Todd id defending himself against Freshfire. Todd is still intent on moving to South Carolina to go through some sort of counseling with Rick Joyner. It is not just counseling (although nothing with Rick Joyner merits fruit anyways) that Todd needs, but God. Not restored, as he has not proved himself ever there, but a true repentance.
Controversy continues to swirl around Todd Bentley, the evangelist who led a faith-healing revival that drew thousands to Lakeland from around the world.
Within the past few days, a phone conversation between Bentley and the pastor who invited him here and a letter from the board of Bentley’s ministry have revealed new details about Bentley’s conduct and raised questions about the legitimacy of the faith-healing revival he led between April and August.
The Rev. Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church, where the Lakeland Outpouring revival began, said he talked to Bentley by phone Monday. Bentley left the revival Aug. 5 under a cloud of rumors about infidelity and drinking bouts, and Strader had not spoken with him since then. He said Bentley called from California, where he has been staying since leaving the revival.
“It was a very good conversation. He wanted to make sure our church was OK,” Strader said Tuesday.
Bentley, a 32-year-old tattooed Canadian, was controversial for his unorthodox appearance, for his rambunctious antics on stage and for his claims of healings, which some religious leaders said were overblown.
Strader said Bentley defended himself against a couple of allegations contained in a letter from the board of directors of Fresh Fire Ministries, the British Columbia-based organization Bentley ran until August. The letter, released Friday on the ministry’s Web site (www.freshfire.ca), broke months of silence about Bentley’s status.
In the letter, the board stated that Bentley recently gave his formal resignation from the Fresh Fire board of directors. The board also criticized the evangelist for an ongoing inappropriate relationship with a former intern and for failing, until now, to submit to supervised rehabilitation.
“Todd Bentley has demonstrated himself unfaithful to his wife by entering into a relationship with another woman while still legally married. He has consumed more alcohol on a few occasions than is prudent or becoming a Christian leader (or any believer for that matter). His sins have been sins of the flesh and we do not defend them,” the letter said.
The letter described how Bentley’s downfall came about, blaming the stress of the every-night revival services that led to burnout and a lack of oversight. Bentley began having an “increased familiarity” with the intern, and in July, he told his wife, Shonnah, he wanted a divorce, the letter said.
“To our knowledge, Todd’s relationship with the female staff-member, who was a former intern and also, at his initiative, a live-in nanny in his house for over a year, is still ongoing. … While it has been maintained that no physical contact happened between Todd and the former female intern until after he filed for legal separation from Shonnah, in the Boards’ eyes, the nature of the present relationship between Todd and his former staff member is that of adultery,” the letter states.
Strader said Bentley did not deny the relationship, and Strader said he agrees with the position of the board.
“I’m uncomfortable with (the relationship). I would probably stand with their letter at this point,” he said.
But Strader said Bentley told him he did not have a problem with alcohol as described by the board’s letter. He said Bentley admitted he had gotten drunk in the weeks he was in Lakeland, but the incidents were isolated and he has resolved not to drink again.
“He was apologetic for the harm he caused to us and the body of Christ. … (But) he told me, ‘I’m not an alcoholic,’” Strader said.
The board’s letter said Bentley had not seen his wife and three children since July, but Strader said Bentley has maintained contact with them. Bentley has not been to their home in British Columbia because of visa problems, but he has talked to his family by phone and e-mail, Strader said.
The Lakeland Outpouring drew criticism from many in the evangelical and Pentecostal communities for its claims of hundreds of miraculous healings and even claims that people were raised from the dead because of prayers offered at the revival. The Assemblies of God and other groups also cautioned that some of Bentley’s claims of mystical experiences such as visiting with angels and figures from the Bible were suspect.
However, the Fresh Fire board’s letter praised Bentley’s leadership of the revival and reiterated earlier declarations that the miracles, prophecies and conversions that took place during the revival were authentic manifestations of God’s presence.
Strader echoed that point of view and said he continues to receive “testimonies” from people who believe they were healed as a result of the revival.
Both the letter and Strader indicated that Bentley intends to move to Fort Mill, S.C., in early 2009 to undergo supervised rehabilitation from Rick Joyner, leader of MorningStar Ministries and a fellow evangelist. The letter held out the possibility that Bentley could return to the ministry if he completes the rehabilitation process.
Strader said he has a new book about to be published that will give his perspective
on the revival. He said Ignited Church lost “several hundreds of thousands of dollars” during the past few weeks of the revival as expenses outstripped contributions, but he said the church had anticipated this, set aside a reserve fund and ended up breaking even financially. The church grew by about 10 percent and now has about 550 members, he said.
