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Post by ulyankee on Apr 24, 2006 11:49:49 GMT
Hi trina, this is my understanding... Life Christian became betrothed to Every Nation back in I think late 2002. This is the point at which churches are considered to be part of Every Nation (that's when they often get into the church directory), but may not have legally enacted the bylaw which brings the local church under the "general oversight" of Every Nation's Board of Directors, who until very recently were Rice Broocks, Phil Bonasso and Steve Murrell. The bylaw can be considered like marriage vows. Before the bylaw is enacted, churches are not contractually obligated to Every Nation - they can still back out. Once they are enacted though, they can only be removed or altered by ENC's Board of Directors and the local church is contractually obligated to tithe and submit to Every Nation's oversight. In the past, the bylaw was strictly enforced in the US, and churches basically had to do whatever they were told to do. There are few legal restrictions on what EN can or can't do with the local church once the bylaw is enacted. They can remove or name pastors, elders, etc. for any or no reason. They can put their own pastors or elders in place. In some cases, these EN pastors or elders have acted almost as "informants" - according to EN's old Guidelines, Policies and Procedures, elders of EN churches are answerable to EN's leaders, not to the local pastor or (gasp) the local congregation.
Anyhow, LCC never enacted the bylaw despite pressure to do so. There are a number of reasons for this, some having to do with local leadership, and some having to do with the timing of Phil Bonasso's removal from top EN leadership - he was on LCC's local board of directors at one point last year and my understanding is that he was the one personally trying to get the bylaw enacted up until the time of his removal from EN leadership.
There also have been serious allegations made about the senior pastor of that church, and my understanding is that he had gone on sabbatical due to health reasons but that there may have been more going on besides just health. Since it sounds like you are a member of LCC you probably know a lot more about these local issues than I do, so I won't go any further in this forum.
Now that Phil Bonasso is out of top EN leadership, EN pastors have been removed from LCC, it has been reported that Rick Shelton has announced from the pulpit that LCC is no longer part of EN, and now LCC has been removed from EN's church directory, I would say that LCC really is out of EN. But the short answer is that LCC legally wasn't completely in EN to begin with.
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Post by helpfulcommentary on Apr 26, 2006 19:16:31 GMT
Although it's hard to know the full story for sure. At least outwardly the separation between Rick and EN is a mutual one. They recoginized they had different values. Rick comes from a WoF background where huge salaries are common, and in general church ideals are very different. EN, while recently famous for the large salaries sees WoF as excessive. Rick probably got tired of the EN way of treating people... he says something like this on one of his early tapes (although he does not refer to EN explicitly). .... EN probably did not want another financial liability in the midst of their scandal.
EN is starting a new church in St. Louis apparently
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Post by speakword on Apr 27, 2006 15:29:23 GMT
Trina
Do you think it is possible that there is more behind the scenes stuff happening than what is being actually explained. I just find it all very strange the whole story. EN invested heavily with manpower and stuff into this church and now all of a sudden its senior pastor comes back and there is an amicable parting of the ways. Surely the congregation can not be kept in the dark over this all?
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Post by speakword on Apr 28, 2006 6:28:20 GMT
Trina, Your answer speaks volumes about Every Nation's failure to provide good leadership. Perhaps this is one example of a church damaged by Bonasso's "deals".
Why was tithe money sent to Bonasso when according to the bylaws it should be sent to Nashville? Did Bonnasso receive a finder's fee for LCC? Perhaps you misunderstood. Tithes went to Nashville and World Partners went to CA.
You say that if Bonnasso's sin was not found out? What "sin" has been explained to LCC? Yes, it all sounds providential for one side of LCC, but as you point out there has been leadership and congregational changes. It is sad to see another EN church with spinning doors, again.
Further you mention doctrinal differences in LCC being Word of Faith etc. What? Surely there could not have been that much of a glaring difference between the churches before they courted and married? I understand that LCC was wealthy church. Has this dried up and is it another possible reason to disocciate? If LCC knows that Bonnasso defrauded them and the church then surely LCC should notify the authorities. Then again, in family matters one never knows what goes on behind closed doors! Hey?
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Post by speakword1 on Apr 28, 2006 7:00:16 GMT
-When joining churches leaders need to realize that churches are in large voluntary organizations filled with people. People need to be pastored by churches not "managed" in corporate takeover strategies. pastors should spend their time in pastoring and not in being promotional salesmen and sheepdogs of the the organization. -EN failed in this one. It was a mistake and needs to learn from it. EN should focus on getting its own house in order in the USA first. Having strong smaller churches with healthy discipleship practices is better. Discipleship is about pointing and leading people to Jesus. It is not about indoctrination. The Purple Book is just a small discipleship tool. It is not Jesus. -People were hurt, misused and confused in all of this. This needs to be addressed.
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Post by ulyankee on Apr 28, 2006 14:07:58 GMT
Speakword, I apologize if this goes slightly off topic (though still related) - the bylaws don't specify that tithes go to Nashville. They do state that they go to ENC but not specifically to Nashville. Every Nation Churches, Inc. is a California corporation, not Tennessee. In fact, ENC is not a valid corporate entity at all in Tennessee right now - just California in the US, and also Manila in the Phillippines. Until Phil B.'s downfall, the administrative headquarters was in Los Angeles and that's where tithes and World Partners donations were sent and administered.
