Pastoral Excesses and Abuse

[Minister T]

Donnie McClurkin Disgusted with Pastoral Excesses and Abusesed
by Bishop Andy er, D. Min. on March 29, 2009 at 1:00am w Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.'s blog

Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin
Perfecting Church, Freeport , New York

This past week, popular preacher, recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, went on record to declare his deep disappointment with what he sees as pastoral abuses in the body of Christ. His comments has raised a legitimate question about abuse and excesses in the body of Christ and has brought attention to a topic that has largely been ignored in the church community.

In an article appearing in Essence this past week Pastor McCLurkin is quoted as saying:“As pastors, we have to link arms and have bi-partisanships. The [Black] church has always been the face of the community. Now we have to take on the responsibility of becoming true servants to the people from all walks of life. I get so mad when I see these pimpin' preachers driving Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, flying around in their private jets, and making it seem like prosperity and money is the way of God when 90 percent of your congregation is on Section 8 or can't figure out how they are going to keep their lights on or feed their kids. I'm big on perception, and what would it look like for me to live so lavishly if the people in my church are struggling?” says Pastor McClurkin in the article."

In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor McCLurkin reveals his own humility and sense of service to God and God’s people, by outlining his own relationship, financial and otherwise, with his church and his refusal to take revenue from a congregation that he has built from the ground up.

“I've done great in gospel music, and only a few of us have
accomplished what I have, and guess what? I live in the ‘hood, not
some place on the outskirts of the ‘hood. There ain't no gate
around my house; I have a white fence because the people I pastor
live in that community. I have one vehicle and it's not a
Mercedes, it's a Lincoln Navigator. I don't receive a dime—not an
Abraham Lincoln copper coin—and haven't for the last
seven-and-a-half years because I'm okay.” he tells Kenya Byrd of
Essence Magazine.

As such, Pastor McCLurkin has become a model and an example for others to emulate. His mentality and actions, that places a greater emphasis on service than profit, can only be admired by all of those who love the Lord and are seeking to do his will to the best of their ability. Pastor McCLurkin makes it clear that he has options, but chooses to live a modest and humble lifestyle because that what God has called him to do.

If I wanted to buy a Phantom or Bentley I could and not hurt my
pockets, but I'm okay with what I have. I can sing and work and I
let all that money go back into the church so we can buy the
delicatessen on the corner, or the house next door to make it
state-of-the-art low-income housing. We've trained our people to
put their leaders on pedestals, and some people want to live
vicariously through their pastor and say, "My pastor has this and
he's on television and so on," but then what do you have? How have
you prospered and grown? So when I hear other pastors say, "My
people take care of me," I'm thinking, But you're supposed to be
taking care of the people. I just don't get it. Pastor McCLurkin
goes on to say..

What is best gleaned from the wisdom and honesty of Pastor McCLurkin is his healthy attitude about the church and who it belongs to. His “ecclesiology”, which is worthy of our consideration, perhaps best represents what Christ had in mind when he gave pastors to the body of Christ in the first place.

I don't have a church, but I do have a church that I pastor. I
can't name something the Donnie McClurkin Temple because the
people do not belong to me and if they did that would mean I have
slaves. I am simply a vessel to deliver God's word. At the end of
the day, it's God's church, not mine. advises Pastor McCLurkin.

[John]

Teria, we know there are angels because there is Lucifer (Satan), Michael, Gabriel, the fallen angels that Lucifer took with him and of course those that minister to Jesus and those that are Seraphims, Cherubims.
I believe demons come from the offspring of angels mixing with earthly women and when God destroyed them they roam and can only use a body to operate. Some scripture to back this up:
Genesis 6:2 we see they took wives of all which the chose and created giants in Genesis 6:4. Their offspring were destroyed and became demons. God also forbidded them in Deutoronmy 7:3 - 4 to mix with those giants in verse 1. Did they listen, of course not.
God's angels are described as: Heb 1:14; All of the angels were created by Jesus: Col 1:16; Angels are powerful spirit beings: 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7; God's angels worship Jesus: Heb 1:6; God's angels obey Him:
Psa. 103:20; Angels can guard the righteous: Psa. 91:11; God executes His Judgment through angels: Psa. 78:49; Angels will be used to find everything that causes sin and all who do evil (the unsaved): Mat 13:41; Angels will thrown people into the firery furnace: Mat 13:49,50; At least some of the angels that sinned long ago have been bound and put away: 2 Pet 2:4; Demons: Thousands of demons grouped together inside one person begged Jesus: Mat 8:31; A Christian has spiritual authority to drive out demons: Mat 10:1; Some spirits (demons) are more wicked than other ones: Mat 12:45; Demons know Jesus is the Son of God, unlike some people: Mark 3:11; A fortune teller might be possessed by a demon spirit: Acts 16:16-19; Demons can perform miracles: Rev 16:14; Female Angels with Wings (abomination): Zech 5;5 - 11.

