Lakeland Outpouring: One Year Later

It has now been about a year since the Lakeland Renewal - the big thing in Charismatic Circles for 2008 - blew up in a scandal caused by Todd Bentley's moral failings. Here's what the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God says now:

QUOTE: "I don't understand why anyone in their right mind would ever give Todd Bentley a platform again. I believe in redemption, but for some things you forever forfeit your public ministry. This man has proven by his lifestyle to be who he is, and our churches shouldn't be using him, period." —Assemblies of God General Superintendent George O. Wood, commenting on what in many charismatic circles has been one of the most divisive issues in the past year. Bentley left the Lakeland Outpouring last August amid scandal and—in fewer than 12 months—divorced, remarried, entered into a restoration process with Rick Joyner and relaunched his public ministry. [theledger.com, 8/15/09]

From: Charima Magazine Lakeland Outpouring: One Year Later

My previous comments here, here and here.

The Tragic Scandal of Greasy Grace

It has been all over the internet that Todd Bentley, leader of last year's Lakeland Renewal, has divorced his wife and married the ministry intern he had an affair with. J. Lee Grady at Charisma Magazine wrote what I consider to be important comments on this situation and the way it has been handled in an article entitled The Tragic Scandal of Greasy Grace. Here are some excerpts from his article.

...we charismatics still seem to have a habit of elevating gifting above character. It's almost as if the end justifies the means. (So what if a preacher ruins one marriage and makes a hasty decision to marry a younger woman—the important thing is that we get him back in the pulpit to heal the sick!) That is a perversion of biblical integrity. God can anoint any man or woman with the Holy Spirit's power; what He is looking for are vessels of honor that can carry that anointing with dignity, humility and purity....

...Many Christians today have rejected biblical discipline and adopted a sweet, spineless love that cannot correct. Our grace is greasy. No matter what an offending brother does, we stroke him and pet him and nurse his wounds while we ignore the people he wounded. No matter how heinous his sin, we offer comforting platitudes because, after all, who are we to judge?

...We have not mourned this travesty. We have not been shocked and appalled that such sin has been named among us. We act as if flippant divorce and remarriage are minor infractions—when in actuality they are such serious moral failures that they can bring disqualification.

If we truly love Todd Bentley, we will not clamor for his quick return to the pulpit. While we certainly want him to be fully restored to fellowship with God, we cannot rush the process of restoring a man to ministry. Leaders must live up to a higher standard. We must demand that those involved in Bentley's restoration not only love him but also love the church by protecting us from the kind of scandal we endured last year.

These are only excerpts so you should follow the link to read the whole thing. Both character and gifting are important qualifications for ministry, but if we do not learn that (a) character is the priority before ministry, and (b) Christian leaders should not be treated like celebrity rock stars, we will continue to see more travesties and tragedies like this.

20/20 Hindsight On The Lakeland Revival

Somehow i missed this last week . J. Lee Grady from Charisma Magazine posted at his "Fire in My Bones" blog his conclusions on 20/20 Hindsight: What I Hope We Learned From the Lakeland Revival. Grady has six important lessons charismatic Christians (and especially their leaders) need to learn from the problems associated with the Lakeland Florida renewal earlier this year.

His six points are:

1. Accountability, accountability, accountability.
2. The one man show is over.
3. Chill out.
4. Character is more important than anointing
5. Lay hands on no man quickly.
6. You can't have revival without repentance.

Read the whole thing for his explanation of each point.

You know, every one of these lessons should have been learned from the televangelist scandals in the late 80's. I hope we finally learn them this time.

Lakeland Outpouring - Sober but Hopeful Thoughts

From Carl Thomas at Revival Blog: Todd Bentley - Lakeland Outpouring Thoughts.

For the record, I support Todd Bentley. I support the move of God. I support healing. I support miracles. I support prophecy. I support the Bible and every ministry that it contains.

I also support testing fruit. I support seeking the scriptures. I support oversight. I support testimony. I support accountability. I support all of these things.

I do not support demonizing things we don’t understand. I don’t support demonizing people we do not agree with. I do not support “the end justifies the means.” I don’t support the ministry justifies the man. I do not support slander. I do not support gossip. (and i won’t approve comments that slander or gossip)

Since I have been a public supporter of Lakeland and Todd I feel I need to comment on the latest goings on. Indeed there have been moral failings. And this is a big deal.

At the end of the day, God used a man in sin. He has done it before. He will do it again.

I don’t judge Todd. Not because I am looking past his faults, but because of Gal 6:1. I am fearful of falling. I mean, I really am fearful of falling and I have found pride and judgment the 1 - 2 knockout combination for that.

