9:05 AM
JT
Francis Chan announced yesterday that he is leaving Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. He believes God is leading him in a new direction. He isn't quite clear on where that is yet, but he knows its time for a change.
I saw this on Catalystspace this morning. Its a powerful video testimony. He says, "I would be hypocritical if I didn't go," talking about how he preaches that we should go with the Spirit's leading, and he wouldn't be able to preach with the same integrity if he didn't go with where the Spirit's is now leading him. He's definitely a guy we need to pray for!
3 comments:
yes, definitely pray. And perhaps warn, counsel and rebuke too? Show me one NT example of someone "feeling, hearing or being called" away to something, but not, at the same time, TO something. I'm so tired of these hyper-spiritual testimonies from people saying "God told me to do it". Because we all know the God card is the trump that no one can argue with.
So who's he leaving his church with? Did he get counsel from others when he "heard" God tell him to up and leave? Will he go immediately to another local church body or spend time in limbo? The NT knows no Christian out of fellowship, no matter the reason they give for it.
not right, not good.
I believe at this point, prayer is the best option. We certainly have no grounds to rebuke. We have no idea of the type of preparation or ground he has laid or will lay for his leave.
I was called into the ministry with no idea of what God wanted me to do. All I knew is that He wanted me to go study, and I did. It was much later that God revealed to me the area of ministry He desired for me to focus on. God called me away from a college ministry that I was leading.
Paul left places, towns, and people because he was called away to another place. I know that we see him leave these places in Godly hands. However, there was a calling "away". We have no clue how Francis Chan will walk away, because he hasn't yet. He's only announced it. I think before we claim that this is "not right or good", we would first have to see the whole picture.
I think the guy is showing a lot of integrity by following the Spirit's leading, even if others don't understand the "why".
Lot's a "feelings" ... "I'm just tired"...
Perhaps a little confirmation from the Holy Spirit would be in order... God is not a God of confusion, after all...
As a shepherd there is an obligation to the sheep.
I believe Francis is sincere... however... one can be sincerely confused and sincerely misguided...
Integrity might be "counting it all joy..." and waiting on the Lord for clarity...
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