Tim Keller Joins Rick Warren, Alan Hirsch, Andy Stanley, and Other Emergents at Exponential 08 Conference

Exponential Conference for 2008's speakers: http://www.exponentialconference.org/ Is nothibng but yet another conference to spread the Emergent Church Movement poison. The speakers this year are:

Andy Stanley


Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries says in his article ANDY STANLEY SHARES THE NEW EVANGELICAL MAN-CENTERED MANTRA: Quote:

"Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Ministries in Atlanta, suggested that churches should not focus solely on converting people, as has been the emphasis for generations.

“If we were able to rewrite the script for the reputation of Christianity, I think we would put the emphasis on developing relationships with non-believers, serving them, loving them, and making them feel accepted,” he wrote. “Only then would we earn the right to share the gospel.”

There’s every reason to think that Stanley’s broad-brush pop-art painting plays very well to our notoriously capricious culture but the fact is those of us who hold to proper Biblical theology don’t teach that churches should “focus solely on converting people.” At the same time, that the “converting [of] people...has been the emphasis for generations” really shouldn’t surprise a pastor because it is the secondary mission of local churches. The first being the building up of the Christian to maturity in Christ in order that the Lord may then use them in service as He wills.--Ken Silva

Unquote.

Stanley's 2005 Drive Conference: Pimp My Church Van : found at http://patamo.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_archive.html Slice of Laodicea talked about it too, but the video and Conference info from that year has now been removed. Gee, I wonder why.

This is an interesting favorable book review on Stanley (which reveals a lot):

"Andy Stanley's purpose in writing "The Next Generation Leader" was to pass on to emerging leaders lessons learned in his own leadership experiences. The book centers on five leadership concepts. 1. Competence - Focus your time and energy in your areas of strength. 2. Courage - The leader is the one willing to take the lead. 3. Clarity - Be clear even if you are uncertain. 4. Coaching - It takes a coach to bring out your full potential. 5. Character - Character makes you a leader worth following and it provides you with moral authority. In Augustinian terms, Stanley has plundered the Egyptians, by borrowing many concepts from authors of business books and translating them into the vernacular of the minister and the world of the church. He does this with numerous examples of characters in the Bible and from his own personal life and ministry. "The Next Generation Leader" is a short, interesting, and thoughtful book designed for those beginning their leadership journey. It should also provide reminders and challenges to those who have served as leaders for some time. I highly recommend the book for emerging Christian leaders. If you are looking for a more comprehensive study of church leadership from a similar perspective I would recommend "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels or "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell."

Andy Stanley heads up The Catalyst Conference

"The Genesis of Catalyst Catalyst was conceived as a Next Generation Leaders Conference in 1999 by Andy Stanley and Reggie Joiner from North Point Community Church, along with John C. Maxwell, Gabe Lyons and several young leaders from INJOY[Maxwell's group]. Catalyst was created to meet the felt need that existed within the church leader space for a leadership event that was focused on a new generation of church leaders. Everything within this space seemed built around a forty to sixty year old mindset and medium. This team was convinced that this needed to change. "

Emergent Partners with Catalyst: includes Leadership Journal, Leadership Network, fermi project, and Relevant Magazine.

Catalyst Conference 2007 speakers: Notice the Emergent leaders included:

"Catalyst Conference 2007 CD PackageTake your Catalyst Leadership Experience home with you. Share it with friends or listen in your car. Take Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus, Patrick Lencioni, Rick Warren, Craig Groeschel, John Maxwell, Francis Chan, Dave Ramsey, Tim Sanders, Tri Robinson, Gabe Lyons, Dave Kinnaman, Chris Seay, Shane Claiborne and Sunday Adelaja home with you. You will gain incredible leadership insight from this series for years to come."

Catalyst had heretic Rob Bell in July 2006: "Our latest issue features an interview with Rob Bell, the teaching pastor at Mars Hill just outside of Grand Rapids, and the voice of NOOMA. Rob gives a plethora (yes, plethora) of valuable thoughts, ideas and insights on everything from historical Jewish customs to the “call” of a pastor. He truly seems to be at another level in his thinking. One big idea that seemed to be consistent throughout the two part interview was the value and importance of churches being involved in the local community. So we want to know specifically how YOUR church is having an impact on your local community. Share what is happening."

Alan Hirsch: Emergent Church Movement leader and pusher.

Ed Stetzer He's on board with ECM leader Potty Mouth Mark Driscoll. ECM blogger TallSkinnyKiwi loves him (which means even if Stetzer started out sort of critiquing ECM, he's not so opposed to it that they couldn't stand him..and now he's joined the softer side via Driscoll's Resurgence team.)

Steve Andrews : Emergent/Pagan-friendly: His church boasts:

We'll Help You Lose Your Religion.
Or at least your perception of it. Maybe you think going to church means being scolded, subjected to boring sermons, and having your wallet emptied. We don't blame you. In fact, we think one of the biggest barriers to getting to know God has been the church itself.

