Looking back on the creepy cults of the 70s and the self-indulgent excesses of the televangelists of the 80s can be a little like watching an episode of some ghastly ‘reality TV show’: as the freaks and frauds parade on the television screen, that subtle sentiment of “I thank thee Lord that I am not like other men” is never far from the surface.
When it comes to cults and televangelists, of course, evangelical Protestants have an obvious foundation for assuming their superiority to the wild-eyed megalomaniacs and the superannuated mullet-haired mountebanks of the TV revival brigade: orthodox theology. The scoundrels are all deviant or downright heretical. We have the right theology, so we cannot be cultists or corrupt, can we? Sadly, that is not so.
In fact, as Paul himself makes clear, the gospel – the true gospel – can be peddled for power and for profit. To borrow Lutheran terminology, just because the product being sold is the theology of the cross does not mean that the salesman is not a theologian of glory. Cults and corruption are reflections of certain cultures, not of confessions. They can be as orthodox on paper as the Chalcedonian Definition but as perverted in their practices as a poker game run by a man called ‘Honest John.’ So just because somebody preaches the gospel, uses the name of Jesus every other sentence and cries when they talk about the lost does not guarantee that they are not a cult leader or simply in it for what they can get out of it.
The key is the culture. One must ask cultural questions of such men, not simply doctrinal ones. Is the culture of their church or organisation transparent? Are there clear lines of accountability which flow both ways, from the leadership to the grassroots and from the grassroots to the leadership? Is opposition to leadership decisions addressed in an open fashion or via thuggish backroom manoeuvres and public derision and isolation of critics? And one interesting question which I remember a pastor once asking in a pulpit when I was a college student: how far above the average economic level of the congregation or funding constituency does the leadership live? That little old lady putting her ten dollars in the plate each Sunday or sending in her pledge — is she funding a lifestyle for functionally unaccountable leaders which is lavish beyond words and built on gospel rhetoric, on not-for-profit tax breaks and on an overwheening sense of entitlement? That can be quite an interesting gauge of whether the church or ministry takes seriously its role as steward of the money it receives. It is, after all, easy to prostitute yourself to the prosperity gospel when your own prophecies of material wealth are effectively underwritten by the desperate dreams of the poor and destitute which you yourself have helped to create and upon which you prey with a depraved and insatiable hunger.
Cultists and con-men are identifiable only by their culture, not by their confessions.
Source: Carl Trueman, The Culture’s the Thing!, 08/10/2012. (Accessed 19/11/2012.)
You can read the content of the C3 Constitution below. We will be using this document for future articles at C3CW.
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Christian City Church International
C3i CONSTITUTION
Purposes, Goals and Objectives
1. To promote a network of relationships, to give support, encouragement and instruction to pastors and their churches.
2. To build, increase, expand and grow the Church of Jesus Christ through the evangelization and discipleship of all residents of the nations in which we are present – in harmony with Matt 16:18, and obedience to Matt 19;20.
3. To develop and deploy ministries.
4. To promote the Kingdom of God in its fullness and encourage its expansion through the birthing, planting and maintaining of churches structured after New Testament principles.
5. To provide fellowship and pastoral care for Christians in our churches.
6. To promot the Christian faith according to New Testament parameters throughout the world by the preaching of God’s Word through all means possible.
7. To provide order, discipline and requirements as such that keep our Christians from immorality, ungodliness, deceptions and any other practices threatening to bring dishonour to the Lord, His church or His ministers.
8. To obtain properties, equipment, machinery, and chattel to aid the fulfillment of all the above.
9. To solicit funds to aid the fulfillment of all the above.
10. To maintain a good reputation and continuing fellowship with the Body of Christ at large.
11. To understand and regularly re-evaluate our “particular” calling (prophetic voice) and to be faithful in conducting our ministries to include such. This will also embrace the unchanging principle of our churches speaking a coherent message to the world and the church and to execute New Testament principles in a culturally relevant manner suitable to the context of our calling. Thus, there is no particular “style” of Christian City Church except that of Godly principles and character. The style of our presentation will necessarily be different according to our local environment.
12. To conduct our lives and ministries so that we are fruitful.
13. To promote the glory of God and the exaltation of Jesus Christ.
Constitution
CCCI is a fellowship of ministers and churches in Jesus Christ.