Kathryn Kuhlman was restored and Todd Bentley can be as well. I hope he is able to get to the root of the issues, get it dealt with and move forward.

But while Todd is looking at his issues, I hope that along the way, we charismatics can come to grips with the fact that we are willing to look past almost anything if we see the right manifestations. I am not sure that Todd could not start his ministry back tomorrow without a lapse in his schedule as long as he comes and performs. Many people would restore him without repentance.

And in a day when we think it is beneficial to “toke the Ghost” smoke “gloryjuanna” do shots of the new wine or inject the anointing in our arms, we need to “be sober minded” and see if this foolishness has any biblical basis.

There is an extreme lack of reverence for the third person of the trinity. His first name is Holy for a reason.

After his last sabatical, Todd came back with an extreme humility in ministry. It is my hope that all of Fresh Fire ministries comes back with a new sobriety.

Peter Kirk at Gentle Wisdom reports on Todd Bentley's Apostolic Team in Action. Let us all pray that the process will be successful (i.e. repentance and restoration), and also pray that the wider circle of the charismatic world will learn some lessons on the dangers of promoting unstable men into high public visibility, of pushing hype and "weird" experiences over and above the preaching of Christ and expounding of the Scriptures, and of chasing the "next big thing" instead of quit pursuit of and obedience to the Lord.

Lakeland & Bentley Coverage

Below are links to what other bloggers and commentators are saying about the bad news about the Lakeland Revival which I commented on last Wednesday. The reason I am giving this story more attention is not to focus on the failures and pain of one brother in Christ (pray for him!), but to emphasize the lessons we all need to learn on discernment, accountability, humility, priority for marriages and families over work and ministry, and how to shepherd churches and movements during revival times.

Peter Cockrell at Already Not Yet
Dan Edelan at Cerulean Sanctum
John Piper at Desiring God Blog
Rick Ianniello
Peter Kirk at Gentle Wisdom
Michael Spencer at Jesus Based Spirituality
J. Lee Grady at Charisma Magazine
Michael Davis at Charismatica

I think we need to learn the right lessons from this, and not throw out the baby with the bath water. Somewhere, someday, the Spirit of God is going to break out in power and there will be humble leaders who balance experiences with sound doctrine, teach the Word, stay accountable, avoid hype, model good ministry practices and shepherd the thing in such a way as people are permanently changed, the Kingdom is advanced and God gets all the glory. I long to see that happen! It may not be me or my church, but I want to become the kind of person Jesus could trust with a revival if He so chose. How about you?

Todd Bentley Update

If you follow the news about the Lakeland Renewal, by now you've probably heard that Todd Bentley and his wife Shonnah have filed for legal separation in Canada. Details available here, here and here. I've got just five quick comments.

1. I hope everyone who promoted Todd as the next great preacher and this movement as the next great thing will stand by him as much in the pit as they did on the mountaintop. I hope those who publicly laid hands on him to assume responsibility for him will follow up on that commitment with prayer, counsel, love, compassion and loving rebuke where necessary. Let this be one case where the Church of Jesus Christ acts like Him and does not shoot our own wounded. Faults and all, Todd did accomplish some great things and I hope that after some down time and counsel he can be restored to more effective and long lasting ministry.

2. I hope those who have criticised Todd Bentley all along will resist the temptation to say "I told you so," and instead pray for him and his wife. If Todd is your brother, you are required to love him. If Todd is your enemy, you are commanded to pray for him. You don't have to agree with him or endorse him, but we all do have to love and pray for him.

3. This may demonstrate that something was wrong in Todd's marriage relationship, but it does not mean that God was not moving in his ministry and that the Lakeland meetings were phony. The Lord can touch hungry and thirsty people through fallible and sinful instruments (otherwise we are all up the creek without paddles).

4. I hope all of us who are married and in any form of ministry or Christian leadership will take this opportunity as a reminder that our marriages are more important than ministry, and foundational to any effectiveness in ministry, and consider the state of our own marriage. I, for one, am going to go home tonight and tell my wife how much I love and appreciate her.

5. Let's all pray for Todd and Shonnah, for the restoration of their marriage, for healing of broken hearts, and for God to bring good out of what the Devil means for evil. Jesus is large and in charge, and bigger than Todd's sins, my sins or yours.

(Some of my previous comments on Todd Bentley and Lakeland can be found here, here, and here.)