This is just a few things Teria but as you can see there are definitely Angels and Demons. Now Strong's definition of the soul is: the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body): Rev 6:9. I hope this helps!

[Minister T]

I think that depends on the church. In some churches the Pastor gets a love offering. In others he receive a salary. I don't know of any church where the member has the say so as to how the money is spent. i would like to know if it is any church that does that. I always believed that the church belonged to the members but it all depends on the church. Very few have the inside information of the church.

[Prophetess T. Roberts]

Do Pastors's fee come from their members tithes? What part of the offerings if not tithes does Pastors use to get their income? Do each church have a board of directors?Who controls the money in the churches as far as where it goes. Does the members have any say so concerning this matter? Could a Pastor get money any time he or she wants if the church building belongs to them?

[Minister T]

I believe in Angels because the bible speaks of them. I believe that demons are fallen angels. The bibles tells us that it was a war in heaven and one third of the angels fell with satan. I believe that these are the demons that do satan's work.

I believe in the Holy Spirit and that we all have a soul.

[Teria Whitted]

Do you believe in demons and angels and do you believe in spirits do you belive in souls, if so what are the difference

[John]

Brother D-Love people like to use that verse about muzzling the ox as meaning money! This is prosperity teaching and not of God. God bless you Brother and it's ok to get a job to make money and still preach and teach. It truly is!

[Minister T]

Prince D-Love, How can we removed wicked leadership? We have to call into accountability those in leadership to line up with the word of God. Than we must do our part, to know the Word for ourself, pray that God leads us to the right teaching and pray the the discernment of the spirit. Because, in these last days, even the very elect may be fooled.

[John]

God bless you three Women/Sisters of God! So very true what each of you have stated. It seems we forget taht the flesh wars against the spirit and that we should walk in the spirit and not the flesh. We are made in His image, body/flesh, soul and spirit. If we pray to Him everyday to kill the flesh to strengthen the spirit He will deliver, if we are sincere. God tests us and God disciplines us who are His children. The Holy Spirit doesn't dwell in everyone that is on the pulpit or sitting in the pughs, this is God's reality and not mine. The Lord doesn't know everyone that says they come in His Glorious and Holy Name. We have to pray to learn how to separate the flesh from the spirit. We need to pray to keep off the old man and walk in the new man. We have to pray to have our minds renewed and build our character to be Christ-like. We have to pray for God to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. We have to put on His full armour and helmet of salvation. Titles mean nothing if you use that title for self gain and gratifications. God sends strong delusions so some can believe a lie when they are not followers of Him but followers of themselves or men.

We should pray for those that are being led by religion and trapped under false teachers/preacher/prophets to draw them from under them. We should pray for those lost teachers/preachers/prophets that are leading those lost to repent and draw near to God TO KNOW HIM and get back on the narrow path or get on the narrow path if they never were. Satan attacks the church first and we all know this through His Word. Pray that God strengthens our spirit over our flesh so that we can boldly walk in the spirit so when we are in the presence of believers or non believers we represent our Saviour giving God all the Glory.

Peace, love, blessings and God's mercy and grace to each of you.

[GOD'S APOSTOLIC AMBASSADORS]

Bless you Bro John & Min. T.

Surely the Lord is so good to us. All He created us for, and wants is a people, who will praise His Holy name, in Spirit and in Truth, All He wants is for us to obey His Word, and preach to the poor; All He asks of us, is to live Holy as He is holy: He knows we are but mere flesh,yet he says, if you sin, repent, turn, come and make it right, I will make your sins as white as snow.Yes he says, I will heal your land." Yet in HIs mercy and compassionate He still decides to bless us daily, loading us with His benefits.