Privileges of Membership
Membership in this fellowship and permission to use the name Christian City Church is dependent on the observance of the following requirements.
Government of the Fellowship
The fellowship known as CCCI shall be governed by a Board including the Chairman (Phil Pringle so long as he continues as the Senior Minister of a Christian City Church), and not less than five other members of the fellowship. Each member of the Board, with the exception of the Chairman, may serve on the board for a period of no longer than 5 years of continual service after which a minimum of one year’s absence from the Board must occur before he/she can be invited back onto the Board. Members of the Board are to retire in rotation to enable continuity of the membership of the Board.
Membership of the Board is by invitation of existing members of the Board, however, all the Senior Ministers of the fellowship will be advised of a proposed appointment being made. Any board member must be a senior minister, or of the opinion of the board, a person of equal skill and experience. The existing Board shall select the Board in conference with these comments.
The Life of Certified Ministers of the Fellowship
It is expected that members of the fellowship observe the following requirements.
1. Devotion to the Word of God and Prayer
Devotion must be measurable. This means no less than seven hours per week are spent in prayer and the Word in persona devotion.
2. Observance in Conduct of the New Testament Requirements for Ministers
(1 Tim 3:1-10 & 6:11-15; Titus 1:5-9)
3. Commitment to the Chain of Command in the Fellowship
This means in general obedience and accountability to those above you.
a) Obedience relates to counsel, advice and commands given. This also relates to agreement to terms of discipline arrived at by the CCCI Board in the case of any moral lapse or failure that requires disciplining.
b) Accountability relates to an “open book” policy regarding finances, board meetings, church policy, church leadership, personal and private lifestyle.
c) Payment of a two and a half percent levy to the movement, Christian City Church International, based on non-designated income.
In the excercise of their leadership role within their churches, members of the fellowship are required to observe the following procedures:
Th Rules of Fellowship?
Preliminary
Membership in this fellowship is dependent upon your agreement to observe and carry out the following requirements. You are to understand they are not optional but mandatory. You are to understand that if found by the Board of CCCI to be delinquent in any of these areas and fail to conform to the disciplinary requirements of the Board, you will ultimately forfeit the right to continue to use the name Christian City Church and will cease to be a member of the fellowship.
1) You shall observe one service a week as a general rule, in which communion, giving for the support of the ministry, preaching the Word, and worship are all to be practised. You shall seek to grow as a church, to expand the Kingdom of God, to bear fruit such as good conduct, good character, converts, new ministers, and new churches.
2) You shall have at least one regular, weekly prayer meeting open to the church.
3) You shall engage in some form of regular outreach to the lost.
4) You shall allow and encourage the operations of the ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit in your services.
5) You shall pastor your people as befitting a faithful minister of Christ in as much as you shall keep membership records which must be updated at least quarterly. You must know who is in your church. Provide means by which people can join your church. Maintain regular pasotral contact with those registered as members of your church. Make contact with those leaving your church.
6) You shall observe all normal business practices in running a non-profit, charitable organisation.
7) You shall have a board of directors of not less than three people. Of the first year of a churches operation, where people may not be proven, a board from within may not be viable. External board members from other CCC churches are acceptable.
8) You shall have at least two signatories to all bank accounts. These signatories are not to be related by birth or marriage.
9) You shall not borrow any monies beyond what you can secure.
10) You shall not secure any borrowings against houses or assets of any kind owned by members, individual or corporate, in your own or someone else’s congregation. If you do borrow money it must be proven that you can make the repayments.
11) You shall use money given for only the purpose it is given or solicited. You shall not use it for any other purpose.
12) Monies received for services rendered eg. weddings, must be declared as taxable income. If he/she receives any substantial gift from a member, he/she must inform their local Church Board.
13) You shall make yourself aware of the requirements of the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or the equivalent law/body in each nation) and the responsibilities of Directors, and behave in the required manner.
14) You shall give enough attention to your own family so that it remains intact and healthy.
15) You shall take enough rest to ensure your mental, emotional and physical health remain strong.
16) – You shall not use or allow the pulpit to be used to:
a) promote commercial ventures
b) promote political beliefs
c) do anything of a lewd, corrupt or heretical nature
d) to vent personal needs, injustices, angers or business ventures.
