tithes to corrupt leaders who build lavish homes and live lavish lifestyles while members of their own congregation struggled to live day to day & their own pastors have nothing to give them except a token $20 gift card to Meijers. And then we were told, "You go help them. The church isn't a bank." How about go sell all you have and give to the poor MP & RP. No, MP always guilted people to give their last $20 because "if you're claiming that's your last $20, then I guess it is. I wouldn't claim that. I'd sow it as a seed. What's it gonna get you anyway?"
Oh my gosh the things I believed until the Holy Spirit began revealing things to me, things that were deceptive and not of God, but of man & the love of mammon.
That is why I left. I could no longer sit under ministry leaders who lived double lives and did not have a true heart for people in need in this city or their own congregation. Rather they have to "dig wells" in far away places to make themselves look like they are really spiritual & doing something for God, when in reality no one in this city finds MP's ministry credible anymore.
i love MP & RP. they have supported me through many difficult times in my life & are great people.
ReplyDeletesounds like some of you are venting and very baby-like saying no one cares about you or called you. why not think of others and call others and be there for others. sounds a bit selfish... i mean, i'm just sayin. focus on others not how people are not treating you the way you wish you were treated.
Anon 2:24 am
ReplyDeleteMy - you are a night owl. Are you on Aussie time? I am not, but I am working.
This blog is about recovery. Something you obviously know little about and MP and RP def know nothing about... other than (allegedly) avoiding it. Some people may whine or complain - it comes from a place of pain and anguish and HUMANITY. Or is the divine bishop the only one allowed to be human?
I am still awaiting postcards from Hazeldon.
By the way, when a person is going through a crisis, it is a tad bit difficult for them to "be there" for others. This is why we form support systems. It has nothing to do with being selfish. For god's sake, the Stone is supposed to be a CHURCH.
Grateful,
ReplyDeleteCan you expound upon reaching "new levels" and back it with New Testament scripture?
Can you also expound upon " I have gotten harvest after harvest". What do you mean by this?
To be quite honest, setting up a church business in one of the poorest areas of the nation and preaching pot of gold messages is not that hard.
Most of us did not leave because we felt like our gifts were not being appreciated by leadership. We left because MP operates by a spirit of Jezebel and half of what he preaches cannot be supported by scripture.
Leadership has a responsibility to align their behaviors, teachings, and actions with the BIBLE. What are people supposed to do when someone teaches false doctrine? Pray? Leave?
What does the BIBLE say we should do is all that matters.
Please post comments that are relative to the above article -as stated on our comment policy page.. Otherwise, they will be subject to deletion.
ReplyDeleteAgain, this forum is for people who have ALREADY LEFT Cornerstone Church and are seeking to recover from Spiritual Abuse.
With that being said, keep sharing friends. Truth is very powerful.
To Anon 2:24 AM,
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you major on the minors & call those of us baby-like who are trying to make sense out of years of false teaching and spiritual abuse as we try to restore some sense of normalcy to our lives and thinking, not to mention making sense of our spiritual walk.
And to say that we are selfish and should call others & not hink of ourselves is judgemental at best & shows that you have no understanding of people in recovery from spiritual abuse.
How do you know that we are not helping others & reaching out to people in need? Making such broad-based sweeping comments just shows your limited, narrow thinking & ignorance. Part of my calling in life calls on me to reach out & help others on a daily basis. That is a major part of my life.
Further, I am no longer under that Jezebelic spirit which seeks to control by guilt through comments such as you made. But that's how you maintain control. You throw out genralized comments such as that to deflect from the real issues at hand such as the specifics of previous commenters on this blog.
Anon 10:25 AM summed it up nicely in his closing comment:
"Leadership has a RESPONSIBILITY to align its behaviors, teachings and actions with the BIBLE."
When those 3 things repeatedly contradict the Scripture, it is time to GO. All else doesn't matter.
A "church" as "powerful & anointed" as CStone claims to be needs to act like one according to God's Word, not man's "revelatory" word. The Bible contains all the revelation that God felt man needed. We are not to add to it or take from it.
Jesus had compassion on others. Jesus loved others, he did not have ulterior motives or guilt them into serving him. He did not preach about great gain, but rather losing one's life to find it. He lived humbly and simply, not for gain or fame.
So, if Scripture can't back what is said and taught & lived out among your congregation, then you are not being led by a pastor or bishop properly and the last thing you can say that place is, is a church. Call it what it is - a humanistic corproation with shades of christianity thrown in to make it look like a church.
The truth has been spoken and stated throughout this blog. These are the facts. Those who choose to remain in ignorance and defend men who live double lives are the foolish ones. The Bible is clear on what you should do.
Stop worshipping men & their kingdom & seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you, not MP & RP.
For those who have recently left and need further help, this website may be of help to you.
ReplyDeleteThis website may also help those who feel they should leave, but question themselves & wonder if what they are reading on this blog is true. It is sadly true as you will see from this article. Pray and look closely at the signs listed & I think you will see that the spiritual abuse we have all experienced & written about is very real.
We are not bitter, disgruntled, selfish or anything else that we have been accused of by those still attending - our supposed brothers & sisters in Christ. We are rather recovering from the abusive system we sat under for so long.
My prayer is that you read the article with an open mind and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.
Here is the website:
http://www.charismatic-captivation.com/?p=5
I can't go into much detail right now as I still sort through so many things. I can say that for most of the reasons on here I left because of those same things.
ReplyDeleteNobody wants to think badly of a church they attended for so long because then you have to really look at yourself & ask why did I stay so long when I sensed something wrong for quite some time?
It's hard to swallow all of this. I get angry alot. I feel used and abused. I feel like I'm pretty stupid to have stayed so loyal. When will these feelings & thoughts end? How can I move on & seek out another church? It sounds like many of you have, but as for me it doesn't seem possible right now. I try to act like it doesn't bother me, but it does.
I will check out the website above and hopefully I recover from this nightmare I have lived in for so long.
For all of you (and me) who wonder why you waited so long:
ReplyDeleteLife is a funny thing. I believe that no one should beat themselves up over how long it "took them" to leave. In my own recovery, I have learned that we do what we can with what we have got. Sometimes, certain things need to be in order before making or breaking major relationships.
It took a cosmic 2x4 across my face to "get it." It is what it is. And that is ok. I try not to be angry at myself or frustrated about it - I try to work out feeling stupid... because that isn't the case.
If your recovery needs it -- then forgive yourself, in the true sense of forgiveness. Do not abuse yourself in any way over the Stone issues. That is doing the abusers work FOR THEM.
For many of us, falling into the dynamic "feels like home." It did for me. I knew I "should have" left long before I did. But you know what? I left when it was time for me to leave. I cannot judge myself for waiting. It has nothing to do with "listening to the voice of God." I chose to ignore the signs. I choose to ignore a lot of things in many aspects of my life. That is the nature of co dependence. So - there it is. Now, I will dust myself off and keep walking. I will also work harder in my recovery.
I firmly believe He (God) always keeps me in the palm of His hand and guides me. I left when I was ready. I left when I was capable. I left when I had to face that if I stayed, I would be standing in the sickness. Breaking any relationship is not easy.
The fact that I left is the movement worth celebrating. I did it. I finally had to put all the religiosity aside and look at the bare boned dynamics of the unit. The Stone is sick. I was part of that machine, I was privy to the secrecy (I may not have known the secrets, per se - but I knew of the cover ups and secrecy). I confused my emotional responses with "The Spirit" -- I am only responsible for me. I left, and I am still standing. I recognize my role in the situation and hoo boy was it the role of a lifetime at times!
Now - as to WHY? I left? This is only my experience and my opinion:
I literally got to a point that I could not ignore the bullshit any longer. I know Michael as a coward who will not confront himself let alone others as illustrated by defensiveness. Robert is a bully who, is so self involved that he cannot see past his own rationalizations and denial. Not that I know, but good grief, stop reliving your family of origin issues through your organization.
When I wanted to address very genuine issues that I had, I was told to NOT go to Pastor Wend as she was so much of a suck up that nothing would come of it. There were members who worked close with her who informed me that she would just as much stab me in the back than help in any twisted situation. Whether true or not was not the point for me -- the point was the FACT that someone working so intimately with her would even SAY THAT.
I had issues with another head of ministry, but that person isn't even worth the breath. I mean that sincerely. The atmosphere was so toxic around that person that if I were to take a breath to go back there, I could very well choke.
My reasons for leaving include but are not limited to the following:
ReplyDelete*Unsound doctrine
*No real love in the house anymore as mentioned by AB
*Leaders living a double life
*Money making HOE conference which does nothing but elevate MP year after year & charging $100 for an early entrance pass (I wonder if Jesus did that at the feeding of the 5000?)that way all the well to do could sit up front & the lowly poor ones could sit in back
*Controlling Jezebelic spirit used to manipulate and hold people through guilt & fear
*Continual need to uphold the external image of CStone while not dealing with the internal things that really count in the eyes of God
*An overt focus on giving for gain rather than giving as God says to give in secret because you purpose to give not of necessity or for gain or because someone promised you 100 fold increases
*A culture of competition & extreme submission set up to get headship's recognition for selction into an "elite" group of individuals in the church's ministry. If you ar not a part of this select group, you feel as though you are somehow on a lower level. In God's eyes we are all equal & no person is of any more importance than another because of a position they hold although MP would have you to feel that way & think that way
*Multiple shady dealings by RP & lies that we owned that whole complex on Reynolds Rd. when in reality we never did
*Bad mouthing people & pastors who leave or casting them in a very negative light or better yet, saying nothing about individuals in leadership who left because it made MP & RP angry that they left w/out their permission or for reasons they didn't agree with. Where is the love in that???
*Let's not forget the New Year's Eve money making extravaganza disguised as a "seed sowing God will bring it all back to you" phony baloney service meant to line the pockets of MP & RP as cash offerings have a way of disappearing into the Ponzi scheme of the pastors & top ushers
*ATM's in the church and "We are not a bank" mentality when it comes to helping their own members in need
I will stop there as I think that covers a mutlitiude of sins pun intended.
No wonder we become angry and confused when we leave and need to find support to recover. Anyone who hasn't experienced it may find it too hard to believe & even those who have experienced it find it just as hard to believe & face denial for a long time both before & after leaving - all a part of the grieving process when one experiences such a loss.
God help us all to sort it all out & search out what your Word, the Bible has to say in light of it all. And may you, the God of all comfort, comfort us in our time of sorrow that we may be able to comfort those who are also experiencing the same.
May this experience make us stronger & wiser & full of love and compassion for those who are hurting & seeking truth.
*Running in circles with questionable men & women of God whose lifestyles do not imitate that of Christ or the Word of God
To Why Didn't You Leave Sooner:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight & heartfelt understanding. You are absolutely right that Ctone is toxic & that RP is a bully - never thought of him that way, but he fits the definition of one to the tee.
Yes, you are right, we should not beat ourselves up for the length of time it took us to leave. We should celebrate the fact that we left & rejoice that we are free at least physically; many of us are working on the spiritual, emotional & mental recovery to become truly free.
Secrecy is part of most dysfunction, codependence & addiction. It has to be to keep it going. Once it comes in to the light, then one has to make a decision to stay in the dysfunction or to fight their way out & it is at times a fight. A fight for your very soul.
Also true, as you say, that any relationship is hard to end or break away from. It is jsut as true for leaving a church that you once felt called to & connected to. Only sometimes I think that that type of relationship break from an abusive church holds unique obstacles to overcome.
And who would of thought, but now that you say it, it makes sense - we were caught up in MP' & RP's family of origin issues. Their own mother doesn't even attend anymore & for years, the staff has been told not to speak to MP & RP"s dad Bro Eugene. That is fact from a former staff member.Bro Eugene is merely hanging on until he can retire. He has no love afair with his sons & vice versa. MP & RP "disowned" their parents so to speak when they continued to have a relationship with their daughter who MP put out of the church years ago. MP & RP forced their own parents to make a decision, her or us & Bro Eugene wanted to be able to see his grandkids. Yet even the cousins do not speak to one another over all of this.
So, it is true that what is on the head flows down. Their dysfunction has permeated the house at CStone - one big happy dysfunctioanl family. So many analogies can be drawn from that.
As for Janet Wend, she wouldn't know compassion or understanding if it hit her in the head. How she can have the title of pastor is beyond me & yes, I do believe she would stab you in the back as she is only out for her own interests.
Well, thank you for your honesty & encouragement. You have helped me tremendously. I will take your advice & not beat myself up & yes, learn to forgive myself and others as I journey through this mess.
To Sorting It All Out,
ReplyDeleteAmen to that & I would have to agree to the same. A nice summary of the things that have gone on through the years. And for me, enolugh was enough.
When you can't even address issues with headship, something is wrong. To be chastised like a child is embarrassing and humiliating to say the least, but that is how they try to keep you in place, unless of course you finally decide that enough BS is enough & you pull yourself up & head for the door & don't look back.
All I can say is RUN for the nearest exit...
WOW! I had issues and run ins with JW. But what about TB too? Talk about suck-ups. And she couldn't be married to a nicer guy. Go figure. JS seems nice, but look out, he'll cut your throat behind the scenes. The fact of the matter is, you can safely assume that anyone who stays in any significant position for any length of time has been carefully vetted and tested and is infected with the "spirit of the house".
ReplyDeleteFirst off, for the anonymous chiming in calling everyone cry babies, this is a one-sided blog. We are not here to defend anything about CC. The good thing that can be said about that church is there are still some decent people attending. I left because all the services turned into were MP (or whoever) picking a verse, maybe two or three, taking it/them out of context, and then asking for money. Most of the times the verses had something to do with giving, so it usually works out in their twisted favor. I ask myself this question to: do I think the Jesus I love and know would really want to be represented by MP? I don't think so. Half of the time I feel the preaching/worship was focused on OT persons anyway. I couldn't tell you the last time I remember a message centered around Jesus. I have been gone for a while now, so who knows. The whole place creeps me out too. I would get into conversations with people about MP and they would be gushing over him, basically like he was God. I puked in my mouth a lot, after having conversations about the little sleeze ball. I will clarify that the machines in the lobby and sanctuary are not ATMs. You can give, but not receive anything. After I typed that last sentence it really reminds me of the whole scheme at CC. Give. Give. Give. You most likely will never receive anything, but if you do I would chalk it up to hard work or just chance. I really hope it is MP or one of his lackies, who are posting anonymously here. It, to me, just shows how big of a weasel his. There will be no wells dug on this site, so your input is not needed.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I have noticed during my stay at the stone is that talents, giftings and abilities are preferred over callings, anointings and mantles. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteRemember when the Gospel was free
ReplyDeletePt.1
Remember when the Gospel was free, free to convict, free to heal and the preacher’s heart for God was demonstrated through winning the lost. Clarity and boldness were the by-products of the anointing. What in Hell has gotten into the church? Money? Money could never destroy a church, but the love of money will destroy it every time.
I am by no means trying to create class envy, merely pointing out the principles of God which are being violated daily in the church. Money now determines if the preacher is happy. Money now determines the length of a service. Money decides if you are an asset or liability. Money now decides if and when you get accepted into the click and sadly money decides what is said.
Money when it is loved, it becomes just what God said, the root of ALL evil. The love of money could not exist where it not for the Ego being out of balance, the balance of Ego and God’s reality is what determines whether a person is in control or being controlled by money. It is the person with the money who controls those who want the money; people in ministry or connected to leadership know from firsthand knowledge when a Ministry is involved in a sinful life style (“Riding Dirty”), yet they remain a part of, without fail it’s because they themselves get something out of the association.
When Money rules in the church, the Gospel is held captive. Some of the signs that the Gospel is being held hostage are; the longings of your heart concerning the church never manifest. Form and fashion take pre-eminence over submission to the Holy Spirit. A Great display of flesh over spirit, by the time you realize this it will cost you years of wondering on the same level.
The obscure hidden things concerning character of leadership in government and the church are greatly exposed right now, you would have to bury your head in the sand and hum real loud not to recognize the times. The Carpet is being snatched from beneath leaders of many churches. The code of unethical conduct among preachers is nothing new, the difference now is; people with Godly discernment plainly see it. As an example, I’ve wondered for you years why there would be so many issues (within the physical church)which were in need of correction, I felt leadership might just be blind to it, but in actuality leadership would not address. So I hoped when visiting ministry came they would set the house in order, but rather than giving the corrective word needed, visiting ministry simply echoed the set man of the house and praised the house for being the house. When a visiting preachers did name the issues of the house there was no further comment and much deflection at the close of service.
Remember When the Gospel was Free
ReplyDeletePt.2
After years of having visiting ministry come in to tell you what you already know and not giving a correcting word, it became obvious that visiting ministry is either told what to say or have absolutely no clue what God is saying, in either case whatever God wanted to say would have to wait until it fit the topic needed to raise MONEY. If the visiting ministry is following God the presence of God Follows them, and the presence of God is spiritually discerned long before it is verbally announced. This presence brings an unsolicited response from the people; instead, because the spirit of God is not leading, the people are prompted to respond thru giving.
Now days you can’t get the same preacher who started from nothing, to come and preach for nothing, despite of the fact that he or she now possesses more money than ever. There are those preachers because of their notoriety command six figures before they will come to preach.
My concern is that in greater measures the gospel will be held hostage by those who have the ability to reach the most; preaching the Gospel has become cliché, while form and fashion along with the mere presence of the preacher is all that is produced from this style of ministry. Understand, No man can thwart the plan of God as a whole, but they certainly can cost us individually our time, money and or soul. It’s becoming clearer to me that the impact of the gospel on the world will not come from the mega church but rather each individual’s obedience to God.
The examples in the bible are endless of individuals who started out great but chose to indulge themselves at the expense of their relationship with God. The most important thing we can do is to encourage people to read for themselves and talk to God like you’re sitting on his lap. Individual truthfulness is what God responds to and individual life is what we will account for.
Someone said “in order for evil to succeed good men must do nothing” It’s time for those of US who were ill affected by ministry to come out of the closet, reveal yourselves, tell your stories, this will give courage to others and allow the experiences to be pieced together to show a more complete picture of what the truth is.