So what is wrong with The Church" following His Word to the best way it knows how???. It will be a struggle for us at times, to keep this old flesh under control; but when we know and see how He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, we should run gladly into his loving arms and cry Abbah Fahter. Instead we run to evil and to that which displeases Him the more.The Father's heart aches for his people to come into His Presence, to get cleansed and purified. He longs for more souls into the Kingdom He so long for miracles to be performed thorugh us, so mightily, that the aetheists, the heathens, will truly know that Jesus is Lord."""

When one is blinded in the mind and not necessarily with the physical eyes, that one is under a strong spirit that rules, oppress, and controls their vision, their thinking and their words. Also in an immature state, one can presume they know or see,and see nothing,but walk in error; Until God brings a clear light, reveals and exposes that spirit; one cannot see clearly; not able to detect or discern with accuracy, distinction and preciseness. It takes much prayer, fasting, consecration, and sacrifice, and spending time in His presence in worship, travail, much study with humilty, obedience, and a willing heart and mind to know, One then can truly receive their deliverance.
I sometimes just weep and mourn for what I see and hear, in the lives of the Leaders. How can the un-saved trust even a God that they cannot see,when THE CHURCH is out of control.???"'
He commisions us to do greater works than He did, So instead, The Church does its own thing , forgetting souls on welfare, those on Section 8,forgeting those on the streets, homeless,drunk, stealing, killing; The Church" is busy competing with one another,, storing up and building dynasties of Rollys Roce's ,Bentleys.etc.& million dollar mansions, and not caring to assist others for the sake of the Father's command.

I just pray and cry out :"Father have mercy on your Church"

In HIs Service

[GOD'S APOSTOLIC AMBASSADORS]

BLESS YOU MICAH RaSun-Vann:

Thank you so kindly. W're all in need of prayer and we must continue to pray for others who are falling away.. Yes Pastors, are worthy of hire, as His word says, but I think some leaders over-ride His clear specific specific principles & instructions, when it comes to giving: many have the anointing, the know how, how to manipulate the people into giving; making them feel pressured.
I have been there many times in my early years of ministry. I've experienced it all;I HAVE WALKED AMONGST GREAT LEADERS OF GOD, YET DISHONEST;WITH NO MORAL CHARACTER NOR INTEGRITY. BUT GOD HAS RAISED ME UP TO SEE, TO HEAR YET NOT TO DO WHAT THEY DO;

We all have a choice ; we have been given a free will.
I have had many experiences with the church itself, but we cannot stray away from God's truth or God's desire, because of what was done by others, or what is even done to us personally. My past experiences was enough to discouraged me; but God kept me; I made it!!. !!Wheww!!! {Yet I rise and I smile}}} The half has not been told, Yet my story has now brought me into his Glory. Everyone has a story. I too, was ridiculed, told off across the pulpit, that God will never bless me; I was also a business owner, Boutique, designing and dress making: My Pastor of then, & his wife, would get really upset with me, if i did not make His Royal Robe and her garments for free, No deposit, or no promise of paying later,. I don't mind giving; I have given tithes, offerings, builidng funds,above and beyond, you name it. But it was all prostitutuiion ; Leaders can sometimes prey, on those who have money Yet, they were dishonest ; deceived me into thinking they will support my business, with pay. I was even asked by MY Pastors then, to shop for them as a Designer in Fashion, to purchase for them, yet they refused to pay me, when that was not the original agreement, they said GOD said to them, if I don't give, and He will take away from me and curse my finances. Oh Yes indeed!

Names I won't mention. Some of those Pastors, are also amongst us on BPN. I was raised & mentored by particular ones that is a part of our site. I pray that they have changed and is walking honesty & in the fear of the Lord. I loved and respected them & prayed for their souls. But I never idolaized or look to man for guidance. I have come from the Holy Ghost School of hard knox!!!! God has taught me how to listen to perceive when it is time to go beyond your regular tithes & offerings, or vow special offerings. He taught me how to use wisdom when I give, I've been cheated,prostituted and manipulated into giving, young in the spirit I was then. I just gave. Money changers in the house of God, thieves as the scripture says;

We can pray for those who walk wilfully into dishonesty, money changing, prostitution of the gospel. but it will be God who will have the final say. It's like with Moses, the children did evil continually in the sight of the Lord, even after all his goodness, mercy and compasion; not even Moses could prevent Him from anger and wrath agianst them. "Many were destroyed. For us now, if we know to do good and not do it, it is sin. So let us do good, for it is better to obey than sacrifice.


Saints, I pray you are blessed always, and walking upright in the Spirit of God.

Love and peace.