Re: American Idol 2009- Season 8 Thread and Discussion
Here's a former member that has nothing against Gokey at all. But pretty much tells it like it is. Tame, but pretty insightful when you read between the lines.
A family member of mine found this blog doing a search for Dan Gokey and sent it my way. I am just leaving this message for anyone who may like more information about FBIM and their connection with Danny Gokey. Being a former member of the church, I feel responsible to at least offer my perspective of the situation.
During the 8 years that I attended FBIM (formerly called: New Ark Christian Center) I watched Dan Gokey go from a nervous, young worship leader to a confident worship leader. I knew him personally and we even spent some time together outside of the church. He is a good man, and I am glad to see him pursuing a career using his God-given talent. Because I did not directly work in the music department, I cannot say anything in regard to the allegations about him being flirtatious with the girls or argumentative with the other worship team members, but I could guess that the allegations from the anonymous individual may be slightly overstated. Dan definitely matured over the years and it would be wrong to hold those things against him.
I worked in the FBIM A/V (Audio/Visual) department for about 4 years and before leaving I worked in the children?s ministry for about 2 years. In all 8 years of attendance, which was primarily in the Milwaukee location, I witnessed everything that was stated in this blog. Not only did I witness what went on in the Church in general, but I was also given ?leadership? status and was allowed to attend the leadership meetings. Therefore, I am a witness to the allegations against FBIM. The information given in this blog is NOT gossip; it is not the attempt of some anonymous individual to get revenge over a personal offense. There are many people that have been hurt by churches such as these, and I and this individual are not the only ones.
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Looking back on the situation now, it?s clear to me that we all (including myself) wanted the form of ministry that Jeff Pruitt was modeling for us. Jeff Pruitt wanted a megachurch, by his own admission, and so did we.
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The doctrine basically states that God sets one man over a particular region or city and that every Christian in that region is accountable to God to submit to that man. At first this doctrine is taught inside the walls of the church; thus, all of the members of the church must comply with this doctrine so that the entire region will eventually come under the umbrella of this particular man who is God?s ?covering? for that region.
All of this is taught at FBIM, and it produced the results that the nameless blogger described. Most of the time I attended the church I felt a sense of manipulation and control. When someone believes, as Jeff Pruitt does, that he is the ?man of God? it is difficult to question him. There are people out there that just want to find something to criticize someone about. I am not that person. I just think that we all need to be corrected at times, and when you put yourself in a position that is untouchable you are setting yourself up to nurture your pride. I could tell that Pruitt did not take correction well. As long as we were a part of the church we were not allowed to do anything apart from the pastor?s final decision. I tried to get council from the associate pastor for my mental problems, but the answer was always the same: you can?t do it if pastor doesn?t approve. And my struggle at the time was merely changing my volunteer work from the A/V to the children?s ministry. Because I was so mentally distraught I left the A/V anyway and went to the children?s ministry. Shortly after that, the associate pastor that I tried to get council from left the church.
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Sadly, during my entire time at the church, I do not remember Jeff Pruitt saying much about being moral, following the Ten Commandments, or even following the teachings of Jesus like the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, he taught about how to get healthy, wealthy, and stay in line with the proper spiritual authority (which of course was him).
One final word: I get very tired of hearing Christians say that we shouldn?t judge. There?s a world of difference between being unnecessarily critical, and simply correcting people that are doing immoral and unrighteous things. If we are not supposed to judge then why did Jesus say [this] in Matthew 18:15-17
[cut out some Scripture]
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These are very strong words. If someone refuses to receive correction, according to Jesus we are supposed to expose his faults publically. Everyone who was formerly involved has a responsibility to lay out the facts concerning FBIM and churches like it.
...[Y]ou should probably be careful not to allow Dan?s connection with the church to move you to financially support it.
I read somewhere church attendence has doubled, since Hokey Gokey and dead wife sob story started. This member was so rightous they left because of the corruption and lack of worship. What does that say?
Best Wishes...oF :+waving-5
Hey man, you got my money? You're not going to forget are you? What am I saying, of course your not going to forget.
Hey man, you got my money? You're not going to forget are you? What am I saying, of course your not going to forget.
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