The Gospel is free!
Leroy Lewis
Lewis_8@yahoo.com
WOW Leroy! Great insights on the effect of money on a Ministry that is given to it. The only thing I would add to your comments is that, with the exception of "covering" ministries, visiting ministries are in a tough spot. On the one hand, if they speak their mind and don't "gush" the will never be invited back. While this might be the most noble distinction of a visiting ministry in this case, there is no hope they could have any positive effect in the future on CC or simply bless the good people of CC. There is no way they are going to be allowed to bring correction or instruction to MP publically. Their only other alternative is not to come in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI agree and understand what you're saying, I don't think the goal is to be invited back. on the day of accountability, will we be asked if we were invited back or rewarded for our obedience? because the focus has been changed from God to man the priorities of preaching have changed also. It is the resistance of the house that determines who or what will be held hostage, that all changed this year. The most recent example was this years H.O.E conference, Cheryl Brady specifically (by name)addressed 100% of the current issues at CC completely God inspired, but at the conclusion of the message in closing the pastor had nothing to say in recognition of what was just said, I think this is odd, and the same thing happened the following nights with Tudor Bismark and Noel Jones. It was my prayer last H.O.E conference that the speakers would speak the corrective word, that didn't happen, but it did this year. If they're invited back or not they obeyed God!
ReplyDeleteAmen Leroy. Thank you for your openness and honsety as you are someone who hss obviously seen things first hand.
ReplyDeleteThe sad reality is that the average Joe chrisitian sitting in the seats at Cstone is not as acutely aware of this as were those of us who had served in ministry positions for years and began to see all of the manipulation & control unfold.
Even so, you would have to be blind & deaf or even perhaps dumb not to see the extreme emphasis placed on giving and how EVERY sermon comes around to that. I thought maybe it was just me thinking that, but now I know it wasn't. There is an extreme love of money and emphasis on getting if you give & then they call it blessing. Let's face it, those who can give to such excessive extremes already have it to give & their lifestyles of "blessing" are due to their hardwork, right choices and using the gifts God gave them, which is where your wealth will come from anyway, unless MP & RP usurp that gift & don't allow you to use it outsided the house.
The really sad thing is that these people are called upon to parade themsevles in front of people who cannot give to those extremes,& then they are made to feel lower than regardless of what anyone says. Then these individuals who have little to give are given false deceptive hopes that if they just give whatever last little bit they have, God too can turn it all around and bless them to the extreme. after all what will that little bit do for them - maybe buy some diapers.
The truth is that we are blessed to be a blessing & those who have should be helping the widows & "orphans" within the church walls. There is great "class" disparity w/in CStone & it is shameful to prey upon those who don't have & take from them what little they have w/ a promise of greater blessing. Yes, God does bless & He does provide, but this is not magic. Money does not fall from the sky & checks don't just arrive in the mail for no reason, unless there is actually a christian who is hearing from God to bless someone in need. When someone is blessed, it always comes by the hand of God through someone else. It is not magic. And we are not to give becasue we will receive. We are to give in secret as we purpose in our heart to give, not by persuasion of a man who has heard from God as to what dollar amount "the blssing" is on.
I will never forget the time while attending CStone that I tried to get several of my close friends there to pitch in and help buy a coat, hat & gloves etc. for a young girl at the church. It was like pulling teeth to get anyone to help. Someone gave me $5 & then told me to go down to Savers & get her a coat. That same person was one of the first in line on New Years to give $1000. It made me sick & angry all at the same time. Talk about double standards and class levels!!
There is a tremendous spirit of pride over these individuals who parade themselves in front of everyone as they show their devotion to MP & RP & their willingness to sow their $1000 seed for the cause. It must grieve God terribly.
Well, enough said on that. Just another example of why I left the Stone & am still sorting it out.
All I can say on this Merry Christmas Day is after reading all of these posts, is that it is apparent to me why I left CStone:
ReplyDeleteThe sign above the door is quite clear in my mind & the sign reads: ICHABOD - the glory has left the house no matter how much MP tries to stir everyone up by telling them the glory is in the house.
This blog post is God's mercy trying to get the attention of headship who need to repent & return to their first love. I pity what may happen if their hardened deceptive hearts continue on as if all is well.
Merry Christmas to all of you & a may you have a New Year filled with new beginnings & a new found realtionship with Jesus & His Word.
Remember, you shall know the truth as it is posted here & it will make you FREE indeed!!
Leroy, your right again. I too thought that Sheryl Brady was bringing a corrective word & thought WOW, she is brave. Certainly MP or RP couldn't think any of that applied to them or their dynasty.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it was confirmed when MP completely overlooked any and all words of correction she spoke.
God help the good people who still attend and can't bring themselves to accept the obvious & must conitnue worshipping MP & his kingdom. That is especially true if they are caught uo in the Global School of Ministry & are learning ever more brainwashing doctrine all for the elusive hopes of serving in a ministry position somewhere in the network. What a great way to keep well meaning christians held hostage to a carnal vision labeled as the anointed vision to dig wells in other places.
Too bad that much of what MP tells people CStone is doing elsewhere is merely Cstone riding on the coat tails of what other ministries are actually doing in these places. They merely donate funds that were defrauded from the sheeple.
Thank God you have seen through it all and no longer sit under men who do not follow the Word of God but twist it for their gain.
Anon 12:24 stated:
ReplyDelete"EVERY sermon comes around to that. I thought maybe it was just me thinking that, but now I know it wasn't. There is an extreme love of money and emphasis on getting if you give..."
I used to call that the GOD AS A BANK MACHINE THEOLOGY. I was always confused by the idea that God wants a joyful giver (or don't give) -- but if you didn't give, you were under a curse.
WHAT?
The Stone is based in fear. No one wants to publicly address anything controversial in fear of losing: job, friends, family, ministerial "respect." A prime example of this is the 2nd DUI - which wasn't a DUI it was a OVI (because there's a difference?). The atmosphere was thick, everyone walked on eggshells and no one DARED to mention the issue in the house. This is how things operate from the top down. And where there is fear, what is the rest of this? Oh yes, where there is fear, there is no faith.
I also see people post on other sites about how gossip is BS, etc. Yet, the people I have seen discuss these very things are the biggest gossips in that house,except their gossip is always about those who are not part of the "in" crowd, which includes members, staffers and even Eugene Pitts.
I've heard their tongues wag, I have heard spiteful hurtful words come from their mouths. These are the people of God. This post will be labeled "gossip."
The Confusion and fear used to maintain bondage and control is on the decrease and strength,courage and faith are on the increase. The ignorant demonize by reflex, the blind are ignorant because of what they don't know. Revelation is a process, by which you must not only be willing to believe the truth, you must also IDENTIFY the lie (wrong thinking).
ReplyDeleteIt is not leadership only that controls the people; there are 3 demographics of members who serve to strengthen control. There are those who do business with the church and would sacrifice anything else except the business relationship, those on staff, they know to the "T" what's going on; because their pay/lifestyle is connected, they are along for the ride. Then there are those who have connected with like minded individuals whose goal is to fulfill fleshly desires. They too have a roll to play in maintaining the machine. I would characterize ALL of their association as that of a "Remora", the little fish that attaches it self to the shark. It's sustained by everything the shark eats, all it has to do is "stay connected".
My anecdotal experiences where, God revealed that which is contrary to his word, but I ignored,rationalized and justified for far too long what God had revealed. My decisions to investigate and ask questions is what lead to my freedom.
God will NEVER override the will of man,So Prayer, along with others Standing up, speaking out WILL BE the catalyst to influence the will of the people, causing them to want God more than man.
Like it was said in the Wizard of OZ, "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" pay no attention to being demonized, it's only a defense mechanism.
Part 1
ReplyDeleteWell summarized Leroy & you have stated many of the reasons why I eventually left.
My journey out was a long & difficult process. I like you had for many years ingored, rationalized & justified my reasons for staying. It was like a battlefield in my mind & I at times felt almost as if I was going crazy. Perhaps I was cursed as MP would say or elude to because I was no longer in "agreement" with the things I once believed were true that were being taught at the Stone.
I had heard things from several who worked on staff for years, but I never wanted to believe anything bad about my "headship" or the inner workings of the system at Cornerstone. We were after all always taught that they were our spiritual covering & followed "Biblical protocol" & MP was so anointed & filled w/revelation that no one else seemed to have for this day. But ahh, beware when you put man on a pedestal. God is a jealous God.
So, as time went on, the actions I was seeing from my "headship" contradicted what I believed to be true. So, I like Leroy began questioning & seeking & searching out truth for myself. I eventually through much prayer & reading the Word & discussion with other christians, discovered that the truth I had found did not line up with much of the 'truth" I was taught at Cornerstone.
The tough part is that yes, they do teach some of the Word at the Stone. They have to to make it acceptable. Yet it's the untruths that you really have to be listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit within you to discern. And once you begin to really listen & discern, then it's decision time.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteNow it comes to decision time. This was no easy process for me. I began a gradual pulling away. I attended less & less services and extracted myself from the ministry I was in. I could not tell anyone I was leaving as I knew they would try to convince me to stay & tell me the devil was messing with my mind. I know, I did the same when others I knew had left CStone. It's just what the "obedient", blind, ignorant sheep do. If they don't, then they to would have to look closely at their belief systems & the true inner workings of the church & what they would stand to lose if they too began questioning.
Make no mistake about it, it is a heart- wrenching, battling in your mind process. I had nearly 2 decades of indoctrination to overcome & undo. Not to mention the potentional loss of relationships, friendships, "connections" & "status" of whatever position I held. No, it was one of the most life altering decisions I will have ever made & one not made lightly, but the most freeing one ever!!
But, as Leroy said, God will never override your will. You must decide to risk staying & ignoring the voice of discernment within you for the voice of man, which eventually, if you continue to choose to ignore God's still small voice within you for the voice of man, it is a dangerous place to be. You will lose your Spirit led discernment & God will allow you for a time to have the fleshly things you contiue to seek after. It is a choice, God or man, flesh or Spirit & the enemy doesn't play fair. He is cunning & deceitful above all else. Remember he casts himself as an angel of light...things appear as though they are not.
Which takes me back to my decision & a few other things Leroy had mentioned. Again, this was a long pulling away process, perhaps 6 months or so. My eyes were being enlightened & I saw things that I didn't want to admit were happening. The pieces began to fall into place as I became more open to listening to others otuside of my BOX of "truth" for the last 20 years.
I can concur that there were 3 demographics keeping this whole controlling machination going. Every deceptive, power hungry, money making organization has them. They have to, to keep things going. Everyone plays a part & has both something to gain & something to lose. Not only that, but the more "dirt" they have on you, the more you have to lose, so they go along for the ride as Leroy said, knowing full well that something is wrong. That's because their pay, position & lifestyle are all wrapped up w/like-minded individuals seeking fleshly desires. God or mammon & you can't serve both. One will always win out over the other. It's all about choices.
RP is a ruthless businessman make no bones about it. MP is caught up in the elixer of power & fame & well, money. The rest of headship are just well caught up in being attached to all of that "grandeur" disguised as ministry, anointings, levels & let's not forget protocol the most important word of all to keep things secretive. After all we must be careful about who we talk to or approach at the Stone. Certain individuals are just off limits... and that doesn't raise any red flags to anyone caught up in the matrix?????
To be continued...
Part 3 - My Conclusion
ReplyDeleteTo sum it up: Titles, positions, "protocols", lavishing praise on giftings & talents vs. callings & true anointings, over-empahsis on giving & the supposed "blessing" to follow, lifestyles of sin & fleshly strivings, & continual pursuit from members for recognition from heasdship & the "status" it brought, unscriptural teachings...these are the reasons I left. What was once perhaps a church built on the Word of God had become for me a business model built on corporate leanings, not on scriptural truths.
And remember, it only takes a little leaven to leaven the whole lump. Half truths are still lies. And the Word of God is quite clear that we are to take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness...
Weigh your decisions carefully & if the voice of the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, listen & obey, do not rationalize, ignore or justify as some of us did. Those things my friends, are the trappings of the enemy.
My reasons for leaving are simple. Too mcuh overemphasis on OT teachings & protocols & not enough of the very simple yet profound Red letter words of Jesus in the NT.
ReplyDeleteI guess Jesus's sermons don't garner enough grandeur and excitement about new levels & anointings and powerful blessings brought on by giving. The very blessings that Jesus already laid down his life for and shed His precious blood to pay for. All we have to do is recieve them by faith, not works & giving.
Enough said. Chew over that one for awhile.
Part I
ReplyDeleteI want to take the time to personally THANK all of our commentors! This particular article is very opportune; especially for those IN the process of searching for truth… AND for those in need of our understanding and support.
Not only have you articulated the EMOTIONAL process OF leaving, but you also listed the REASONS “why” --in a very clear and comprehensive way. This is a vital key in helping others AND in helping yourself to objectively PROCESS the situation. Being able to precisely IDENTIFY TRUTH within yourself and then effectively COMMUNICATING that truth with others, IS exactly how one successfully moves forward and is BETTER for it. In other words, don’t allow the disappointment of what came to be at Cornerstone to define you. Remember, the Lord Himself...He saw this coming a long time ago --and He is still in control. Just keep walking friend! The success of your future will count on it.
Hold onto your Faith in Jesus Christ as He rebuilds your foundation in transition. Trust Him even when you cannot track Him; there will be some things that will only make sense AS you move forward.
Part II
ReplyDeleteThis btw, was one of the reasons we created Life after Cornerstone in the first place. When the REALITY of the situation is initially unveiled --disappointment and pain are soon to follow. The deeper you were involved, bought into the lines of cover-up, and placed your future in the stock of Cornerstone --the deeper the shock and sorrow that awaits you. We found that too many folks were either getting “stuck” in transition or going back to their old lifestyles. These dear ones have yet to completely recover their identity, which was seemingly wrapped up and left behind in the “Matrix”.
To make matters worse, the average member of Cornerstone does not have the access or “privilege” of seeing “behind the scenes”. Therefore, they may not be able to fully UNDERSTAND the inner organizational structure of the church. THIS IS what makes it so difficult for folks to make sense of things and answer those "missing pieces" to the puzzle of what happened?? And certainly few to none are granted a meeting with Michael Pitts to bring closure with him personally, as their "Pastor" of many years. Most leave with heavy hearts and words unspoken as they take in one last look upon the man on the platform...they knew and loved from a distance.
The other reason we created the blog, was because we found that too many ex-members had little to NO support system from those who can relate. We felt that it was important for folks to be encouraged in their process of moving forward. This is especially true of single people who attended without any of their immediate family. And how can someone truly understand what you went through IN and WITH your family, UNLESS of course they were an ACTUAL MEMBER OF your family? And when it comes to speaking with those NOT affiliated with Cornerstone; let’s just say people in Toledo certainly have a lot of opinions of Michael and Robert Pitts. Albeit some of those judgments may be true --however, they have limited understanding of YOUR personal involvement and relationship within the church. Those are 2 totally different things. Btw, many of which delight in hearing of Cornerstone’s demise..this of course is nothing to celebrate and does absolutely nothing for those seeking to heal from Spiritual Abuse.
With that being said, thanks again for your contribution to the blog! Even if you are just reading and not necessarily posting a comment, we know that you may be speaking out in person. And Speaking Out is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes it costs us more than we deserve and much more than we bargained for. The nature of Birth itself is one of beauty and pain…all in one day.
“Blessed are those who suffer for RIGHTEOUSNESS sake.” My question is: “If the truth sets people free, then who are you hurting by remaining in your silence?”
As our friend Leroy said, “Pay no attention to being demonized, it’s only a defense mechanism.” Keep Speaking the Truth in Love friends!
Part I
ReplyDeleteThere are so many reasons for me leaving.... Remember the Easter service the play with the masks? Did everyone miss the Holy Spirit rebuking the house for the messed up focus? Yet, the people who wore the masks and played in the cstone masquerade on a regular basis, laughed as they slapped their legs with amusement. My heart broke! This play was about the crap going on on the platform and in the rowed chairs at this church.
I took a class with Janet Wend teaching Making the Holy Spirit Your Partner and we had a question and answer period. I asked how we were to process the whole military protocol of the "True Church" that Roberts Liardon preached about. I questioned what this meant, it was essentially, no freedom of thought, but extreme submission to headship's control. I then brought up one flunky, coordinator/leader of children's ministries behavior, without mentioning the name. I told of being publically and literally screamed at for lowering my position in ministry in order to balance my family life and ministry. Janet immediately defended and said nothing like that would ever happen at cstone. Not a response of, "Wow that sounds out of line, maybe we can talk about that further." Additionally, in this class we were taught to get in a real deal relationship with the HS, but that contradicted the doctrine of the house. I pursued the HS and began to have dreams and visions, again. But wait a minute, that wasn't allowed unless someone from the platform acknowledged me, right? Wait a minute, I didn't have enough money or kiss butt for them to recognize me? Who's wrong here the HS or cstone, hmmm? In children's ministry, teach the word, but surely don't apply it ALL THE WAY in your own life or it will offend the powers that be? That does not make sense!!!
God revealed to me that a relationship in my life was not right and it was very humbling. During that situation, I cried and asked God if I had missed the reality of that relationship, while being so "close" to Him, what else had I missed? Ouch!!! Be prepared for the truth because the HS revealed it. The other relationship, my membership at cstone. What? I asked and received an answer and with details. I cried because I didn't want it to be true, but it was! Cstone's teachings and headship were and are off the hook! WWJD? Constantly scold and misuse us to get what he wants? Have people up tight as he walks among us because we don't know who will be humiliated next? Oh yeah, scream from the pulpit, "we are not a bank." Point taken, just a place to make deposits, like a night drop. Give and don't expect to recieve anything of meaning, but a hard time and to hear what you are not doing and who you are is never enough, even as you try to earnestly walk with God. The HS showed me the controling, bullying, manipulating spirit in the house.
I chose to take my family and leave, so my children would not grow up thinking this behavior is acceptable. My children are to know God values them and expects to commune with them and be their leader. My children are to know, who God made them to be is more than enough and they are not to compromise or conform to the likes of men. At one point, I thought I would hurt my children by removing them from the only place of worship they knew, but the HS showed me they would never know "true" worship if we stayed. In fact, they would experience more harm if we stayed. The other option was to trust God and allow Him to heal us. I choose to lead by example and my example is to follow Christ.
