You try to make sense out of Stephen Bennett.
I can’t — every paragraph contradicts every other paragraph.
The one consistent element: Self-promotion.
E
You try to make sense out of Stephen Bennett.
I can’t — every paragraph contradicts every other paragraph.
The one consistent element: Self-promotion.
Aw, c’mon-has Stephen Bennett EVER made sense?
The self-promotion worked. Bennett has posted the audio of a 5-minute segment on CNN Headline News from Friday evening at his new church web site.
CNN has a page on which errors, ommissions, or slanted coverage can be reported, where I just posted this:
There are two published phone numbers for HHCC, both of which are Bennett’s catch-all numbers fo whatever he does: 203.926.6960 and 800.832.2623. The address of HHCC is a PO Box.
But he freely admits on his website that it is an online “chuch.” I don’t think he’s trying to fool much of anyone except those he preaches to and his contributors.
Good points, Lij…
I could have and should have been more clear by noting that the address and phone are not published under the name Heavenly Hope Christian Church in any traditional listings.
It is reasonable for listeners to expect CNN to confirm the identity and qualiications of its expert commentators. Bennett’s relevant expertise cited for this appearance was being both ex-gay and pastor of a church. While the words “pastor” and “church” are at least nominally accurate, CNN listeners who wanted to meet the pastor or attend the church would probably be surprised to find that the church is a 6-week-old online enterprise which publicly invites folks to download sermons and join by paying $50/month, but not to attend services.
CNN would have been more forthright if it had alluded in some fashion to Bennett’s 6 weeks of pastoral experience, the church’s virtual nature, and its infancy.
Hmmm… Now the church website has been updated.
Gone: The audio of the CNN segment. Did the church not have permission to post it? Who would have guessed Bennett might get mixed up in possible copyright infringement?
Gone: The homepage invitation to become a “‘Church Home Away from Home’ Member of Heavenly Hope Christian Church” for only $50/month.
I’m kind of hoping Michael Bussee weighs in on the Ted Haggard thing.
I think his perspective on this would be fascinating.
Well, now Alan Chambers has now commented in this Baptist Press:
I’m just left wondering what Chambers’ considers the specific moral failures are in the Haggard scandal, and if homosexual sex is one of these.
I can’t imagine a point in the Baptist Press to garner a comment from someone who identifies as a former homosexual — unless the point has to specifically has to do with same-sex sex.
In my opinion, using terms that apparently liken same-sex sex to “moral failure” to don’t seem condusive to communicating about God’s Grace [to] the Homosexual Next Door — especially if the quotes are posted openly on the internet.
Autumn,
I’m not sure that the comments are inconsistent. Because Alan believes that God’s grace is to overcome temptations about homosexuality, it would reasonable to discuss same-sex sexual activity as a moral failure.
Of course all the silliness about the sin of identity is just wacky non-biblical theo-mumble-jumble. But most people (me included) would agree that engaging in sex while married to (and deceiving) another person is a moral failure. And most evangelicals – regardless of their opinions about orientation – believe all same-sex sexual activity is a moral failure. This language is consistent with the understanding of Alan’s target audience.
Scott said: “I’m kind of hoping Michael Bussee weighs in on the Ted Haggard thing.”
Well, Scott, I feel for him. I was also married, a father, in full-time ministry, preaching against homosexuality. I identify with his feeling of revulsion and shame. I would hide in gay bars when out-of-town on ex-gay speaking engagements, just to feel at home. What killed me was the secretiveness, the promises I made to myself that I could not keep. The speed use (which came later for me). The feeling that I was (as Haggard put it) a “deciever aand a liar”. The struggle to be what I was not.
I feel for his wife and his kids. My deception caused great pain to myself and to my family. I left before I was outed. Thank God. It feels so much better to be able to be myself, embracing my true faith and my true sexuality. I pray that Pastor Haggard also finds that kind of peace.
Since leaving EXODUS, I have treid to live by the motto, “Live honestly, love courageously.” I hope the Pastor Haggard can finally do the same.
Thank you Michael. Having never had to be in that position I knew you’d give a perspective that I can’t possibly understand.