Todd Bentley’s Fall …. A Sad Day

 

 

This will probably be my last post on Todd Bentley.  News of Todd Bentley’s indiscretions have just been made public.    I’m not surprised, as it was bound to come out sooner or later.     Many in the “anti Lakeland” camp are gloating at this man’s fall.  I, for one, refuse to do that. It’s one thing to discuss someone’s unbiblical doctrine or teachings, and unbiblical ministry style, but it’s quite another to keep talking about their moral failings.    This is a very sad day…

 

This is a sad for Todd and his family, sad for his ministry and sad for the Church.   But we need to ask the question how did we get here?    Todd’s moral failures were not dealt with all along.   We esteem gifts over character in the Charismatic church and we don’t govern properly.   It is also my great concern that we elevate people prematurely because of their gifts, before the fire of God has had a chance to burn off the chaff in their lives.  Todd was too young personally and spiritually to be launched into ministry, no matter how gifted he was.  I heard it said once it takes 20 years to make a sermon, and now I think it’s true.  A gifted man without refinement is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.     Jesus was anointed at 12 but didn’t begin public ministry till he was 33. 

 

As Dr. Robert Thompson aptly put it in his book “The Three Separations of the Royal Priesthood”:

 

“The best service we can render to the world is to live a holy, separated life in the Presence of the Lord. The more we grow in Christ the more of Christ we can receive. The more of Christ we receive, the more the world can see and be benefited by the Glory of God in us.

The Christian who does not lead a holy, separated life to the Lord is of no value to God or man. He is as salt that has lost its flavor.”

This is something that is rarely talked about in Christian circles, but is of the utmost importance to God.  God is all about us being conformed into the image of Christ.  That is part of his eternal purpose and he will accomplish it. 

 

As someone who has lived through a pastor’s fall into adultery, and the cover up that went along with it, I can tell you that there are a lot of hurting people right now, especially in his staff.  In the following letter put out by Fresh Fire Ministry they are trying to put on a brave face, but you must know that they are devastated.  They have been lied to and manipulated into believing something that didn’t exist.  They certainly need our prayers.   I hope Todd Bentley and his family get the help they need and can be restored.   Not to the ministry, but to God. 

 

This was reported by Northwest Musings today:

http://northwestmusings.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/apology-from-fresh-fire-board-of-directors/

Apology from Fresh Fire Board of Directors

August 16, 08 by scott771

I received this word tonight from someone close to this whole situation. He made the following comment in his email as a precursor to this letter from Fresh Fire Ministry.

“Here is some info, but according to what we have heard from several sources, this is much more than just an emotional relationship. According to staff And former staff members, they claim that Todd is a pathological liar. The board privately has said that Todd has been lying to them all along. We are praying for those around Todd to demand for him to get the help he needs before thrusting him back into ministry like they did 2.5 years ago when he had an affair with a different staff member. We are praying for Todd, his family, along with others that have been impacted through this”.

From the Board of Directors

We wish to thank all of our friends and partners for the overwhelming flood of support and compassion we have received as a ministry on behalf of Todd and Shonnah Bentley. The many phone calls and emails of concern from people who genuinely love the Bentleys and Fresh Fire Ministries have been a great encouragement to all of us here during these past few days. In particular, the rallying of support and prayer for Todd and Shonnah by prominent leaders within the Body of Christ has been a beautiful indicator of the maturity and grace the Lord is bringing to his Bride.

We wish to acknowledge, however, that since our last statement from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.

On behalf of the Fresh Fire leadership and the Board of Directors we wish to apologize to our friends and partners and to the larger body of Christ and to ask for your forgiveness. We are truly sorry for the pain many of you must feel and so regret that in the midst of great revival, the enemy has found a way into our camp.

To read the rest go to:  http://www.freshfire.ca/