We left!
Part II
ReplyDeleteAnother concern was MP's drinking issues. He chose to drink and drive on more than one occassion. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT!!! Lots of Christian and secular young people take time to promote drug and alcohol free lifestyles. They also encourage peers to sign the Prom Promise,to not drink and drive on prom night, in order to save their lives and others. Yet this great "man of God," could not commit to not drinking and driving? Not only that, one of my children came in and asked what was going on with MP. We turned on the news to find out about the incident and he was saying he was wrongfully stopped. What the heck???? Were you wrong? Did you do it? What about taking responsibility for your actions and saying, I was wrong??? That's not what my family will have as an example or a witness for an upright walk with Christ!!
Okay something else. When did it become the Gospel of MP or cstone? I thought it was about the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST!! "Are you with me?" This should not be the cry from the pulpit, but are you with Christ!!! Grace for headship, but none for anyone else. Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil? Do you mean about headship? Ignore and/or make up excuses for all the nonsense take part in? Anyone else is fair game to be verbally maimed from the pulpit, including former pastors, members,and ministers who simply followed the voice of God!!!
My heart breaks for all the people of cstone! I still have friends and family that remain there. They remain and refuse to allow the shackles of this prison to be removed. They fight for their own bondage. They beat themselves into submission to the cult. They die unto themselves (losing their personal identity)for the sake of following MP.
My prayer is for each person to humble him/herself and that the eyes of their understanding to be opened. For fear to be cast down and they truly die unto themselves, forsaking all else, but the truth of our Savior. I pray for their faith in Christ to not be shattered, but to be repaired for His glory, and the true love of Christ to be recieved and live in them. I also ask the Father to disban this mockery of Christ so others will not fall into such confusion.
I was once in current members' shoes, so I truly understand the dilema! I have been delivered and my life has forever been changed. My relationship with Christ has changed from a punitive and fear based, to one of a love affair where I long for Him as He longs for me. For the longest time during the season of leaving and being reestablished in Christ, I prayed a simple prayer. "Lord tear me down and build me up again. I commit to you wholeheartedly. I will begin with the basics by acknowledging, You are good and You are God. Show me what to do and give me courage to do it." With a sincere and humbled heart, God has moved me towards complete healing and definitely a more pure and meaningful relationship with Him!!
MP always said, our purpose in life is to give God glory. This statement was very much on point and now I am more focused on this very thing than ever before!
Thank You Freed for your honset sharing. I had forgotten about that Easter service & it was indeed sad that it was not taken in the light that it should have been. But then again, darkness does not like light.
ReplyDeleteSo much of what has become CStone reflects not the light of Christ & His love, but the darkness & selfish, unfruitful works of the enemy & the flesh & drawing attention to men, not God.
I am reminded that what is at work at CStone is controlling, Jezebellic spirit. When excessive control is in operation whether at church, your home, a relationship, it creates an atmosphere for rebellion & rejection, not to mention fear, guilt & anger. It is a stronghold, you know the ones MP always preaches about that are out there in all of the "religious" churches, but certainly not in CStone. They are too enlightened for that to happen & have mighty prayer warrior intercessors.
The problem with that is that they are all bound by the same spirit. Their powerful, "anointed", screaming prayers are just theatrics. I'm still not convinced that one has to scream in order for God or the enemy to hear us. It is in quietness & confidence that your strength comes.(Isa. 30:15) Just look at Jesus as He went to the cross. He knew who He was & what He was about. He didn't have to prove anything to anyone. He did not scream or shout at his enemies. He humbled himself & cried out to God.
I guess what I have to remind myself is that the problem at CStone really resides in the principalities, powers & rulers of darkness that operate there. MP, RP, DT & really the whole ministry staff have merely opened the doors for them to operate. And as has been mentioned before & what MP loves to preach, is that what is on the head flows down, good or bad.
The enemy just continues to operate as an angel of "light" & when your leader continually tells you that it is all good, well it's deception. And unless the people are listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit w/in them, they cannot see their way through it all. They are caught up in the atmosphere of the music & the theatrics & the excitement of the supposed glory in the house as MP has to continually stir them up & remind them about.
I think if the true glory were really in the house, the people would know it as they would be on their faces before the Lord, not running & jumping like a bunch of silly fools to have attention drawn to them as if they have the anointing. God does not operate that way when His glory hits.
Any behavior that draws attention to self & the flesh is not of God.
As Anon. Dec. 25, 12:23 PM said, & I would have to agree & again why I left, the sign above the door reads: ICHABOD, the glory(true glory) has left the house & another spirit has taken over.
I left when I found out that the same "anointing" Michael had to interpret and understand Truth, I had. There was no difference. We all have the same anointing under the New Covenant provided by Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteThe "glory" is no longer an external experience as the presence of God no longer dwells in temples, arks, or some place called the holy of holies. His "glory" or presence is in all of us, he dwells in us now and we have the same spirit of Christ.
HE WHO WAS WITH US, IS NOW "IN" US. We are the temple of God wherever we are gathered.
Where Truth is being spoken, shouted, or screamed, HE is there since HE IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. When Truth is not being taught then he is not present. Sorry it's not any "deeper" than this folks. Nothing mystical or spacey.
So we all have the same anointing and you are never going to get any more anointed then what you are right now in Christ. You are never going to have any more "glory" because he abides in you and is with you always. Not half of Him, ALL OF HIM.
We are not under the Old Covenant but under a New Covenant. Paul said if you want to obey the law, you need to do ALL OF IT and not just the areas that you can profit from....so we should be having circumcision Sundays and stoning Saturdays but we don't, why? That isn't going to bring in the money or the crowds with itching ears so MP and RP can live like OT Kings.
I remember when Michael asked me why God would reveal something to me (Grace Giving) and not to him first. When he asked me this question, I thought WOW did I just waste 5 years of my life in this place where this guy thinks God only speaks the Truth to him and then he in turn communicates this to the sheeple? I mine as well have never left the catholic church. What a clear form of control folks.
Now here is what Michael does have that is different than others in the body. He has a teaching gift along with a sense of humor. He also has the gift of exhortation. He has a calling to the Body of Christ to teach Truth in a way that people can relate to. He is not a Pastor, Bishop, or Apostle because he never has born that fruit while bearing the title. Sorry.
The fruit of a pastoral gift is not your ability to gather a crowd, it is when you actually demonstrate love and compassion to those who are gathered and are humble enough to listen to them and hear them out to keep them around because YOU LOVE THEM.
ReplyDeleteIt also when you protect them from wolves that like to come by the fold once a year and sheer them to death in the name of the prophetic.
It is also when people give years of their lives to your carnal vision of wealth accumulation for you and your brother, and when they leave actually calling them to see how they are doing.
It's called actually caring for people that have sacrificed for you and your kingdom while being paid nickels.
It's basic Christianity 101 folks. There is nothing to pray about regarding leaving a place that bears no fruit of REAL AGAPE LOVE. The sooner the better IMO.
Taken from Gal.3;1,3 - Just some food for thought from someone who has left & can now see the light of real truth.
ReplyDeleteOh foolish Galatians(Cornerstonians)! WHO has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth (God's truth, not man's)...
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit(the true Spirit)are you now being made perfect by the flesh(religious works/levels system of MP, RP & CStone)?
Consider the sowing of seeds ($$$$) for blessings, doors opening, one deal, one day...
Gal. 3:16 - Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "and to SEEDS" as of many, but as of one, And to your SEED who is CHRIST. v.18 - For if the inheritance is of the law (giving to get what is already ours, it is no longer of promise;
Yes, this passage is about receiving Christ according to the promise, not the law. But it is also about His promise & blessing as an heir to that Seed. v. 29 - And if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's seed & heirs according to the promise(by faith, not giving).
Gal.4:9 - But now after you have known God or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak & beggarly elements (mammom, titles, positions, protocol (OT law) to which you desire again to be in bondage?
Gal. 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the LIBERTY by which Christ has made us free & do not be entangled again w/ a yoke of bondage (religious works according to my note in my Bible from MP & my years at the Stone).
Funny how it all came full circle & works now determine your status at the Stone, not callings & anointings. Oh yea, & your gifts & talents which can be a nice asset for MP & RP's kingdom.
Just sayin'...it ain't all good. A true servant's life as Paul, Peter & many others lived is not all glorious & good. It's pain & poverty at times & harshness (prison, but not for drinking, but rather the sake of the gospel), and it is to be counted all joy for Christ Jesus & the furtherance of His Gospel which is not always a glamorous thing. Jesus didn't attract people by promising them blessings if they give specific dollar amounts. He told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and follow him. The apostles left all to follow Jesus, they didn't gain material things for doing so.
Just sayin'... something to think about as the New Year's Eve "Let's Make a Deal" service approaches at the Stone.
To Anon Dec. 28, 1:31 PM,
ReplyDeleteI could not put it any better. You have point on stated the real heart of the matter at the Stone & why I left.
True agape love is lacking & that is more than anything what I was feeling. I just no longer felt like I could measure up. I jumped 2 feet high & they wanted higher. I never felt like I was accepted for who I was as a person, but more what I could contribute.
Not everyone can contribute all the time. And as Freed said, when you are chastised for stepping down for a time to meet the needs of your family - there is something wrong with that attitude.
And the behavior of Ms. Wend is merely typical of how she operates. You won't feel the love from her, particularly if she doesn't feel you are worth her time or you are not a front row sitter. I don't care what it is you bring to the table - she does not care, period, unless you are in complete total submsission to the house & lifting up the name & vision of MP.
Again, Jezebel does not stop until her leaven destroys everything and everyone. If the head has this spirit pretty much fully controlling him then you can expect that same spirit on Janet Wend and Toni Banks.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why I left is because I started to see that the prayer "intercession" services were not necessarily focused on humility, being teachable, and doctrine based prayer asking for the will of God to be done, but rather witch craft spells against people who did not agree with the grand poo bah and prayer performances to see who could really prayer preach and stir people up. Nothing but carnal stuff with very little substance or scripture to support any of it.
I am still trying to get an answer from whoever why Dave and Toni Banks filed for BK and they are pastors and prayer warriors and taught that if you tithed faithfully, God would rebuke the BK devourer. Anybody want to ever question this stuff? Any Bereans out there?
Again, great comments. But we are still seeing quite a few posted by "anonymous". Blogspot does not have a function to disable this --So PLEASE do not select this option when posting.
ReplyDeletePLEASE type any "name" --it can be Mary, Susie, Joe, etc. We want to make it as easy as possible to read; considering we have SEVERAL comments now.
Thanks for your help!
This is IMO a very helpful forum as I can understand the pain and frustration of each person sharing their story. I will say this to Anonymous December 28, 2010 5:25 PM however, we all know why bankruptcy was declared by a staff member. Not only are unrealistic extremes of "sowing and reaping" taught for self-serving motivations but I don't believe that C-Stone is "good ground" (as this forum reflects). Further, giving does not make up for poor stewardship (I have no personal knowledge of this in DB's case but it is usually the case, whether in whole or in part). As this is obvious to anyone who has been involved in C-Stone and left, I don't see why it is productive to keep inserting DB's financial woes into the forum when the teachings and abuses of MP and, by extension, C-Stone are the issue.
ReplyDeleteMichael Pitts latest facebook words of wisdom:
ReplyDelete"to judge another u must first justify taking Gods place..since their creator has esteemed them worth dying for in condemning them u condemn God and urself..we love insofar as we refuse to become judge/God.get the trees right"
Notice how he starts off with "judging", then stealthily converts to "condemning". Very slick.
Lot of "likes" and comments saying how ahhbsolutely profound and greeeat this is!! WOWW!!
Only problem is, you have to discount 2/3 of the New Testament. This latest status, while comforting and helpful in quieting the conscience, as well as soothing to burning and itching ears, is biblically inaccurate and completely unethical.
As far as "enduring backyard brothers" who don't have the "largeness" it takes to bilk poor folk out of money they don't have so they can build a house in Australia (much need for ahem, important ministry reasons, thats right), how egotistical and arrogant.
Why did I leave? I believe in humility and truth.
I think we do have to be careful about condemning our brothers as it is an easy trap to fall into and the Bible has a lot to say against it. HOWEVER, it strikes me as ironic that I am privy to MP judging everything and everybody CONSTANTLY in private and, sometimes, even in public. I guess I'd like to know what scripture exempts him from his own teachings on judgment that he obviously believes everyone else is violating?
ReplyDeleteTo Givin' the Stone a Pass,
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It serves no purpose to keep inserting DB's financial woes or past financial woes. I do believe they overcame that by some money they won in a lawsuit.
Regardless, this forum is definitely about the abuses of MP & RP. I personally had no real qualms with David or Toni except that David did not follow through on some things related to RTF that he had said he would do.
As for the intercessory prayer, I agree with Enlightened & Anonymous Dec.28, 5:25 PM. It really lost what it was intended to do & did become like a witchcraft kind of thing. Our prayers cannot usurp the will of individuals or do things that we in essence want others to do because they don't agree with us or are not abiding by things we think they should. If we had that much power, then we could do away with all evil in the world & that is jsut not going to happen while we are presently on this earth.
I know the Kingdom Now/Dominion theology of MP, Huskins & Eddie Long etc. would have his sheep to believe that they can do that & that we will one day hand the kingdom over to Jesus & that we will inherit all the wealth of the wicked. It all sounds great & wonderful, but I don't think so. Better read the Scripture more closely, rather than jsut taking certain Scriptures out of context or pulling certain ones out and not looking at things in the entirety of the Word.
And that is yet another reason why I left too much OT emphasis.
There is therfore now no condemnatio to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk NOT according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteYou decide what is what. No condemning, but we are to rightly judge & discern when things are serioulsy amiss according the Word of God & when things don't line up or open sin continues without correction or true repentance according to God's Word, it is time to flee the premises and not fellowship w/such. The Bible is clear about that.
Jonah 2:8 --
ReplyDelete"They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy."
We are held accountable for what we choose to believe. For what we choose to follow. The choice to LOVE THE TRUTH or continue to blindly adhere to teachings that completely CONTRADICT SCRIPTURE. What will you give in exchange for your own soul?
Matt. 12:37 --
ReplyDelete"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
**No man need "condemn" you --you do a perfect job of that yourself by your continual determination to spew forth such blatant FALSE TEACHINGS.
2 Peter 2:1-3 says it well:
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their CONDEMNATION has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has NOT been sleeping."
it's a false premise which leads you to the wrong conclusion, I have judged the ACTIONS at Conerstone, why? Because Environments are not judged, they are experienced, Having experienced it, I now judge, WHY?
ReplyDelete1 Cor 5 explains clearly that we are to judge what goes on in church and God will judge those outside.
1 Cor 5:11-13
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
KJV
The Truth is rising up and the time for mischief is winding down...TIC.TOC.TIC.TOC
Does anybody see recurring themes here? The vast majority left for one or more of the following reasons;
ReplyDelete1) unrepented, unconfessed sin in senior leadership
2) lack of love from senior leadership
3) false doctrinal teachings
4) overemphasis on giving for selfish gain
I think that about sums up why I left and what I have read on this forum. I wonder if anyone reading has had a different experience?
It's interesting to me that all of MP's posts, presumably in response to what he reads here, contain the same themes, namely #1 don't judge #2 who are YOU to judge ME? and #3 ironically, his judgment of everyone that has ever had an issue with him (i.e. whiners, complainers, liars, etc . . . .) I think a true shepherd would say, "gee, I never realized I caused you so much pain and hurt your faith in me so deeply. Although, I don't understand it all or even agree with it all, I am sorry for anything I have said or done that has hurt you or your faith. I will try, God helping me, to do better and hope you will stay to give me that chance."
Ironically, if he had ever said anything like that, I believe the vast majority of people on this forum would, after picking themselves off the floor due to the shock, have "given him a pass" and stayed. I know I would have. At the end of the day, it is his own stubborn refusal to admit his real shortcomings that have caused people to lose faith in him as a spiritual leader. The U.S. Church, which he so often criticizes, may be guilty of many things but I have observed that it is very forgiving when leaders are transparent and honest and, periodically, ask for forgiveness. MP, here is my honest advise without malice or motive, "ask and you shall receive" and I don't mean as it relates to money.
I guess MP can post whatever he wants on Facebook to appease his followers, but the Scripture is clear as posted above. That can't be denied, but then again, MP has become an expert at twisting the Word for his gain.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad his followers are not as excited about following Jesus & the words of the NT. They need to stop gushing over MP & get a grip on real truth & read the Word for themselves, not in light of what MP & his cronies add to it or take from it.
oh, cool. It appears my lost post magically reappeared. It is above at 9:18 AM
ReplyDeleteGiving the Stone a Pass:
ReplyDeleteSometimes comments go into our "Spam Box" and we have to go in and post them manually.
Your comment is above friend. Thanks for your patience.
Pride comes before a fall and no one is exempt.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much God could have done with Michael and His local assembly there in Toledo if he would have exercised some humility and repentance over the years and shifted away from some of his false doctrines and had a teachable spirit to be open to sound doctrine.
Think about that for awhile. Michael has an incredible gift but the wrong spirit.
If you look at the growth of Cedar Creek (no blogs like this on them anywhere), you can only imagine what Cornerstone could have been and how that place and Michael could have really positively affected the community.
I am sure there would be 5K to 7K people (for real) and so much real "good" could have been done. What potential this place had all to be ruined by pride and arrogance.
So sad. All it would have taken is a little humility Mike...everything could have been so much different with just a few different choices along the way....think about all the people that looked up to you as their pastor that you pushed away and scattered out into the wilderness.
All those God fearing, loving, and faithful people could still be by your side really helping you do something amazing for God.
Insecurity got the best of you and is going to leave you a very lonely isolated person unless you humble yourself and allow God to heal your heart and your past traumas.
It's your choice. You can't keep fighting and being defensive of your stance especially when you are contradicting the Bible with your teachings. You are only going to dig that hole deeper and deeper until ultimately that building is empty.
