Posted on 05/28/2024 2:16:27 PM PDT by Morgana
Imagine being in a church where you’re told you can’t have a public opinion on anything without the approval of your pastor. Imagine being in such a cult that your church controls what you post on Facebook. We’re not talking about publishing heresy or sin but having an opinion that your pastor simply doesn’t like. You may remember from a few weeks ago, the Stronger Men’s Conference hosted by James River Church in Springfield, Missouri, turned into a spectacle more befitting a Las Vegas strip club than a Christian gathering.
The controversy erupted when Mark Driscoll, a prominent and often contentious pastor, condemned a performance by Alex Magala—a professional sword swallower with a sordid past as a male stripper. Magala’s act, which involved pole dancing and the removal of his shirt—well, let’s just say it seemed out of place at a conference ostensibly designed to promote biblical masculinity.
Driscoll’s rebuke, some claim it was staged for attention, was met shouted down by the Pastor of James River Church, John Lindell, who interrupted Driscoll mid-speech, declaring him “out of line.” Little did one mother know, publicly disagreeing with Lindell would also get her the boot, and an escort off the property by police.
Rahela Petian, an attendee of James River Church, recently wrote her thoughts on Facebook regarding the controversy at the Stronger Men’s Conference. In her post, Petian expressed deep respect for Pastor John Lindell and his family’s long-standing ministry, acknowledging the significant impact the church has had locally and internationally. However, she raised several concerns about the handling of the event and the subsequent fallout.
Petian questioned the decision to invite Alex Magala, a professional sword swallower with a past as a male stripper, to perform at the conference without providing context about his Christian testimony. She highlighted the inconsistency between the church’s stance against practices like yoga and its acceptance of Magala’s performance and suggested a need for clearer communication from the leadership.
Petian also criticized Lindell’s public rebuke of Mark Driscoll and said that Driscoll’s message could have been beneficial to other attendees. She expressed disappointment in what she perceived as a lack of transparency and humility from Lindell, calling for a more sincere approach to addressing the incident and fostering unity within the church.
But apparently the Church didn’t like that, and took action. Following her initial Facebook post, Petian detailed in a new post a subsequent meeting with church staff members, including Pastor Josh Longanecker and his wife, Laura. Petian described how she was escorted by five men—three church security team members and two Greene County Sheriff’s deputies.
Here are notes Petian took from the meeting:
During the meeting, Petian was told that her post had caused disunity within the church and was asked to reconsider her stance and her place at James River Church. Despite her long-standing membership and service at the church, Petian expressed feeling marginalized and unheard. She questioned the leadership’s approach, emphasizing her commitment to transparency and biblical principles.
Petian reported being asked to “reconsider where I stand” and was ultimately informed that she was not allowed to attend services until her post was taken down. This escalation culminated in her being asked to leave the church premises, an action that left her feeling ostracized and concerned about the church’s priorities and methods.
Here is an audio recording of the incident where she was escorted by law
Hopefully one that is ACTUALLY a Bible believing congregation that preaches the Good News 🗞 📰 of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Seems poorly written. Too much work to figure out what the journalist is trying to say.
I never understood churches that had the same pastor for decades and relied on their opinion and approval of their actions so much. It can easily cross the line and become a cult of personality if you’re not careful, which sounds like the case here.
“Biblical masculinity” no, that doesn’t sound gay at all.
Professional sword swallower and male stripper...got it...
They unintentionally did her a favor.
male stripping and pole dancing might boost attendance but it is inappropriate at a church
afaimc, if he wished to attend and pray, all good, fine and dandy! but his act belongs in a night club not at the altar.
One of the reasons I don’t care for Non-Denominational churches. Not that churches of denominations don’t have their issues either.
I wonder if the response would have been the same if she had sent her concerns to the pastors and deacons privately vs putting her concerns out on Facebook. The Facebook move opened up the church to ridicule and possible scorn. If she had sent her concerns privately to the leadership with backing from other members of the church it might...now I say “might” not have led to an expulsion like this.
I do have trouble believing that she didn’t realize that publicly criticizing her own church on Facebook would have led to her being expelled from her local body. The Bible warns against members suing each other or criticizing one another in public. We have free speech in this country and we have free association...it doesn’t mean that a free speeching member of a church has to be allowed by her church to “freely associate” with them if they find her “free speech” to be dis-harmonious with its mission.
I fouind the pole dancing sword swallower incident to be distasteful and problematic, especially the calling out of a pastor who disagreed with it. Driscoll did apologize and peace was made of sorts. This lady may have been needlessly opening up old wounds.
That was her first mistake.
Condemn the Satanic infiltrators in clear, unambiguous statements. Don't couch a condemnation within glowing praise for their previous pretentious behavior.
Evil is evil. It isn't less evil because it's dressed up with a false introduction.
Yes, it was poorly written. The “former stripper” is a current pole dancer?
“I never understood churches that had the same pastor for decades”
I have wondered about this as well. I wonder why, say once a month, the ministers rotate between congregations for a Sunday sermon. Paul certainly didn’t stay in one church for a long period of time.
you’re right..hard to follow...but what I am getting is this woman is questioning the hypocrisy in the church....maybe she is the only true Christian in that church...
Why would she want to be involved in the “church” anyway? But kudos to her for letting the rest of the world know about this “ministry”.
“itchy ears sindrome” is why lazy wannabe Christians follow pastors instead of going “solo scriptura”. the people don’t want the Holy Bible...they want the holey bible.
Like the Pope said, we’re already got enough of this faggotry
Petian was told that her post had caused disunity
= = =
Unity.
Where does it come from? From agreeing with everything the Pastor says?
No, and it does not come from agreeing with any person or group of persons, you know, to keep the unity.
In The Chruch, It is Unity of The Spirit.
If I listen to and obey the Holy Spirit, and you do also, we will have Unity.
It is the only way.
Maybe it is just me, but I do not want to see a man on a pole, unless he is fixing electrical wires.
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