Follow the Leader?
"I feel at rest in the fact that whatever happens with BCC in the next few weeks in not in my hands and certainly not about me."
-- Dave Foster
I recall a service probably a couple of years ago in which Dr. Foster related an anecdote from a recent pastors conference (or similar get-together). A fellow pastor was concerned about the imminent arrival of the lottery in Tennessee -- this is during the time lots of fundy churches were going ballistic about it, remember -- and wanted to know what Dr. Foster was going to tell "his people."
I'll never forget that the reply, as related byDr. Foster, began with "Well, first of all, they're not my people . . ."
His answer was very good, related to keeping such partisanship out of the sacred assembly, etc. But I also liked the disavowal, from the start, that somehow he owned the place, that he owned us.
In the first Red Caboose meeting last Sunday morning, Dr. Foster clearly stated that the church did not belong to him. It belongs to "the people," he continues to say.
I guess my question is, if Dr. Foster himself says that David Foster is not BCC, why are so many voices insisting he is?
You don't have to deny the validity of even the absolute godliest preacher and the most impeccable leader to say that even a perfect pastor doesn't own or equate to his church.
posted by Jared @ 12:03 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Evan, that's some keen insight.
I do plan to say some more soon about this "cult of personality" thing, from a shepherding the baby sheep sort of angle, but that will have to wait at least until tomorrow.
I appreciate your reading and your commenting, brother.
Where are all these people now in this photo?? What happened to them???
http://todayspreacher.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=13910
"Judge not.... "
This scriptural reference is used more often than John 3:16. Hopefully nobody wears a rainbow wig and carries a "Judge not" sign this coming Sunday.
Actually we are supposed to make judgements based on biblical wisdom. We can't judge an individual to damnation, but we can appraise the fruit in thier lives.
Most importantly it needs to be made clear that his ministry should be redefined post:BCC as well. I don't know what Church would hire him after a background check so I assume he will forge ahead and create a church he can manipulate without accountability from day 1. By his words he seems intent on remaining a celebrity in the cause for Christ.
Having known David before, it's my appraisal that he is unwilling to serve Christ in any role that doesn't give him authority. He's far to clever and outspoken to be a foot soldier like most of us. As he said to the Elders, " it's not in his DNA to not be in control. "
I personally think it's sad and poisonous for him to continue leading so many sheep down a stunted and shallow path. Although he may intend to lead people to Christ, he produces so many counterfeits who look to him more as a "guru."
Ironically, he perpetuates a mediocre Christian life.
Standing ovation to your comments C.E.L.
I found in my years at BCC, a subtle and perhaps unintentional neutering of the Gospel. The "lite" version as you said.
This is true of many churches in
America that have good intentions but create much ambiguity in the mind of so many young seekers... and allow it to remain.
There is no place in the Bible that recommends a substituionary form of witness for the easily offended. Instead we are told of a person who came after Christ to speak to the hearts of men. The Holy Spirit.
Our cleverness in presentation or quality of production is not going to move the heart of God. Instead he wants our true obedience and submission to the Body of Christ. David constantly tries to confirm in the minds of these "younglings" that vast portions of the Body of Christ are inferior to the sound and fury of Renegades 4 Christ. He constantly labels his detractors as religious people.
Well. Lights, cameras, action is every bit as religious ( the man's attempt definition, right ? ) in the sight of God.
Forgive us Jared for this tangent, but this line of conversation addresses some root of the current problems... ie Biblical principles and understanding are in lack among us.
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