What could have been....and what God could have done.
For what it's worth, we would forgive you. Please turn your heart back to God and your first love...
I wholeheartedly agree with Givin' the Stone a Pass & Anonymous above. If MP would have just for one minute listened to why people were leaving & showed some humility instead of himself judging those of us who left & becoming defensive, things could have been vastly different. We would have shown some mercy & given him a pass so to speak.
ReplyDeleteAs summed up by Givin' the Stone a Pass, we left for basically the 4 reasons stated above. We prayed & felt in our hearts it was the right thing to do given that nothing was going to change within the headship of CStone.
A little repentance goes a long way, but when MP can't even admit to his glaring sins & show by example some humility & say, "I messed up, I was wrong, please forgive me", its consequences are far reaching. That can't be ignored from a spiritual leader.
Yes, MP lost some very faithful members - long time committed members such as myself of nearly 20 years. We were not fly by nights who wandered aimlessly form church to church or bailed at the first hint of things amiss. No, we were patient & gave him the benefit of the doubt, but enough was enough. His pride was evident as was his uncaring & unloving ways toward his "sheep". I guess though if you are merely a hireling,care for your sheep doesn't really matter to you.
Yes, he has scattered those who once looked to him as their pastor. Our hearts have been wounded and we are doing our best to heal & move on.
I pray that MP comes to his senses & lays down his silly foolish pride.
I am reminded of the passage from Jeremiah 23:1,2 - "Woe to shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the Lord.
v.2 Thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have scattered My flock, driven them away and NOT attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the Lord.
God sees those of us who have been scattered & Jesus is our true Shepherd no matter what we may go through. We do count for something in God's eyes & it is ultimately MP & RP who will have to give account for the way they tended their flock.
To Anon 12/23 at 2:24AM: Please let's all remain loving and caring...there is no need for hurtful comments. This blog is by real people who have been hurt in one way or another and are we not to act Christ like if we call ourselves Christians. I too am still a member of CStone very confused by everything that is on this blog and others in the city. I wish Bishop would address some of them and I wish RP would explain the absence of his awesome, God-fearing, sweet, beautiful, and fabulous wife. This is very discerning for those of us there. I am very involved in ministry and have been for over 15 years. Why do we stay? I do not follow a man...I worship God and God alone. He is my reason for existing...but I do know all the close relationships I have with members of the congregation would go to the wayside if we left and I would miss them incredibly as I miss the fabulous leader and people who have already left. My heart aches for those of you who have poured your heart out on this blog...I pray for you and know the God is your ultimate Healer and He will comfort your hurts. I do not think it is our right as members of CStone to tear anyone down...we as members of God's Church, as God's Children are tasked with showing His love first and foremost! NO matter how good someone was to me... I would never tear down another child of God to lift another one up! Please remmeber who we serve first and foremost. Bishop can stick up for himself if he wants to...we need to show God's love to ALL...no matter where they choose to worship him. I have enough sense to know that Cstone is not the be all end all of churches! I think we need to sow peace and respect to the folks on this blog as they cry out for help, compassion, and guidance. Yes, God is ultimate judge and we have no right to judge others. I do agree that we all will be held accountable for our actions...those we helped lead "home" and those we lead astray...I think Anon 12/23...you miss the bigger picture...PRAISE GOD ALL THESE GOOD PEOPLE WHO LEFT CSTONE DID NOT BLAME AND LEAVE GOD! PRAISE GOD THEY ARE STILL SEEKING, STILL SEARCHING, AND STILL SERVING!!!! Please try to remember that next time you want to tear down another one of God's children! (Matt 18:6) So I say PEACE...peace to all of you have left-may the blood of Jesus cover your "wounds" and hurts! Peace to all of us still there pondering where God is leading us! Peace to those who remain to stay...don't be blinded by misguided teaching....stay true to our first love...God!
ReplyDeleteTo Peace;
ReplyDeleteThank you! You have expressed everything in my heart as well. I too am a 14 year member involved in ministry for 13 of those 14 years.
I have stood by cstone and bishop through all the dui's, court cases, ridicule, humiliation and the recent events as well, scratching my head wondering why we dont get some answers...
I think I can speak for all of us that remain in that we are not zombies under a spell and oblivious to the shortcomings of the leadership. Personally I would really love it if Bishop would address these issues. Over the years I have become weary not being able to bring anyone to the church I love because they have "heard things" and refuse to come. I have become weary always having to defend my Bishop but I do because I love, respect and believe in him and I honor the set man of the house God sent me to. I have become weary being a laughing stock for attending this church but I understand people dont understand. So please dont think that we who remain are oblivious, we are suffering too but we do because we are trying to live lives of forgiveness and faithfulness and love.
I think we are at the place you all have stated you have been, confused and not able to believe it is even a possibility that we have found ourselves so deeply invested in a ministry that may not be what we think it is. Some people are defensive and others including myself are confused and asking God for clarification and direction. I love my church and my bishop very much and I can relate to your pain in deciding on whether or not to leave. These blogs athough shocking are all too similar to turn a blind eye to the possibility that things are awry somewhere.
I have spent much time close to leadership in my time there I have not seen or heard any of the things I have read here. My experience has been a wonderful one. I speak to MP often, I have never felt dissed by any of the wives or other pastors nor have I been treated with anything other than respect by Janet Wend. I dont seek their approval so whether they speak to me or not is a non issue for me. I see them I say hi and they respond.
When I first read this blog I was very angry and wept. After some time I decided to read them again and be honest with myself as to the possibility of all these things being true. With a heavy heart I must say it is possible. One thing I have witnessed is the mass exodus that has taken place over the last few years. As has been stated many times in this blog this site is for former members who are suffering and need a place to vent but I am sure you are aware whoever the author is that it was only a matter of time before the current congregation would get wind of it and have opinions. You cant say all this stuff about a church full of people and not expect some reaction from them so I say, be patient with us also as we try to figure out just what the hell is going on!
To Grateful:
ReplyDeletePeace - to you and yours - as we all share your sentiment. I pray Bishop heeds this blog and does humble himself to realize we who love and support him still need answers...grace and forgiveness can only cover so much. I hold not bitterness, nor anger - I refuse to be a victim, too much of that from childhood...been through RTF...Bishop needs to trust those of that are there with questions and open up....we do have the right to know as we are the ones out there defending our church when we should only have to defend our faith and preach the Good News to gather more for God's flock. I too cried when I found this blog...but I don't think it was by happenstance...the Holy Spirit is talking to many of us a CStone and it is only a matter of time before the clarity is blinding! But I say, Right On Grateful! right on!
I appreciate the comments of Peace and Grateful above even though I do not believe you will see the repentant spirit or answers you hope seek. I pray I am wrong about this but have seen MP in action under fire before and it would be a huge departure from past "protocol". I did not see the 2:33 PM comments, must have been deleted before I came back to my computer. I wish I had, not because I wish to hear every malcontent or bit of gossip but because it was apparently some kind of "defense" against this blog and I have yet to hear an articulate defense. Believe me, I spent years trying to create one myself and know how hard it is to do with any credibility. To Peace and Grateful, I am sure I know you and you know me. It does not matter. Just know I appreciate your honesty and pray you will remain open no matter what you ultimately decide. My prayers are with you as I hope yours are with us.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing we are called to defend is the TRUTH.
ReplyDeleteThe only set man in your life is Jesus Christ.
Setting aside all sin (not that we should do this), Michael teaches many things that are not found in the Bible.
We are to obey God rather then man. If God's Word clearly tells us to FLEE when we consistently see someone use the Word of God for monetary gain, then there is no other option as hard as it may be to head for the doors.
I came to a fork in the road with my life 10 years ago with Michael (I was in leadership).
God told me I had two choices, I could serve man or I could serve Him. There was no gray area, no middle ground, just those two choices.
The flesh loved the attention, the adoration from people, the praise from people, the position and title, being close to Michael, on and on and on. Oh the feeling of power and importance, how intoxicating to the flesh.
You all know what I am talking about here that are still at C Stone. It's hard to walk away from that investment and we will come up with 100 different reasons and scriptures out of context to justify staying.
Things like God has me here praying, I am called to stand by my Pastor no matter what, we have friends here and my kids go to Sunday school, and we are in the choir, and you name it.
As hard as this may sound, and I went through the process years ago, God is giving you two choices, how long you want to justify staying is up to you....
I should have left long before I did.
When I left this place it's like I stepped off a treadmill in the spirit right into the arms of God. His yoke is so easy and his burden is light. His grace is sufficient for everyone.
Come all you who are heavy laden with the works based teachings of men, come back to Jesus and release yourself from the frustration and complexity of what you have been taught to be the Truth. You have left the simplicity of the Gospel for another gospel. Return unto me and I will return unto you...
To Giving the Stone a Pass...most definitely my prayers are with you! We are still all Brothers and Sisters in Christ are we not? We are to pray one for another as our Author and Finisher of our faith taught us to! Jesus is my one true Cornerstone! I do not nor will I ever think anyone who left CStone is bad or misquided...u are all still my Brother & Sisters as I am still ur sister! Know that you are all loved, missed, and prayed for more than you know! Take heart in knowing we are all in this together searching and seeking God's guidance. I am sorry for those of you who have been mistreated by illguided (is that a word...LOL) followers of CStone. I think they forget sometimes that we do not worship a man...maybe that is why I finally said something...I hate to see anyone hurting and mistreated, especially those who don't deserve it! The Light is on, the ears are open, and I know I am listening harder than ever to hear...so YES I will pray for you and I appreciate your prayers for me! Peace always!
ReplyDeletePeace, for the record, I was not shown any love nor did anyone ever contact me to see how I was doing or just plain shoot the breeze as a brother and sister in Christ. I was in leadership. What Michael misses is my slave labor and offerings. All he thinks about is how he can manipulate another dollar from people at the end of a service.
ReplyDeleteI did not leave to serve the devil and offer up blood sacrifices to the gods. I left because Michael controls and manipulates people to live a lavish lifestyle at the expense of others and twists scripture for his own vain kingdom building.
I sat down with him, opened the Bible and carefully showed him some things (scriptures in context)that were contrary to what we had been teaching (I taught foundations classes).
In one day, he turned on me after years of faithfully serving him, slandered my name, called everyone that I personally recruited to the Church, and spoke evil of me and told everyone I was in error and not to talk to me.
He also told them my personal struggles and tried to leverage that as a way to divert away from the real issue which was him twisting scripture so he and Robert could live like Kings and the rest paupers.
I would venture to say that he has done this to pretty much every other person who has left over the past 15 years. If anyone can testify to this pattern, please testify here.
Well guess what, you reap what you sow every time and if you treat people like a piece of trash with absolutely no love then a) you are not a Pastor or Bishop and b) you get blogs like these that are set up to warn people of your pride and lack of any love toward people.
Peace,
Maybe you love people and "pray" for those that leave but I can guarantee you that the leadership in that Church could care less. Not even heathens treat people with such lack of love.
Michael's stubbornness is soon going to lead to an empty building. May God open your eyes to the spirit working through this man which is the spirit of Jezebel.
ok. I have had enough of the pussy footing around. I am not the type of person who plays games so here it is folks. I am going to ask the questions that all the cornerstonians who are secretly reading this blog in horror are thinking. Bishop, I know you are reading this and please understand that I mean no disrespect.
ReplyDeleteWhen you were accused of the indecent exposure, you told us that "your friends dont need an explanation and your enemies wouldnt believe you anyway". Not now or did I then think that you were guilty of those charges so lets get that off the table. I as well as many hundreds have stood by you during that mess, the dui's, our collective hearts were shattered when you went to jail and now we have this blog that contains horror stories from hundreds of our brothers and sisters that suddenly became MIA.
But we are not your friends. We dont do lunch, go on vacations together or call and talk smack on the phone. We are your congregation who stands with you to further the kingdom. We work along side you and all the other pastors and their wives. We have been subject to ridicule, humiliation and have lost all of our friends because we attend this church. we are mocked and made fun of and our very intelligence is brought into question but we stay because of the greater good and because we understand that people dont understand and because We love you all. We trust in you and Gods call on your life and we come to church week after week, year after year and give and serve because we love God and want to fulfill the call on our lives.
But enough is enough. We have earned the right to get some answers to some questions.
So I will ask those questions;
What the heck happened to Kelly? Where is she? we love her and we notice her glaring absence. No one said a word she was just gone. She was an integral part of cornerstone and one day she was just gone with no explanation. We dont need gory details but we are adults and can handle the truth. She is your sister in law and she just goes away and no one says anything to any of us? She deserves better than that. We deserve better than that.
You have taught us to live transparent before God and man so I am asking for that now.
We know that people are people and they make mistakes and I am the first one to extend forgiveness and mercy when it comes to mistakes but as leaders of this church when rumors are swirling about affairs and babies and moves to austraila, I think now is the time to tell us the truth about what the hell is going on that we dont see. Is this our new years eve word, "goodbye its been fun mates"?
Are you really just running a business without any real concern for your congregation? I just cant wrap my brain around that for real.
Did you get bit by the fame bug and just lost sight of what you were supposed to do in and for Toledo? Have you forgotten about usuns?
As far as these people on this particular blog. My god! did these things happen? did you allow these faithful people to be hurt like this?
My soul is screaming right now thinking that it is possible that the church that I have loved, served in and supported both financially and emotionally for 14 years and the people who run it have no more regard for the very ones that have labored and sacrificed their time talent and treasure than to disregard them as "off" or whatever. These are human beings who have helped make this church what it is today and has contributed to your ability to go to austrailia for christmas when most of the congregation is struggling to eat.
These are not people who are in toledo trying to shut down cornerstone because they dont like you, we have watched them leave one after the other. We see it!
So my questions have been put out there and it remains to be seen if they will get answered but I had to ask them. Someone did.
Perception is reality...we've heard Bishop say this over and over again...perception is reality...well the folks on this blog have perceived to been hurt and feel "abused" by a religious leader. We need to show love to those who are hurting right here in our community...not just Africa. I support what we are doing in Africa...but we have folks right here who are hurting and in need. Grateful...you said it! We has a faithful congregation deserve the right to know what is going on...then let us decide what is right and what is wrong. But I promise you this...and I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do...but Pastor Robert shouldn't not preach "God takes away to prepare you for the future and bless you double for your trouble" to justify his actions against is wonderful wife (who is MISSED!!!!) as stating some how God is alright with his actions...I'm not throwing stones, but I'm also not up on the platform preaching! We do deserve answers Bishop, please take heed as all this can't possibly be heresay, rumors, or all perception of certain individuals. I do continue to offer peace to all!
ReplyDeletePastor Robert should not be preaching and Minister Thomas should not be leading worship either. Sorry.. justsayin...
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who was an RTF minister and they told me that they were instructed to never violate confidentiality or they will be removed from the ministry immediatley, which is as it should be and they never have, any of them because they all take it very seriously and love doing it but I digress to the fact that if they can be kicked out of a ministry for that then how is it a pastor can have an affair with his secretary (allegedly)and leave his wife (allegedly)ultimately leaving her ousted from the church and the worship leader can have multiple affairs(allegedly) and a child with a choir member (allegedly)leaving his wife and kids to sit in that house week after week humiliated (actually) and all they get is two weeks vacation from the platform with no accountability?
Now I dont know what private rebuke happened behind closed doors with Bishop on all that and I was not present when and if repentance took place and lucky for all concerned we are a forgiving bunch, but your congregation deserved way more respect than it got.
How are we supposed to take seriously the work of the ministry in that house and function in spirit of excellence cornerstone demands when we have continuous "issues" arising that are never addressed? It seems as though we are held to a different standard and we are there merely to make leadership look good. We are being put in a quite precarious position which by the way we dont appreciate. Everyone in that house who is in ministry at any level takes it very seriously and is honored to do it, myslef included and we do it because we love our God, Cornerstone and all leadership and woe unto you if your motive for this church is simply for financial gain, I dont undertsand if that is true how anyone could do that to so many God loving fatihful people.....
But make no mistake, there will be mutiny soon if leaders dont start leading by example!
And by the way, the cornerstone crew christmas party, really, do we really have to pay to go? I thought it was an appreciation dinner for all we do all year. You cant spring for a dinner once a year? thats why I dont ever go.
One more question;
Where are your parents? They disappeared too....very disturbing.
Latest MP post "feed on the good..wolves vultures eat on flesh and death..but the godlike feed on what is true,noble,right,pure,lovely,admirable,excellent,n praiseworthy.philippians4;8..those who eat ugly are beacause they are ..well.." Guess that answers what his response to the pleas above will be . . . .
ReplyDeleteI have struggled a little with this site. I know it's here to help those that have left Cornerstone, but those that still attend and the leadership can of course read this too. The struggle is that the leadership could be pushed over the edge/crushed. I really admired some of the leadership staff for their strengths and for obeying God at times when I really needed it. I hope that people that have left are encouraged by this site to study the word of God, develop a wonderful relationship with God and find a place of worship and others to fellowship with. For the ministry staff that is currently at Cornerstone, I agree with some other writers, that if we'd had an opportunity to speak to you and get questions answered, maybe this site wouldn't be so popular. I know we're all human beings and make mistakes. And I personally was following God's word when Paul says, "Follow me as I follow Christ..." So I guess Paul was encouraging us to look at his life (call it judging, being immature, whatever...) and if it looked like he wasn't being an imitator of Christ, I guess we shouldn't follow. So that's what led me to leave. I was a member for 17 + years and hoped to be there for a long time. I was a member when Carlton Pearson was Pastor's Pastor. When Carlton Pearson decided not to believe exactly what the bible taught, Pastor Pitts wrote a letter to the members and graciously explained why CP was no longer going to be his pastor. I admired Pastor Pitts for encouraging the members to be loving and gracious. His letter to the members about Pastor Mack was entirely different and honestly was alarming to me. Then the service that followed where he was mean spirited concerning Pastor Mack and some other gentlemen that had left, made me question whether he was following Christ. I thought not! The messages that followed were very manipulative and twisted. I talked to one of the leaders and prayed for a month with no change from Michael Pitts' messages. I would have encouraged anyone in the city of Toledo and surrounding area to bring their teenagers or younger children to Cornerstone, but knew the adults would be manipulated by the messages by a mean spirited man. I was hoping he would change for the better, but after reading a fb status that he wrote encouraging other to avoid anti this and that, because they're anti, because "they ain't done nothing, been nothing..." I thought, well he hasn't changed.