No Hymns, No Pews, And No Excuses Not To Come.
Instead of an organ and choir, we have a dynamic band playing music that matters to you. Instead of ritual and routine, we have compelling dramas, comedy skits, and exciting multi-media. All designed to present biblical truths and how they apply to your everyday life.

A New Way To Do Church.
Our casual, relaxed atmosphere is a place to investigate Christianity without guilt or pressure. A place to grow spiritually at your own pace. With unconditional love, support, and acceptance during your journey. No strings attached. So come as you are. Go as you want to be. From modern dance to computer animation, we approach church with a wide range of artistic expression and a sense of humor. And we build this freshness and fun into our children's and youth programs, too.

Common Ground for RCers at Andrew's church:

Born and Raised Catholic?

Increase your understanding of Catholic and Protestant beliefs by attending our Pastors & Priests workshop. You'll learn there are many agreements between the two (probably more than you think!) but also take a fair look at the differences. Topics include Purgatory, the Pope, the Virgin Mary, and more! April 19, 2008 9-noon, Clinton Township campus. FREE. Click here to register or call 248-786-0688.

Dave Ferguson: **Update**

Community Christian Church was recently listed in the Top 50 Most Influential Churches according to The Church Report. This alone should be a huge red flag. Dave Ferguson is their senior pastor.

Jeff, an attender of CCC pointed out my misunderstanding regarding Pat Masek being a pastor instead of the assistant to the pastor at CCC. I have corrected my error; an error which was not intentional at all. The doctrine of male leadership would dictate however, as I stated, that no women could be pastors (or leaders of men in church), therefore if a church has a female leading the men, its not a biblical church, which was my point. Here we see Ferguson applaud and look up to women in leadership at his church anyway.

Jeff's comment, however, led me to some more research which I find EXTREEMLY troubling and unbiblical.

Ferguson has shared the pulpit with Tim Keller and Mark Driscoll at Innovation and Exponential conferences.

At Dave Ferguson's blog, he writes in glowing words the following on Novermber 15,2009 titled "Two Chefs, A Pub, And An Art Show" (some emphasis, mine, some original):

Quote:

So what do two chefs, a neighborhood pub and an art show all have in common? They are all a part of the ministry of Life Church in New Castle, Australia. This Life Church is not be to be confused with maybe another LifeChurch.tv you have heard about. While this Life Church may have far less people, they make up for it with a tremendous missional drive and desire. During the first four days of our trip to Australia Kevin Wilcock, the Pastor of the church was our host. How do I describe Kevin? The only thing Kevin loves more than a good drink and a party is probably his family, his church and Jesus! Kevin is a wild character; but he has a creative passion for helping people find their way back to God.

They announced they were starting a new service in the local pub called The Kent that would meet on Sunday nights. The poster advertising the "2 beer service" is to your left.

All this took place just during the few days I was there...while holding a leadership conference! They are doing a lot more than that too! They have AA groups, SA groups, NA groups and more. They host jazz concerts with local professional jazz musicians at their church.

I left his church inspired to be more missional, more engaged in the community an more intentional about using all our resources to reach out to the least, lost and lonely and help them find their way back to God!

End quote,

"Church" and "beer" should never go together for a number of reasons. The first of which, we live in a society where getting drunk is an enormous problem (as is drunk driving). There are many drunks too, hence the popularity of AA. And while offering a pub and beer as a MINISTRY, they also offer AA? That's not only unbiblical, its unbelievable and self-contradictory! The other reason is that pastors should not cause the weaker brothers to stumble. Promoting church drinking...CHURCH DRINKING is not love at all; its sin against those Christians who have a struggle or who have had a struggle with alcohol, or who have family members that do. Its also sin against a young Christian who is very impressionable and perhaps has a very sensitive conscience, having just come out of the world. This isn't being others-minded. Its being worldly, fleshly, and frankly, if I may, immature.

In addition, pastors, as well as all Christians, really, are to be examples to the lost and dying world. While drinking on occassion in a private or quiet way is not prohibited by Scripture, promoting it and COMBINING it with the church is flaunting a "freedom" that is diametrically opposed by God's Word. Scripture says we are to be sober-minded (1Thes. 5:7-9; 1Tim. 3:2,11; 2Tim. 4:5;Titus 2:2; 1Peter 1:3;1Peter 4:7). This is especially true of men in leadership.

1Ti 3:2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Tit 2:7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your

teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an

opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the

Spirit,

And finally, the other two teachers at the emergent Exponential 08 Conference, none other than Rick Warren and Tim Keller .

It doesn't matter how many people say Keller's not going emergent. The fact is, he's a heretic and he's sharing the stage with several Emergent Church Movement leaders.

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,