A NEW NON PROFIT, BIRMINGHAM CROSS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS, FOUNDED IN PLATT’S FORMER CHURCH HAS BEGUN RECRUITING PARTNERS FOR WORLD RELIEF AND UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN ALABAMA. MARKETING PLANNED “HUMAN MIGRATION” FACILITATION POLICY OF UN /GLOBALIST AS “REFUGEE CARE” AND “RESETTLEMENT” IS NOTHING LESS THAT THE GLOBALIST DREAM TOWARD BREAKING DOWN NATIONAL BORDERS, CONSTITUTIONS, PATRIOTISM, AND CHRISTIAN FAITH IN THE WEST. THE OUTCOMES REPLACE THESE IDENTIITES WITH “GLOBAL CITIZENS, INTERFAITH COALITIONS, GLOBAL GOVERNANCE, WOKE JUSTICE, DIVERSITY , EQUITY AND INCLUSION METRICS, AND ADD TO THE CONTINUED WEAKNING OF CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE ON WESTERN CULTURES.

LABELING GLOBAL GOALS/ AGENDA 2030 AS CHRISTIAN MISSION IS THE KISS OF DEATH FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION AND BIBLICAL FIDELITY. SO CALLED “REFUGEE CARE” IS NOT THE CALL OF THE CHURCH…BUT RATHER IS A MASS DECEPTION OF GLOBALIST TO ACCEPT IT AS SUCH. CONSIDER THE ENTITIES INVOLVED AND THE MONEY TRAIL BEHIND IT.

DETAILS

THIS IS CLASSIC “FAITH TRAFFICKING” -by the exploitation of Christian’s faith to believe that serving UN Global Goals is somehow Christian mission.

Rev Thomas Littleton

3/16/2024

THE PLAN WAS REVEALED THIS WEEK FOR LOCAL REFUGEE PLACEMENT AND CARE WITH PLATT’S “RADICAL” BRAND FRONTED BY ENGLISH CLASSES FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND THE CHURCH AT BROOK HILLS “INTERNATIONALS MINISTRY”.

THE CHURCH AT BROOK HILLS

“There are over 40,000 internationals currently living in the Greater Birmingham area, and many are coming from people groups that are unreached with The Gospel. Brook Hills seeks to leverage opportunities to engage internationals in our city through intentional and meaningful relationships for the advancement of The Gospel among all peoples.”

“Through our ESL Ministry we have the unique opportunity to pour into international preschoolers and children on Thursday mornings and evenings while their parents attend English Class. Our ESL Preschool & Children’s team implement bible-centered lessons each week, teaching biblical truths and strengthening English and academic skills. “

“Volunteers can serve weekly or twice a month as a helper in a preschool (morning or evening) or children’s classroom (evening). Classes meet from 10:15-11:45 on Thursday mornings (women only) and from 6:30-8pm on Thursday evenings (co-ed). “

WORLD RELIEF FRONTS ITS REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION AGENDA WITH ESL

“Imagine a world where every person is seen and valued for the person God created them to be, where the church steps into its calling to love and serve those who are suffering among us and where diverse communities all over the world flourish in shalom.” ( REMEMBER- this vision is driven by the UN Global Goals and Interfaith ideology- It is NOT a Christian mission. )

“That’s the kind of world we’re building at World Relief, and we’re so excited to tell you more about it.“

“Our Mission”
“The mission of Connect Language Center is to build belonging by
creating community spaces in quality ESL programming, teacher
training, and cross-cultural education opportunities.
Accessible courses
Quality instruction
Empowered students
Integrated communities”

EXPANDING FROM INTERNATIONALS TO “REFUGEES” WITH FAITH BASED PARTNERS.

ABOVE- PARTNERS FOR BIRMINGHAM NEW REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION NAMED IN MESSAGE BY ONE OF ITS COORDINATORS .

Birmingham Cross Cultural Connections

 THIS WEEKS GATHERING OF CHURCH AND MINISTRY LEADERS TO LAUNCH BIRMINGHAM REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PARTNERSHIPS WITH “BIRMINGHAM CROSS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS”.

“The biblical mandate to care for the immigrant is clear – we are to love them as we love ourselves. That means making sure they feel safe, have community and are given the hope of flourishing in Gods good design for their lives. Christian, how are you supporting immigrant and refugee development? Click on the link in our bio to become a monthly supporter TODAY!”

SOCIAL MEDIA POST CONFIRM THE NON PROFITS EFFORTS TO CHANGE HOW YOU “VIEW REFUGEES” IN YOUR CITY.

Birmingham Cross Cultural Connections

Did you know that refugees are among the most vetted foreigners to enter countries approved for refugee resettlement? More than tourists, international students, and immigrants!

