I’m sure most of you have applied for a job. You look through the want ads, or surf Monster.com, or look through the jobs section on your company site to see what companies are looking for. And most of the job announcements do indeed have qualifications.
One might say: “Wanted, Computer programmer. Must have experience in C++. Must have experience designing, developing and deploying websites making extensive use of Java, Flash, and Perl technology. Project management experience is a plus.”
Most of us understand that you don’t have to fit a job to a tee to have a chance at getting the job. It’s going to depend on how desperate the company doing the hiring is, how charming you are, and how much you are asking to be paid. The fact that you don’t have ALL of the qualifications doesn’t mean you can’t get the job.
Unfortunately, a lot of folks in the church, especially in the pimp section of the church, have taken this to an extreme. It doesn’t matter what you do or who you do it with. You are still an anointed man of God. The problems? According to the pimp and his followers, those are just darts being tossed by the evil one. Consider the following tawdry tale of Michael Pitts, the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Ohio.
I can guarantee you the above picture wasn’t taken by the Cornerstone staff. And it wasn’t taken in the good pastor’s offices. This photo is just like the dozens we have been seeing. You remember the one of Bishop Weeks when he was in court right? And you remember the one of Hornbuckle? They all have that “How can I explain this to the sheeple so they’ll blame Satan” kind of look to them.
Here’s an article on Michael Pitts, the pastor of Cornerstone Church and the new candidate for bishop in Toledo Ohio:
The Rev. Michael Pitts pleaded no contest to drunk driving this morning in Maumee Municipal Court. Judge Gary Byers found the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Maumee guilty and sentenced him to serve nine days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. The judge also fined him $300 and costs. Mr. Pitts will begin serving the sentence June 14.
Earlier, Reverend Pitts had these problem. Do a search here using the phrase “Pitts + Indecency” and ask the site to give you the listing oldest to newest and you will see an interesting set of news articles from 1997. You can almost follow the entire sordid affair through the headlines and first paragraphs.
But back to applying for a job.
You realize of course, that there are qualifications for bishop/elder/pastor, right? They show up in the letters to Timothy and Titus. Most of you are familiar with them. But just in case, here are the verses:
1Ti 3:1-4
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires {to do.} An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. {He must be} one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
Um, does any of the goings on with Reverend Pitts present a problem to any of you?
Does Paula’s decision to participate in the “Heaven On Earth Conference” conference present a difficulty to any of you?
I have an e-mail into Cornerstone to see if they are still putting him up to be a bishop in the “International School of Bishops.”
I was going to send an e-mail to Without Walls International Church to find out if Paula is still planning on speaking at the “Heaven on Earth Conference”. But when I visited her site this evening (two months after the June conviction for drunk driving) she still has it on her itinerary. Here’s a screen shot from her site.
I’m still trying to figure out what they will be talking about when they meet up at the conference. It’ll probably go something like this:
Pitts: Hey girl! I have seen you in quite a while!
Paula: Hey Michael. It’s good to see you too. I trust your time in jail wasn’t too bad.”
Pitts: No girl. I got the jailers to smuggle in a really good Merlot. You’d be surprised at how fast the time goes when you have a good buzz on.
Convicted of drunk driving and copping a plea to get out from under a charge for indecent exposure. I would hope the meeting would be a little awkward. But some how I just don’t see it.
A tip o’the hat to Eucatastrophe for putting me on the trail of this clown.
Melvin,
I commend you for posting the qualifications for a bishop/pastor/overseer, but you must remember that most of the “sheeple” don’t even know that those qualifications exist. The ones who do know are too blind/stupid/gullible to hold their leaders to this particular standard. I am sick to my stomach of pastors/teachers/evangelists who meet none of or very few of the qualifications laid out in Timothy, and are still being worshipped in pulpits all around the country. The story about this guy does not surprise me at all, unfortunately. What makes me angry is that his congregation will make excuses for him when he gets back to church.
I will be so glad when Jesus finally comes.
Tee
I’m still looking for a church with a “real” pastor in it.
Pastor John McArthur: Grace Community Church
Sun Valley Ca
Hello, passing by:
So, you are seeking a pastor who has the qualifications as those set forth in 1Tim 3?
Okay, so where are you located in the known universe? You know: a specific place. Perth Amboy, the Motor City, Totowa, Oakland?