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Post by speakword on Apr 28, 2006 18:15:56 GMT
So, in other words, deception and a cover-up. Was the most damage caused by ENs arrival or dismissal?
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Post by StationAdministration on May 8, 2006 7:48:24 GMT
We did ask LCC for an official statement, but as yet we have not received an answer.
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Post by jbkrems on May 8, 2006 19:14:14 GMT
I know of a minister (itinerant) who attends LCC in St. Louis --- next weekend (Mother's Day weekend) they are having Perry Stone in as a guest speaker. As far as I know, Perry Stone is far removed from EveryNation, and most of the guest speakers they are bringing in (i.e. Tim Hall and so forth) have nothing to do with EveryNation.
My guess is, since I do not attend LCC myself, that LCC is discontinuing its relationship with EveryNation churches. I have read on other blogs that several Sundays ago Pastor Rick Shelton announced from the pulpit that LCC was ending its relationship with EveryNation.
And on a personal note, I am originally from St. Louis, and I know people who have personal connections to Pastor Rick Shelton. As far as I know, Pastor Rick is a very independent person, and because of that and his Word-of-Faith background, things did not exactly mesh with EveryNation. That's really all I've heard. However, with the kinds of guest speakers and so forth going on at LCC now, I think that Pastor Rick and the staff at LCC are trying to get their church back on the right footing. --- Hope that helps.
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Post by jbkrems on May 10, 2006 9:52:30 GMT
Trina,
That is very interesting. Do you know why or where to Pastors Lamont & Sharon Rich are leaving/going? I read on LCC's website that they are ending their time at LCC this Sunday.
By the way, I follow news concerning LCC for two main reasons. One, when I was living in St. Louis, I attended Rivers of Life Church, and our former pastor is actually a member of LCC. Second, the current pastor at Rivers of Life is supporting the Perry Stone visit. In fact, on Rivers of Life Church's website, there is a short "plug" for ROL people to come to LCC next Sunday night to hear Perry Stone. I also have friends in St. Louis who have connections at LCC, so I want to stay in touch.
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Post by jbkrems on May 10, 2006 21:43:52 GMT
Trina,
Wow... Yeah, I am fully familiar with LifeSpring for Israel, and I am shocked to learn they were asked to leave by LCC or EN. That does NOT seem right, and quite frankly, does not sound in line with the Bible to me. I think I might know the folks at Rivers of Life you may be speaking about; whenever I come back for a visit and visit at ROL (I no longer live in St. Louis), I find out that some are doing the same kind of Israel-oriented ministry. In fact, there is one woman at ROL that has some Israel-related ministry, and Pastor Joe LoRusso (ROL's pastor) did the dedication prayer service for it. Rivers of Life, as a church, is vehemently pro-Israel. Also, on ROL's website, there is a link to Perry Stone's website, on the "Prophetic Links" page or whatever.
But I am really shocked to find out that LCC or EN asked LifeSpring to depart; nothing surprises me so far as EveryNation is concerned, but I am just surprised that Pastor Rick Shelton would make such a decision.
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Post by freeatlast on May 15, 2006 20:54:10 GMT
Just wanted to post and correct some very wrong statements.
I am a current member of LCC and I have been there for the past 11 years. I have seen it all from a very prominent position.
The simple facts are:
-Yes LCC has cut all ties with EN. The last group of ENLI students graduated the first Sunday of May and as far as I know LCC will not be offering ENLI anymore, they just allowed those currently in the classes when we separated from EN , to finish the course.
-Yes there were pastors and congregants that left including Ps Mike Shepard. Most of the people who left were the big money people and believe me they have tried to take as many people with them as possible by trying to spread malicious rumors but I believe that god is just separating the wheat from the chaff which is pretty much what Perry Stone Preached on last night.
-LCC is very much alive and well. the Power of God is so strong and He is moving in a way that He never has before.
-Ps Rick is totally healed from his years of battle with shingles and total immune system crash and he is so strong in faith and anointing.
-Ps Lamont and Sharon Rich last service was Mother's Day and we prayed over them and sent them out. They have accepted a position at Ps Ray McCullum's church in Austin TX. as the Music Pastors. They were as mentioned, full of the love of God and will be missed but we have a very anointed Worship Pastor in Shaun Williams and I believe that God is taking us to the next level, a new dimension in worship. God is exploding at LCC.
-Perry Stone announced last night that he was moving his Week-long June conference which has been at Randy and Paula White's Church With out Walls in Tampa for the past several years and Starting in 2007 it will be in St. Louis at LCC and will continue to be there following.
-LCC is not suffering but we are seeing a mighty move of God in the house.
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Post by jbkrems on May 16, 2006 2:37:17 GMT
Freeatlast,
I'd like to contact you via e-mail regarding a personal matter. Would you please drop me a line at jbkrems@excite.com? I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
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Post by traveljet on May 26, 2006 4:25:39 GMT
Life Christian Church and Rick Shelton have not been portrayed accurately at all.