17) The Senior Minister shall attend at least the major annual conference (that being either National or State), and where possible, seminars and training required by the CCCI fellowship.
18) You shall not engage in or encourage communications which slander other members of this movement or the Body of Christ. Your commitment to the leadership of CCCI is to be manifested in the active discouragement of criticism and slander of such. You shall not be a divisive not be a divisive influence in this fellowship.
19) You shall not indulge in excesses or improper habits unbecoming as an example to God’s flock of how to live the Christian life.”
20) Any other developments besides the maintenance of a normal Church life routine shall be presented to the Pastor’s Overseer for discussion, outlining necessary details (eg. addition of a bible college, youth refuge, Christian school). Details of personnel, funding, facilities and feasibility must be supplied. The Pastor’s Overseer must be notified of the purchase or long term lease of commercial property.
Non-profit clause:
The assets and income of CCCI shall be applied solely in furtherance of its abovementioned objects and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organisation except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of CCCI.
Dissolution clause:
In the event of CCCI being dissolved, the amount which remains after such dissolution and the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be transferred to an organisation which has similar objectives and which, itself, is exempt from income tax.
Definitions
a) Senior Minister – for the purpose of this document the term Senior Minister refers to that person who is recognised as the leader/overseer of the Church. It may also include someone of the status of a Senior Minister who is an active associate minister in the Church, but not the leader/overseer of the Church.
b) Heretical – in paragraph 16, shall be interpreted with reference to the “Apostolic and Nicene Creeds”.
c) Member of Fellowship – A minister of and/or a church having received certification from the CCCI Board.
I, Pastor ………………………………. have read, understood and accept the conditions contained within the Christian City Church International Constitution (the “Constitution”).
…………………………………
Signed
…………………………………
Witnessed
…………………………………
Dated
We the Church Board have read, understood and agree to uphold the standards required in the Constitution.
CHURCH BOARD
…………………………………
Name (please print)
…………………………………
Signature
…………………………………
Dated
Please complete this page and return it (this page only) to the CCCI office.
Some interesting things occurred in response to that post. First, more than one person from the same organization contacted me thanking me. My exhortation to them was simple– I’ve been there, hang in there but get out as fast as you can.
That is why, if you do find yourself in an unhealthy Christian organization, I would encourage you to consider that God may want you to leave it. My own standard is this: will staying here hurt my walk with God or harm my family?
You might be able to handle it, but you have to ask how it will impact your family as well. You may notice that the leader often talks about the priority of family, but generally only gives priority to his or her own family– if even them. You are the only one who is advocating for your family– protect them.
Being at a place that “makes a difference” sounds good, but if you end up with a confused spiritual life or broken family, it is just not worth the price. You do not want to be a “great place” and have a broken life because you have become warped by the culture around you.
That is indeed what happens. You can often see the impact on those close to the leader. An unhealthy Christian organization tends to have two things going on at the top of the organizations:
First, many of the best leaders leave (and the leader finds a way to spin their departure).
Second, the leaders that stay take on the unhealthy characteristics of the organization, becoming part of the problem (even though they often bemoan the attributes of the leader). In a sense, we reproduce who we are– creating “mini-me” personalities of the leader.
Yet, that is what the unhealthy leader wants– no one to disagree or give another idea. So, in all likelihood, your best scenario is to leave.
If you believe you need to leave, start praying and looking for another ministry opportunity. This recognition of a different future will likely ease the daily pain and struggle, and help you to face each day. When you know you are going to leave, you can deal with staying a lot easier– and I know this from personal experience. When I have been in unhealthy situations, once I decided I was going to leave I did not worry so much about what was going on around me. Either way, trust your future to Christ and he gives peace that passes all understanding.
However, the reality is, in some cases you may need to stay. If that is the case, and if you believe God wants you to stay, I’d suggest these attitudes:
1. Don’t be afraid. Fear makes you cower rather than live in courage. Recognize you are in an unhealthy organization, but don’t become an unhealthy servant. I assure you, this will make you stand out (and people will say bad things), but don’t be a coward for any reason.
2. Make a difference. When I served in unhealthy places, I simply asked, “What can I do here, now?” And when you are not scurrying about in fear, you can get much done for the kingdom. I was able to encourage a lot of people– often those living in the same toxic culture.