“We’re very happy. I gave Todd a great report,” he said.
via Todd Bentley Controversy Continues | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL
December 5th, 2008 2:03 am
I say with an air of sarcasm, “Now this is a total surprise”. Still have no idea where he stands which is scary for his congregation. I for one, am not going to support Strader financially by buying a book about his perspective when he owes the Body of Christ a free explanation. But, since he annot seem to give it without money I can only say he is a hireling and I am not in the mood to pay.
As for Todd, bless his heart he has no idea how bad this can get before repentance. I am praying for him.
December 5th, 2008 2:05 am
Can you tell this was after midnight…lol. I meant to type cannnot, not annot. Sorry about that.
December 20th, 2008 7:44 am
gossip about todd bentley is niether in or of hope therefor i can only assume that the christian community love a good scandle, maybe it gives them something to pray for and be a christian for
December 21st, 2008 7:47 am
In reply to above. daily manna moses said so todd bentley move over we need fresh bread whether we are christian muslim or …… JESUS DEFENDED THE RIGHT OF MAN end of story be he christian muslim or whatever and ’stole whatever spirit stopped man from being and liveing in freedom. to be really free you must be no nation yet every nation HOW by laying down your nation and takeing on the nation of jesus and the father HOW. Lay down labels they define man and that means the christian label (they were thrown to the lions remember) so that jesus can enter fully that nation that man gifted to you and gradually you become as one with him. jesus defended the right of man to be, me to its not about defending per se’ the christian its about saying why was todd bentley so able to confuse the christian community because there were just that locked in the christian jesus was ONLY LOVE not a christian or muslim be a pilgrim that way you find out on the journed who you are and who jesus is was an ever more shall be LOVE CONQUERS ALL BUT JESUS GOT ANGRY WITH THOSE IN THE TEMPLE FOR BEING DECEIVERS NOT CHRISTIANS OR …… god bless
December 21st, 2008 2:13 pm
jesus delivered man from the demonic remember is that not setting the captive free SO WHAT IS THE DEMONIC that urge which makes us want to sin may i suggest corinthians chapter and verse thats one of your favorites isnt it
December 21st, 2008 4:34 pm
one thing for sure you, with that insult, would not make either a minister or a diplomat but at least you admitted to a lack of understandng which is progress for jesus is all about progress love one another as i have so loved you love thy neighbour as thy self love conguers all (not insults) so corinthians then says i know its tough and nye on impossible at times but hate never gets us anywhere (war is proof of that) so even tho someone nsults you ! love them hi polycarp peace be with you have a good look next time you read corinthians its mostly about hope not hate god bless
December 21st, 2008 5:54 pm
salvation is found in jesus not necessarily the church they are two differnt things andthe bible was not just focused on the sins of man thats why we went from the old testament to the new the new being its ok jesus has come to take mans sins. Jesus was a healer as well as a peacemaker for when you take that which allows man to sin then you are bringing peace to that man. by the same token he wasnt a pushover he got angry when he saw the abuse (money lenders etc)that was going on in the temples ie churches so are you but just dont focus on sin he was much more than that todd bentley let himself down and the church your quite right its time for a clean up but todds redemption will come by him takeing responsibilty for the mess he got into ie working things out in a mature way with his wife and family so that respect and honour is gifted to all which it very rarely is. he deceived not only the church but himself but the church was taken in that should tell you that more discernment is needed in the house of the lord
December 22nd, 2008 5:41 am
no we as individuals make up the body of christ ie we are the embodiment of who he is or should be sadley untill we as individuals are redeemed then the body carries sickness therefor seek first the kingdom of heaven,, was that not jesus so first seek him but he is not always found in a church expcially if the paster is corrupt.
as for the muslims arent they also seeking salvation just as we or do you have a problem in that area
December 22nd, 2008 10:25 am
not every church has jesus as the head otherwise jimmy swaggart etc would not have been tempted by the enemy that says to me that the fallen miniser was the head not christ if you are IN CHRIST THEN THERES NO WAY HE WILL ALLOW YOU TO FALL SO FIRST GIVE YOURSELF FULLY TO HIMN THEN HE WILL SEND YOU OUT. What do I mean, give him your pride, your pomp, your appetites etc so that he then can fill that place with himself then you gradually become as one with him and then theres no way you can fall so there are many ministries and pasters that ae not at ONE with him which is why you are angry. If you are at one with him and he is the church then you also can become his church how,did jesus have a literal church NO HE WALKED AS ONE. Per sae the church is the building we go to to worship with fellow believersbwhy because we carry jesus in our hearts and take him with us or at leadst I do. I love going to church to worship but i carry him with me as and when i go so can you that way theres no separation. love you AS FOR THE MUSLIMS I LOVE THEM TOO why because they are held captive in a place called religion not a place called jesus.