Another Lakeland Report

The "Heat and Light" blogger visited the Lakeland Revival and reports his experience at The Lakeland “Outpouring”: I have gone, and these are my thoughts Excerpt below:

Then came the prayer time. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that - at least on the nights I attended - though Todd Bentley was present and involved, it was clearly NOT the ‘Todd Bentley show’, as I had originally feared. Maybe in that way that cameras of GodTV have actually misrepresented Lakeland, since he is so captivating - he has such a strong presence. The stage was filled with various volunteers and pastors ministering, speaking, and praying - there was a significant team actively involved, and most of the time I was barely even aware of Bentley. I was very blessed that even the most extreme cases were welcomed to the stage for prayer, and when some of these individuals stood there in need for a touch from God, my heart broke, and I have not petitioned God with such passion in very long-time. I was face-to-face with a Holy, and powerful God, begging Him to intercede - to show His power, and in such an atmosphere of faith it was not hard to be convinced that God can do whatever He wills. Tears well up in my eyes even thinking about it.
-----------------------------
.....Personally, I am glad I went. You can proceed to pick your jaw up off the floor now.

Though I still don’t think it’s necessarily Scriptural to chase revivals, I will be praying for Todd more, and criticizing Him far less from now on.

We'd all do better with more prayer and less criticism.

New Lakeland Updates

Carl Thomas at Revival Blog wonders if it is time to write "Ichabod" over the Lakeland Revival at Ichabod Revival Blog. Another blog announced R.I.P. over Lakeland.

Peter Kirk reports that Todd Bentley's UK trip has been cancelled and that Bentley is "moving on" from Lakeland later this month. I like and agree with his final comment:

Lakeland may die, but

unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:24 (TNIV, British edition)

What is important is not a particular meeting, a certain preacher, or what church gets the glory. What matters is people getting touched by God, experiencing the presence and true healing, and then moving forth in mission to spread the fire to the glory of Christ. If we keep on seeking the Lord, the important stuff will continue and grow, whatever happens to Todd Bentley and Lakeland, Florida.

Can We Avoid a Charismatic Civil War?

J. Lee Grady from Charisma Magazine has stirred up a hornets nest this time with his article entitled Can We Avoid a Charismatic Civil War?

Here are just some of the responses:

Border State Report - Mark Byron
The Coming Charismatic Civil War - Dan Edelen
A Charismatic Civil War- Bob at In the Clearing
A Charismatic Civil War? Michael Davis At Charismatica

Grady describes a vision by prophet Rick Joyner, originally written in his book The Final Quest several years ago, describing a coming conflict among Charismatic Christians. You should follow the link above and read the article before continuing to read my post.

Other charismatic leaders have echoed this theme since Joyner’s book was published in 1996. They have predicted that our movement will be divided between “Blues” (those who constantly live in the supernatural realm of dreams, visions and miracles) and “Grays” (those who rely more on their intellect), and that the Blues will win and usher in true revival as champions of the Holy Spirit’s power.

If I had to choose, I would be more "gray" than "blue." But I do not believe that I have to choose! I believe in the continuing activity of the Spirit in visions, signs and wonders (blue) precisely because I believe the Bible teaches so (gray). However, I also believe that spiritual gifts operate most effectively and safely within boundaries and fences set by sound doctrine and expository Bible teaching.

As I have said earlier, some choices should not be made.

• Some choose good theology and doctrine, some choose personal experience; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose the Spirit, some choose truth; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose individual spirituality, some choose community; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose knowledge about God, some choose knowledge of God; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose orthodoxy, some choose orthopraxy; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose commitment to a church family, some choose openness to all believers; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose ministry models open to all believers, some choose gifted and trained leadership; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose catholicity, some choose evangelicalism; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose charismatic gifts, some choose fruit in changed character; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose loving God, some choose obeying God; I refuse to choose.
• Some choose ministry within the church, some choose ministry to the world outside; I refuse to choose.

I refuse to make choices where God did not intend me to choose. I refuse to say yes to one and no to the other, when God says yes to both. I refuse to separate things God put together. I refuse to divide things God wants held in tension. What God has put together, let not man put asunder!

Grady concludes:

Thankfully a group of leaders from various charismatic camps (both “Blues” and “Grays”!) are discussing the contentious issues surrounding Lakeland—and biblical confrontation is occurring. I trust this process will result in correction where it’s needed, apologies when necessary and more humility on all sides of the debate.....

Please pray for Bentley—and for the leaders who are speaking into his life during this season. And pray that the church will not only experience genuine spiritual revival but also true unity. Let’s work out our differences, support one another’s ministries and focus all our efforts on one common goal: To tell a lost world about the love of Jesus.

Those are good words for all to heed!

Donatists, GAFCON, and Bentley, Oh My!

This very interesting post by Peter Kirk at Gentle Wisdom just floored me! I have said before that I'm a church history nut. Well, Peter Kirk has drawn a connection between the Donatist controversy in the 4th century AD, the current divisions among Anglicans over Biblical authority as demonstrated by the GAFCON Conference in Jerusalem, and critics of Todd Bentley and the Lakeland renewal. Talk about connecting the dots!

