Following are snippets of the top stories posted over the past week on charismanews.com. We encourage you to visit the links to read the stories in full.
Joel Osteen Sparks Social Media Meltdown
The megachurch televangelist has sparked some controversy on social media.
The pastor posted on X, “It’s the simple things in life that bring us the most joy. You may not have a lot of resources, but if you have family, you’re blessed. If you have your health, you’re blessed. If you can look up at the stars at night, you’re blessed.”
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The Latest Updates on the Robert Morris Scandal
For those who have been following the recent breakout of scandal surrounding Robert Morris of Gateway Church, here are a couple of updates worth noting.
In a document obtained by NBC News, a believed audio transcript from a phone call in 2005 between Morris and Clemishire discussed the price it would cost for Clemishire to stay quiet about the situation. The document was given to NBC by a previous staff member of Gateway Church.
“Put a price on it,” the document records Morris saying.
300,000-Member Church to Plant 40 More Megachurches
HYDERABAD, India – Calvary Temple is India’s largest church with more than 300,000 members. Now, it’s on a mission to build 40 more megachurches in the next 10 years.
Most roads in Hyderabad on Sundays lead to Calvary Temple. Shortly after 4 a.m., side streets around the church here are already jammed.
As church volunteers coordinate traffic, shuttle buses, auto rickshaws, and motorcycles ferry thousands of people, all trying to get here two hours ahead of Calvary’s first of five services that begin at 6 a.m.
Robert Morris’ Son, Gateway Elders Take Temporary Leaves of Absence
Elders from Gateway Church and Robert Morris’ son, James Morris, have taken leaves of absence.
On a statement on Gateway’s website, the church noted that this decision came from a recommendation by the law firm they are working with to investigate into the sexual abuse of Cindy Clemishire by Robert Morris, which he has previously admitted to in part.
Thank you for your grace, prayers, and support for all members of our Gateway Church family in recent days,” the statement began. “The Gateway Board of Elders is committed to leading with integrity and humility as we navigate this difficult season together.”
God’s Word to America’s Compromised Churches
With the shocking revelations of the moral failures of pastors of well-known megachurches, I am reminded of something the Lord told me in 2015, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court had legalized same-sex marriage. It happened late one night as I sat in my chair grieving about America’s cultural descent into moral depravity and confusion. I also grieved at the feckless state of the church, seemingly unable to stand against this godless tide.I then heard the Lord speak clearly: “There is a lesson for today’s church from the life of Samson.”
As I then reread the life of Samson in Judges 16, it was clear that the word God wanted to speak to the church was the word “consecration.” With the new and startling revelations of the moral sins of well-known Christian leaders, it seems appropriate to share this message once again.
The Power of a Consecrated Life
Samson was consecrated as a Nazirite while still in his mother’s womb. “Nazirite” comes from the Hebrew word Nazir meaning “consecrated” or “separated.” The Nazirite vow was a solemn commitment: Samson would live a “separated” life unto God, wholly dedicated to His purpose. The outward sign of this consecration was that he would never cut his hair. So long as Samson lived in this consecration, he was invincible. He was able to confront and overcome everything the enemies of God threw against him. On one occasion he killed a thousand Philistines by himself with the jawbone of a donkey.
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