the bride will come to redeem mans idea of what a bride should be and boy we need a new beginnig on that one divorce rates proove that dont they
December 22nd, 2008 1:54 pm
1. well if the church is the bride she has a lot to answer for judgeing by the antics that go on in some churches so she either (at the moment) is in and of man or jesus got it wrong I think we are waiting for the bride to show us the way out of this mess that has become the church. what would jesus or the father say about homosexuality and gay marriage. He would say leave it to me all i ask of you is that you respect and honour one another. What about the church then ! he would say by all means go and worship in church, fellowship is good but the real church is me and first i want all your attention and then i can send you out to a/the church just as it was with the apostals for then you will see them as i see them and not throuAgh mans eyes!
December 22nd, 2008 3:31 pm
more insults polycarp try this for size. MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE BIBLE AND YOOUR HEART INTO JESUS. Words only take you so far when you have exhausted them then what. the bible tells us there are people pleases (pontious pilate) money lenders (he threw them out: wall street etc) demonic (he delivered them. bossy (paul) apostles watch out for them, paul, we are told didnt like women watch out for the tax collectors watch out for betrayal (the peters among us) and so on. Now you tell me why all of them stood and watched jesus die on a cross including his mother (there are plenty of kids on the streets testimoney to that kind of mother SO THE BIBLE NOT ONLY WARNS US BUT SHOWS US WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT . There will be a war the divine against the enemy. an end to mans rule and the beggining of the fathers. Does the father rule now if he did would we be at each others throats no no loveing father surely likes to see his chidren mutilate each other. WAKE UP APOSTLE
December 22nd, 2008 3:52 pm
what did he say that would give us hope in this time of upheavel ONE WILL COME. I hope you are ready polycarp
December 23rd, 2008 6:58 am
how can you be sure that it is not you in a dark place called doctrine for doctrine is just that word only and sanctimony seems to have followed quickly on. there are as many bibles as there are interpretations of polycarp so answer my question why would mary leave her son to die on a cross
one more thing jesus left the word and went nto ACTS wake up brother you are asleep in the doctrine of history
December 23rd, 2008 8:59 am
i am not an islamic but nevertheless respect them and their culture. Maybe you should because the hate for them in america generated by so called christians has me wondering which GOD you worship. An ANGRY god a loveing GOD, GOD the father or are you angry because you are as most religions stuck in the doctrine of it. Your mind is closed to others mine is not that way I learn and you stick with your ideals (mostly of being RIGHT)
December 23rd, 2008 9:59 am
lost for words then are we so you are anti everythng that doesnt agree with you WHY
December 23rd, 2008 10:37 am
so lack of, in your eyes, punctuation makes me non english ! arrogance on your part and implies by definition I am a sercond class citizen. Most christians think that those who arent are second class citizens and are always trying to convert them. Jesus delivered that which held man captive be it pride pomp sickness etc he didnt waffle on in doctrin he kept his parables and his explanations simple so we could all understand. to be held captive by the scriptures means just that you are locked in that place and spend the rest of your life just quoting them thats not the point of them they guide us only.
What annoys me about america is that it preaches jesus and christianity and then calls for war and then you wonder why the american flag gets burned. The message of jesus was take that which creates a war in a mans heart and deliver it out of him. America gives jesus a bad name and that hurts me because he’s my lord and I know him. Start preaching peace not sweet words and I might believe you to know him
December 23rd, 2008 12:15 pm
you know his doctrin not him two different things may your god who guides you to doctrin be not mine who guides LOVE. peace be with you polycarp it sounds like you need it
December 24th, 2008 8:26 am
bye for now polycarp may the lord of hosts be upon you and his love surround you. Thank you for the discussion it was very interesting. May your journey be one of wonder and hope GOD BLESS. I have a flock that needs me
December 20th, 2008 8:27 am
No, the truth about Todd B. is in defense of the Christian community.
December 21st, 2008 8:09 am
HS, you have expressed a serious problem with your understanding of the situation. Christ did not come to defend the right of man, but to set the captives free, to build a Church, in order that the righteous may be saved. Muslims are not going to heaven – I really have no idea how that got into the conversation. Islam is not a religion and they do not worship the God of the bible. Islam is not error of doctrine, but error of man and sin.
The freedom that Christ promised was freedom from sin.
