Sin will always be found out. At first, its like, There is no way this is happening but then it goes to anger, said Katie Thrush, a longtime Hillsong fan, a worship leader, and a survivor of abuse. He wrote that he normally does his own research on others invited to speak. We may also disappoint others. From racy music videos to a convoluted money trail, the case has . My humble advice is we dont have to understand everything or try to figure out everything. Soon, the 10 robbers managed to tie up my younger sisters, my younger brother, the two helpers, the driver, my dads cousin, his wife and child, and the missionary family who rented the apartment below us. So it especially pains me seeing the numerous sex scandals pouring out of the evangelical church recently. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. PHONE: 213-413-4130. They took my dads cousin, his wife and their young child. With corporate consolidation in worship music, more entities are invested in the songs sung on Sunday mornings. "We believe the Lord is calling us to move into the. Some booksellers have pulled Zacharias books from their offerings. His love also gave me the capacity to forgive and the boldness to declare what He has done. The question over whether to keep playing Hillsongs music in worship falls in an interesting place. Some fans have drawn distinctions between Hillsong Church and Hillsong music. Unlike singing an old hymn that may be doctrinally sound but have been written by someone with questionable theology, singing Hillsong or Bethel songs, he argued, lends credence to the active ministry of two influential churches. written by GOD TV February 15, 2019. Writing on his blog, he said his faith in the organizations leadership has been shattered. Won't be surprised if the church leadership gets involved in some sort of scandal in the future. Irene and Lana had arrived at 7pm as planned, with no clue that they were walking into a nightmare. Musicologists are very good at drawing up borders around the circumstances in which a piece of music was composed and the way the music itself goes, said Peter Mercer-Taylor, a professor at the University of Minnesota. Published on December 4, 2020 12:47 PM. While one can say INC and CAMACOP had a few decades headstart, their strategies are clear ever since. We are an extension and expression of Hillsong Church.. It is only happening because He has allowed it to. EMAIL: info@calfund.org Shortly after being removed form the CCF board I wrote a 10-page report summarizing my grievances with CCF's management and sent it to Ed Briggs, the religion writer for the Richmond Times . Our role is to pray for our leaders and not idolize them. By continuing to use this site, you agree with our Privacy Policy, including data use and cookie use. I wanted to move on and move past what happened to me. | Danielle Smith After taking heat for speaking at a stadium event with pastors described as prosperity gospel preachers and "false teachers," Francis Chan has publicly responded to those concerns and vowed to continue speaking at events that feature people with whom . Also going public with criticism was Max Baker-Hytch, a philosophy instructor at the University of Oxford who has worked for several years with RZIMs Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics in Britain. Currently, she is the author behind Teach with Joy (https://teachwithjoy.com), a popular site which celebrates the joys of marriage, parenting and home-schooling. Over the years, many things have been said about me that simply are not true. My friends and I were very fortunate to be surrounded by people who genuinely cared about our well-being. We're glad you're here.CCF exists to make Christ-committed followers who will make Christ-committed followers all for the glory of God!Feel free to . The truth is there are still many God-fearing leaders who are faithfully serving the Lord. Official Twitter Account of Christ's Commission Fellowship Sunday Worship Services at 10am 12nn 3pm 6pm Landline (02) 8866 9900 questions@ccf.org.ph. He serves as Executive Pastor and is responsible for overseeing the business operations of the CCF organization. For example, why did this come out only after he died? The reality, though, is that What a Beautiful Name and other Hillsong hits will likely remain in the regular music rotation for many churches. To do this, we need to teach that the Christian life is not designed to be lived alone. Scripture reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), hence we should be careful not to trample on a fallen fellow soldier, even if in this case many will claim his wounds were self-inflicted. God can and does use fragile, flawed instruments because His truth never changes. His love brought me through the valley. By. He emphasized the orthodoxy of Hillsongs statement of faith and lyrics. Regardless of who you are or where life has taken you thus far, you are more than welcome here. For a while I blamed myself for what happened to them. This excerpt from Joy Tan-Chi Mendozas book,When A Good God Allows Rape, published by OMF Literature, is republished with permission. Chan, who is invited to speak at over 500 events a year, went on to explain why he sometimes accepts speaking engagements at places that tolerate theology that