ReplyDeleteGodly, Christian people were praising him for this statement. It sickened me.
There are people that have had nothing but good experiences with the leadership staff. I think they believe those that are expressing their opinions are immature. They have no idea how messed up their thinking is. They have become haughty and unloving to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ rather than reaching out to them. They would say we're the judgmental ones, but a handful of people asked me why I left and were willing to hear what I had to say. The rest cut me off. One of the young ladies on staff that I believe has a heart to get people connected to the church invited another young lady to her apt. and there was just as much beer in her refrigerator as her unsaved friends. She thought, "What's the difference if I hang out with the girls drinking in the church or my other friends that like to go out and get drunk." Where are we headed? How are we impacting people? Where is our conviction? Where are our hearts?? No matter what church you're in. We as Christians need to repent/turn back to Jesus so we can actually present Him to those who haven't met Him yet. I'm more concerned about that than defending someone who blatantly tears others down or calls people immature for voicing their issues.
To "Anonymous" that's been gone for 10 yrs:
ReplyDeleteAlthough you have a lot to share about the truth of Cornerstone... PLEASE remember that it's not a "black and white" issue. Please extend grace to our visitors that are still attending Cornerstone. Remember, you went through a PROCESS of leaving yourself. It doesn't happen "over night". Furthermore, you've been gone 10 yrs. now and have had a lot of time to deal with what you went through. We don't want our other visitors (like "Peace and Grateful") to feel like they will be blasted and jumped on all at once if they share. Especially with too many ugly details --which can be overwhelming. They need to focus more on HEARING THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT for themselves.
Also, it's not necessary to "correct" them on how they refer to Michael (as the set man, etc.) They will learn over time --as we all did. Thanks...
To everyone else tuning in:
If you HAVE LEFT, but haven't yet shared why --"WHY DID YOU LEAVE?"
To Peace and Grateful:
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you! Thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts with us on the blog. I commend you for your mature attitude, despite the sensitivity of the situation. We understand where you are and we are praying for you. You are thinking objectively and listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. HE WILL CONFIRM TO YOU --He is confirming to you now.
Thank you for your positive attitude toward the blog. Yes, it is a great place to come and identify with others and make sense of things. As you can see, people are in different places right now. Some are still @ CC and remain confused. Others are seeking support after JUST leaving. While others have been gone for awhile, and are REACHING their hand back with hope and compassion. No one here gloats "I TOLD YOU SO." I agree, it's sad --what "could have been".
Yes, there are several people that are moving forward and seeking to recover the years spent at Cornerstone. Many GREAT and AWESOME things occurred there...but it's over when God says it's over. Sure we can easily say "just leave now", but that is an individual decision that each have to come to. Although, we can show you in the Word (and have in previous articles) what is not right at Cornerstone --you have to "get it"...as we ALL did. THIS IS A VITAL KEY IN YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY FORWARD. However, when someone's house is on fire...one would be a fool to sit by and watch in silence. But know --we feel your pain. I wrote a letter to Michael when I left many years ago. I poured my heart out and prayed that he would receive it. I never heard back, but honestly never expected to. It was just important to ME...because HE was important to me as my Pastor of many years. I never left offended, just sort of "shocked"...how can I be leaving? What will my friends think? What will my family think that choose to remain at the church? But after leaving and "detoxing" if you will, I am a new person..and my relationship with Christ is stronger than it ever was before. I found many liberating truths about NT structure..it's a beautiful thing.
Keep doing what you are doing friends, you're on the right track. And it's clear that you both know that Jesus Christ Himself is your covering. And the Chief Shepherd will not abandon you at this time friend. I want to tell you something that may help you in your process. You will not figure everything out before you leave. But God will give you PEACE. Picture "peace" and "your understanding" in a race. Both are running "head to head" let's say. But the very moment THAT PEACE surpasses (or out runs) your understanding --you'll know exactly what to do. And at that TIME... Follow the Peace. Don't wait.
Gen. 12:1 --
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I WILL SHOW YOU."
My family and I where members of of Cornerstone for 14 years also, after joining I felt at peace with what was already jumping up inside me. I was hearing revelation which fed my soul, the Wisdom and Truth of Gods word. My entire family was willingly going to church, the blessing of God was non-stop in my life, God was confirming through signs and wonders his will for my life. When we would explain some of the situations and how they where resolved people looked at us in amazement. Not one time did we take credit. The Spirit of excellence was my vitamin, doing that which gave God the glory is what I woke to do each day. I felt guilty fasting only three days and I felt the presence Of God in ALL that I did. Religion was thing which had me bound, Since I was freed from religion I gravitated towards the preached word of CC.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, I count it a blessing that God would allow me to see the truth as he has compelled me to speak it.
There were so many things that I witnessed, heard first hand and questioned, with fact in hand, I systematically justified, rationalized that I must trust leadership and not be quick to judge, allowing for repentance,grace and mercy to take it's place......Repentance never showed up. My security with the various situations which evolved was not based on my submission to leadership, rather the confidence with my relationship with God.
My thought's where if there was a problem the pastor would surely address them. I watched countless situations arise and they were dealt with, but none of those issues were core to the dysfunction which exist. the first year of membership I had to makes sense of MP's public indecency charges, to which I proceeded to rationalize it as hatred towards the church.
My ultimate revelation was not all of the proof of wrongdoings at the church. My greatest revelation, which also led to my greatest repentance, was the fact that I was attributing the blessings in my life with being a member of that church. I was saddened when I thought how many years I grieved the spirit of God with this attribution.
The Maturity of God allowed me to continue until the blessings wore out, literally! At this point I spoke with leadership about My life, which seem to be falling apart and I was told "it's because you have the wrong spirit". At that point I said "I refuse to believe that".
I have since found that it is not the church you belong to which bring the blessings of God into your life, rather it is your personal relationship with God Period! it was my praying, fasting, reading and yielding to the Holy Spirit which brought the presence of God into my life.
Upon acknowledging that is the precise time that my blessings began to flow just as it was from the beginning. I will never allow any Pastor, Preacher or Friend between what God has for Me.
I don't consider myself to have been deceived because my relationship with God and his word never ended, but because of the curse on leadership because of the sin of rebellion, which is witch craft, I was delayed, denied and held under.
The Truth has been my life's blood for all the years there, I can hold my head up knowing I did more than my part and I did it with excellence. It feels good to be released to soar!
Leroy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. It's greatly appreciated!
To Hmmm and Leroy "The Guitar Player":
ReplyDeleteAgain, absolutely great comments. Let me just say "Thank You" for taking the time to Speak the Truth in Love. And yes friends, the "illusion of power" --over the platform of CC is being revealed for what it is..just an illusion. Hence the desperate "posts" on certain FB walls. A lot of puff and little power. It's sad to see such a gifted, yet hurting person (who clearly knows the ship is sinking) to willfully continue to keep the charade going. Repentance and TRUE restoration would certainly be what everyone else would prefer to see --as an end result to the saga.
As far as the Staff still at the Stone. They know the truth "Hmmm". As much as our heart goes out to them, they must choose to stand up for the Truth of God's Word despite the consequences of man. This is THE difference between a Pastor and a Hireling. Fearing the wrath of man, fearing loss of a title, money, and possible character assassination from the Pitt's brothers --is not a reason to stay. Some members are looking to them; I would say especially Banks at this time. It's time for EVERYONE to be free from the fear. God can still restore the years the cankerworm has taken away!
A word on Hirelings:
John 10:11-13 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." (KJV)
*Every Pastor that I have spoken to that has left Cornerstone Network --is absolutely doing the work that God has called them to AND HUMBLY EXCELLING AT IT. This happens when you get free from Saul...
I could say sooo much, but I will start with the second DUI... I was member of Cornerstone Church for 17 years when enough was enough. I remember it was the night that the Toledo Symphony was playing at Cornerstone. This was the same day the local media was saturated with news about Pastor Michael Pitts receiving a second DUI. I could not believe what I was hearing. I went to church that night fully expecting an apology, an explanation... But, nothing was said, nothing at all, for over 5-6 months. During this time I worked Spectrum, I had been a leader in the children's church for around 5 years. The lack of explanation was eating away at me. I kept thinking, 'why doesn't he just say something.' I would have really appreciated Pastor Pitts just admitting that he had an alcohol problem and letting us know that he needed help, but, that never happened.
ReplyDeleteThen a letter came in the mail about Pastor Larry Mac. This letter made him out to be a thief and a terrible leader who had done something so wrong to Pastor Pitts. For some reason I could not stomach what I was reading. I grew up listening to Larry Mac preach and the things they were accusing him of did not ring true. Then I went to church the morning after the letter was sent out and heard a message that was completely appalling. Pastor Pitts was belittling people who I knew had recently left the church. And, then he gave some vague story about what happened with Pastor Mac and how he "Stole his kids." Blah blab blah. I couldn't take it! I wanted to walk out right then and there, but I was afraid he would call me out in front of everyone.
I returned for the next couple of Sundays to teach in Spectrum and then would leave. I knew I could not go on just teaching in children's church and not really attending the main services. So, I decided to talk with Minister Maus about these issues and tell him I was thinking of going to a different church.
I met with Minister Maus one Sunday after the 1st service and told him that I was bothered about the non-explanation about the 2nd DUI and about the way Pastor Pitts was handling the situation with Pastor Mac. When I asked Minister Maus about why Pastor Pitts had not said anything about the DUI, he did not have any explanation for me either. I realized by talking with him that he did not have an explanation, because none had been given to him. This, more than anything, made me so upset. I could not believe what terrible/sick leadership was in this church. How could the head pastor leave all of his staff to defend him with no explanation of his actions! How could he expect them to deal with all of the people they were in charge of without giving them any answers? I could not believe what a coward he was. That was one of the worst displays of leadership I had ever seen...
I then had to have a meeting with Pastor Martinez and explain to him why I wanted to leave. After this, I had to drop off of the face of the planet. I was not allowed to say goodbye to the kids I had taught for so many years. I could not say goodbye to anyone, I just had to go.
I want to say to Pastor Pitts... When I was a teenager I remember getting ready for school and hearing on 92.5 that you had been arrested for indecent exposure. I remember I was standing in my kitchen and I felt like I had just been stabbed in the abdomen. I looked up to you. I loved that you could preach the Word of God and be so funny and understandable. I was so torn back then. My family was so torn. I eventually brushed if off and believed the best about you. But, time and time again you let me down. I began to realize that no matter what a man does it has no reflection on God.
I hope that one day you turn back to God. He loves you and put a fire in you for Him and not for money.
All I can say is at this point I can hear my heart breaking and it is deafening.
ReplyDeleteThankful - my heart breaks for you and I am sorry. I am sure we know eachother as I too serve in Spectrum and can't seem to break free from the children who have already suffered so much loss due to the mass exodus. I too miss MM greatly! He was/is a good man and great example of awesome leadership! He was a vital part of making what Spectrum is today...no matter what anybody says! I hope and pray MP hears your heartfelt cry and realizes real people are out there and have been really hurt...not ugly people...hurt people. Know that you are loved more than you know and our God is a great big God over all! Peace~
ReplyDeleteThis blog has opened my eyes to some things that are way off here and it has done the same for many others (all ranks) who are getting ready to make an exit. Everything that has been hidden in darkness is coming into the light.
ReplyDeleteJudging and condemning are two different things. We are to judge whether someone is teaching sound doctrine or the doctrines of men. There are a lot of people reading these blogs that are starting to ask questions and will be demanding answers.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories so that we can see what really is going on here versus what appears to be going on.
We need to find a place where the love of God is present and the leaders are humble and open to correction.
Please keep sharing, it is making a difference for alot of people on the fence.
I sure hope this up coming service is not focused around a special offering of some sort like the past. It makes alot of people uncomfortable to continually be hounded for money when most are struggling to make their own ends meet in a tough economy.
ReplyDeleteI think God already made a deal with Jesus for everything we will ever need.
Part 1
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is wow !!!! It seems like I have written many of these post because I have experienced the very same issues while I attending CC. I was a member for about 14 years when my family decided that CC was no longer "the place" for us. I served over a decade teaching children in spectrum as a teen as well and can remember knowing people who were having pre-marital sexual relationships or smoking and drinking after church. It baffled me coming from a strict apostolic up-bringing, I found myself engaging in all types of behaviors that I learned from church members while my parents were trying to keep me from my "worldly friends". I agree there was never any accountability for the actions of MP, to my recollection in 2000 when MP was convicted with the first DUI the church had a celebration in honor of his birthday because he was turning 30, and not once did he ever apologize for his actions. There were cameras and everything present during the following services and the only thing he would tell us as the congregation is that the media lies and that we should not talk to them.... then I ask myself why? Is it because there is so much truth that is waiting to be revealed?
Recently, my father addressed some burning issues dealing with fornication and homosexuality that we were not sure MP was aware of, not only was he FULLY aware of everything that is going on behind the scenes, he brushed my father off and made a spectacle out of him. The message was on 10/10/10 "This ain't about you and it never was?" My hands were sweating as I sat in my seat thinking to myself, is he really talking about my dad? There was young lady sitting behind that day that Ive known for years and I could hear her just yelling "Yes!", "AMEN", and I thought to myself does anybody else hear what he was saying. The message was very fleshy as well as personal. There was another message the sunday before where he warned the saints to stay away from blogs and facebook because it's a distraction...... A distraction MP????????
What I find distracting is that fact that this man can make a phase up put a scripture behind it and get a thousand people to like it cause of his star power. Looking at his latest FB post the scripture that he quoted was completely out of context. And I quote:
"feed on the good..wolves vultures eat on flesh and death..but the godlike feed on what is true,noble,right,pure,lovely,admirable,excellent,n praiseworthy.philippians4;8..those who eat ugly are beacause they are ..well.." <--- The last part was definitely of the fleshy and this scripture is put together .. when we read Phillippians 4:8-9 Looking at these two verses in Philippians we discover that…
It's a Mordern Day Tragedy
ReplyDeleteThe 1978 tragedy of "Jonestown" has reared its ugly head, albeit in shadow and type.
Today's Jonestown posses the same ingredients, a preacher, staff which adhere exactly to the preacher, people who trust the preacher and people who don't care what the preacher has said or is doing, all this mixed with a steady flow of money, Narcissistic behavior, creates an atmosphere ripe with deception.
You may ask, why I would compare the two situations?
Before the mass suicide took place in Jonestown, those who opposed Jim Jones where dealt with, The congregation was systematically thinned of those individuals whose thinking was out of line with the mentality needed to maintain control.
Today if you ask questions to leadership which hit the core of the dysfunction, you too are dealt with by character assignation, bully pulpit tactics, intimidation, fear and removal from the premises.
Before: the only way the outside world would know there was a problem in “Jonestown” hundreds of people would die.
Today: Relationships have died, because the atmosphere which allows homosexuality, adultery, fornication and immoral practices: Many, many people have spiritually died, they no longer fight the desires of the flesh, they’ve lost their husband or wife to infidelity, teen pregnancy is rampant and if a person tries to address the issues they themselves are assassinated (figuratively) The outside world can see this.
Before: when you showed up after the fact in Jonestown there was no life, some were missing, no movement and a horrible smell. The evidence had to be assembled in other to get the complete analysis of what transpired.
Today: There is NO LIFE in the house, there is no movement (growth in membership), So many of us are missing and there is a horrible smell. The similarities stark by comparison with this one caveat. More and more people will speak out and tell their story, which will allow those still there a chance to get out before more time, talent and treasure are lost.
Now is the time to put 2 and 2 together, you cannot allow your family or relationships to come between you and God, if you do you have made God secondary, family and friends primary in your life, by doing this you're saying that God can't restore what you'd temporarily lose in obedience to him.
here's something else to think about...if you don't obey God you lose it ANYWAY. God only removes the things which hinders YOU and the ingredients are in place, adversity,evidence,conviction and these won't lead you to a smooth road.
this is one of those times when you don't want to stay around and see what the end will be.
Tic.Toc.Tic.Toc
Part 2
ReplyDeleteI. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praise worthy!” (v. 8)
1. Paul shows us in a very real way that no one can be anything without Jesus in their life! Paul gives us a list of six things that are “excellent or praiseworthy.” He relates that “whatever is true,” literally that which is unhidden. No lies, no guile, just the truth. (Do you think MP could learn from this?) Then he continues by saying, “whatever is noble,” meaning worthy of respect. Like a soldier who serves with integrity their country with a sense of duty and honor. He tells them that “whatever is right,” meaning someone who is innocent and straightforward. Believers are to be innocent of the ways of the world, yet many I fear would rather make excuses or hide their shame than honestly face it and confess it. He goes on to write that “whatever is pure,” meaning someone who is blameless and modest. Someone who is not perfect, but who lives in such a way that they are seen by the beauty of their lives lived for God. Then Paul writes that “whatever is lovely,” which refers to those who promote peace or unity in a situation. And finally, Paul mentions “whatever is admirable,” which refers to a person who is well spoken of or where others know their intrinsic character to be all of the above! Are all of these things possible for sinful people like us? The answer is a definite “YES!” Paul will later write, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) It is not by our might or will or by our trying to be “good enough,” it is only through Jesus that we can attain all of this! Worthy things in life are always found in Jesus Christ. Worthy things in life for Paul were “excellent and praiseworthy.”