•

For those lucky enough to be allowed into the United States with refugee status, it has taken them an average of twenty-four months of vetting and rigorous applications, background checks, and approval systems.

•

Refugees have more than proven the real and impending threat of persecution, war or violence.

•

How does that impact your view of refugees in your city?

STATE DEPARTMENT QUOTE POSTED BY BROOK HILLS/RADICAL’S NEW NON PROFIT.

Mission Increase Central Alabama

New non profit promoted by long time Laussane /Global Goals/ FBP affiliate Kevin Moore’s ministry · RECALL that Platt has been the Chair of Theology at Lausanne since 2015 and that Lausanne has totally committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Mission Increase Central Alabama connects church leaders who mobilize their congregations locally in an affinity group to build relationships, encourage one another and look for ways to work together. Today, we are at The Church at Brook Hills learning more about a new nonprofit called Cross Cultural Connections that ministers holistically to refugees and internationals in our region.”

DAVID PLATT’S LONG HISTORY WITH GLOBALIST AGENDAS

GLOBALIST EVANGELICALS: HOW DEEP IS THE DECEIT?

PLATT HAS SPENT YEARS WORKING WITH THE “CHRISTIAN ECONOMIC FORUM” A “DAVOS FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS” TO HELP CAPTURE CHRISTIAN GIVING FOR GLOBAL GOALS .

THE UNITED NATIONS PLAN FOR RUFUGEES AND FAITH BASED PARTNERS. THE PARTNERS WERE NAMED BY A BROOK HILLS EMPLOYEE AND A LOCAL MISSIONS FUNDING CLEARING HOUSE MISSION INCREASE.

https://www.unhcr.org/us/what-we-do/resettlement-united-states/u-s-resettlement-partners

NOTE THIS IS NOT A GOSPEL MINISTRY BUT A PARTNERSHIP WITH GLOBALIST

UNITED NATIONS ON REFUGEE PARTNERSHIPS GOALS:

“Resettlement is a coordinated activity undertaken in partnership with UNHCR, U.S. government agencies, NGOs and other actors. It includes a variety of specific actions, from the identification of refugees in need of resettlement in the field to screening, processing and reception and integration of the refugees in the United States. Below is a list of partner agencies and organizations.”

National and State Government Partners

Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM)
Department of StateLink is external

“The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees, victims of conflict and stateless people around the world through repatriation, local integration and resettlement in the United States. PRM also promotes the United States’ population and migration policies.”

Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR),
Department of Health and Human ServicesLink is external

“The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides new populations with the opportunity to maximize their potential in the United States. Its programs provide people in need with critical resources to assist them in becoming integrated members of American society.”

State Refugee CoordinatorsLink is external

State Health CoordinatorsLink is external

United States Citizen and Immigration Services
Department of Homeland SecurityLink is external

“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.”

Non-Governmental Partners and Refugee Advocacy Organizations

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA)Link is external
“Refugee Council USA is a coalition of organizations committed to welcoming and protecting refugees.”

InterActionLink is external
“InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations.”

Cultural Orientation Resource ExchangeLink is external
“The Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) is a technical assistance program designed to support and strengthen the linkages between pre-departure and post-arrival cultural orientation programs for refugees on their journey to resettle in the United States.”

Resettlement Agencies

Church World Service (CWS)Link is external

Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC)Link is external

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM)Link is external

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)Link is external

International Rescue Committee (IRC)Link is external

US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)Link is external

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)Link is external

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)Link is external

World Relief Corporation (WR)Link is external

Bethany Christian ServicesLink is external“

Intergovernmental Partners

“International Organization for Migration (IOM)Link is external
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.”

UNITED NATIONS PARTNERS INCLUDE -The International Organization for Migration (IOM)

PART OF UN AGENDA 2030 GOALS-Migrants and the SDGs

Migrants and the SDGs

“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the positive contribution of migrants to inclusive growth and sustainable development. The Agenda’s core principle is to “leave no one behind,” which includes migrants. Many of the Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) contain targets and indicators which are relevant to migrants or migration. SDG target 10.7 calls on countries to “facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies ”. Other targets directly related to migrants or migration refer to the health workforce in developing countries (3.c), mobility of international students (4.b), human trafficking (5.2, 8.7 and 16.2), labour migration (8.7 and 8.8), remittances (10.c) and legal identity (16.9).  Further, SDG target 17.8 calls for disaggregating data by migratory status.”

THE KIND OF MIGRATION FACILITATION GLOBALIST POLICY THAT IS DRIVING OUR SOUTHERN BORDER INVASION .

