Three Orlando mega-church pastors resign after admitting to affairs

Sun-sentinel ^ | May 7, 2013 | Barbara HijekFloriDUH

[Gamecock]

They were men of the cloth.

But their cloth of preferance must have been silk -- as in lingerie.

Lead Pastor David Loveless, who has been married for 33-years and was recognized as "one of the top 20 Christian leaders in the US to watch," has resigned from the Discovery Church in Orlando after admitting to having an affair, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

Loveless is the third pastor of a major Orlando-area church to resign within the past six-months because of an affair.

[Osage Orange]

I've attended small churches, and bigger churches.

Problems didn't discriminate the size of the church.

[Matchett-PI]

"The first church, documented in Acts, had 3,000 male members. If you include the wives and children it may have been as large as 10-12,000 people. So there is precedent for the Mega church."

Only if "The Church" met at one location. I think you'll find that they didn't, and it still doesn't.

[CityCenter]

You need to do more research on Mark Driscoll. This church is very heavy into the shepherding thing and if you step one inch out of line, you a literally shunned. It’s very close to becoming a cult.

[caww]

<.......”they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”....II Timothy 4:3,4

Note the “will” mentioned right in the beginning....along with “their desires”.

They ‘want’ to believe whatever will ‘validate’ their own behavior and beliefs rather than Gods.

I think these Pastors knew full well what the temptation was and had to have ‘entertained’ the idea in their minds long before the act...as with most who fall into adultry.

It is not something that just happens as some like to proclaim. The individual leaves an opening and then the war begins “within”..... long before the event.

[tx_eggman]

The first church, documented in Acts, had 3,000 male members. If you include the wives and children it may have been as large as 10-12,000 people.

So there is precedent for the Mega church.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Their life was about so much more than a big "happening" on Sunday morning.

[caww]

<....All groups have problems or issues....>

Yes indeed Cronos....but news agencies are looking for the big guys...the big story...for it will grab the attention of the nation....”sexual” issues always sell to the people of this immoral nation now...especially if it is tied to Christianity.

[ansel12]

Cronos, please don’t start making absurd personal attacks, the Roman Catholic denomination owns the Crystal Cathedral, don’t let some personal prejudice or personal animosity lead that simple information to the start of personal attacks.

[SnakeDoctor]

I’ve heard about the church discipline thing, which is a bit weird. I wouldn’t use the word ‘cult’ ... but, it is concerning. I don’t pretend to know the details — and I don’t always believe what I read in liberal rags like “The Stranger” (which broke the ‘shunning’ story). That ‘The Stranger’ — which carries degenerate columnist Dan Savage — dislikes Driscoll may be a plus. But, it is worth keeping an eye on.

But, on matters of doctrine, Driscoll is solid. And, he’s far ahead of the curve on preaching to men and bringing men back into the church, and preaching on matters of sexuality, gender relations, etc. ... areas where the church at large is sorely lacking in most cases.

Ministry to men is a HUGE problem in the church, and we’re reaping the consequences of several decades church silence on matters of sexuality (other than simply listing sins). Those are two topics I’m actually fairly interested in, and two that I believe could right the ship, to the extent its gone wrong. Mark Driscoll is at the forefront of those conversations.

SnakeDoc

[apocalypto]

Yikes! THX

[Jmouse007]

I do not know this pastor or his ministry. All I would say is please earnestly pray for pastors and other godly Christian leaders who are faithfully proclaiming Christ and preaching the Word of God. In this ungodly, wicked age they are under tremendous spiritual attack. While it is easy to criticize those who have fallen into sin, the Lord Jesus said " whoever has looked upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart." Given God's criteria on the matter I dare say the overwhelming majority of men reading this have committed adultery in our hearts.

Pastors urgently need our prayer and spiritual support. They are men who face the same temptations we all do who are doing battle with Satan on a daily basis. Their Christ-centered proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God pose a direct threat to the Devil, his kingdom and to those lost souls who are under his sway and control. Is it any wonder then that he is doing everything in his power to compromise and destroy the lives and ministries of those pastors and Christian leaders who are proclaiming Christ and rescuing those who are perishing.

Please pray for them and when it seems so easy to cast dispersions on their sinful failings remember the words of Jesus regarding one who rightly deserved death: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

The above is in no way written to excuse the sin, but to serve as a plea for prayer because those who stand outside of formal ministry often have no clue as to the trials, tests and difficulties that torment those who have sacrificed all for the cause of Christ.

[vpintheak]

A church is only perfect when no one is in it. Once you start putting people in there, things get messy. We are all sinners in need of a perfect God. I urge FReepers to quit piling on and pray instead.

[Coldwater Creek]

My former pastor. Dr. Rogers was ABOVE reproach.

[Not A Snowbird]

The poster implied, through that picture, that Warren was involved with the Crystal Cathedral. I correctly pointed out that he is not and never was the pastor of the Crystal Cathedral.

Whether or not Schuller influenced him I couldn’t say, although in all the years I attended Saddleback I didn’t hear Pastor Rick mention Schuller one time.

Both churches were founded the same year, for what it’s worth.

[Natural Law]

I know that a lot of sectarian bashing will commence with this thread, but I am as saddened by this as I am by the disclosure of another wayward priest. All clergy serve Christ and as St. Augustine said, the light of God can shine through broken or dirty glass (paraphrased). A theology professor of mine once said that if you do not believe that you are at the center of a spiritual battle at every moment of every day you are on the wrong side. Clergy are often the first targets and first casualties in that war.

Let's remember the good they have done and pray for their repentance and Salvation.

Peace be with you.

[jagusafr]

Max Lucado at Oak Hills in San Antonio is very good and very humble as well. Don’t know much about Randy Frazee, his successor as head pastor, but have heard good things.

[marron]

if you do not believe that you are at the center of a spiritual battle at every moment of every day you are on the wrong side. Clergy are often the first targets and first casualties in that war.

Worth repeating.

[CityCenter]

I have had some personal experience with them as an organization. One of their ministers signed on to be the interim pastor of my local church which is connected to another denomination. He attempted to take the church away into Mars Hill org and it ended up in a big legal battle which my denomination won. Driscoll may be solid in his doctrine, but I am no so sure about the practices of his org. It’s not what people say that matters so much, it’s what they do.

[Matchett-PI]

You’re welcome.

[Digger]

It seems to me that we put too much emphasis on growth and not enough to fulfilling the mission of preaching the word, in season and out. If we preach the word, numbers will take care of themselves.

Right on, right on!