How many of us could really tell someone else, “Do not do merely as I say, but do as I do!”? Not many of us. Sadly, we often take on the old adage, “Don’t do as I do, rather do as I say!” Right? But Paul will have none of this from his readers the Philippians and from us as well. Paul knew that Christians are not to sit on their holy behinds but were to actively live for the Lord. We discover that…
Part 3
ReplyDeleteII. Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!” (v. 9)
1. Merely thinking about Jesus, never made anyone live like Jesus! Paul ended his last thought with the admonishment for his readers to “think about such things!” But merely “thinking” about being godly never got anyone to where Jesus wanted them to be, and Paul knew this. Positive thinking about God, everyday in every way, never got a sinful individual to be the Godly person they need to be. Paul bluntly reminds his readers that “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice!” In other words, whenever you saw me doing the things I just described, DO IT JUST AS I DID IT! Paul knew he could confidently stand before anyone and relate, “Hey, what you see me doing for the Lord, you do the same thing and you will be living a-okay for Jesus!” Why? Because Paul put into practice the things he taught! If we cannot control our spending habits, our drinking habits, our lying habits, our speech habits, or… well, you get the idea, then we cannot expect our children to respond any other way than what they see us doing! Right? It is a foolish parent who thinks they should be “honest” and “forthright” with their immature child about how they were ungodly, irresponsible, or rebellious when they were younger. Instead, immature children learn best from a high standard set by their parents and not through an ungodly reminder. You never read about Paul encouraging others to live like he did when he persecuted Christians! In fact, he was ashamed of his past life and considered it “rubbish.” Why do you think he wrote earlier: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”? (Philippians 1:20-21) Worthy things in life for Paul were “put into practice!”
MP has not put these things into practice as well as has not been an example as Paul was an example.
Part 4
ReplyDeleteI thank God for a blog like this it is not a distraction nor is it a place where people are bending the truth, these are REAL LIFE experiences that people have struggled with coming from a spiritually abusive church. Attending this church has made my walk weary even questioning if my whole experience with this church was a complete lie. I know that God was with me as well as my family and other brothers and sisters that still attend. My prayer is that their eyes will be open and they will be able to see for themselves the time is NOW. The reasons for me leaving CC was because knowing the truth is to be free, and attending a church where anything goes I know will not get me into the kingdom of heaven. CC is struggling with addictions sex, alcohol/drugs (allegedly) and money. My heart goes out to all of the teens and children who have no choice to leave, look around folks. There are so many teens who are pregnant and being celebrated for it, they are under leadership who candy coats the bible and are leading them straight to hell, as well as leaders who DO NOT follow what they teach.
Looking back, there are many sermons I recall where MP villainized ppl for leaving as well as talked about them, I used to just be happy he wasn't talking about me and now I think he should take that authority and place it in the right area starting with his whole ministry.
I still know people who attend that have cut me off as well and called us "dysfunctional", I've had people de-friend me on facebook and call me judgmental. I've had people say that I'm selfish and merely upset because I did not get my way. I've even had people say that they will pray for me because I'm they believe I have completely backslid, my prayer for all of you is that you get your head out of the sand and stand up for God before it's too late
God Bless, YP
YP - very heartfelt and shame on them who pray for you because they say you have backslid...I pray for the hurt to be healed, I pray that God shows Himself strong in your life, I pray that you continue to worship and serve God despite bad experiences in the church, and most of all I pray for strength for those of us who know what we must do to do! I've got one foot out the door and am ready to make the leap, but wonder what is holding me back. I too see the fleshy sins that are being tolerated in the house...the exact same things we are teaching are children against..we preach in Sprectrum just the opposite of what is being tolerated in the sanctuary/on the platform. I believe in grace, forgiveness, mercy, etc. and do not condemn, but again I am not on a platform instructing others...how can you talk about a splinter in your brothers/sisters eye lest you take the plank out of yours! Through prayer/fasting, talking with God, and reading this blog I have come to realize the truth is too much to bear and I don't know how we can continue under leadership that won't clean the spriritual house...there are evil spirits running rampant there (greed, lust, fornication, adultery, infirmity, homosexuality) and they must be dealt with...please somone stand up! Please DB or JS...please stand up and do what is right! We must take back what is right, what is pure, what is lovely..for the next generation is crying out! MP please listen, please hear - those of us who stay believe in your calling and so want you to rise above all this...come back to your first love! God! It's all about Him! Until next time ~ Peace
ReplyDeleteMP if you are in fact the "pappa" of this house then hear the cries of your "children" and do right by us.
ReplyDeleteAs a former member of a church in the Cornerstone Network a lot of negative things took place in our church after coming under the "covering" of MP.
ReplyDeleteMy advice to anyone struggling with staying or going you must allow the PEACE of God to rule your heart. Don't allow a false sense of responsibility to keep you in bondage.
This prophetic word I came across today is timely:
"Many of you, My people, have been trying to rescue things of the past that are no longer working or relevant to your life. It's been like trying to rescue a drowning man tied to an anchor; it is not going to work, and has the possibility of taking you down as well.
Don't be afraid to let go and be released from things that represent bondage to you, says the Lord. It is time for you to be free and to celebrate liberty!"
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Trust your Father in heaven to lead you out of the place of bondage and enter into 2011 FREE!!!
Love & Prayers for you all ....
Part 1
ReplyDeleteThe light has been turned on & the darkness is being revealed. It is decision time. Many of us who have left are now being taken seriously as we were solid members for 10+ years & we have all seen & are saying the same things. We can't be making this up. We too have been affected by this ministry & had to make the painful but Godly decision to leave. Following God's leading is not always blessings & the "smell of roses". Look at the true apostles in Jesus's day.
It hurts & grieves my heart that we were put off as disgruntled, "off" in spirit members when all we were doing was following the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives & yes, initially we paid a price - ridicule, loss of relationships, friendships & down right mean spirited members who would not listen or hear us out & eventually quit speaking to us. They were merely mimicking the behavior of theri leadership.
Yet what we gained when we left was a deeper relationship with God & His Word - the whole Word, not just OT "protocols" & special anointings like the protocol anointing that don't exist in chapter or verse.
I have been gone for about a year and a half. It is amazing to me how much the sin in the house & the deception has increased. You now have 2 headship leaders facing divorce. RP's wife doesn't even attend anymore & nothing was addressed from the platform - only covered up until things become glaring.
People notice things & when not given the facts from headship, not that all dirty laundry has to be aired, people begin to talk.
Hence, why couldn't MP jsut have called a closed door meeting w/ministry workers as he has done in the past & address things openly? Although if we look at how he addressed things in the past, it was with lies, excuses & humor, not a spirit of humility & repentance.
A true shepherd would have done that to alleviate doubt, speculation & rumor. In addition, a true shepherd would have had ministry leaders step down for more than 2 weeks as an appearance of dealing with things, & make the leaders seek help & counsel to resolve their issues, not cover them over with the illusion of dealing with them.
MP is not a true shepherd, he is a hireling because we are to know them by their fruit.
ReplyDeleteMichael does not bear the fruit of a Pastor, Apostle, or Bishop nor does he bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit as a believer.
He has no LOVE toward people. He will tolerate them as long as they see everything his way and submit to his control.
Unfortunately, I do believe that based upon his track record and self deception he will go down fighting God and the building will be empty soon.
God has been trying to get his attention for 20 years through various people, warnings, words, etc. Some people fall on the Rock and others won't change so the Rock has to fall on them.
I would encourage everyone to be very cautious about giving any more money to this man especially since there are signs (house being built) that he may take the side door out of this one just like they all do when the ship looks to be going down.
Roberts Liardon, Larry Lea, Benny Hinn, Robert Tilton, Carlton Pearson all did the same thing in the name of God. This is a pattern behavior that we see time and time again. When your stuff is getting exposed, find a new area where people are not familiar with you and start again.
It's good to see that people are getting ready to hit the exits as they read this blog. Thanks again to whoever started it...
I agree with all you have said comin' out. I think that the majority of the pain and agony here is more the fact that, not so much that issues have come up and things have happened, but that we have not been given the repsect to have them dealt with by the Bishop. We as a people are a forgiving people and we all realize that things happen but you cant spout how we are family but are left out of the family meetings when the other family members are leaving and crying in pain to strangers as well as current residents of the house are acting in a fashion that brings reproach on the house. It is just not acceptable to treat "family" like that.
ReplyDeleteI personally have never treated an ex member with anything but respect because leaving is your own business but I do know it has happened and for that I apologize on behalf of those of us who remain for the inconsiderate way you were treated. Whether you are at cstone or any other church you are still family.
This is all just very upsetting. I have had no sleep, I cant concentrate and I feel reallllly stupid right now.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteIt's all about appearances. There is a different spirit over that house & there is all manner of evil going on such as fornication, adultery, drunkeness, homosexuality, immorality, lying & the like as Leroy stated. Why doesn't a visiting "prophet" ever expose that?? Why do visiting "prophets" merely act like spiritual mediums with a familiar spirit who can call out people's addresses - who cares - where is that in the Bible??? These same "prophets" also place an exaggerated emphasis on financial gain coming into the lives of the poeple they call out. And interestingly, it is usually people in the know anyway. I wonder if the Vaculiks ever got their $350,000 check in the mail?????
The focus is all wrong. A true prophet comes to bring correction and eradicate sin from the house of God, not sow to the flesh of the members. Then again, nobody wants to listen to a "Debbie Downer" like that & that doesn't bring in top dollar to the offerings. There has to be the WOW factor involved to get those top notch offerings.
It is scandolous & grieves the Holy Spirit. God has been merciful & has given MP plenty of time to correct things & yet he continues on a path of decepetion & narcissism which will be his undoing by his own hand.
Do not be deceived, GOD IS NOT MOCKED; whatever a man sows, that he will reap.
Sowing to the flesh can reap nothing but fleshly things as has been evidenced for many years now at CStone & I for one could no longer sit under that spirit for my own sake.
I pray for those of you who have left for your continued healing & for those of you who now serve in ministries & must make a very difficult decision whether to stay or to go. Remember, you will ultimatley be affected by the spirit over that house for what is on the head flows down.
Enough mercy, grace & forgiveness has been extended. Were those of us who left granted that same mercy, grace & forgiveness - I think not. Again - double standards.
Furthermore, as for me when I had to make my decision,the trust factor was gone. I had seen too many lies & deceptions to believe any of what came from MP or RP as to their jaded explanations of why people were leaving.
Also, if well known, respected leaders such as Rich Maus left for right reasons, why was it not spoken about? Why couldn't MP send him off with a blessing & a prayer & let him say good-bye to the children & their parents? No, it was done in secret because MP knew why Rich was leaving. He knew Rich could no longer serve under such a corrupted ministry & to speak about his leaving would draw further attention to the ones who were also leaving.
All I can say is that I am glad that I am out from under that deceptive influence. I am still healing & can only hope that MP as the "pappa" of the house will hear the cries of his children & will see the pain he has caused - not perceived pain, but REAL pain.
Honesty is much to be respected, but at this point who can believe anything that MP says as he tries to cover it with clever scriptural quotes twisted for his gain. This is not a game, or perceptions, but reality. A child's perceptions is their reality, not an adults. Adults are capable of sorting through perception & seeing reality if they refuse not to live in denial, rationalization & justifications. And spiritually mature adults will know what to do.
To Grateful,
ReplyDeletePart 1
Thank you for your love and caring and heartfelt concern. I have tears in my eyes as I read your post for I too have been in your shoes. I spent many a sleepless night & many nights & days crying over what I gave my life to in sincerity & honor of a man I once respectd as my pastor.
Please don't feel really stupid. WE all beat ouselves up over this. It serves no purpose. You like those of us who had to come to a point of decision were serving out of an honest heart, feeling you were fulfilling the call of God on your life to serve in whatever ministry you are in.
When things are so deceptively hidden, what are you to do? You are serving in a church for apparently right reasons & why would you think all of this other stuff is going on? It's a church right? Look how blessed it is. Great preaching, music, an intelligent leader w/ a sense of humor & an oratory gift - what's to think bad about it?
That is the scary part - the control is so masterfully spun until you come out from under it & then it hits you. My first thought was, I was in a cult for almost 20 years. It happens to the best, most well-intentioned, intelligent people. We generally are the ones who come from abusive situations already & want to please, to fit in, to feel worthy, to use our gifts & talents "for God" as we've been led to believe. Then when you realize it has all been for wrong motives & leaders are not living their lives as they appear to be, you feel like a fool. You feel abused all over again.
Well, you are not a fool or stupid. God sees your heart & is perhaps protecting you from things to come by showing you this right now. You obviously still have a compassionate heart and are trying to live according to God's Word. Don't beat yourself up for that.
I can't tell you what to do. Only share my experience which has been painful & at times made me feel like this isn't real. My sanity came when I by chance found another blog & a guy who posted his email address & I contacted him & he put me in touch w/others who left. I actually ended up meeting with Rich Maus & then things began to make sense for me. I wasn't crazy & there wasn't anything wrong with me. That was about a year ago.
I am still healing & dealing with feelings of anger at times. It is a process. When your thinking has been subjected to nearly 2 decades of a set philosophy, teaching etc., that doesn't become undone overnight.
That is why this blog was so needed. People needed objective truth & a place to share for healing to come, since MP or any other headship leader would not acknowledge our concerns. As Leroy said, he was told he didn't have the right spirit. Thank God he had the sense enough to know that wasn't true. The enemy does not play fair & MP can't even see that he is now being used by him to allow his works of darkness to continue. It is the biggest mockery of all.
No one is exempt from the influence of the enemy.
comin' out,
ReplyDeleteIf someone comes and doesn't preach what Michael wants them to preach and it doesn't bring in a nice sized offering to cover the honorarium, they are seldom welcomed back.
I saw a guest minister come preach on how the pastor should be a servant to the flock and that he should keep a humble and lowly spirit and Michael was sitting behind him throwing a tantrum, it was so immature, but it must have been stirring up good old Jezebel and anytime Jezebel's control is threatened it will manifest.That dude never came back.
People like Jakes and Long are brought in because they draw numbers and Mike and Robert hope those numbers convert to members. It's looked at as an investment risk.
They also know if they come in and take a big offering and stroke Jezebel really good, that they leave with a nice check and will be back next year. If not, time for a new face in the place.
It's very carnal. Most these celebrity preachers won't preach anywhere without a certain minimum like 50K for Jakes and Parsley. I bet Paul would also do the same if he lived in our day (yea right).
Maus felt God was leading him to start his own work from my understanding. He had been there since dirt and felt lead to move on. It may have had something to do with the brothers character issues but from my understanding it was that he felt led to start his own work somewhere.
Michael has a controlling spirit. If ANYONE wants to leave to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, they are stoned because he loses control. That is why leaders have come and gone over the last 25 years because he is too insecure to release them to follow the Lord.
All the attention must be on him. Always.
To Grateful,
ReplyDeletePart 2
So, please, you are not crazy. It is part of the coming out, detoxing process, the grieving process. Part of you wants to say, No, no this can't be true. Yet part of you says I see the handwriting on the wall & I know what I feel the Holy Spirit is calling me to do. It is heart & mind wrenching. That is why there are so many references to getting help for healing from spiritual abuse. It is rampant in churches today. You just don't want to believe it about a church and a man you have so long revered as anointed & as your pastor/bishop.
It happens & just think how many have been in the news & have had excuse after excuse or denial after denial & members didn't have a clue because they were along for the show, or those who did know, didn't want to believe it because they held positions within the church & had too much to lose.
Every deceptive leader has to have a core of tried & true loyal adherants who it appears they care about, otherwise, the thing would be too obvious & fall apart. They have to have an inner circle of loyalty willing to fight to the end because again, they too are gaining something from the system. They are being seduce with promises of things their flesh desires.
It happens outside the church too - Bernie Madoff couldn't have pulled off what he did without help from an inner circle who were getting something from being a part of the deception. Either that or the fear of what may happen to them if they expose it.
Think of it this way as MP has taught us - the devil doesn't come out with a pitchfork & horns otherwise we would run the other way. No, he is much more crafty & what MP has been doing since he has come under the seducing influence of those he runs with has been, level by level, year after year, offering by offering, slowly built into what it is now.
I am sorry to be so blunt, but I call it as I see it & have experienced it for some 20 years. I too fell victim to the spirit & influence over that house until I began to really listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit within me. He doesn't scream at us. He gently, lovingly tries to show us, but at some point, if we don't listen, He shows us by cicumstance. Remember - revelation or circumstance - MP has taught about that too.
Everything we were taught through the years has not been bad or off. I have learned some absolutely profound foundational things that I will never let go of. But somewhere along the way, MP came under the influnce of a strong seducing spirit & sin has set in the house. God is not going to stand by much longer & allow it to continue.
I pray that God comforts you & gives you the strength & courage you need to make whatever decision you choose to make because it sounds like it will not just impact you, but your family.
WE are here if you need a listening ear & an understanding heart.
May peace be yours as you follow God's leading.
Wow...what great comepassion and insight Comin' Out! You have touched on so many issues that are true and to the point...we do stay because we do feel/felt we were pursuing God's calling in our life! I serve in the ministry because I first serve God...but it appears God is calling me elsewhere...it a battle as it will truly impact me and my family. Do you think if MP truly humbled himself before God (2 Chron 7:14) we could save what is left of a true purpose of church? Will he? I fear the anwer is no and to that I fear I too may have to take my family elsewhere. This blog is not a distraction nor evil, but truth and the sooner MP realizes that the sooner we all can begin to heal! My heart goes out to all of you! Peace
ReplyDeleteThank you comin out. I truly appreciate everything you said and I needed to hear it.
ReplyDeleteI started reading this blog when minister thomas put out the word on FB pretty much demanding the identity of the author of this website, which he may be regretting now becasue all that did was ignite a huge christian fire under our collective tails to read it, but when I first began to read all of your testimonies, I was so angry. Not at you all per se but just angry.
I will admit that I initially first thought oh here we go again more charachter assasination of my bishop and I immediately went into protection mode, and the devil must be runnin scared cuz of our recent shift and digging we are doing ya know, but as I read I could not ignore the threads that were running through every ones comments that were identical. I dont think one person has used numerous names and hit this site 30 thousand times. I believe you all.
It is just amazing to me that this could be happening. I like all of you stated that I never in a million years could ever imagine myself leaving this church. It is all I have ever known, my first experience with church, being in the family of God. I got saved there, I met the best friend I have ever had there and every ministry I have been in humbled me to realize God trusted ME with His children.
I am just so very hurt and sad beyond belief at the thought of not being there. I dont know where elase I would go. I love Gods kids and serving Him and them and has been the single most amazing and fulfilling experience of my life.