3. Speak truth. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth about the culture, and when appropriate, the leadership. There will probably be some pushback, or even retaliation, but as you tell the truth with grace and humility, you may be heard–or it may reveal that you need to go.
4. Recognize the Lord may have other reasons for keeping you in your position. Perhaps you have another ministry in your city or church. If that is the case, contribute where you can in your job, recognize how it provides for your family, but focus your energies on your ministry. I know some who continue to work in unhealthy organizations, but stay out of devotion to their local church ministry or other calling. They endure the unhealthy organization to pursue their calling with joy.
These are not easy answers. It may be some are struggling in their places of service and don’t know where to turn. I encourage you to pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom in your calling. It may be that you will be called to do some difficult yet courageous things.
Have you left a ministry? Have you stayed? What was the result? Did you make the wise choice? What did you learn? Share your thoughts with us below.
As I am doing for this particular series, the comment rules about anonymous posting are suspended but please be wise in the words/names used in your comments.
I will share one more post on the subject in the coming days…
Considering (and Surviving) Unhealthy Christian Organizations, part 1
In recent months, I have run across several people in unhealthy Christian churches and organizations. Having worked in some such settings myself, I have seen patterns that led me to start thinking . . . and writing. Maybe that is not such a good idea, but I think it is an important one. The issue continues to grow and, although such organizations can actually do good, the harm they cause to many others is immeasurable.
I started thinking about writing this article when a couple I know were approached about working at a prominent Christian organization. They expressed appreciation of how much good is done by this organization. Yet, they were not interested because they knew people who worked there. And, although everyone who worked there would readily say God was doing great things, they also used two phrases regularly: “we’re miserable” and “around here, you just keep your head down and do your job.”
And therein lies the quandary of the dysfunctional Christian organization– it often does good things on the outside while destroying the soul of those on the inside.
So, how do you know if your Christian organization or church is dysfunctional? Let me share some signs I have observed:
1. The church or organizational culture does not value those serving, just those leading and the function of the organization. When ministry leaders see people as tools rather than partners, the end result is that people are used to serve the purpose, rather than being part of the purpose. They are the tools but they don’t matter– only the leaders matter.
2. The leader is the only one who is allowed to think. The followers are to implement and nothing more. As the organization grows and the leader’s bandwidth does not, decisions are delayed and delayed because other leaders cannot make them. At one place, they refer to the leader’s office as “the black hole to which ideas go to die.” All ideas have to be approved by the leader, and since that leader thinks only he/she has good ideas, no ideas come from the people.
3. The organization or church thinks everyone else is wrong and only they are right. Thus, there is no value in other people or groups– there is a narrow group of the acceptable and the “others” are not just wrong, they are stupid. Arrogance is almost always a mark of an unhealthy Christian organization.
4. People rationalize that the good they are experiencing is worth the abuse they are receiving. Often, it is not until they have stepped away that they realize this was not true. This is one of the great lies that Christians are led to believe– that the end justifies the means. Dysfunctional organizations are towers of cards– looking (and maybe doing) good now, but they will fall because eventually the truth comes out.
5. People often know of the glaring character problems of the leader, but no one can speak truth to power. Often, I’ve noticed, these dynamic leaders are known for their anger, yet the organization fears (rather than addresses) the leader’s anger. In the end, the leader is unquestionable due to spiritual, apostolic, ecclesiastical, academic, or some other power base.
6. Many times, the leader gets a pass for the fruit of his/her leadership because of some overwhelming characteristic: preaching ability, intelligence, ability to woo others, or more. Yet, the fruit remains below– a culture toxic to all who swim downstream. The leader is often seen (from the outside) as a great leader, but those inside know him/her as someone who is, well, more concerned about outside appearance than godly leadership.
To be blunt, I see this last issue more often than you might expect. Perhaps it is because of what I do, working with different denominations and groups. I am encouraged now to be in a more healthy work environment. However, I think there is a significant issue out there– a lot of unhealthy Christian organizations are hurting those who serve within them.
Maybe you are in an unhealthy church or organization. Over the next few weeks, I would like to write something more definitive (and I hope helpful) on the subject as I see it as a great need. If you are willing, share some other characteristics (and let me know if these characteristics I’ve shared are accurate). For this series, I am suspending the comment rules about anonymous posting but please be wise in the words and comments.