Then, perhaps one of the members of the Melvinite Temple of Tithes can steer you to a “real” pastor close to you.
Alles klar?
Peter.
located one in Orlando Florida, The brother is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and no half stepping. A group of six men grilled him to be sure he met the Timothy requirements. He is scandal free (blameless) Check out pastor Burrell at Orlando Bible Fellowship Church
All humans are to some extend sinners, and NOT perfect by any means of the imagination! But, then again if anyone wishes to serve in the capacity of a minister, reverend, or pastor or anything along those lines, you darn well should be in control of your life at all times. Drinking or doing drugs or anything illegal is a sure way to kill your chances of ever redeeming yourself in the publics (sheeplies) eyes. Jesus will becoming on MAY 21 2011 SO LETS ALL BE READY TO MEET HIM. OCTOBER 21 2011 IS THE END OF THE UNIVERSE!
To Justcuriously annoyed,
“Jesus will becoming on May 21 2011 so lets all be ready to meet him. October 21 2011 is the end of the universe.”
I am just going to say it, THAT IS A BUNCH OF POPPYCOCK!
On the other hand I do believe Matthew 24:30, 35-36 spoken from the mouth of Christ.
That I will take to the bank!
You re already in error.. the Biblesays the Sons of Iscartar willknow th signsand the seasons… we all know that jesus kept evry feast but two of the m.. Feats of Trumpets has the do with rapture of the Church… but only God Knows the day and the hour… some things are still jkept sealed Read Rev… you can guarantee thathe will not be returning on that day..for He Jesus doesnot know the days nor the hour… season ..nut not day nor hour…
Hello, Melvin:
Please translate linda laplante’s exegesis for me. And yes, I have already had one cup of coffee.
Thank you,
Peter.
/ second one on the way
Justcuriously annoyed,
Who told you when Jesus will return? I’m just curious about the source of that information.
(MN: Don’t be too hard on Justcuriously annoyed. I think he was speaking tongue in cheek. )
Okay Melvin, I certainly hope so and I’m going to trust you on that (because I’m a Melvinite Temple sheeple and I believe EVERYTHING you say). But you know, there are people who claim to know!
Maybe I need to have my sarcasm radar serviced.
Hey Melvin,,,
This is the site that I should have posted,,, because others here may be offended by the first one, due to a bad word in the lyrics ( although we are all grown)
Pimps on Parade
But, I am using both sites to fight the battle of heresy. If you run across anymore please post or email them to me.
(Oh, sorry that these comments are off your topic) sorry
This sucks Melvin. Mainly because it is sooo freakin redundant. I know that you (as well as myself and others) want to preach the gospel unadulterated (which we do) and warn others of the wolves (which God also allows us to do). But it sucks that people won’t even listen. They won’t even consider the truth. They won’t even dare to compare the scriptures to what these people are saying. But since we believe in THE TRUTH, we can rest in the truth that God will call out those whom are His. I just really wish though that before people jump to their defense that they would at least look at scripture. READ THE SCRIPTURES PEOPLE!!!
Julian, you know what people tell me when I say pretty much what you say? They tell me, “eat the meat and leave the bones”. I may have to move to find a church. I’d take an MJ shul at this point. Just preach the Word - all of it!
Hello, walksbyf8h:
Yeah, what a cute little phrase these scoundrels use on the sheeple.
I just point them to Matthew 16:5-12.
Ah, leave it to our Master Jesus to destroy all the vain arguments of the world . . . and the worldly . . . the Bread of Life!
Stay close to Him.
Peter.
And I keep asking them to tell me why they would stay with a piece of fish full of bones to choke them when they can get the same fish with no bones at all.
I suspect most of them don’t see if a person really means this stuff then he has no understanding of the essentials of the faith and will be destroying them in areas they are not aware of.
And if the preacher does understand the error he is preaching, but preaches it anyway, then he really doesn’t care for them and will let them destroy themselves on bad food.
Either way the sheeple need to get away from these bozos.
Yes f8th,that cutesy phrase was from none other than Kenny “dad” Hagin Sr. At least he used it a lot.
