[Gingersnap]

Some of the churches out here were affected by the "Toronto Blessing". I don't have first hand information but a friend of mine eventually stopped going to her church because she felt that the bible had been relegated to a prop.

I think we always have look for the "fruit" when considering whether a particular course in beneficial. It's not how many fannies fit in the pews, it's how many sinners find safety in God. Are people making real life changes? Are families stronger? Are people exercising justice and compassion? Are people sincerely trying to avoid temptation? Are people considering God in their daily decisions? If so, then fine.

The manifestations my friend saw and the increasing reliance on personal messages from God did not seem to bear good fruit for the congregation. The people fought and argued, some individuals and groups were marginalized or even denounced. The bible was no longer a reliable rule. People left.

It's difficult for me to see why it took the leadership so long to perform some pruning of this movement. I suppose it's easy to be critical when you're outside looking in.

[Alex Murphy]

...a friend of mine eventually stopped going to her church because she felt that the bible had been relegated to a prop...
It's difficult for me to see why it took the leadership so long to perform some pruning of this movement. I suppose it's easy to be critical when you're outside looking in.

As a former attendee, I can say that you nailed it on the head. Bringing your Bible was OPTIONAL. You weren't going to need it, because the pastor rarely, if ever, quoted from it except to cite it, out of context, in support of whatever new revelation he had received from the Lord since last Sunday's service. I don't think the Vineyard leadership even studied the Bible for themselves. Church wasn't about studying God's prior revelations; it was about seeking new ones.