SEE- Global compact for migration

“The global compact for migration is the first, intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. “

“Today, there are over 258 million migrants around the world living outside their country of birth. This figure is expected to grow for a number of reasons including  population growth, increasing connectivity, trade, rising inequality, demographic imbalances and climate change. Migration provides immense opportunity and benefits – for the migrants, host communities and communities of origin. However, when poorly regulated it can create significant challenges. These challenges include overwhelming social infrastructures with the unexpected arrival of large numbers of people and the deaths of migrants undertaking dangerous journeys.”

“In September 2016 the General Assembly decided, through the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, to develop a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.”

“The process to develop this global compact started in April 2017. The pages in this section detail 18 months of consultation and negotiation, and provide the relevant documentation for each of the events.”

On 13 July 2018 UN Member States finalized the text for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (Text available in all official languages).

The Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration  will be held on 10 – 11 December in Marrakech, Morocco.”

STATE BY STATE- LOCAL OFFICES SEEKING PARTNERS.

Alabama Office for Refugees

“The Alabama Office for Refugees is a department of Inspiritus Birmingham and is designated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to administer the state refugee resettlement program and serve as the State Refugee Coordinator’s office. This office is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and coordination of refugee services in the state. The Alabama Office for Refugees administers federal funding received from ORR for post-resettlement services. In Alabama the statewide refugee resettlement program is managed by a nonprofit instead of the state government.”

“We recognize the importance of community involvement in refugee resettlement. As the State Refugee Coordinator’s office, we aim to support refugee resettlement by partnering with the community to provide information and resources while facilitating the growth of valuable networks and partnerships. For more information or to partner with us, contact Alabama State Refugee Coordinator.”

UINVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM /UAB

UAB IS ALSO A PARTNER WITH THE NEW ” RADICAL” /BROOKHILLS CHURCH PROGRAM. NOTE UAB RECENT REFUGEE SIMULATION:

“There are more refugees worldwide today than at any point in recorded history — more than 100 million, with the conflict in Ukraine the latest trigger, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. On June 25, former refugee and current University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate student Agok Ayuen will share her personal story and show the public what life in a refugee camp is like — and how they can help refugees in Alabama and beyond right now.”

“Through a partnership with Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership, Ayuen and UAB School of Public Health assistant professor and ALIRP board member Meredith Gartin, Ph.D., will help put on the World Refugee Day Simulation Event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Homewood Central Park. “

SOUTHERN BAPTIST LONG TIME INVOLVEMENT IN THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN AMERICA.

FROM 2020 REPORT ON THIRTYPIECESOFSILVER

SOUTHERN BAPTIST NAMB /SEND RELIEF BUILD MUSLIM WELCOME CENTER & FEMA RESPONSE HUB

“Southern Baptist North American Missions Board, under the direction of Albert Mohler’s former pastor and pick to head the Southern Baptist entity  has been busy spending millions of missions dollars on developing a network of Send Relief Ministry Centers across North America.”

WHERE THE REFUGEES ARE FROM ACCORDING TO THE BIRMINGHAM CROSS CULTURE CONNECTIONS PROVE THE OPERATION IS SPREADING ISLAM INTO THE WEST AND AMERICA.

ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE CASE THAT UN REFUGEE PLACEMENT “IS A GOSPEL MANDATE”.

Birmingham Cross Cultural Connections

“As you think about how Christians should respond to immigrants and refugees in need, we encourage you to think about these questions…

•What if your family was in danger because of the location of your home? Would you do everything in your power to move them to a safe place?

• Have you ever moved to a new place? How important was finding friends and community to your wellbeing? How much did you desire for your children to find kind and safe friends?

• We often take for granted the ease with which Americans can take their passport and travel anywhere. That’s not true for 90% of the world. Remember that the journey immigrants and refugees have been on to get to the United States has been a long and hard one.

• Remember the biblical mandate to be generous and hospitable to the foreigner. (Stay tuned this week for scripture references on how the Bible tells us we should respond.)

• Remember Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created ALL PEOPLE in HIS IMAGE. How do you think believers should treat His image bearers?”

REALITY CHECK” FAITH BASED RESTRICTIONS AND INTERFAITH PARTNERS MAKE CLEAR THAT REFUGEE CARE IS NOT ABOUT THE GOSPEL.