Im not a preacher but am the son and gradson of preachers. Because of that I tend to hold them to a certain standard. While my father and grandfather are not perfect they live what the preach. Because of that, people have respect for them and their office. No one should be driving drunk, but certainly not a pastor thats soon to be a bishop. Its bad enough if say an NFL player drives drunk, the media tries to say he’s some sort of “role model”, but in reality theyre just doing a job and they themselves dont claim nor want to be role modles. But preachers put themselves in the position of being spiritual leaders. I feel if they cant handle the moral responsibility of being a pastor, it would be more honorable for them to relinquish the position until they are ready for it. At least then they wouldnt be a hypocrite.
Wow! So you’re the son of a son of a preacher man: somebody cue up Dusty Springfield. (MN: Cue it up twice)
BTW: If you’re sharing ‘repentance’ with the folk, you’re preaching!
Peter.
I had never heard of this guy until I saw this post and then just this morning he was the special guest on Paula White’s show. So Melvin I think it’s safe to say, I think she will appear at his “conference.” On another note, after reading the articles detailing his behavior in the last few years, the question is how is he still the pastor? The second question is, how could anybody excuse his behavior, while at the same time crying “conspiracy?” Honestly, I don’t know which is worse. That he’s got a rap sheet a mile long, or that the sheeple don’t seem to care that he has a rap sheet a mile long. Oh and to JulianofGod, I feel your pain. But then I think about someone like Jeremiah who despite the rampant apostasy in Israel, kept proclaiming the truth. So all of us as believers and especially those of us in ministry must remain vigilant despite the apostasy that is running rampant in the visible church.
Is it just me or do all the major ministry scandels involve “WoF” and hyper charismaniacs? Of course I realize these things happen in the denominations too. One that comes to mind is the Episcopal church ordaining gay bishops. At any rate one would think that the “charismaniacs” would live to a much higher moral standard! After all aren’t these the people that claim such intimate walks with the Lord? Todd Bentley comes to mind as well with all his fantastic (lying) encounters with angels. Of course Todd is a liar and a fraud. This is nothing new if you read of the shenanigans of Amy Semple-McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman. Both had adulterous affiars. Amy staged a phony kidnapping story so she could carry on her ‘little” affair. My point is each and everyone of us is capable of committing heinous sin. However most of us don’t blow our own horns bragging about how “sanctified” we are either. The pimps certainly do a lot of “hornblowing” with hypocritical and disasterous results I might add.
What you fail to understand is that if the Apostle Paul had a heavenly experience and uttered things unspeakable and he also said we should imitate him like he imitates Christ then it surely justifies all what these folk are doing? Okay, just Cushie being crazy, but I’m simply demonstrating that without a proper exegesis of the word, people will justify well, almost any nonsense…….:wink:
Hello, Cushie:
You said, “Okay, just Cushie being crazy,
. . . ”
Luke 23:3 - - - last part of verse. How’s that for exegesis??
Peter.
/too much time on my hands
linda laplante,
Just a suggestion and don’t take offense ok?
Paragraphs
Spell check
God bless,
bob
This is why I say everything that’s in a pulpit is not a God sent preacher… the devil appoints preachers too you know. A TRUE Man of God (as opposed to Mand of Gawd) is extremely rare… most of the things running around in pulpit or self-serving imposters.
It’s unfortunate what is going on in the body of Christ. I am a former member of Cornerstone Church in Toledo, OH. I served there extensively for several years. When I first started, the church was on fire. Michael Pitts will always be known (in my book) as one of the most gifted ministers I know…Never would have seen myself leaving..ever. I used to judge others who did and thought they were “off” or offended. It has deeply saddened my heart to have had to walk away from my house of worship. But the truth is found in the Word. “You will know them by their fruit”, not by their gift.
The problem is that leaders who usurp their authority, make members feel “guilty” for leaving. They use fear as a manipulation tool to keep them in the dark. People have come to me and shared their stories. It saddens my heart to know that so many people are struggling with the aftermath of such seducing ministries. You don’t know how much damage is done, UNTIL you leave. The problem is that it didn’t start off that way, but slowly it turned and slowly people fell asleep. We need to stand in the gap for these brothers and sisters. We need to restore sound doctrine back to the house of God. Members are told that headship is their “covering” and it is insinuated that bad things will happen if you leave and they must release you first..etc. This is contrary to scripture. But of course, you never know the truth until you get away from all the manipulation and hype. The members of Cornerstone are good-hearted people. They love their pastor and their church. But the truth is…The pastor sees them as being called to him, so that he can fulfill what God has called him to do. It should be the other way around. -The Pastor is called to equip the saints to fulfill the plan of God for THEIR LIFE. The days of the “One Man Show” are over!
