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So true. I remember churches like this. The pastor lived VERY high -- better than the highest wage earners in the church. Plus, because he was "THE PASTOR", he was given a lot of stuff. But I DO know of churches/pastors the other way: I know a church that the pastor started, and worked...

It doesn't say he didn't, either. He may have been a wealthy believer.

Perhaps, but some countries forbid people entering as missionaries from taking jobs from the native people, and thus cannot work in the country. I don't mind totally supporting a missionary, but I don't like to read on social media about all of the wonderful vacations they are having around...

Regarding taxes, there is the ~7.5% for Social Security (FICA); most states have an additional tax on what you spend (sales tax). As far as income tax goes, I started years ago of getting into the habit of computing my "real" income tax rate, which is INCOME_TAX_OWED divided by GROSS_INCOME...

True, but this is a far cry from the screeching preachers that browbeat everyone into doing cold-calling because otherwise they are fruitless Christians who are not right with God.

Noted, but I seldom get "triggered" (if that's the right word). Current church and people have been quite the blessing to me.

I was wondering what happened; he seemed to have been on staff at NVBC, and then he wasn't. I hope he does well, but from the people who endorse him, I'm a bit concerned -- but maybe that's how that church is...

I hadn't realized it had been that long. It's a good question; it's a fair question -- after thinking about it for a few minutes, I think there were two things. First, a couple of years ago when I was on here regularly, there was little discussions of value: some people kept dropping in to say...

No, not contentious at all... I was hoping you would have other evidence of him having no spiritual life than his poor preaching. I agree with you that he did a lot of damage to God's sheep. I remember him "preaching" (really yelling at) teens; I was in the audience, and I've never forgotten...

Yes, I realized that when I was writing it, but I know of at least two other passages the phrase was used of harming (or killing) the king. But you are quite right. Not just kings... prophets were anointed and priests were anointed. Jesus Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King, and thus the...

All true, but the preacher who browbeat people for not doing cold-calling think and preaching that it IS "all over" the New Testament. But I find it strange that, while there are examples in the epistles, and they are full of living godly lives, there is never an exhortation to Christians in...

Heh... one definiton of "extreme" is "anyone or any group that that holds higher standards than I do".

I agree, but the idea was (I think)... if they are violating standards while on vacation, are they violating our standards elsewhere... if it's wrong for women to wear britches, it should be wrong all of the time... and thus, the wacko (or, if you prefer, out of bounds) questions.

I am not fan of Bob Gray. I am being picky about words; I want them used correctly. I don't know if Bob Gray is a genuine believer or not; I do know that his life and ministry have been seriously warped by his worship of Jack Hyles and the idea that "the pastor is king". I was merely asking...

True; it makes me ill that they know almost nothing about what this verse is really saying.... David said he would not touch God's anointed (Saul), but he clearly meant physical harm, as shortly after he said that, he criticized Saul for trying to kill him. Twisting this to say that leaders...

I remember this (vaguely). It came about in the days of social media. A missionary had posted a picture of his family hiking, or doing something, and the women were not dressed per the church's teaching. As an over-reaction (and due to screeching from prominent IFBx leaders), churches were...

Did he say something bad about John Wesley? I found most IFB and even IFBx tend to hold great reverence for dead Protestants...

Yes, I hated that kind of emotional manipulation. We taught to tell (lie to) our converts "I want to go to the front - will you go with me?"... and then introduce them to the guy at the front as someone who was recently saved. Anything to keep the numbers up!

This is eerily similar to me, but it wasn't a Fri night church service; it was a bible study at the home of family that wanted to help teens. I was saved, but unchurched... I didn't know anything about living the Christian life. Our group had quite a variety of people; we had saved Catholics...

OK, thanks... but this is an example of terrible preaching. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is no spiritual life in Bob Gray or in that church, does it? (There may have been no spiritual value in the preaching, but the word life caught at my mind).