In my next post, I will address what the Christian’s response might be when working in such an organization.
Scriptures say to those who put a price on the Holy Spirit:
“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” - Apostle Peter, Acts 8:20-24
Mark Kelsey says,
“Obvously ‘Every Woman’ is coming up in a couple of weeks time in ‘Every Woman’s Conference’. And ah- you can also- oh! We want you to register. Men, register for your women. Women, register for yourself and buy a ticket for someone else. And why don’t you- do that? Like the staff did, buy a ticket to someone who can’t afford to go. Who thinks that?
Who thinks there are women out there who want and need revival but maybe can’t afford it- so we can be that to them as well? – Which is great!” – Mark Kelsey, Phil & Chris Pringle – Mars & Venus Part 1, http://www2.myc3church.net/videos/phil-chris-pringle-mars-venus-part-1, Sunday, 10am, 14/10/2012.
What is revival? According to Pringle a revival can be manufactured. When people are in this C3-type-of ‘revival’ they can control people where they sit, shame people into worship, con people to empty their wallets and get them emotionally manipulated.
This is not Christianity. This is a disgraceful sham. Why would C3 encourage Christian’s to ‘buy’ revival for victims who “can’t afford” to be involved in a financial scam? How is scamming people loving? Will they get someone like Kong Hee or Phil Pringle to encourage those who can’t afford revival to empty their bank accounts?
“Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” 2John 1:8-11
This article will examine Phil Pringle and David Yonggi Cho. We will first look at there connections. We will then examine Yonggi Cho’s teachings and ministry. Finally, we will draw our conclusions on Phil Pringle and Yonggi Cho.
ASSOCIATIONS
Update: Just recently for Phil Pringle’s birthday, Yonggi Cho decided to publicly endorse Phil Pringle and wish him a happy 60th.
In a previous article, we have recorded Phil Pringle associating himself with David Yonggi Cho through Facebook,
Pringle is also on the board of David Yonggi Cho’s Church Growth International (CGI) organisation. City Harvest Church says (emphasis mine),
“Ps. Phil is a board member of Church Growth International, an organization founded by Dr. Yonggi Cho, dedicated to teaching the principles of evangelism and church growth to pastors all over the world.” - City Harvest Church, Up-coming Guest Speakers, http://www.chc.org.sg/eng/church/events_highlights_phil_pringle_111126-27.php.
Rick Ross records that Church Growth International is,
Here we can see Chris and Phil Pringle attending Cho’s church with the rest of the Yonggi Cho’s ‘Church Growth International’ (CGI) board of directors.
Book Endorsements
Pringle also has his books endorsed by the Cho as well. For example, Pringle records Cho saying the following on his book ‘You The Leader’,
“”I Would like to recommend the book entitled “You The Leader” by Dr Phil Pringle. All True Christians are called to use their talents and their gifts in a position of authority in the Body of Christ. This book will help each Christian understand his or her role in the Body of Christ” - Dr David Yonggi Cho , The Yoido Full Gospel Church Seoul, Korea.”
C3 promotes and sells David Yonggi Cho’s book ‘The Fourth Dimension’ in their own Gold Store at their church and online:
“Paul Yonggi Cho, pastor of the world’s largest and fastest growing church, bestselling author and popular speaker reveals secrets for answered prayer, church renewal, and personal growth… Strongly recommended By Ps Phil Pringle, Ps Mark Kelsey & C3 College.”
On that note, I have been personally informed by the previous school of Creative Arts principle Jeff Crabtree, that Yonggi Cho personally mentors Phil Pringle. This is apparently common knowledge among C3 Leaders at the Oxford Falls church.
I was previously a student at the C3 Colleges between 2007-2009. In mid-2007, I saw that a required reading for students in the School of Ministry (SOM), was Yonggi Cho’s book, ‘The Fourth Dimension’. I saw they had an assessment where they had to read Cho’s book and write on it.
Because of Pringle and Cho’s friendship, other C3 leaders are influenced by Cho. In fact, Dean Rush is a teacher of the C3 Church Leadership College. Dean Rush says on his blog,
“I just got back from Korea where I was attending Ps Yonggi Cho’s Church Growth Conference. It was unreal. I was hanging out with Ps Phil Pringle and Ps Kong Hee and listening to Ps Cho. That’s about as good a week as you can have!