“The Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership (ALIRP) is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama. ALIRP is a diverse coalition of community members, interfaith religious leaders and laypersons, as well as representatives of other community groups, who have come together for the purpose of supporting refugees and asylum seekers through direct assistance, education, and advocacy. “

WOKE CHURCH ? -BROOK HILLS “RADICAL RACIAL RECONCILIATION” AGENDA

https://www.brookhills.org/news/pursuing-racial-reconciliation

“As we pursue racial/ethnic reconciliation in the Church together, we would encourage you as a First Step, to begin discussing the 10 Statements on Race, Racism, and the Gospel (click here) from Pastor Matt with a small group. There are many Scriptures associated with each point that could provide Biblical direction to guide your conversations together. You might consider discussing one point a week with your small group or walking through all of them at once with a small group or group of friends.”
 
“As a Second Step, we would encourage you to choose one of the books below to study with a multi-ethnic group, if possible, so you can gain various perspectives. If your small group is not multi-ethnic, perhaps you can join with another group or invite some friends to join you just for a few weeks for the study. “

RADICAL / PLATT’S LONGTIME REFUGEE PUSH

(FROM 2017)

A Heart for the Refugee

SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELFARE DELIVERY -THE NEW VISION OF A CHURCH THAT HAS LOST THE GOSPEL.

GOVERNMENT SPECIFIC PROHIBITIONS ON GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMS – NO MINISTRY.

● “Recipients of direct financial assistance from the Department must not
discriminate on the basis of religion in the delivery of services or benefits in
Department-funded social service programs;
● Recipients of direct financial assistance from the Department cannot use
Department funding to support religious activities such as worship, religious
instruction, and proselytizing;
● Recipients of direct financial assistance from the Department that engage in
religious activities must ensure that (1) the activities are separate in either time or
location from Department-funded activities; and (2) the beneficiaries1
of the DOJfunded activities freely choose to participate in the recipients’ religious activities;”

NOTE: FROM SOUTHERN BAPTIST “SEND CENTER ” IN GEORGIA-ONE OF 20 PLUS CENTERS AROUND THE NATION FOR THE SBC FBP.

Overview

“Just outside Atlanta, the city of Clarkston—affectionately called “the Ellis Island of the South”—is home to one of the most diverse populations in America. In Clarkston, 60-70% of the population is foreign-born, resulting in more than 50 countries and 100 ethnic groups all residing within the same 1.4 square miles.”

“It is often the first stop for most of the estimated 40,000 refugees who have resettled in Georgia over the last three decades. Here, these families can find a friendly face and helpful services at Send Relief’s ministry center.”

“The center provides services to refugees and international families through strategic relationships with churches and other ministries. Through these important relationships, we can help provide people with better access to English classes, job skills training, afterschool tutoring and more helpful resources as they navigate a new country and culture.”

“For the 20% of the county who are also struggling to keep food on the table, the center offers long-lasting solutions to help raise families out of poverty and stay financially independent.”

---

What We Do

“The Atlanta Ministry Center is committed to serving the surrounding refugee population. By partnering with various resettlement agencies, local churches and volunteers, the ministry center:”

• Facilitates English as a Second Language classes
• Organizes after-school programming
• Offers job skills training
• Provides affordable healthcare
• And more!

“We also offer mission trips, vision tours and training to churches, prospective missionaries and compassion ministry workers.”

FOLLOW THE MONEY IF YOU WONDER “WHY?”

DHS /FEMA AND OTHER AGENCY GRANTS

“For Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide $363.8 million of available funds to enable non-federal entities to off-set allowable costs incurred for services associated with noncitizen migrant arrivals in their communities.”

“The allocations were distributed in two tranches.”

“Tripling Refugee Resettlement from the Western Hemisphere. The Biden-Harris Administration intends to welcome up to 20,000 refugees from Latin American and Caribbean countries during Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, putting the United States on pace to more than triple refugee admissions from the Western Hemisphere this Fiscal Year alone. This delivers on the President’s commitment under the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection to scale up refugee admissions from the Western Hemisphere.”

“WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan. 19, 2023— Today, the Biden administration announced a new program allowing U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor an individual to enter the United States as a formal refugee. This program, called the Welcome Corps, complements the traditional U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) by permitting people to join together with others, in minimum groups of five, to apply to sponsor a new refugee. As part of this process, they will have to raise $2,275 per refugee, pass background checks, and create a support plan. “

“Under the current USRAP program, individuals granted refugee status outside the United States can only enter the country through a formal refugee resettlement agency, which helps arrange shelter, food, and employment assistance for newly arrived refugees. However, refugee resettlement agencies only operate in specific areas and are still operating at limited capacity after the Trump administration’s move to slash refugee admissions to their lowest in history. “

“The new private sponsorship program will permit individuals to enter the country even in areas where there are no active refugee resettlement organizations. Unlike parole programs such as Uniting for Ukraine, individuals who enter through this program will have formal refugee status and will be eligible for a green card within a short period of time. The Biden administration hopes to admit at least 5,000 refugees through this new process during the rest of Fiscal Year 2023. “

“GRANTS FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES”

https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/grants-immigrants-refugees

Funding Trends for Movement Giving

“Different from a migrant or immigrant, the UNHCR defines a refugee as “someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.” What constitutes refugee or asylum seeker status varies between nation-states and expands or contracts based on geopolitical climate and global economic conditions.”