I realize that I may be wasting my time here – as you have yet to show that you have intention of using the bible, only cliches and historical myths. HS, I could care less about national labels, or labels used to separate. The only label I need is the Church of Jesus Christ. Christians were thrown to the lions because they were separate from Rome – and Nero was insane and a cruel man.
Show me biblically where Christ came to defend the rights of man. He was not a revolutionary frenchmen, but the Son of God, very God Himself. Again, you mention islam all too much – ISLAM IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE BUT DOWN. I hope that that was clear enough.
‘Love conquers all’ is not biblical, and makes no way for the redemption of sin and holiness.
There were no Christians in the Temple, HS – there were no Christians until long after that scene in the Temple. He was angry with the people who would profit (much like Todd Bentley) from the divine ordinances from God.
I realize that I may be wasting my time, HS, but I encourage you to simply read the bible. If you need help in understanding, I will be glad to help, but you really need to leave the political message out of your context, as well as any hope that Christ accept Islam into heaven.
December 21st, 2008 4:14 pm
HS, is English your second language? I really have no idea what you are trying to say here. And what chapter and verse in Corinthians and which Corinthians?
December 21st, 2008 4:57 pm
HS, I was not trying to be insulting. As I have posted on my sidebar (—->) I am willing to translate comments for those whose language is not English. I was never trying to be a diplomat – we are not called for such. Surely, no one would have mistaken Paul for one!
Again, I still have no idea what you are trying to say. The Gospel was not about loving one another nor peace between man, but peace between God and all of Humanity. It was about erasing Sin, and that salvation is found only in the Church. Anyone saying anything else is speaking a false gospel. Both Corinthians speaks about sound Gospel – and part of that is indeed love – but Love is speaking the Truth, which I have done, HS. Can you prove otherwise?
December 21st, 2008 8:49 pm
The Church is the Body of Christ – the same thing. Christ is found in the Church, so is salvation. You cannot find salvation outside the Church.
Christ was more than a healer or a peacemaker, He was the Son of God, very God Himself, Incarnate.
Second, discernment is required, but HS, it would seem to me that anyone who says that Christians and Muslims are going to the same place needs it first.
December 22nd, 2008 8:53 am
Actually, according to Paul the Church is the Body of Christ – and the Church is made up of individuals. It is not a mere embodiment of ideals, but the Church with Christ as the head. The Church is an organism – His Bride, and nothing will make it to heaven out side the Bride. (1st Co 12.27; Ephesians 4.12). We cannot be redeemed as individuals, but we are redeemed as the Church (Acts 20.28).
No, the Muslims are not seeking the salvation of Christ, but have a different salvation, a different Jesus, and a very different God – which makes any effort of theirs to attain salvation mute and falls very short of the real thing. Christ is the only way to Eternal Life – and it is through His Church.
December 22nd, 2008 11:45 am
There is but one Church, HS, and she has Christ as her head. As with the case with gay marriage, you may call what you do whatever you like, but that does not mean that it will be accepted by God.
People who are in Christ, and His Church, still fall – that is the way of humanity. The only unforgivable sin is apostasy, but we do sin. (Hebrews 6, 1st John 2). Christ did have a literal Church – the entire Book of Acts and Matthew 16.18. He walked with His Apostles. The churchhouse is the building which we usually attempt, but the Church – the Ekkelsia – is the Assembly called out by God, called out from this world. So, yes, He did have a literal Church. Again, the entire Book of Acts, the Pauline Epistles, the catholic Epistles, and the book of Revelation.
The Bride is the Church, the Body of Christ. The Bride descending from the heavens in Revelation is the Church finally united with her Husband, not a marriage counseling session.
December 22nd, 2008 2:05 pm
HS, you have no real sense what the Church is. The Church is the mystical body of Christ – we are members individual. A good deal of what you see is scaffolding. Do not confuse the scaffolding with the real Church. The Church is perfect and has nothing to answer for. She is the Bride of Christ, spotless and without wrinkle. You may think what you wish – people are still allowed that – but you are wrong. The bride of Christ is the Church – unless you can prove it otherwise, biblically.
You have a lot to say about things that you know nothing about, but leave the things easily seen unsaid. Homosexuality is spoken of in the bible is a sin. Since you don’t get even that, I cannot expect you to get much more.
Christ and His Apostles spoke about the Church – and Paul spoke about it as the New Man, as opposed to the old – Judaism. (Ephesians). I have noticed that your theological foundation is a lot of ‘I thinks’. You base your ideas on your ownself and have offered nothing biblical. The bible is clear about that to when it warns us not to lean unto our own understanding (Proverbs 3.5). I would suggest that you submit yourself to a good pastor that teaches sound doctrine before you start trying to defend or promote whatever it is you think you are doing.