Every Nation Ministries has faults. LCC & Rick however in particular is a whole other discussion.
Rick chose to leave Every Nation Ministries in reality because of his own mishandlings and abuses. Every Nations issues in comparison to Rick Sheltons is but a minor mark.
Bottom line, know this Rick Shelton did not leave Every Nation Ministries for the "Good" of Gods people. He left for the good of his own agenda to continue to have an enoromous salary, to continue to live like a millionaire on the backs of other people, and to have no accountability.
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Post by philiprosenthal on May 26, 2006 8:10:55 GMT
I don't know anything about this particular church, but it would appear that 'Trina' has deleted her many posts, making it difficult to discuss what she had to say. I don't know if maybe she has been threatened (as I have been)?
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Post by jbkrems on May 26, 2006 8:30:41 GMT
Folks,
Sorry to report this, but Trina decided to delete her posts because she didn't feel like God wanted them up anymore. She has not been threatened, or anything like that. I strongly suggest sending her a private message through the board's capabilities to ask her further questions that you may have.
Thanks.
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Post by steven on Aug 3, 2006 2:51:30 GMT
freeatlast, you say many of the people who have left LCC were big money people, etc. What did you think of Steven B. Smith? He was Pastor Rick Shelton's right hand man for years -- when the heat grew heavy from EN, Rick turned on Ps. Smith and fired him...then again perhaps that's a bit harsh. He sent him on a year long sabbatical with no end in sight; however, he was sent with a full year's salary which was a substantial sum of money. They were angry with each other, blaming, etc. Then EN finally left. Still the dispute continued. Ps. Smith went to work with another religious organization -- by the way, his brother-in-law runs this one and has continued to be on LCC's board this entire time. These people have connived together since their early years. At first, things appeared so good; perhaps they really were. But there was never a time that Rick Shelton was accountable to anyone; nor did the people of that church ever receive financial statements nor information of any kind.
What I wondered was what you and others who think as you do feel about Pastor Smith? Did you know that he is scheduled to preach at Life Christian Church this coming Tuesday evening? What explanation do you have for that? It seems everyone who has tried to do what is godly and has integrity has had to leave LCC; how fair do you believe it is in the eyes of the Lord that Ps. Smith left with a full year's pay and the school principal was fired and given one week's pay and insurance; period. Because he wouldn't fire an innocent secretary for the Shelton's? AND cover the reason for firing her with a lie, to keep their image good??
She was to be fired because her husband works at Joyce Meyer Ministries and they were afraid she would say something to her husband and he in turn, may say something to someone at Joyce Meyer Ministries. The principal took the upper road and told them he could not do something so unethical as to fire an innocent, good employee (of many years). So, the Shelton's fired them both.
I just wonder where you see the great revival in that? Where is the fruit of the Spirit? That is but one of the great unbiblical and immoral, untruthful, and illegal issues that are happening at LCC. Revival, my dear sister or brother, is more than jumping, singing and dancing--feeding the flesh. Revival is a true time of repentance before our holy God for our sin; broken and contrite over what we have done and disobeying Him and His word.
EveryNation left Life Christian Church in an even worse position; not because of doctrine, etc. EN's example just fueled Rick Shelton's insatiable thirst for power, wealth, and the resources to build his own kingdom. May God help him. Truly we will all stand before the Throne on that day. Rick Shelton, is that the only kingdom you want to have acquired? Please, I pray among many that you fall on your face before the living God, and turn from your wicked ways before it is too late. My brothers and sisters, may we all fall at His feet and repent and cry with sincere hearts for our great sin in this hour. I myself, beg the Lord to help me to do nothing out of vindictiveness, but that we as a people would turn back to our Holy God. The Spirit in me grieves for I truly believe the time is short. "What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be; someday your heart will be asking, what will He do with me??
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Post by traveljet on Aug 4, 2006 22:15:42 GMT
As much as Everynation has many issues! Exposing Rick Shelton for the evil, lying, theif he is should be done as well. Rick continues to make well over $500,000 per year. Continues to lie about what transpired with EN, Key church leaders, and His own time of sabbatical. For those who do not know Rick shelton is the president of LCC his church from a legal standpoint and the only members of the board are him, his wife, and a few other yes men who recieve a major amount of support financially from LCC for their traveling around the world....( I mean the missionary work they do) By the way Jack Harris lives in a $700,000plus home as well. He is a board member Rick Shelton lives in a home worth $900,000, He drives a BMW the church pays for He has an expense account well over $50,000 per year. Now that Rick is short on money from giving he has called in the big guns, such as perry stone, who called those who have left the church as "goats gone wild" What people do not know, is that Rick was confronted privately over several years by those so called "goats" then he was confronted in larger groups of 2or 3 and he still did not want to change his ethics or spending habits or his complete dictator control of governing the church.
make no mistake the ones decieved are the idiots who continue to return to the very vomit they were sick of just months prior....
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Post by traveljet on Aug 4, 2006 22:17:45 GMT
Its amazing but the most dumb and weird people are often Christians. Why is that?
Why can't people be real and genuine, instead of FAKE, super freaks!
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