“Philanthropic giving for immigrants and refugees has been historically low in contrast to the increasing needs of people all over the world facing disaster, war and oppression. According to Foundation Center data, between 2011 and 2015, less than 1% of all money granted by the 1,000 largest U.S. foundations benefitted immigrants and refugees.”

“The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, citing Candid data, notes that movement groups received only $124 million in grants in 2016. From 2014–2016, only “14% of dollars flowed directly to state and local groups and less than a quarter went to national membership networks that are directly accountable to local grassroots and impacted communities.” Based on NCRP’s analysis, funding for the pro-immigrant and pro-refugee movements lagged behind growth in foundation wealth, which more than quadrupled from 2011 to 2019, and the “share of funding for movement advocacy and organizing never exceeded 0.4 percent of total foundation giving.”

Since 2016–2020, cash grant funding from about 3,000 U.S.-based funders, according to Philanthropy News, has totaled about $1.5 billion in support of immigrants’ rights or only 19.2% of overall giving for immigrants’ rights.

On the other hand, funding for refugees and asylum seekers — which largely collapsed during 2016–2020 due in part to Trump administration refugee and immigration policies that caused the closure of hundreds of refugee resettlement groups as quotas dropped dramatically — still represents a small fraction of overall philanthropic giving in this space. However, giving is slowly increasing with the majority of funds related to refugees and asylum seekers since 2016–2021, going to national organizations that focus on global human rights.

Areas of funding related to immigrants and refugees

“According to analyses conducted by Candid and the Human Rights Funders Network, global human rights funding in support of migrants and refugees increased from $277.4 million in 2015 to $474 million in 2019.”

“Grants for immigration and refugees typically address a number of concentrated areas, such as immigration reform; refugee resettlement, jobs and rights; and legal aid, integration, human rights, labor rights and social services for immigrants, child migrants, undocumented people and others. In the U.S., support for DACA recipients is gradually increasing. While some funders give broadly to support immigrants and refugees, most focus on a particular area of concern, such as immigration policy reform in the United States, refugee resettlement, job skills, or emergency aid for refugees from a particular nation or region”

CONCLUSION

IT IS NOT ADVANCING CHRISTIANITY – NOR IS IT A GOSPEL MANDATE . REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IS CENTRAL TO GLOBAL GOALS AND THE UN INTERFAITH PUSH TOWARD “THE NEW GLOBAL SPIRITUALITY” AND TO MARGINALIZE CHRISTIANITY IN THE US WHILE OPENLY PROMOTING GLOBALISM AND UN AGENDA 2030.

Ephesians 8:5-11 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

THIS WRITING IS NOT TO BOTHER THOSE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY WHO SELF IDENTIFY AS PROGRESSIVE OR LIBERAL BUT ONLY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE BIBLICALLY ROOTED, GROUNDED AND COMMITTED… THE GIG IS UP -CORRECT COURSE- STOP THE WOKE AND OTHER MADNESS OR ELSE MANY PEOPLE ARE DONE WITH YOU AND THE CHURCHES YOU ARE- OR HAVE DESTROYED.

By Rev Thomas Littleton

3/12/2024

(NOTE this article is a very personal and rare first person perspective addressing America’s desperately LOST pastors and church leadership. There are still some good guys out there but they are getting harder and harder for honest Christians to find. You may not agree with a single word WRITTEN HERE -BUT the warnings do apply to all and if ignored and unheeded will only result in more and more decline and loss. God give us shepherds after YOUR heart and give lost pastors ears to hear what Your Spirit says to a generation of pastors.)

EVERYDAY OCCURANCE FROM EVERYDAY PEOPLE

Since having helped many thousands of people navigate the present situation of compromise and decline in our churches over the last 15 years it has become an everyday event to receive emails, text and calls from Christians still experiencing shock, disbelief, and deep grief brought on by their pastors and church leadership. Over and over the stories of paranoid reactions to concerns and “criticism” brought by honest and godly people flood this researchers inbox and voicemail. Most pastors respond as if they refuse to admit or fail to recall that these are the people who pay thier salaries and the light bills, healthcare AND retirement benefits for the ministry positions they enjoy.

