I know the title will provoke some to angst but it makes me want to Shout! Goes right along with “vipers, hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, sons of satan.” You know, all those “UnChristlike” sayings of Jesus. But I digress. Last year we posted an open letter to the Elijah List Ministry, calling for the leaders to repent for the heretical practice of selling “charismatic indulgences.” Included was a call to open debate. I sent copies to the Elijah List,  Ministry Today Magazine and even forwarded the letter to leaders that I knew related to the ministry. All to no avail. Seems the practice of “Contemporary Simony” is more popular today than when the Apostle Peter was around. However, Streams of Revival, which is published by Charisma, posted the following article this week entitled “Funny Money” which warns about the abuse of “selling indulgences” to Christians today. Hmmmmm, maybe Peter Horrobin can get the attention of Charismatic leaders. We shall see. Read the article and forward your thoughts. In the meantime, Somebody Shout!  [rgh]

[click to read the open letter…. Elijah List Ministry Remains Silent ]  

Peter Horrobin, the founder and international director of Ellel Ministries, has become angered by Christian ministers “raping” the body of Christ by promising miracles in exchange for donations. He gives ministers a stern warning against these practices and encourages belivers to be shrewd in their offering giving.

In the 16th century some sectors of the Roman Catholic Church fell into the trap of selling “indulgences,” saying there would be relief in purgatory from the consequences of sins already forgiven. The Catholic Church became rich and powerful, but the people were financially and spiritually raped through this abuse. I’ve watched a number of Christian TV shows recently and I have been shocked at how close some high-powered evangelists are to falling into something similar to an indulgences trap. We don’t obey God to get blessed. We obey Him, or should, because we love Him, regardless of whether or not He blesses us materially. I have heard preachers imply, even promise, to those who give in their offerings that their debts will be resolved, their family and friends will get converted, they will have a year of blessing, and many other alleged benefits the vulnerable are itching to hear. The subliminal message is: “Think what you might miss if you don’t give.” This manipulates people…………Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Funny Money

Peter Horrobin, the founder and international director of Ellel Ministries, has become angered by Christian ministers “raping” the body of Christ by promising miracles in exchange for donations. He gives ministers a stern warning against these practices and encourages belivers to be shrewd in their offering giving.

In the 16th century some sectors of the Roman Catholic Church fell into the trap of selling “indulgences,” saying there would be relief in purgatory from the consequences of sins already forgiven. The Catholic Church became rich and powerful, but the people were financially and spiritually raped through this abuse. I’ve watched a number of Christian TV shows recently and I have been shocked at how close some high-powered evangelists are to falling into something similar to an indulgences trap.

We don’t obey God to get blessed. We obey Him, or should, because we love Him, regardless of whether or not He blesses us materially.

I have heard preachers imply, even promise, to those who give in their offerings that their debts will be resolved, their family and friends will get converted, they will have a year of blessing, and many other alleged benefits the vulnerable are itching to hear. The subliminal message is: “Think what you might miss if you don’t give.” This manipulates people to give from fear of missing God’s blessing, not out of sacrificial love either for God or God’s people.

I passionately believe in true prophecy, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit given freely. But when offers of healing and prophetic words get mixed up with fundraising for the ministry, we should all recognize that a big warning flag is being waved in the spiritual realm.

As the founder of an international ministry, I understand more than most how important finances are to making the gospel available. God told us very clearly that for our particular work we should never charge money.

So in the last 21 years we have conducted thousands of three-day healing retreats in many parts of the world and have never once charged for the ministry or the stay in one of our centers. People can make donations if they wish, but that is very different from offering healing in exchange for money.

So how do the ministry bills get paid?

Largely through the sacrificial giving of those who give so that others will be blessed. This is the giving that truly blesses the heart of God. After all, isn’t that what was in Jesus’ heart when He went to the cross?

God Is Moving

Pastors ‘Prayer Walk’ New Orleans Streets

Nearly 1,000 intercessors spread out on foot in the Central City district of New Orleans Saturday to “prayer walk” the streets of some of the city’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods. “It was such a powerful time,” recalled Cornelius Tilton, co-leader of strategic planning for the Greater New Orleans Pastor’s Coalition (GNOPC), which sponsored the initiative. “I feel that my prayers have been answered, to see the body of Christ in New Orleans coming together in such a powerful way.” The two-hour prayer walk was the first of eight in a summer-long campaign