I have learned things here that have changed who I am from my core and to entertain the thought of leaving leaves me completely empty inside.
I have been crying out to God all night and all day today and I am going to watch and see what if anything MP says over the coming weeks. The time has come for him to address this. He must if he wants to save anything at all he has created in this church and save the hearts of his "children" past, present and future.
Over the years I have thought of how sad it was for me to not have been there longer and raised my children in the stellar childrens ministry and my grandchildren as well and now it all just seems like such a waste of time,talent, treasure and it is truly ripping my heart into pieces.
I hear you all and I hear all of your pain and I am just so so sorry for all of us that this could happen.
It is so hard to grasp the fact that this man of God who has so touched my heart and my life could possibly be who has been portrayed here.
I just really appreciate all of your comforting words.
I admire the effort many are making to discover the pathway to healing and confidence to follow God. If the 5 fold ministry is for the maturing of the saints as scripture declares, then leadership shouldn't be upset when their children grow up and think for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI am very familiar with the Doctrinal position of MP and the many that love the control of others. This is of course always backed up with scripture (out of context) and hand picked conference speakers who will obviously speak the same message. That's why they are chosen.
It is always hard to break with something you have invested so much time, talent, and treasure into. Especially when you've been taught that too do so will result in your demise.
When I got of the bus, I did so with integrity and honesty. I did it in person. I gave no reason except that I felt strongly that Cstone was not going in the same direction as I felt God was leading me. Sounded simple enough to me.I gave my life to Jesus not MP or RP or even Cstone. That was certainly not the case. I was accused and indicted as a transgressor, preached on as a rat or snake I still haven't figured that one out. I committed no sin, I maligned no one simply left.
The answer too everyone wanting clarity or explanation from MP, it will probably never happen. If It does will it be a fabricated story like all the other ones. I had a glass of wine. That could be true, but it was an awful big glass if it puts your over the legal limit.
John 5:19,20
Verily, Verily I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself but what He seeth the Father do:for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For the Father loveth the son, and showeth Him all things that He himself doeth, and will show him greater works than these that ye may marvel.
This is how God the Father and God the Son defined proper relationship, between themselves.If someone claims to be your spiritual father than why wouldn't he disclose all he does, so that the children might follow.
I guess because some are smart enough not to follow whats going on in secret. I hope everyone finds peace and confidence in this season to live unto God, without fear or condemnation.
Blessing to all members and non-members of Cstone,in jail or out of jail.
Wonder if we'll find any of those in our bookstore-LOL. sorry I could't resist!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot to soak in and needed a little humor-my stomach is in knotts!
Grateful,
ReplyDeleteI think you already know what you need to do but to echo everyone on this site it is a process for people. Some faster than others. I was single and had no ties outside of me. I can sympathize with those who have their whole family their and all their friends. The alienation from outsiders and family is one of the ways to get you to stay (it's a form of control).
You really start over, but I am telling you the freedom in Christ on the other side is more than anything you have ever experienced. God will bring people to you and help you find a new healthy community.
I saw God work more in my life after 3 months after I made the choice to leave than in the entire 5 years I was trying to please him with seed offerings and pastoral worship.
All I can tell you is get ready to see an explosion of his Grace and Favor for REAL. If you think man covering you is something wait until God alone covers you....
I went from sitting in the front row, to the back row, to the front row in the balcony, to the back row in the balcony within 2 months. I know this is going to sound weird but after the second month I physically was unable to get my body through the door of that place because of the anguish I had in my spirit.
Lord, thank you for opening my eyes. I thank Him everyday that he showed me the spirit in this house and set me free.
I realize MP may never address any of this in the manner it should be addressed.Too sad.That very act could save many more form running away.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking and talking to God earlier and I said to him that doesnt MP know how much he is loved and admired and how much all of his and others shenanigans have hurt all of us, not to mention his family. My god, his wife, is she in on this too. I mean she cant be his wife and not know the spirit he carries and be privy to the backyard dealings with RP. She has such a sweet gentle spirit and I find it incomprehensible that she would be a party to this "lets go to poor Toledo and take all their money, build me up in ministry and when I get famous we will head off to the outback". I just cant believe kathi could or would have it in her to have that deceiving spirit in her..
I know her mother and she is the kindest most gentle person as well and there is no way she would have anything to do with deceiving thousands of people. The families of these people are victims as well. Which may be the actual reason Kelli Pitts is gone. Maybe she found out the true motivation of her husband and said no way and there was no affair.
Who knows but I cetainly did not plan on spending my new years with a constant sick, anxious feeling in my gut all the while listening to my heart shatter. This just sucks!
All i can say is man up bishop and do the right thing. That is if you really do care about us at all...
Imagine that, here is Mike's new FB post:
ReplyDelete2010 is on its way out ..2011 is almost here..get ready get ready get ready...
um, get ready for what? We have been getting ready for 25 years and every year is another false promise and hope message that never comes to fruition.
If I was a betting man, I would say it's going to be get ready to sow some more money for you name it.
Or here are a few that I came up with:
2011 is the year for Heaven
2011 is the year for the seventh heaven? Seven is the number of perfection and God is going to make your life and your wife perfect this year like you already died and went to heaven.
2011, Last year you made a deal with God, this year it's time to double down.
Or a more fitting one:
2011 Let's get rid of the leaven
Sorry, couldn't resist.
To Peace & Grateful,
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. I will be praying for both of you. As I said, it was no easy decision to make & none of us should ever have to be put in this position by a spiritual leader, especially one we served so passionatley for none other than following what we felt was a call of God on our lives.
And yes, Grateful, my life too was changed in so many ways I never would have imagined under that ministry. But what you must remember is that MP is a vessel that God has used, just as you are a vessel He is using to minister to His children. MP is no more special than you or I in God's eyes. God is very clear that we are not to show favoritism in the house of God & that's because God shows no favoritism. The danger comes when we begin to put men on pedestals they don't belong on & then they become our idols, our main focus so to speak. And God is a jealous God.
I would caution you in the weeks ahead to beware because of the deception that is present. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the proper discernment, not one ruled by your feelings, but by truth as you have heard spoken here. Know that MP will be on guard and weighing his words. He has a lot to lose. It is important to watch what is not said as well as what is said. Things that are overlooked are just as important. And remember, the devil is mad as hell at being exposed. The weeks ahead may not be pretty ones.
So, be strong in the Lord & the power of His might. He will see you through as He is seeing all of us through. The enemy's ultimate goal is to keep us from our relationship with Jesus; to use these circumstances to make us bitter, not better. But most of us have held fast to things we were taught when there was a pure and undefiled spirit in the house at CStone & that is what keeps us going - real truth & a child-like faith in Jesus as our only hope of all that He has promised us.
If I could, I would give you both a big hug & tell you it will be alright if you keep your eyes on Jesus, the true author & finisher of your faith.
Peace & wisdom to you & thank you for still considering me a part of your family in Christ Jesus. That is comforting to know & touches my wounded, healing heart deeply.
yeah I am so tired of hearing that "this year will be the best you have ever had" then right after that some drama, trauma and their mamma shows up that lasts for 12 months. I have to say that not every year has been bad. Life is life and stuff happens regardless but I always enjoy new years eve service. Have never been able to sow the thousand though, never had it and who'd a thunk it, this year I have it but I must admit I am very leary of sowing it...I probably wont.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I must say is that I dont believe for a minute that if I do leave that I will be cursed or bad things will happen. I am really just not in the mood to start off 2011 with a freaking broken, battered and bruised heart and soul that's all. I am really very angry right now.
thanks comin out. just thanks. I have been looking deep inside myself because of all of this and I have asked that question of myself if I have put MP on the pedestal that only belongs to Jesus. I like to think I havent but it is possible. All I want to do is serve God with all my heart, thats all and if I have been hornswaggled, bamboozeled and lied to well then oh well. This is not the worst thing that has happened to me honestly so i will get through it and be ok because the one thing I do have is God and he is faithful and He loves me, I mean I am His favorite so this too shall pass and be a learning experience that I promise will never happen to me again.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do miss that pure and indefiled spirit that used to be there. Oh how I miss it..If the truth be told...and it is....how MP handles this will be the deciding factor for me.
To Grateful,
ReplyDeleteJust read your post after I posted mine. I don't think Kathy made intentional vows to join in the madness & deception under MP. Dysfunction & codependence begets dysfunction & codependence - a viscious cycle. Kathy too stands a lot to lose. Besides a lifelong relationship with her husband, there is much money tied up as well.
But as I said previously, things didn't start this way. It gradually happened as MP came under the seducing spirits of those he keeps close ties with. Then, level by level, year after year, offering by offering, it slowly came to be what it is.
We always tell our children to be careful about the friends they run with because they will become like them. It's no different. Bad company corrupts good morals. And the long list of individuals who have graced the presence of the platform at CStone have had less than stellar track records & each one has sown spiritual influence on MP. Like spirits attratct like spirits, another teaching of MP. And all that MP preaches about them out there, really applies to them in there. Think about it in light of what you now know. MP preaches what he knows & lives -it is the perfect ironic cover up for what goes on in his house known as the Stone.
Even more astounding though, his own mother has left the church & his dad is rarely seen - relegated to the balcony. He used to be out among the people shaking hands, teaching the chess class, but no more. Those are things people should be wondering about and questioning among all of the others.
Anyway, just sayin'...
I'll be praying for you in the weeks ahead.
Hugs right back at you Comin' Out! I wish we all could come out without condemnation, you know as well as I do if I were to truly reveal who I was I would be asked to step out of the ministry yesterday! My kids would suffer ridicule by their friends at the church. Grateful - I echo your sentiments in regards to Sis Kathi and her mom. I pray we have not all been deceived. I have not ever put a man on a pedastal and never will (long story there some other time) but I have believed in MP and his calling for years and stood by and supported him but you can keep mistreating or slandering folks for not agreeing with you. Like I said before we ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST...even if we choose to worship other places...if we believe Jesus is the Son of God and God is our Father then yes we are all one in the Spirit! NObody can change that biblical fact! So, you all who are there and have left are my family and together we all will get through this! Hugs to you all! Again I plead to our leadership...JS/DB/MP...please step up and SAY SOMETHING!
ReplyDeleteThings are NOT much different in Lima. Same wrong spirit, less moral failure. Same wrong doctrine, same controlling spirit. Same mis-treatment of people. Same "serve God through leadership". Same "listen to the Holy Spirit via leadership". Same hosting of false prophets. Same sadness from the ones who leave. We pray. Some of us have prayed for a very long time. There will be no end of prayer until darkness is exposed and lies defeated. People are never the enemy, so we continue in prayer.
ReplyDeletePeace,
ReplyDeleteWhat a gracious attitude toward those of us on the outside:)
Just a comment. I know your kids would be ridiculed. I saw that first hand while I still attended the Stone. This was when the first big wave of people left after the DUI. Anyway, a friend of mine who had children was having a hard time explaining to her children why a family left & their kids were friends with her kids.(Have I confused you yet?) My friend's daughter was very harsh toward her friend that left as if they had committed an unpardonable sin or crime. When the friend who had left spent the night at her house, she questioned her relentlessly & made negative comments about her friend's parents. Needless to say, the girl whose family left CStone left in tears and never wanted to go back to my friend's house again.
That is just another example of what happens to ex-members & their children when they leave. It is sad but true that they (we) are made to feel as if something is wrong with them (us). That is why it is so refreshing to see that you still consider us "family".
After all, Jesus said, they will know us by our love for one another.
Dave Robert spend much of his time initially under the ministry of Creflo Dollar. I don't need to say much more than that...
ReplyDeleteAgain, if you are attached to the Stone in some way shape or form, Jezebel is going to influence your leadership style to some degree.
Lima is all about "seed faith" and the word of faith doctrine twisted with Mike's teachings. Not a good combo if your searching for the correct NT leadership model.
Dave won't cross Mike and Rob though because I think they own all the property and buildings so not much wiggle room for Dave.
Dave and Sherri are good people they are just deceived and teach false doctrine.
Hello Again Grateful,
ReplyDeleteJust checking in & happened to see 2 of your posts that weren't there before. I'll make a quick comment (I hope).
First, you are a wise woman (making an assumption here)& your thinking is clear & in the right place. It is much harder for the heart to catch up in this case.
About the $1,000 you now are in a position to give - that's great, but...I too had always wanted to give it - why I don't know. Did I want to be numbered among those who could stand up & say look what I have to give - perhaps at the time because it was what the atmosphere produced & people wer almost in awe of those who could give, not to mention the recognition from headship - all eyes on the givers. Just being honest here.
So, be cautious about giving - don't get caught up in the hype & atmosphere & promises of the thing. Do it only if you would do it in secret without anyone knowing. Secondly, one of the joys I have come to experience since leaving CStone, is that I give to whomever I want, whenever I want. I love giving to any charity or church I have attended. It feels good to give from my heart, not of compulsion or to be recognized, but just because I can because God has blessed me with a wonderful job from the gift He has placed within me. I give to the Cherry Street Mission because I have had family who have been there. I give to Salvation Army, families at school etc. & I give lots.
I am not so sure what I believe about the tithe anymore. I do believe that we are to give because God first gave to us & that is a principle throughout the NT. I do believe that we probably should give to the church to help support it & keep it running within in reason, not to excess. And Imust says that through the years at CStone there has been a lot of excess & frivilous spending - think t-shirts, Crew towels, decorations etc. while single mothers fend to feed & care for themselves & their children (not a bank).
I guess 2 Cor. 9:7 sums it up nicely for me - So let each one give as he purposes in his heart to give, not grudgingly (under compulsion or persuasion) or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
And, we are to give in secret, not openly so that all can recognize what we do. It's not a contest. It's a private matter between you & God & no man can pre-determine an amount with a blessing attached - that's akin to witch craft.
So, just some food for thought & a word of caution. You have obvioulsy worked hard & saved -that's not blessing, that's good stewardship of what God has given to you. If you have $1,000 to give, perhaps you might consider a family or charity in need where you know exactly how the money will be used.
I'm just sayin':)...
Peace to you as you search for answers in making your decision.
Yes, keys, they are good people. They started with good motivation. However, they are very committed to their false doctrine. I am very saddened to see where the ministry is now. It is very similar to where MP was years ago. Wealth and resources accelerate destruction when the foundation is faulty.
ReplyDeletekeys, MP is on the Lima church board. KP used to be on it too, not sure if she still is. The buildings all have bank notes, so not owned by MP. Lima pays their dues to the denomination (err network). Roberts won't cross MP, but he won't stand to close. He wants the Toledo throne when it opens up.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year all..To comin out, I do appreciate all of the compassion and understanding you extend. I really do.
ReplyDeleteMy reason for wanting to give the thousand was totally not for recognition. Interestingly I have never done anything there for recognition. I dont seek the leadership approval,a seat in the front row or a title, never have. I just always wanted to be faithful to God and what He has called me to do there.
Although I love MP very much I dont really care if he "sees" me do stuff. I am there because God called me there and I have stuff to do to further the kingdom of God in the earth.
I give outside as well. I am blessed with a generous spirit and came from nothing so I help friends and people in general. I give as I am led and sometimes just because.
I have been a faithful tither for all the years I have been there as well. I never saw it as giving to cornerstone. I just feel that when God said the tithe was holy and belongs to Him and He never renigged on that statement so again being faithful to God, I tithe.
all of this is just very upsetting but I am going to seek God and listen as closely as I can for direction and I am going watch very closely also. Thank you all for your compassion and for no "I told you so's". Just please keep us all in prayer who are hurting and it is good to know that we still have family out there.
Through the years as I would watch you all file out one by one. I always wondered why. It is horrible to think you all were leaving in so much pain. Cornerstone has lost some extremely valuable, faithful, talented and vital people and that is just sad. But you are all still talented, faithful and vital. Lets plan a reunion for the summer. That would be awesome...
Starting a new year is always full of hope and this year is no different. I have had a lot of time to think and if I do end up leaving, it will be ok. I will take what I have learned and move on. I will be very sad and scratching my head for awhile but I do have a very strong relationship with Jesus and He will see me through this like He has seen me through everything else in my life. I really am grateful for so many things.
I lost a friend yesterday from brain cancer. I am grateful to be alive. I can think and see and hear. I can type with my hands rather than my feet, I have a job I love, a healthy family and I am still able to love and forgive. I have a home and food.. I am going into 2011 in better shape than some. All is well with my soul.
Happy New Year family....
To grateful and peace,
ReplyDeleteI understand your feeling of not wanting your children to be ridiculed. I myself as well as my siblings lost friends whom we thought we were closed too for years. We had to learn that being martyr's for Christ was better than any friendship anyone could offer. The same went for my parents who were close friends with ministry as well.
Exodus 13:14 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
2 Chronicles 20:17 -You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
To grateful, know that it will not be easy other than that many others on the fence would have already left.... just know God has your back as well as your children and if he is for you then whom shall be against you !
Another note is the friends you may "think" are yours may merely be another ploy of the enemy to keep you, he knows your weaknesses... show him you are strong in Christ!
"My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow" John 10:27
In love,
YP
It's a sad day when the people on stage conducting "service" can't even properly conduct their own lives. We all knew from day 1 that DT was the father of a love child with BV, even though he had been married with 2 children for decades b4. We all knew that RP was a coke head & His brother MP Was running around drunken flashing people. Yet these r the people chosen to be followed? I think not. I will rather train my children off the bible its self then to raise them in such hedonism. Not to mention RP cheating with A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH!! I feel bad for his wife! There is no love there. They treat u as if ur nothing. Like if your not in their social group.. to hell with u. I can do with out!
ReplyDeleteGrab your popcorn folks, Brian Carn this Sunday at the Stone.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonynous 12:02,
ReplyDeleteWOW, alot of anger there. I am sorry to hear your hurt & disappointment vented so strongly here. It is hurtful to see leaders acting less than leaders should & leading double lives from the platform.
But know that God is not mocked. He sees all, even your angry, hurting heart. Don't let a root of bitterness enter your heart. You don't want to leave that legacy to your children.