Christ is not in your words.
December 22nd, 2008 5:46 pm
HS, No Insults, just the truth. The Church is the keep of the Doctrine, so says Paul to Timothy (1st Timothy 3). We are commanded to stay in the Scriptures and not go beyond what is written (Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, 12). So, no, I will not remove myself from the Scriptures. To do so is to invite error. The heart is filled with great error. God tells Jeremiah that the heart of man is deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17.9) You would know that if you read the Scriptures whatsoever.
Christ did not warn us against Paul. That is a damning false doctrine and shows for the world to see your father. Paul had no problem with women, as he said that there was no difference – male or female – before God. Further, he condemned the attitude that women should keep silent in the congregation. Do you know anything about Christianity? Or just what has been told to you?
You are not a child of my Father – your words betray your genealogy, HS.
Christ did not say that ‘one would come’ for the upheaval. Again, I have no idea what you are really trying to say. Christ promised to send us the Spirit – it keeps us in remembrance and binds us together and according to your much hated Apostle Paul, it binds us together in the Church.
HS, go read your bible and stop trusting your heart, for your heart has led you to such a dark and false place.
December 23rd, 2008 8:32 am
HS, you have no real idea what you are talking about, do you? Christ died on the cross to free us from our sins. It was God’s will to do so, and Mary had no choice in the matter. That mere question tells me that you are from an Islamic background.
Christ ascended in Acts chapter 1. The Holy Ghost fell which established the Church in Acts chapter 2. Again, no one has any idea but you what point you are trying to make here.
Paul told Timothy to hold to the doctrine. We can do no less and remain biblical, and remain obedient to Christ.
December 23rd, 2008 9:10 am
Again, what?
December 23rd, 2008 10:05 am
No, HS, not lost for words, just have no idea what you are saying. English must not be your first language, or you have no idea the correct grammar to use – no punctuation, rambling thoughts and sentences merge in inconvenient ways. It would help if your identified your first language.
I stand against what ever, or who ever, opposes the Scriptures, which at the moment seems to be you.
December 23rd, 2008 11:07 am
HS, you lack of reading comprehension shows forth clearly. No one said that your were a second class citizen, only that it is difficult to understand what you are trying to say, which means it is difficult to ascertain your points. And it grows tiresome to do so.
We are trying to convert the lost, because they are not citizens of the Kingdom. That is exactly what Christ said to do, something you missed because you don’t read the scriptures. Christ commanded us to study, and His Apostles did the same – study to show ourselves approved. Again, you miss these things because you do not read the bible. They are not mere guides, not hard instruction, so says Paul. Again, something you miss because you see what you want to see and ‘know’ only your ill-informed opinions as facts. At some point, this comes to be the pearls before the swine, HS.
Actually, HS, Christianity as nothing to do with the United States and the United States has nothing to do with Christianity. Those that confuse the two fail miserably in understanding both. I do not call for war, HS, and if you will read this blog at any length, you will not that I am highly critical of this country of mine, it’s political myths of a Christian Nation, and I repeatedly call for a return a separation of Church and State. Your hatred and ignorance of the United States and Christianity is plain. The United States’ Religious Right does indeed give Christianity a black eye, until you realize that the Religous Right of this country, or any country, is hardly what Christianity is all about.
HS, I do know Christ, as is evident by the doctrine that I preach, the life that I live, and the works that I do. Christ said that He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. This sword that He brought has cut you away from anything purported to be Christian, and you should do what you can – read the scriptures, first of all – in order to know Him. You words and your thoughts, when understood, show that you are ignorant of not only the Christ of Faith, but the Jesus of History. You would confuse the Gospel with your own political and religious agenda while criticizing many in the United States for doing the same.
I have only asked one other person to do this, and you will be the second. Until you have something substantive to say, please do not comment in this discussion again. You will not that you have been put on comment moderation. I welcome people that disagree with me, but when it becomes what you have made it – a time consuming diatribe from a mind engaged in a battle of wits unarmed – then it is time to break. Again, I welcome disagreement and encourage it – as discussion is meant to teach something.
December 23rd, 2008 6:29 pm
Another fine example of you grouping words in no particular order in an attempt to make a point, but failing measurably. You cannot know Christ without knowing some piece of His doctrine, and when you start to know Him, you will begin to learn His doctrine.
December 24th, 2008 9:35 am
Heaven help them