A SPECIAL KIND OF ABUSE

The stories are SAD and most often include intense ABUSES of power from men who seem to have either lost touch with the “servant leadership” of pastoral ministry modeled by Jesus Himself. Rather they have assumed the attitude that they are not servants at all but bosses..and not accountable to anyone…least of all some pew dweller who has “no formal theological training” so therefore must be ignorant and ignored.

NOTE- a quick reminder ( one of many ) from God’s word :

23 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. ² Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. ³ “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. ⁴ I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.

⁵ “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the ^[c]earth.
⁶ In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

REMEMBER- guys you ARE indeed VERY Accountable. He knows your name- all your history and how you treat HIS SHEEP.

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT APPLYING ANY MORE PSYCHOLOGY AND “PEACEMAKERS PROCESS” METRICS.

We are neither suicidal nor homicidal just because our questions threatened you or made you angry.

BELOW is a false meter to control the conflict and situation. If you are not familiar with how pastors and elders are trained to use this and similar tools and low budget psychological tactics to turn the tables on those who speak up with concerns-making them out to be the problem …then try speaking up about your concerns and you will get a front row seat for the spectacle of the pathetic peacemaker process.

PATHETIC “PEACEMAKING“

The narrative goes like this- “Thank you for sharing now sit down shut up and just keep giving and serving. Wait your still speaking up? We are sorry that you are so angry…this is a slippery slope you are on.You need to submit (unquestioning of course) to God’s appointed authority… US… or we will flip the narrative and you become the problem and we will have you on a fast track to church discipline and ,if you do not submit then, to EXCOMMUNICATION. O yes and we will use that little CHURCH COVENANT our lawyers put together salted with bible verses to force you to submit and prevent you from filing a lawsuit while we smear your names in this congregation, all around town and to other churches to prevent them offering you membership or communion. AND we will declare that you are not welcome on the church property and will call the police and have you removed and ARRESTED for trespassing if you do return. “

Yes people this is really what they will do to you while they smile and say this is them “being biblical” in response to you being a problem with your questions.

THIS is how they answer the call the be PEACEMAKERS. YES INDEED. Ask someone who have been around the block and spoken up in the past.

Do not fear this cheap and desperate tactical intimidation. Fear God and Serve Him beloved and count it all joy to suffer at the hands of desperate men for the sake of HIS name.

It is not the person who reads their bible and prays and shares concern who is on “the slipper slope”. It is the dishonest and abusive pastor who is on the “slippery slope”.

BEER, BLOGS AND BOONDOGGLES

Most have made note that you like Beer and like to talk about your freedom in Christ to drink a lot of it. We get it. Nothing like a tall glass of your favorite craft brew sitting with your besties on the church staff or pastoral buds from seminary to “theologise ” your afternoons away. BUT whether or not alcohol consumption is helpful to theological discussions (especially “Reformed ” or Calvinist discussions) is in fact highly questionable. It IS however -a risky business when it comes to maintaining a reputation Christians can point their children (or your own children) to and say”follow that man as he follows Christ”. Being a man of God and having a frat boy style pride about your taste in beer seem to fail to intersect from a biblical point of view. Preachers puffing cigars doesn’t help the perceptions either. That seems to be obvious but we realize it isn’t to many. More on Beer and our Children soon.

BLOGS –

Most of us really do not care for blogs- yours or anyone elses.When it comes to gleaning biblical perspective in trying times like these, Christians want to hear the Word of God faithfully applied to every day life. Keep the rehearsing and POLISHING of theological frameworks and terms, social shaming, spiritual virtue signalling etc you have been indoctrinated WITH to yourselves and give your people the pure unadulterated Word of God. Share with them the Wisdom that comes from obeying the Word to the point of costly discipleship yourself.

Preach Christ like you know Him and the Cross l;ike you have encountered it.

IF YOU DO NOT ( know Him) AND HAVE NOT ( encountered the Cross) – THEN GET OUT OF THE PULPIT AND OUT OF MINISTRY until you do and THEN can truly discern if you are indeed called.

IF you are NOT CALLED and do not have a prayer life and know what it means to pick up the CROSS and Follow HIM then you do us and the CHURCH a grave disservice. You are NOT ABLE to be a “Friend of the Bridegroom” and are not helping but harming. This is not a job you choose it it a calling that chooses YOU. Most blogs are the work of some other poor soul in a similar lost state presenting their rambling thoughts and opinions on maters of little importance to us. OR worse they are the outlets of activist preachers seeking to get to us THROUGH you . And you do not seem to see their deceptive motivation at all.

We are really sick of the political shaming stuff. Just stop repeating it. WE likely dont care for your politics either.