Give yourself time & let God heal you. Focus on what you need as opposed to what you want to happen to headship at the Stone. You have no control over that, but you do have control over letting go & letting God be your healer & deliverer.
May the New Year bring you peace & healing in Jesus.
Yes indeed, it will be interesting to see Sunday's show. I wonder how many money in your future prophecies will be given vs. correction for the Stone from the mighty prophet.
ReplyDeleteUsually any correction that comes is construed for those out there, not those in headship at the Stone who apparently are just human & under more pressures than those of us out here who are merely Susie & Johhny christian.
So, grace, grace, forgiveness & more forgiveness is to be granted for those in headship with absolutely no accountability to anyone. Interesting how that works with the double standards & all.
A lot of you seem like you are still attending. If you are that unhappy why don't you just leave? What kind of proof is there that Pastor Robert cheated on his wife besides hearsay, they might just be going thru hard times. And the same with Minister Thomas, where is this love child? Where is the proof? Maybe it was just a coincidence that they were off the stage for two weeks. There does seem to be some common themes but do you guys think that none of this stuff goes on at other churches?
ReplyDeleteWhy did I leave CC pt 1. I guess its important to understand why I started attending in the first place. I was raised going to church , but started to see hypocrisy in both the church leaders and in its members. I eventually became agnostic with a leaning towards atheism. After a number of years and numerous life experiences I started to rethink my position, (BTW never assume that atheist or agnostics, lack understanding of the bible or theology, or even religious experience, they may lack faith but most of them that I know are far more knowledgeable about the bible, than 95% of the people sitting in the pews, and a good number of those in church leadership positions), But I for various reasons, had begun to turn towards God again, and had explored a number of places. My perspective was odd in that I still saw the hypocrisy (its a curse I can't seem to turn off) in most churches, and in all congregations (not to be confused with all people in the congregation), but stopped letting it bother me, I would take from the church what I could use and left the rest behind. I never spoke out against against a church or its leadership but would just leave when I knew that was what I needed to do (after all who am I to say that what other people are getting or not getting from a church or its leadership is valid or not, more importantly who am I to say that a church or congregation even in full dysfunction are anywhere other than where God wants it to be).
ReplyDeleteGiven my background I never just blindly believed anything that a Pastor, priest, or church leader said, I always looked at context and my own personal understanding, If my understanding and the message preached didn't match, I would research it, or discuss it with others until I found clarity, at which time I would either utilize the information or discard it. This really built up my knowledge base, and my level of understanding, and was actually fun, because during really dysfunctional sermons I would have whole internal discussions and debates going on.
part 2
ReplyDeleteAnyhow after doing this for a number of years I heard about MP and CC, mostly in connection to the exposure arrest, and thought it was amusing (on the surface, but decided not to pass judgment until all the facts were in). Then came the first DUI, again decided not to pass judgment, but felt that MP certainly needed help at this point. Then after a while I started hearing what a power house preacher he was, and and how diverse the congregation was, and all sorts of really positive things. So I decided to see for myself. I went and was impressed by the diversity of the congregation, and the energy, The music was some of the best music I had heard played in a church, and then MP took to the stage, and worked the crowd into a frenzy, And it was surreal, everyone was so enthused, I have no idea what he talked about because it was secondary to the energy. I returned the next week and listened to the sermon, and immediately found that some of what he was saying wasn't right, or at least was skewed from what I believed, but I was impressed by what others have called the “floor show”. MP was very good at what he did because Never before had my internal debates been so challenged, and I could see why he continually taught for people not to think for themselves, or taught them that they lacked the ability to understand, and most importantly that only the word as told by him was valid, because if they did it all starts to fall apart. So I attended CC for about 8 years, and met some really interesting and sincere people, met some that were somewhat knowledgeable and some that were self aware, met a bunch that blindly followed everything that was said from the pulpit, and who fully bought into the cult of personality, (as an aside Leroy the Guitar player, talked to you a couple times and was impressed by you and your wife, and want to say you also have some serious guitar chops), met a few people from the different ministry departments who I liked a lot, some whom I didn't trust. Only said a few words to MP and RP didn't really see any reason to know them better, both their wives were rude in the few interactions I had with them but could have just been bad days so I didn't take it personal.
Every-now and then over the time I went to CC, I would briefly get the feeling that MP was almost ready for a true revelation, that he almost was on the brink of something real and not just the BS he usually spread around, and then it would all just disappear, and it would be back to the same old thing. Shortly after the second DUI, I started to hear a lot of things about the leadership at CC, most of which I had already had an inkling about, but I was having a harder time ignoring the hypocrisy at the leadership level. I tried reaching out to Martinez, and Smith through e-mail, but was ignored. I emailed MP on a couple of occasions and was also ignored (I knew not to approach RP). Then I started to notice the effect that MP and CC was having on the congregation, and it suddenly dawned on me that it is people like MP that originally caused me to leave my faith to begin with, and that it was people like him and RP that keeps people from believing in God. And that was when I had to leave, I could no longer stay at CC and have my internal debates about the errors in the word MP delivered, and could no longer over look the hypocrisy of the leaders, although I believe that God may act through flawed people, I do not believe that he intended them to lead.
part 3
ReplyDeleteI also knew from years of observing dysfunctional systems, businesses and religious institutions, that when the general people start to see and identify the dysfunctional behaviors going on in a system, the problems are usually so much deeper than what they appear to be. So I bet for every deep dark thing we think we know about CC or the Pitts boys, or the leadership, it goes way deeper and way darker than we think. So for those who think Michael can come out and address these issues and right himself with God and everything will be fine, it won't be. Find a new church , read and learn the bible for your self and trust God to help you understand it. Never trust the words of a man over the words of God, but to do this you must develop your own relationship with God, and learn to see the difference between someone teaching God's word and someone Using Gods word for their own purpose. And with that I go in peace.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon 1:28 PM,
ReplyDeleteYes, it could all be hearsay, but when you know people who have worked closely in the church with these individuals & have seen firsthand the fruit of their sin, it is not hearsay.
I myself questioned why so & so's child looked bi-racial when indeed both parents were caucasian, one much darker complected than the other. I got my answer from someone who knows both individuals very well for the past 10+ years. It was an affair with DT & DT was not chastised initially for it, but she was by none other than RP himself. He told her to pack her things & leave the church, but then he for some reason had a change of heart & said she could stay & continue to sing in the choir from time to time if she wanted to. I suppose RP didn't want people to talk in her absence if her hubbie was still there. Her hubbie holds an appreciable position well.
We can't all be making this stuff up. Get your holy head out of the clouds & come back to reality.
And yes, this stuff does happen at other churches but not to this extent. It is rampant because leadership has chosen to ignore it for so long and now it has come to roost & those of us who still want to live by the real truth of God's Word have left.
This forum is for us, not for those of you who still worship MP & RP and choose to live in ignorance & defensiveness of dysfunction & sin the likes of Sodom and Gommorah!
Have you actaully read any of the comments from LOOOOOONG time members who left and had A LOT to lose in leaving, or are you merely a plant writing this crap for MP?
If the blog administrator were on this at the moment, you would be deleted. So, go start your own blog for those who want to blather on how wonderful MP & RP are & leave those of us who are following Jesus, not a man put on a pedestal he doesn't belong on, alone.
Please, we don't need anymore hurtful comments & negativity directed at us. We are not the ones who have committed the sins that are now so glaring at the Stone.
Believe what you want, stay if you want. We accept that, now ACCEPT w/grace, the same grace you extend to MP, our decision to leave.
And as for RP, I have no idea what is going on with he & sis Kelly. Obviously she has been absent from the place for quite some time & not a word has been said from anyone. Don't you find that odd & what about the sudden change of appearance with RP? C'mon not rocket science - things don't add up. And people know family members of headship & this really ain't a big town, so people talk & yes, they are separated - why I don't know & it's not my business.
So please,if you don't want to read what we have to say, that's fine, but STOP BADGERING us that we don't know what we're talking about and it's all hearsay. I am hear to say that many of these are first hand accounts seen by those who have left - why do you think they left???????
And no, no church is perfect, but there are many whose leaders address sin & moral failures according to God's Word & there is ACCOUNTABILITY to others. It's not an "us up here leadership" w/no access & "you down there" common people who we hold to a different standard mentality. That was one of the 1st things explained to me at another church - we're all equal - no levels!
If you want answers, go talk to your headship yourself & see how far you get, but you had better be headed for the door, because that's where they will point you, if you even get that far to speak to one of them.
New Beginnings,
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to stop living a lie when there is alot of power, fame, and money associated with living that lie.
I watched an interview of a guy on 60 minutes awhile back that was running a Ponzi scheme (not Madoff)and he said something that really hit me and seemed to relate to C Stone and other set ups like it.
"There comes a place and time when you are too far in it to stop and you find ways to justify what you are doing and sear your conscience to live another day. You can't turn back"
This is where Mike is at right now which is why he and the inner circle will fight, justify, lie on people, and kick God to the curb until the inevitable empty building happens.
Unfortunately, the setup of these churches are very similar to a Ponzi scheme with the big advantage being when you give them money it is gone and they are not on the hook to return to you your principal or any promised interest.
It's God who has to deliver (how convenient).
Then you set up franchise churches and rake in 10% from their gross tithes and offerings every month to boot...
Now if they use those funds illegally or don't account for all of them and/or violate non-profit laws, then you have issues with the IRS and we saw that with Senator Grassley and Creflo Dollar, Copeland, Joyce Meyer ministries, and now Eddie Long. (not saying this is taking place at C Stone just using for an example of how the Ponzi scheme can go bad quick for these mega ministries).
There is just too much money and power that has been realized to turn back now. Jezebel will carefully construct messages over the next few weeks to try to steady the ship again.
Last thing this crew wants to have to do is have to go get jobs like the rest of us. I think entry level pay for a good sales job in Toledo is around 30K and then some commissions to boot and I don't even know if you can find a job in Lima right now with this economy.
That would be quite a step down for this gang....and one of the main reasons I left years ago.
Every year it seemed more and more like they were running this like a business rather than a place to minister to people. Their motivation was not helping people any longer it was accumulating expensive everything for themselves in the name of God.
God tells us it's Him or Money. One or the other with no gray areas (That's in the Bible). They chose money so I knew right away according to scripture God hit the bricks as he was no longer needed....
Sad but true.
Recommendation for tonight for all those who will be stoning it...whatever is preached or screamed or declared by anyone anywhere, calm yourself down, get your emotions in check, open your Bible and see if it's in there in context. If not....it ain't God. Don't throw your money away, save it, and give it to real people in real need directly.
ReplyDeleteAll prophetic words must align themselves with scripture and must testify of the works of Jesus, if not, it ain't God.
I am sure Jezebel is steaming right now, who knows what is coming. Brace yourselves.
To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
ReplyDeleteI pray you all have a very blessed and happy new year. I will be at home this year with my family ringing in the new year rather than going to the stone. (my husband stopped going regularly after the last dui, but never held me and my children back from going - but that may be changing in light of some all this new "hearsay") Grateful, I am with you. God will lead us and wherever He leads me I will follow.
You ask why we stay, not an easy question - I know you all understand those of us who have vested so much time, energy, and effort serving God in that house it is quite a difficult decision, but I know God is first and foremost. I do feel we deserve an explanation as to what is going on...but I say pray. Pray for the families affected by all this and all the children involved! Most of all...please don't be haters-not to the blog writers they most definitely don't deserve it, they are already hurting and not to the current members -let us all stand together as ONE BODY of Christ and support each other through this. My eyes ae wide open and God is still in control! Peace to you all!
Peace,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours as well...
God will never lead you to a community where He is not present anymore because the leadership has chosen to worship and serve mammon instead of Him.
He will lead you to the Truth, and then it is up to you to allow that Truth to motivate and convince you to leave places or people that are not demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit and are not following sound Bible doctrine and rid yourself of co-dependency.
Paul is very clear about what actions we are to take if someone is preaching that godliness or serving God is a means to financial gain. Again, I know it's hard but he did not say stick around to see what happens, pray really hard, or wait for Him to close the doors...Paul said to FLEE or RUN from that place.
Again, I know it's hard, but this is what the Bible says we are to do and anything else we use to justify staying is of the flesh.
The Bible and Paul's instruction:
ReplyDelete1 Timothy 6:3
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.
He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (When is the last time you heard this preached at the Stone)
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, FLEE FROM ALL OF THIS, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Peter 5:1
ReplyDeleteTo the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, but eager to SERVE;
NOT LORDING OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, but being EXAMPLES to the flock.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Food for thought: Paul said "...and over all these virtues put on love, which binds together in perfect unity." In other words... love brings unity, agreement, and harmony! Question: What is lacking at C-Stone if there is constant disunity, discord, disagreement, dissent, schism, variance, and estrangement? Answer: Love!!! And... if that is lacking, it is all for "NOTHING." (I Corinthians 13:1-3) Not my words... but the Word of the Lord.
ReplyDeleteFor all those who have left... for all those who are still struggling with your decision, and... for all those who remain... may the love of Christ manifest in your life. May you sense His Presence encompassing you right now. It isn't on its way... It isn't something for which you must "get ready, get ready, get ready." The price has already been paid for you... every gift has already been given... all love and honor, has already been bestowed. You are His and He is yours.
Be well Saints of God.
As someone who grew up in the church (joined in 1992) this is all disconcerting. Over the years I have been aware of EACH and every scandal as it was happening. ALL of which are veritably true. However, the teachings of pastor pitts were integral in helping me develop my OWN relationship with Christ which was NEVER trumped by my faith in the Man. I have never been placed in a position where the ministry staff wronged me or my family, besides the occasional gossip or dirty looks. However I know many close and personal friends through the years who have been wronged and it is sad, deplorable indeed.
ReplyDeleteGroup politics and group think come to mind here, all of which require willing participants in order to reach maximum efficacy. Like many here have posted, Pastor taught us to not believe something just because he says, but to challenge it with the word. As a youth, I would be so fired up about God that on MULTIPLE occasions I would be talking with my friends about a subject as it related to the things of God, and almost word for word it would pop up in a message (i.e. confirmation) But not because of Pastor alone, rather the unction of the holy spirit inside of me. I loved every minute of it.
The older I became, the more privy I was to the goings on of everyone at the church. I did not care about that, as long as the holy spirit was dropping and filling the place and changing lives. There have always been crazy things happening at church, nefarious behavior by select individuals. The question then becomes when does the behavior of a select few become representative of the whole? When there is lack of accountability and humility. I am not sure if this is the case, but I no first hand that 99 percent of rumors are true, have been true, and will always be true.
Conversely, I do not believe that these reasons ONLY are grounds for leaving. Leaving or staying is a personal decision. But regardless you must be aware of your environment. More posts after the jump. Tagged as illuminated one
Happy New Year to all both those at the Stone & those who have left.
ReplyDeleteIf we can agree on nothing else in the coming New Year can it be to love one another & to have grace one for another as we are all brothers & sisters in Christ Jesus, first & foremost.
Some excellent posts above that include the Word which should always be our guide in life.
Too bad for Roy's post above. Perhaps it will be removed by the blog administrator as I am not sure it serves a good purpose. I'm sure I know why he posted it, but when there are children & spouses involved it is a horrible thing with many painful consequences all around.
That is the problem with that kind of sin, it impacts the lives of many.
Enough on that. May all be well with you in the coming new year. May issues be resolved in a godly manner & may we all have love for each other, the kind of love the apostle Paul spoke of in 1 Cor. 13:1-8.
Peace to you and yours as you journey forward in & through Christ Jesus our most perfect example of all, as to what kind of lives we should lead.
As Aware said, the price has already been paid & every gift given, just receive it by faith; basque in God's arms of love toward you His children created for fellowship with Him. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
And to that we should all say Amen!
Trust me we all wish it was all hearsay and gossip.
ReplyDeleteLeaders have a responsibility to adhere to the guidelines of the NT. This is basic NT Leadership 101.
Leaders have a responsibility to adhere to sound doctrine.
Leaders should have a servants heart and operate in Love.
Leaders should not worship Mammon but rather be led by God.
Anyone else want to add to the list?
Many thanks to all of you who have and will continue to share --“WHY YOU LEFT.”
ReplyDeleteIdentifying with others IS such an essential component in the process of moving forward. THANK YOU for taking the time to express such sincere and insightful comments. I especially appreciated the heart-felt dialogue that was extended to those still at Cornerstone, but seeking the courage to leave. We were all “there” at one time. Leaving a church that you have invested your time, talent, and heart into –is never easy. Everyone fears walking away from some “one” and some “thing” they have invested so much of their lives into. But remember, Abraham ultimately did not have to sacrifice Isaac. You too, will NOT have to leave behind what GOD GAVE TO YOU during your years at Cornerstone. You just take it with you. Never forget the promises God has spoken over your life..He will bring them to pass!
As far as the “actual reasons” themselves –WOW! What a striking similarity between everyone! Many shared common fears, sorrows, regrets, and frustration. But then we also heard those SAME individuals go on to share how soon after, they all discovered such a new found excitement and liberty in their personal relationship with the Lord!
The most common sentiment expressed (for those that have already left)…was the fact that ALL are thankful for their season at Cornerstone. The most valuable lesson learned by all is in discovering that all along -Jesus Christ was their TRUE and Beloved CORNERSTONE. Their passion for serving Him was just temporarily wrapped up in building a man’s kingdom –while their “Pastor” knowingly usurped the precious role that can ONLY belong to our Lord and Savior…Jesus Christ. The truth revealed is: Man can never provide a spiritual covering. The LESSONS LEARNED through this experience –will stay with you for a life time friend.
With that being said, we realize that this is a very pivotal time in the lives of those associated with Cornerstone. Please continue to pray that NONE be lost in transition. Pray that God will restore the Truth of His Word and heal the hearts of those who are hurting at this time. We realize that many of you are still in the initial phases of moving forward and we want you to know that we are praying for you friends! You are not alone in this journey.
God Bless you on this New Year’s Eve...I believe time spent in the wilderness is never wasted, when you KNOW He’s with you always –even unto the end. The KEY is –quickly taking each step, in the DIRECTION he tells you. JUST KEEP WALKING!!