This guy has built the largest church in the history of Christianity by prayer, faith and the Holy Spirit.
He preached a message on faith that took me to another level.
Here are 3 keys of faith from Ps Cho
1. Faith swells in an environment of faith.
It is so important for us to live in the faith zone, to operate in faith and to remain firmly in faith.
I think in the world today – we can have the intention of living by faith but are tempted by and often give in to the doubts, fears and realities that surround us every day.
Our faith gives way to fear.
We need to constantly be putting ourselves in an environment of faith – being in church, getting around great leaders and inspiring people, reading the word of God, spending time in prayer and seeing visions.
2. Faith wants to have a clear goal.
We need to know what we are applying our faith to. Define your goal and bring it before God in persistent prayer.
Keep your goal in mind and see it coming to pass. Pray for it, aim towards it and never let it out of your sight.
3. Language is the clothing for faith.
How cool is that thought!
Faith needs an expression and this happens through your words.
What you speak is what is inside you. So faith expresses itself in your life by your words. So speak words of faith and life and keep speaking them.
Even in the C3 College library, students have access to Cho’s material.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YONGGI CHO
Paul the Apostle rebukes the Corinthian church for embracing men who bring a different gospel, a different spirit and a different Jesus into their church.
“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”” - 2 Corinthians 11:3-5, (Emphasis mine).
As you will see, Yonggi Cho is a minister that fits Paul’s description. Since C3 uses the promotes book ‘The Fourth Dimension’ and teaches it in their colleges, we shall look what people at C3 Leaders are learning from Yonggi Cho. Cho writes,
“You can tap that power for your tuition, your clothes, your books, your health, your business, everything! When you go out to preach the gospel you are not preaching a vague objective, a theory, philosophy, or human religion. You are actually teaching people how to tap endless resources!” – David Yonggi Cho, The Fourth Dimension, 1979, pg. 186.
This is a different good news. A different gospel. The gospel is “teaching people how to tap endless resources”? That sounds like a prosperity gospel. In this same book Cho says,
“Son, as the second dimension includes and controls the first dimension, and the third dimension includes and controls the second dimension, so the fourth dimension includes and controls the third dimension, producing a creation of order and beauty. The spirit is the fourth dimension. Every human being is a spiritual being as well as a physical being. They have the fourth dimension as well as the third dimension in their hearts.” So men, by exploring their spiritual sphere of the fourth dimension through the development of concentrated visions and dreams in their imaginations, can brood over and incubate the third dimension, influencing and changing it. This is what the Holy Spirit taught me” - David Yonggi Cho, The Fourth Dimension, 1979, pg. 38-40.
This is not the Holy Spirit. This is a different spirit. You will not find this teaching any where in the bible. Where does the bible talk about second, third and fourth dimensions? Because Cho has made the claim that God gave him this divine teaching directly – if we are to believe Cho, this book is infallible. He has added another book to the scriptures because God spoke to him directly. Is it worth accepting that this book is an infallible writing of God because Cho received new divine teachings to teach other Christians? Hopefully all reading would conclude with a ‘no’.
Finally Cho teaches,
“God gave power to human beings to control the material world and to have dominion over material things, a responsibility they can carry out through the fourth dimension [their inner spiritual being]. Now unbelievers, by developing their inner spiritual being in such a way can carry out dominion upon their third dimension, which includes their physical sicknesses and diseases … Jesus is bound to what you speak forth … As well as you can release Jesus’ power through your spoken word, you can also create the presence of Christ. If you do not speak the word of faith clearly, Christ can never be released … You create the presence of Jesus with your mouth. If you speak about salvation, the saving Jesus appears. If you speak about divine healing, then you will have the healing Christ in your congregation. If you speak the miracle performing Jesus, then the presence of the miracle performing Jesus is released. He is bound by your lips and your words. He is depending on you…” - David Yonggi Cho, The Fourth Dimension, 1979, pg. 81-82.