Pulpits are not the place for Blog quotes or Bloggers. Prophets are to occupy pulpits with a firm “Thus says the Lord”. Our pulpits not only lack the message of Christ and Him Crucified but they lack authority. Nothing is worse than an effiminate man with a powerless message in a pulpit. Such activity is spiritually criminal.

EMPTY, FRUITLESS, BUSY NOTHINGNESS – THE CURRENT STATE OF FAITH BASED “SERVICE” AND “COMMUNITY BUILDING”.

PLEASE- think on the meaning of the word below. So much of todays “justice based narratives and “communitarian” service /mission amounts to nothing in the light of God’s true call to fulfill the actual Great Commission. You would have us chasing the wind and dancing the boondoggle buggie:

boon·dog·gle (Describes the average ministry vision casting ,project and program.)

/ˈbo͞onˌdäɡ(ə)l/

INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN

noun

plural noun: boondoggles

1. work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.”writing off the cold fusion phenomenon as a boondoggle best buried in literature”

verb

3rd person present: boondoggles

1. waste money or time on unnecessary or questionable projects.”the only guarantees are higher taxes and bureaucratic boondoggling”

WOKE -WEARINESS, WORKPLACE REALITY AND LESSONS FROM A BEER CAN.

When you attend some conference by The Gospel Coalition of Together 4 The Gospel or read one of thier many activists writers article- you seem to love to bring these same messages to our pulpits and deliver them (often as your own thoughts) like something akin to a really low budget 70s TV dinner in a sad and sorry substitute for the bread of LIFE.

You are most often NOT in the workplace for some corporation or public utility or government agency like most of the people you like to ignore in the pews.You FAIL to realize that DE&I is force fed to people working in secular workplaces EVERYDAY. The last thing wanted, needed , or that should be tolerated from our pulpits is you promoting more of the SAME DE&I message wrapped in a thin veneer of theology or a few flimsily applied bible verses.

THE GIG IS REALLY UP. Look at Disney’s losses and financial crisis – look at Bud Lite- though clearly not your preferred local Craft Brew- it is a REAL object lesson for you if you can understand why one trans inclusive custom can of beer can cost a giant corporation BILLIONS . Stop it – stop it! People have had enough.

Selah – Pause and consider that … if that makes it seem more spiritual to you .

By the way – Ennegrams are NEW AGE mystical tools feeding self obsessions.They are not giftings test.

Leadership Coaching is based mostly on secular corporate/ pride-filled and FAILED ideology counter the scripture and God’s principles. His Strength is actually made perfect in our weakness. Weakness and inability coupled with some rare humility are great qualifiers for being used by God. If you do not yet get this- you are still adrift and far from the School of Christ yourself. This is leadership training 101- go and “learn what this means”.

YOUR MENTORS ARE NOT OUR MENTORS BUT ABUSERS AND TEMPLE HUSTLERS MOCKERING YOU AND GOD’S FLOCK.

ENOUGH -AWAY WITH THESE PEOPLE.

If you quote Christianity Today or Religion News Service or (worse) The Atlantic or The New York Times in favorable ways then you are simply revealing how out of touch with reality you remain.

When you STILL quote men like Timothy Keller, John Piper, or John MacArthur, R. Albert Mohler, or any of their disciples then you are telling us that you are clueless still and dangerous in our pulpits.

When you consider guys like Russell Moore, Ed Stetzer,David French , Michael Wear or Jonathan Leeman to be reliable sources of journalistic insight on politics or “how Christians should vote or act in the public square” then you are telling us your blind spots biblically, socially and morally are large enough to drive a truck load of left wing propaganda through and you will never notice. You are telling us you drink the koolaide and you LOVE it. Don’t think about passing it on.

THE MONEY MATTERS.

Hey guys the economy is in a bad place and inflation is eating away at household , educational, grocery and mortage payment budgets . BUT you still show up casting visions of grandure with building projects and “missions offerings” to further the UNBIBLICAL BOONDOGGLES mentioned above. You are wasting our time and want to waste our money and God’s money. Bad idea guys- really bad.

Many of us know you are likely getting government funds through Faith Based Partnership no matter how you use varied Church non profit/ 501 C 3 optics to hide the gray money. We get it that far too many people have their price- their “thirty pieces of silver” at which price they are willing to sell out themselves- their Master and us. We see it every day.

Many of you are paid too much for what you really do and the actual hours you put it…though most often church annual reports no longer tell the flock how much they are over paying the pastor.

YOUR WORLD DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE REAL WORLD AND YOU SEEM ILL PREPARED FOR OURS.