is different from his. That was never Gods plan. Joy (standing, second from right) is the daughter of Dr Peter Tan-Chi (seated, sixth from right), founder and senior pastor of Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) in the Philippines, and his wife Deonna. FAX: 213-383-2046. Heed the command of Jesus when He said, Do not judge so that you will not be judged Why do you look at the speck that is in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:1,3). Ravi Zacharias' Sexual Misconduct Confirmed By Independent Investigation 74,920 views Feb 12, 2021 After a four-month investigation and years of allegations, a re .more .more 366 Dislike Share. If Jesus is present in our lives, we do not have to be afraid, to worry, nor should we doubt that He will take care of us when trials and difficulties come. I agree with this comment. Or it came as a longing to return to the innocence of my childhood. Hillsong Church NYC Hillsong megachurch has responded to its most recent sex scandal. We in the CCF leadership see this incident a strong reminder of the need to strengthen our own practice of accountability and transparency. Creflo Dollar . 14. [1], In 2016, the church was chosen by the Dangerous Drugs Board (a government agency in the Philippines) to offer a spiritual rehabilitation program for drug addicts. Dixon, who have. Mustering up the courage, I blurted out softly: Mom, Dad, I was raped.. Ickhoy has also sent his letter of apology for posting the original pic on his instagram. Chan plans to work with the elders of his church to come up with more safeguards for future events. It is in this light that we encourage you, that if you observe any misconduct or impropriety on the part of our elders, pastors, and leaders or members, to please file a report directly to your Area Pastor or Satellite Pastor, or Dgroup leader. [MEETUP] Come Closer: An intimate conversation on bridging the Gender Pleasure Gap, [MEETUP] Caf Humaniste: A Humanist Future Sunday 8 August 2021, The Case for Unconditional Assisted Suicide, In Defense Of Nadine Lustre And Cohabitation: A Response To Anna Cosio. The realization that Ravi Zacharias was not the greatest apologist of his generation but rather one of its greatest frauds has felt like a catastrophic betrayal, Weitnauer wrote. However, I claimed promises like Jeremiah 29:11. The Lord is a Giver. Sheila Wray Gregoire. God purposes to write each persons life story. Although The Send event was a major production in which Chan was simply invited to speak, pictures emerged online of Chan with Hinn and White. We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. It destroys, corrupts and disrupts Gods good design. The church centers on Spirit-filled worship and consistent, verse-by-verse teaching of the Word of God . We were also of the same mind that bringing things into the light would weaken the capacity of the Devil to use this tragedy against us. The AP is solely responsible for this content. In the same way, friends of mine have been misrepresented and their reputations unfairly tarnished, Chan wrote. No one is perfect. Even before the Hillsong news over the past two years, worship leaders in the US had been vetting worship hits on a theological basis. Terry and Judith Crist, former lead pastors of Hillsong Phoenix . Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. Zacharias, a widely popular author and speaker, died of cancer in May at age 74. I would like encourage everyone not to react or rebutt esp on social media bec that is what FF wants. Atty. Recently, the situation at Hillsong was featured in Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, a Discovery+ docuseries hooked to the 2020 termination of Hillsong New York pastor Carl Lentz, who admitted to infidelity in his marriage. I want to borrow once more the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, where he said: 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.'" From there, Irene made a long distance call to her parents in Macau. What a comfort to hear their voices! Just two weeks after celebrity pastor Carl Lentz was fired from Hillsong Church, a woman has come forward claiming she had an affair with the disgraced figure. After I was raped, a kind of scepticism and distrustful point of view grew in me. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, we let Him be the writer and the editor (Hebrews 12:2), and we can entrust to Him our lifes good ending. He endured all this so that His death could bring us eternal life. Lanas parents rushed over to be by her side. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus, not on people. All rights reserved. We may not be aware that we practice some respectable sins such as gossiping, being materialistic, or being too critical. My family and I clung to Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.. Avoid going on domestic or foreign travel alone and if possible, bring your wife with you she is your partner. By Tessa Wong. // March 23, 2019, 12:35 pm, "God's love brought me through the valley His love also gave me the capacity to forgive and the boldness to declare what He has done. Beware of cynicism and discouragement. Using them as a cover, the robbers told my dads cousin to drive them in his delivery truck to a specific location. While some are quick to ask, What about the psalms of David? or If we cant sing songs written by sinners, whats left? others emphasize the need to hold worship musicfor all its formative powerto a higher standard. If you have ever felt like most worship music sounds the same, it may be because the worship music is written by just a handful of songwriters.. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. It is crucial that we be holy and humble, walk circumspectly, and practice accountability and authenticity. As quickly and as quietly as I could, I whispered to them through the gate: There are robbers in the house. Then I said loudly (so the robbers would hear me), Okay thanks, goodbye!. But the Lord has. I have felt a sickening combination of revulsion and grief., RZIM staff members have been badly misled by our secretive board and senior leaders, he continued. He wrote, In no way do I endorse or turn a blind eye to the scandals that have rocked Hillsong in recent days and acknowledged some points of disagreement on ministry approaches. Among them is Carson Weitnauer, a specialist in online outreach for RZIMs Zacharias Institute. It is a place where people can freely share without fear of rejection and condemnation. It will be tragic and a waste if we do not try our best to learn from this incident. The Guardians chief pop critic Alexis Petridis wrote: You cant easily eradicate Jackson from history: too many people have too much of their lives bound up with his music. Such information about nonprofits is normally accessible to the public via IRS Form 990s, but RZIM has not disclosed a Form 990 since 2015; Malhotra said it became exempt from filing after asking the IRS to reclassify it as an association of churches., The boards continued secrecy, not only to the employees they oversee, but also to the public who rightly want full accountability, has irreparably damaged the boards credibility, Baker-Hytch wrote Dec. 20. In John 16:33 (New Living Translation), Jesus said: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. God made a beautiful world where people were supposed to be in harmony with Him, with one another, with creation. I felt soiled and dirty after I was raped, but this verse reminded me that in Christ all things could be new again. FILE - In this March 30, 2016 file photo, Ravi Zacharias, center, speaks during the Society of World Changers induction ceremony at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. Oklahoma pastor Sam Storms, a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society and council member for The Gospel Coalition, defended singing Hillsong songs in a blog post last summer. Want New Visitors at Church This Month? It is a certainty, not a false promise. How can he explain himself? Pastor JC is probably most recognized for his role with the CCF Village Capital Campaign and discipleship and mentoring of men through Sons of Covenant. Since the explosion of the song Shout to the Lord in 1994, Sydney-based Hillsong has shaped worship in the US, particularly among Pentecostals and evangelicals. They may not be famous, but God knows who they are. Model what it means to be open and transparent by sharing your vulnerability. This is good change. He admitted that in the past he has erred in calling out the false teachings of preachers and pastors. Today, I am happily married and blessed with five* children. PASTOR AUMAR AGUILAR Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox! Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) is a non-denominational church founded by Dr. Peter Tan-Chi, based in the Philippines. Create a safe place environment for your family members and Dgroup members to share. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. Zacharias founded his international ministry, known as RZIM, in 1984, with a mission to engage in Christian apologetics defending Christianity with powerful intellectual arguments. USA Distributor of MCM Equipment ccf pastor scandal Chan explained that he once gave a sermon where he showed how suffering is a theme found in every book of the New Testament. Following months of scandal surrounding Hillsong, a pastor at the megachurch alleged on Monday that Carl Lentz repeatedly sexually abused her and threatened her during conversations . I often found myself in tears because my innocence and purity had been stolen. But youll be hard-pressed to find a college course on the era that doesnt include his works, even if they must come with an asterisk. It was not a call to come and prosper but rather the opposite a call to come and suffer. Perhaps other leaders will also question whether using their songs sends a message of endorsement. It dishonors the name of Christ. As 1 Timothy 1:5 puts it, the goal of our instruction is lovefrom a pure heart and agood conscience and a sincerefaith. We need to ask God to reveal to us the things that dishonor him. Some people have questioned my willingness to take pictures with anyone who asks for a picture with me. LUZON CENTRAL 1 HUB OVERSEER, FULVIO MILLAN Sometimes, those borders are easy to draw. 2,235,753 people follow this. Now, shes conflicted about whether to keep singing favorites like What a Beautiful Name. I really love that song. Let us keep Scriptures warning always before us, that if ever we think we are standing firm in our walk with God, we should be careful so that we do not fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). And it takes grace to have this faith! Several people protested all morning, demanding their voices be heard. [They] have developed music that a lot of people find catchy and spiritually nourishing, that has gone out into the world and served a lot of people but it turns out that the organization they serve is a bad organization.. When a cheating scandal blew up the pastor's life, some Hillsong congregants were left to question their relationship with a church that cultivated its own kind of fameand the double standards. ! someone yelled at me. Personal Background That sentiment is strangely relevant to this very different situation. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.. After a four-month investigation and years of allegations, a report now details the sexual misconduct and abuse of world-renowned Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. In a statement posted online on Dec. 23, Thompson and her husband thanked RZIM employees who questioned the organizations handling of the case. Gods people are in an unrelenting spiritual battle. Finally, let us pray as David did that the Lord acquit [us] of hidden faults and to also keep us back from presumptuous sin that they may not rule over [us] (Psalm 19:12-13). The New Testament is full of passages explaining the suffering that comes with a decision to follow Christ., Chan said prosperity gospel teachings also provide a false hope that can result in confusion and discouragement., Prosperity preachers often promise greater wealth if their listeners will give more to their ministries, he added. Beware of using the failures of others to justify your behavior. Jesus was abused for our sake. 20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.. Evangelicals. CCF has also helped form over 600 small groups in East Asia and over 12,000 house churches and small groups in South Asia. Welcome to CF Downingtown! After taking heat for speaking at a stadium event with pastors described as prosperity gospel preachers and false teachers, Francis Chan has publicly responded to those concerns and vowed to continue speaking at events that feature people with whom he theologically disagrees. That is, until he was caught in a gay sex scandal in 2006. For their Christmas party this year, Christs Commission Fellowship Executive Pastor Ricky Sarthou dressed up in traditional Arabic garments. The pastor was accused of having affairs with several female members of his congregation. Dear CCF Family, It is with heavy hearts that we release this response to the final report of Ravi Zacharias' sexual misconduct. They were heavily armed with guns and knives and forced their way in through the front door. Because He loves us and He is good. One of them said: Lets kill them now! And they all started waving their guns. The post has since been deleted from Furtick's social media channels. I dont like the idea of a princely court or the concentration of wealth but the moral challenges dont linger in the work itself.. You told them, didnt you? Six months after a sex scandal involving New Birth's senior pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, became public, the megachurch no longer packs them in. History [ edit] All ministries belong to the One to whom we all ultimately serve: our Lord Jesus Christ. Our life is a model to both believers and unbelievers. 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Even if I was victimised, I didnt want to live like a victim. Who is Apollo Quiboloy and what is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church? Ask God to examine your heart. Since then, CCF's continuous growth has caused its worship services to move from place to place. For this reason, we covet your prayer support. Let us keep our eyes focused on Jesus. The men started to converse with me, saying things like: We wouldnt do this if we didnt have to.. And the consequences of sin heartache, hardships, problems, pain and multiplied sorrows these are the enemies of hope. Hillsong United performs in concert in March 2022, weeks after Brian Houstons resignation. For others, the primary concern may be more about being identified with an organization that has lost its moral authority. About an hour and a half passed and then someone rang the doorbell. Irene, Lana and I decided together that we would share the experience with the Faith Academy community and with the different congregations of Christs Commission Fellowship (CCF). Clarence Barber, former County Maintenance Chief, sentenced to 5 months imprisonment. In a letter to its staff on Dec. 23, the trusts board members said they were urging the U.S. leadership to issue a profound apology to any victims and commit to reform radically the governance, leadership and accountability of the RZIM organization.. We must assume personal responsibility for our walk. The loss I felt was like a cavity, a depression that no human person or human solution could fill or remedy. I looked to Gods love, goodness and sovereignty right after the rape. Hebrews 12:2 says fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith Christian leaders may sooner or later disappoint us. We are who we are because of His grace as 1 Corinthians 15:10 states, but by the grace of God I am what I am. Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15). The Lord is a Redeemer. We are an independent, non-profit organisation that relies on the generosity of our readers, such as yourself, to continue serving the kingdom. They had raised me with good values. Running back into the house, I was pulled back in through the font door. I have the privilege of serving the Lord alongside my husband, Edric. In 2009, while already well known in the modeling and showbiz industry, he achieved household infamy in his involvement in a sex scandal. Its main worship church is located at the CCF Center in Ortigas East (formerly Frontera Verde), Pasig . When the megachurchs former pastors are in the news with allegations of scandal and abuse, what a contentious name it is. Worshippers then split in order to attend at a venue in CCF Sucat, and one at the Valle Verde Country Club. Update (December 20, 2014): On the comments section of this article, a person claiming to relay the words of pastors from the CCF said the following. What a tender description of Gods love for us! It speaks volumes to me and a lot of other people, Thrush said. We likewise enjoin all of you in the world-wide CCF movement to pray for comfort and wisdom for Ravis family, the RZIM board and staff, and most of all for Gods immeasurable loving embrace to be upon those who were victims of Ravis misconduct. Zacharias had been entangled in some previous controversies over how he had publicly described his academic credentials and over his claim, later challenged in legal proceedings, that he was the target of an extortion scheme related to sexting and sexually explicit photos. Ravis sin does not invalidate what we learned from him nor from other RZIM leaders and speakers that is consistent with Scripture. Return to homepage. My parents were going to be out teaching a Bible study in Makati City that night. We just focus on our personal walk with God in holiness and humility. Please pray that we all be faithful to our Lord to the very end of our lives. PASTORS & LEADERS, PASTOR JOEY GERONIMO To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. It is true that big-name Hillsong artists like Brooke Ligertwood and Joel Houston have their own brands and images, but they are still employees of the church, and they have acknowledged the difficulties facing Hillsong, though in relatively veiled or general terms. Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza
It takes faith to see this. 3.4M views, 56K likes, 28K loves, 3.5K comments, 74K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Christ's Commission Fellowship: Once the scandal broke, he tried to end his life. The dark memories of that night have been replaced by beautiful ones that speak of the wonders and faithfulness of God in my life and in my familys. At times my mind was darkened by sorrow. That was the most painful thing I have ever had to tell my parents. [1], In 2020, the Pasig Church had 55,000 people.[5]. Anyone looking to have a nuanced conversation about the future of Hillsongs music in the church may benefit from considering how musicologists and critics talk about important music with a troubling backstory. About an hour after, my parents came home from their Bible study in Makati. Do not blame others or make excuses. 7 key principles of biblical parenting: Josh McDowell. Allow your wife/husband access to your cell phones, computer, and social media. ICP-NCP LIAISON MINISTRY COORDINATOR, MEL SANTOS But how many bad apples must we pluck before we recognize that the orchard is diseased? I knew that it was going to hurt them to hear it, but they had to hear it from me. The reality is we live in a world that is broken, fallen. It seemed like a black hole in the timeline of my life when I was 15. We pray that their eyes may be fixed on the perfect person of Jesus Christ and not on those who have failed them and caused them unfathomable pain and disillusionment. No one is beyond sin. My parents had safeguarded my innocence. LUZON NORTHEAST HUB OVERSEER, CCF SATELLITE PASTORS & LEADERS CENTRAL LUZON, ABET FARIAS SAYREVILLE, N.J. (AP) Family members of a slain New Jersey pastor who served on her town council say she cared for everyone around her. Together we are enjoying the adventures of parenting and home-schooling our children. The entire world groans under the weight of sin. But the Lord has other. Musicologists and critics have considered how we engage with songs produced by problematic composers for centuries, and revelations around contemporary artists like Michael Jackson and R. Kelly have also challenged how listeners engage with groundbreaking and chart-topping songs. Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) is an international non-denominational church founded by Dr. Peter Tan-Chi, based in the Philippines. He was mocked and humiliated, abandoned by those who were closest to Him. She grew up in a Christian Family full of love and compassion but something heartbreaking happened in her life that tested her faith to the core. The question becomes, What do you do when you have teams of young people who have worked really hard at what they do and are really good at it? Mercer-Taylor said.
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