I did not say "I" hold someone to a higher standard. God does. And those in positions of authority, therefore, should hold themselves to this higher standard, as well. I am commanded, as a Christian, to look at my sisters/brothers' behavior and confront him, in love, if I believe what s/he may be saying or doing is causing others (believers or non-believers) to stumble. We are commanded to do this. It is not passing judgment. We, none of us, live in an island where our actions have no influence over others. If an issue is brought to a sister's or brother's attention, and they seek the Lord's will over what they have done and their conscience does not condemn them, fine. Ultimate judgment will be from God, who alone knows the motives of our hearts. I have a right as a Christian to make the statement that what the Crouchs have done is causing problems for others (their purchase of a $5 million home is a point of stumbling for other people). That is obvious with this thread. And if I were their friend or close associate, I would have brought this potential problem of their actions to their attention, not in anger or jealousy (which your insuations have falsely accused me of). And BTW, I don't do cafeteria style.
James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Matthew 7: (16) ""You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (17) ""So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) ""A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (19) "" Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) ""So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Romans 14:(10) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (11) It is written: "`As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" (12) So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (13) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. (14) As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. (15) If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. (16) Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. (17) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (18) because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. (19) Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
[Food is only one example of what may cause someone else to stumble.] Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
Galatians 6: (1) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (2) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
[This is a command within the Christian community to watch each other, not judge.] 1 Corinthians 5: (11) But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. (12) What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (13) God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
Hebrews 5: (13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. (14) But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. [We are commanded to discern good from evil, in all its forms.]
With all the slander going on in this thread it looks like you better move on.
The problem "I" have with the judgements here..are that they do so on the outward physical appearance of Jan Crouch, instead of searching out what the "Crouches" actually do...which is one of the reasons the Pharisees were offended by Jesus. He didn't follow "the norm". Paul doesn't dress weird, so they would accept him if he wasn't such a good businessman. BTW, the Crouches don't teach... they host. They invite teachers/preachers from all different faiths onto their program(s). Of course, you probably know this already.. if you've ever really watched. God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise... right? :)