You often lack real business backgrounds or broad academic training but think in very lofty theoretical theological unrealities. You also have the time for these indulgences. Most people do not. AGAIN these are the visions you have bought hook line and sinker- no matter what STINKERS they have proven to be for decades. Some of you worked or are woking hard for your degrees but others have been cake walked through denominational institutions to frame fairly worthless degrees and hang them on your office walls. In these cases you might just stay in ministry because it is all you know.

DIGGING UP FOUNDATIONS, REMOVING ANCIENT LANDMARKS AND HEAPING UP JUDGEMENT AS YOU PILE ON MORE AND MORE ABUSE.

Some of you would benefit from a good spanking like mothers and grandmothers used to do for spolied children before it was considered abusive but biblical not to “spare the rod”. Others are crusing for a bruising from the Lord. He has given you ample warning and serious space to repent and you have not.

Be warned again..God is not mocked. Your day will come.

In our city we have seen some seriously abusive pastors get some VERY intense and swift divine judgement for their long term abuses of the flock. In recent years significant numbers of the abusive long time deceivers have died suddenly to meet their makers unrepentant and still laiden with the weight of their iniquity.

Proverbs 22:

²⁸ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

EVERYTIME you pervert the Gospel with your Rethinking or Reimagining the FAITH -you are messing with these boundries God set up. Enough!

Hebrews 10:28-31

²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ^[a]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES AND WHAT YOU ARE BUILDING “FOR THE GLORY OF GOD”.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

PREACHER

You are not unaccountable -BUT MORE accountable being in leadership.

You are accountable to those you serve and to their Great Shepherd.

You seem to have been taught that ministry is a “pyramid scheme” but no it is an inverted pyramid where we in ministry are at the bottom as “servants to all”.

Please note that arrogance is NOT a virtue.

Being unteachable is not how disciples are made.

Theology is not a basis for Christian identity.

Theological training does not make for an elite priestly class.

(we can all read too now. It is not the Dark Ages anymore.)

Being unreachable is not laying your life down for the flock.

Being heavyhanded is not being a leader.

Jesus is Meek and Lowly, Humble and gave Himself to the uttermost. The bar is high to lay claim to being like Him and to being His servant. We all fall short but these virtues almost seem fallen off the radar for Christian leadership metrics today.

Surrounding yourselves with yes men staff and elders who “have your back” is more of a gangland or mob tactic and has no place in the church.

If you feel the need to do this- “WHAT IS IT YOU HAVE TO HIDE?”

HEY PREACHER-LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

We are NOT entrusting our faith , families and children to you so you can indoctrinate them for FEMA Corps “Serve Days”or for the Democratic Party or BLM Marches or “LGBTQ Welcome and Hospitality” church iniatives.

Sam Allberry, Rosaria Butterfield, Jemar Tisby, Jonathan Merritt, Russell Moore, Nate Collins, Preston Sprinkle, Jonathan Leeman, Colin Hansen, David Platt, and many more like them are NOT prophets. For the most part they are “activists” engaged in their field of training critical theories adn feminine theology “promoting social change” YES in fact they are “change agents” and you look to have no fear of placing their “stuff “in the hands of our children and grandchildren in the name of Christian discipleship. Really? Think this through guys.

Part of the Southern Baptist Convention looks to have been operating its own “pedophile island” in our Sunday Schools and Christian Schools and Churches while others in leadership have hidden it and given cover and “new job positions” to offenders. The DOJ has been investigating the church -especially the SBC and one law suit in Federal court accuses the SBC church of RICO – crimes- and therefore “operating as a criminal enterprise”.

Keep away from our children unless you are willing to be vetted and proven faithful by Biblical standards on ministry and qualifications of godliness and holiness. Stop placing poison in the form of false doctrines in the hearts and minds of our children.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion here is that many of you have killed the churches that pay your salaries and the number of job openings is declining as the number of churches failing or closing are increasing. The seminaries just keep processing more and more theologically trained graduates with little or no hope of employment in “ministry”. This trend is like some kind of instituinal insanity that will not end until it cannibalizes the church.

The fake numbers from Church plants and overplants from so called “revitalization” plans can not turn the numbers around from the STARK decline we face. Too few people are being saved- because too few pastors are preaching the Gospel and calling people to spiritual repentance.

The pews are like a dry and parched land where no water is – when Jesus promised us “wells of Living Water springing up to Eternal Life”.

The instituional church is gone or all but gone and the House Church and truly off grid- gatherings for worship – prayer and the Word are on the rise.

This death of the church took place on your watch- by your hands.

If there is a possibility that you have ears to hear and a heart that can be humbled and repentant then there is some hope but it is shallow, feeble, and unlikely to happen.

Meanwhile if you want to know what it is we want- AGAIN it is so simple-

John 12:21

“Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

MATTHEW 20

²⁵ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”