*For those of you who attend there, but are struggling with leaving: All I can say is that the Spirit of God is not the author of all the confusion. Staying at a church because “there’s no where else to go” is not exercising your faith in the One who leads you.
1) Pray that the things that bind you mentally, emotionally and spiritually be broken.
2) Pray that your spiritual eyes will be open to see the truth. ~It’s always easier to believe what you WANT to be true, than to believe that the “unthinkable” is the truth.
3) TRUST the stirring of the Holy Spirit…stop thinking “it’s just me…something must be wrong with me”. -THOSE THAT ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD.
4) STOP excusing ministry for their poor choices. Paul said, “Follow ME as I follow Christ”. Also, READ the qualifications of a Bishop in Timothy. GRACE is there to empower and cover, but not as a cover-up.
KNOW THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER CORNERSTONE AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE PRAYING FOR YOU! THERE IS A PURPOSE TO EVERYTHING. I will always appreciate all the wonderful things I learned there. Sometimes in life, you have to recognize when a season has served its purpose and when it is over. And by the way, since Christ is your covering – bad things DO NOT happen to you when you leave these churches, they only get better because of your obedience.
**If you are someone who is struggling with the affects of this church..please feel free to e-mail me at: pressing4word@gmail.com
God Bless!
King David said:
Hello All
Cstone was a powerful church in the body of Christ. Something happen to turn the Pitt Brothers away from the word of GOD. I questioned if Robert was ever “SAVED”. When ever I was around him I felt something was not right. I believe his focus is on making “MONEY”. The love of money is a “PATH” to “EVIL”. This opens a “FRONT DOOR” for demonic spirits to come into the “CHURCH”. Now they focus on the love of men because they can’t hear from GOD. Cstone has turn from a “MINISTRY OF HEALING” into a “MINISTRY OF HURT”. This is a problem in the “BODY OF CHRIST” all over the “NATION”. I KNOW FOR A FACT IT IS HARD TO LEAVE CSTONE DUE TO THE FOCUS OF YOUR PROTECTION IS MICHEAL PITTS INSTEAD OF JESUS!!!!!!! YOU MUST READ THE WORD YOURSELF INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR MICHEAL PITSS TO PREACH THE WORD TO YOU!!!!!!
As a former staff member in the Cornerstone Network (denomination), I have concrete evidence that Michael Pitts was set up on some of the charges regarding the exposure accusations. I say some, as I do not have acquitting evidence for all of the dates. However a sheriff’s deputy in the same location has an uncanny resemblance to Michael Pitts and was also brought up on charges of exposure. Plus a man cannot be in two places at the same time.
The drinking and driving bothered me because it was breaking the law. However, the Bible is filled with flawed men and women who were greatly used by God. So I do not feel that an error in self control should disqualify a person from being used by God.
Having said that, I would like to say that, indeed, Cornerstone Church has changed in recent years. The infection has spread in varying degrees to the network (denomination) churches as well. False doctrine is being preached and ethical dealings are not valued.
The way that members are treated for leaving or wanting to leave, and the “covering” nonsense, along with more facts than I have hours in the day to type, classify these churches as cults. I didn’t want to believe it, but the Word of God is clear when you read it.
I left. I am not offended. I left because the teaching and operation of the church is in direct conflict with the word of God.
I am not living under a curse. My life has done nothing but improve. My entire family and everyone that I know who has left these cults are doing better in their lives than ever before. These churches manipulate and are motivated by gain and power. Not everything that happens in these churches is evil. People are actually helped in these churches. But the same can be said for the Mormans, Jehovah Witnesses and the rest. God is good despite mankind. The devil is a deceiver, so he works in the background. That’s why he is content to place subtle leaven in the lump. However, it never stays that way. That leaven eventually leavens the whole lump.
Seek God. Follow God. Not man. Do NOT take your Pastor’s preaching as truth. Challenge the words you hear at your church by the Holy Spirit speaking to you through the Word. Read the WHOLE Bible, not just the favorite passages you hear in the C-Stone network.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there truly is freedom. Not just soundbyte messages, promises of “dominion”, hyped services and blessings through association. Blessing comes only from one association - Christ.