The central question that ties the three situations together is this: Do sinful behaviors or false teachings of a minister prevent hearers or communicants from being truly touched by God through their ministry? Or, to use the Latin phrases well known in historical Theology, do sacramental actions (including preaching) act ex opere operantis or ex opere operato? (If those phrases are unfamiliar, don't worry; they are clearly explained in the article.)

For an interesting romp through church history, historical theology and current religious controversies, and a practical demonstration of the relevance of studying church history, read the article at The Donatists, GAFCON, and the Todd Bentley critics.

Miracle Reports from the UK

What an amazing report from Peter Kirk's website "Gentile Wisdom": The blind see and the dead are raised - here in the UK!

Richard Steel reports on a blind man receiving his sight, on the streets of Dudley, England, this morning. This includes a video interview with the man.

Thanks also to my commenter Rhea for the link to a report of many healings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there seems to be a similar outpouring to the Dudley one. The report includes a young man being raised from the dead. Where does this report come from? The BBC website!

Yes, the outpourings in Dudley and Belfast are both linked to Todd Bentley.

Follow the link above to Peter's site, where you can find the links to his sources.

Revival Preconceptions and Expectations

More wise observations form CHARISMATICA » Revival Issues: Preconceptions and Expectations

We have to remind ourselves that whatever is happening at Lakeland, it is just at the beginning. I wonder how past revivals would have survived the onslaught and glare of 24 hour TV and Internet. What did Wales and Azusa Street look like after a month and a half into it?

So many of us have read about past revivals and expect God to do the same thing again. We forget that each sovereign move was new and strange for those who experienced them at the time...

Myself, I am looking for a revival that sweeps across all of North America and effects 1000’s of churches in hundreds of places. A revival that crosses all the man-made divisions and denominations. Then like a tidal wave engulfs the UK and washes up on the shores of France and Northwestern Europe. A revival coming soon near you. So many are looking for Jesus to come for his church, I’m looking for him to come to it.

More Lakeland Stuff

There are several new Lakeland Renewal Links at CHARISMATICA, including a link to Todd Bentley's defense of his ministry. I was especially interested in the link to the 55 page paper by Dr. Gary Greig on "A Theological Response to Criticism of the Lakeland Outpouring and Todd Bentley- Biblical Reasons To Receive God’s Glory and Give it Away in Power Evangelism" and the summary of that paper by Peter Kirk. Peter Kirk also has a summary of the Todd Bentley article here.

Everybody needs to keep both an open mind and good discernment filters, and keep on praying!

More Lakeland Stuff

Heat and Light has new links to various first hand stories from Lakeland - some positive, some negative, some open but concerned. He says:

Still more people are chiming in on Lakeland & the goings on there. Again, I don’t agree with all that’s written below - in fact, some I disagree with, but they are helpful perspectives to get a bigger picture of what’s happening...

Adrian Warnock has a story from a friend of his about a "remarkable healing" that occurred as a result of watching the Lakeland Renewal on TV.

Keep praying!

Pastor's Lakeland Testimony and Comments

My pastor, Bruce Wimberley, visited Lakeland Florida this past Wednesday and Thursday to experience the Renewal meetings. Also with him was another member of our church named Jeff. Summarized below are some of Bruce's comments as presented to our church congregation last Sunday.

The hallmark of the meetings and the renewal in general is not healing (although they certainly occur) but the presence of God. Attendees are hungry and thirsty for God, and the Lord is responding to that fervor with His presence.

During the meeting Bruce and Jeff prayed for a man seated near them who had a sore and partially imoveable shoulder. After prayer, the man began freely moving his shoulder and reported no pain.

The leaders of the renewal are training people to go out on the streets to evangelize and to pray for sick and hurting people. This is different from both Toronto and Brownsville- and a welcome change.

The leaders are actively trying to verify testimonies of healings. The first night they were there a phoned in testimony of someone being raised from the dead was publicly reported from the platform. The next night this report was publicly retracted after fact-checkers reported that it was not true. In fact, they discovered that someone who was opposed to the revival had called in a fake report in and effort to discredit the revival as phony. This action by the leaders demonstrates integrity that is (sorrowfully) frequently lacking in leaders of large movements like this.

The leaders of the meetings know that there are and will be tares among the wheat, that some people seeking attention will fake things, and that everything that happens cannot be attributed to the Holy Spirit. They are making efforts to discern and guide the meetings with integrity.

Bruce does not agree with some of the stylistic actions and/or ministry model of Todd Bentley, but nevertheless believes God is at work in these meetings due to the hunger of those attending.

See my previous post here.