This is clearly another Jesus. To say this is the Lord Jesus Christ is blasphemous. How can Cho call Jesus ‘Lord’ if he is bold enough to teach “If you do not speak the word of faith clearly, Christ can never be released”? Christ is not bound by our formulated lip service. What further proves this is another Jesus is Cho’s language. He teaches that when we a Christian speaks forth, ‘the saving Jesus appears’, ‘the healing Christ’ or ‘the miracle performing Jesus’ can work. Why does he sound like he is a releasing a different Jesus under his different desires or circumstances? It’s worth asking what kind of useless authority does Cho’s Jesus have when Jesus boldly declares the following.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” - Matthew 28:18
Yonggi Cho’s Jesus “is bound by [Cho's] lips and [Cho's] words” and does not surpass the authority of Cho. So why does he teach this?
CHO’s CONNECTION TO SHAMANISM/OCCULT/PANTHEISM/NEW AGE?
David Yonggi Cho has been accused of promoting shamanism. Reynalds writes,
“Korean Christians tend to see Christianity as a path to material prosperity [sic]. That trait is a residue of shamanism, the native folk religion for centuries in Korea and other Northeast Asian countries.
In shamanism the shaman (a quasi medicine man or woman) is asked to intercede with the spirits to ensure one’s health or business success. Many professing Christians contend that the gods of shamanism and the God of Christianity are kindred spirits.”- Jeremy Reynalds, Shamanistic Influences In Korean Pentecostal Christianity: An Analysis, http://www.rickross.com/reference/yoidoyonggi/yoido2.html, 2000. (Accessed 22/05/2012)
We wish to point readers to these articles written about Yonggi Cho’s possible connection to Shamanism and other spiritual practices and beliefs.
With this in mind, we would like you to compare the above definition of shamnism with Phil Pringle at this years Presence Conference. Before Pringle started his ‘Miracle Offering’ session, Pringle said,
“I’ve got about a thousand miracles inside of me, ready to be unlocked into your world, in Jesus mighty name, amen!” - Phil Pringle, Presence Conference, 01:09:10, 12/04/2012.
Watch Pringle at his 2012 Presence Conference at 45:11 onwards:
Towards the end at 1:00:45, the drum beat is worked up again. Pringle gets up and starts binding the ‘devil’ off people who gave money. He clearly sees himself as the spiritual authority figure over every Christian present who just gave their money to him. At 1:01:25, Pringle rebukes the spirit of debt (if there is a spirit of debt). Remember a shaman will ‘intercede with the spirits to ensure one’s health or business success’. What we’re seeing is no exorcism. This is something else that we never see Jesus or his disciples do. He’s not casting out demons to see people saved but to see people materially blessed.
So why is Pringle yelling at spirits to be broken off for one’s health or business success? Is this a shamanistic element passed on to Pringle by Yonggi Cho’s influence?
CHO & THE ‘COMMON WORD’ CONTROVERSY
It is important that “Christians and Muslims… live together in peace”. However, this document is stressing more then this. It says that we with Muslims need to, “work diligently together to reshape relations between our communities and our nations so that they genuinely reflect our common love for God and for one another”. This ‘work’ is reshaping more then just relationships.
However, the muslim God is very different to the Christian God. This document not only blurs the lines between the gods of Muslims and Christians – it willingly fuses them together. As the document tries to compare the similarities, it goes as far as saying, ”God’s goodness is infinite and not bound by anything”. This article, “A Common Word Between Us” stresses “so insistently the unique devotion to one God, indeed the love of God, as the primary duty of every believer”. So in essence, this article is merging deities into one and calling them the same!
The Christian God IS bound. He chooses to bind Himself to His word and the covenants he has made with his people through time. His goodness is bound by Jesus and His covenant through His shed blood and broken body at the cross. This article is redefining the God revealed to us in scriptures.
Not only that – Cho has signed the controversial ‘A Common Word…’ petition that says that Muslims and Christians can “genuinely reflect our common love for God and for one another”. Light House Trails Research offers this information on ministers who signed the petition.
So why has David Yonggi Cho signed this dangerous petition? How is this ‘Christian leader’ offering Christians an accurate witness to the Christian faith? Why is Phil Pringle still personally being mentored by this man who cannot distinguish the difference between the faith of Islam and Christianity? Jesus is not Allah.
CONCLUSION
We at C3 Church Watch do not wish to misrepresent the teachings and beliefs of David Yonggi Cho. We have quoted from his book what he teaches. We encourage you to go to the book itself and read his teachings if you question our research.We have documented as best we can his movement and have hoped to point people to accurate articles to help understand him further.
We do not wish to misrepresent how closely Phil Pringle and C3 associate with David Yonngi Cho. We are simply recording the facts the best we can. By placing the above factual accounts to the word of God, it becomes evident that David Yonggi Cho is a dangerous false teacher. As Paul continues to say about those who bring a different message, Jesus and spirit,
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve…” - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
Why does Pringle choose to be influenced by Yonggi Cho? If Phil Pringle is choosing to remain united with Yonggi Cho’s false teachings, then Pringle is “participat[ing] in [Cho's] evil deeds”. (2John 1:8-11.)
We encourage ANYONE who is moved by the grim facts about the spiritual status of David Yonggi Cho, Phil Pringle and the C3 movement, to pray for them.
Pray that Pringle repents, turns away from David Yonggi and re-examines his theological understanding of the scriptures. Pray for Yonggi Cho and his church to repent and return to biblical Christianity.
From ‘Fighting For the Faith’, Chris Rosebrough reviewed another sermon of Phil Pringle in late 2010. Tune in to the start of the review after the first hour in.
NOVEMBER 29, 2010
TWILIGHT ZONE MARATHON EPISODE
• Granger says Healthy Churches Grow But….
• Patricia King’s Chia Pet Prophecy
• Melissa Fisher says God Believes in You
• 3rd Eagle Claims WWIII Has Begun
• Sermon Review by Phil Pringle, C3 Church, Sydney Australia
The scriptures say that such men are “evil men and impostors” who “will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”. (2 Timothy 3:13) Pringle says that he doesn’t preach a prosperity gospel.
“And the deal – some people accuse that – just what I said then, saying, ‘Oah! That’s prosperity gospel’ or whetever. I’ve never preached a gospel other than about Jesus my whole life. That’s the gospel: Jesus Christ. Beginning and end. You know I got no other message then that one.” – Phil Pringle, Steven Furtick ‘Stay Behind The Guide’, http://www2.myc3church.net/videos/steven-furtick-%E2%80%98stay-behind-guide, C3 Church Oxford Falls, 15/04/2012.
We have covered in the past that Pringle teaches that Jesus died to make believers materially rich. We also know that the faith he preaches is more occult-centered” than Christian centered. Once again, the evidence seems to point out that he DOES preach the false prosperity gospel and that he doesn’t preach the gospel of Christ and Christ crucified.
From City News.
Phil Pringle in the House
Posted on 14 September 2009
Founder and President of renowned C3 International ministries, Phil Pringle, was in town during the weekend of 29-30 August 2009 to speak at City Harvest Church’s (CHC) English Services.
Phil Pringle, 57, visits the church in Singapore at least twice a year and has never failed to bring fresh messages to the 27,000-member strong church. “(Pastor Phil) never fails to bring a new Word and perspective of God to bless the congregation here at CHC,” says Benny Lin, 24, a facilities officer for CHC. “I look forward to his messages on faith and prosperity and I certainly experience personal breakthrough in my own life when I apply the principles of these messages.”
“God wants to bring freedom and victory to believers,” said Pringle on 29 August 2009, the evening service at the Singapore Expo. His sermon spoke largely of God having a purposeful plan for Christians and how their lives should not be one of fear and destruction.
Pringle added to his point by saying that, “God thinks of many things; but one of the greatest things that He thinks about is His people,” in other words; God will always have a wonderful plan for everyone’s life simply because He loves His people.
PHOTOS: Daniel Poh
Ang Mei Mei, 22, a recent graduate of this year’s City Harvest Bible Training Center (CHBTC) recalls that services with Pringle have always been characterized by a strong “presence of God and His love” felt by the students in CHBTC. “Not only do I come away from the meetings with a new
revelation of God’s character, I also feel a renewed and stronger love for Him.”
The next visit to CHC for Pringle would be for the upcoming Asia Conference 2010, a bi-annual conference organized by CHC.
NOTE: SCREEN GRAB WAS TAKEN ON THE 19-11-2012.
revelation of God’s character, I also feel a renewed and stronger love for Him.”
