Wish you didn't take back from your previous videos. Teaching is your highest priority and difference. I'm still standing with most of your ideals. Definitely red flags on that stuff!
Thank you for this video. I agree concerning the "you have to be careful with God's anointed" thing. People have to think about Paul calling out Peter, a guy that actually walked with the Messiah. When these Bible verses are used correctly that's great. But too many today uses these verses to escape rebukes they truly need.
Ruslan, Don't know if you will see this, but this is the only way I know how to reach you. I appreciate your heart and diligence to be fair in all of your reporting. You're a blessing! My heart is heavy over the whole Lindell/Driscoll matter. Lindell has just put out a video calling Mark to repentance. I do not have an allegiance to Mark and know very little about Lindell except for what he has shown in his video accusation. But... I am a big advocate for fairness, justice, and truth. I posted a very long response on the "Lindell call to repentance" video covering all of the *issues I see that are problematic if you are inclined to read it. Lindell claims that Mark didn't apologize. He did. It's on the video with the two of them at the conference. There are other things that are simply a misrepresentation and very misleading, and I hate that someone is unfairly being made the fall guy. I hope you can report on it if God so leads you. I feel so helpless but want to shed light where I feel the enemy is at work. God bless you, brother!
I've been an ordain minister for over 10 years now, and from my understanding, "don't touch Gods anointed" doesn't come from a place of self defense or pride, but rather fear of the Lord. Which God's anointed need to fear and obey Him with humility in their heart because God is fully capable of defending or correcting them. I am not saying anybody is or isn't God's anointed but rather how the position is treated in the word.
I have never heard this pastor before, but his words didn't sound biblical to me. I have heard of Bethel church, and I think it's big! But what was Mark's thoughts there! I bet his heart was pounding! It was like he was just letting his friend speak, out of respect! MARK IS IN A TOUGH world. He wants to rebuke the evil spirit, but the world and frankly most churches, are not ready to be so bold! But it's time! This is ground breaking for the church. Stay strong Mark, which I know you will!
The entertainment lasted probably 1 hour out of the 8 hour conference. I didn't realize you weren't allowed to have entertainment to open a conference.
Hebrews 4:12 explains it CLEARLY for us.. We MUST share MORE of Gods Word... For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Unfortunately, the Protestant community and nondenominational community ARE an unrighteous amusement park targeting emotions. People need to come back to Jesus’ Church. The Orthodox Church. ☦️
Men need to quit worrying about being entertained, and start worrying about building up their family and doing every part of their job as husbands and fathers.
Mr. Driscoll felt something in his spirit and called it out. Obviously some in the audience felt it too. We should not ignore the Holy Spirit He helps us in this life!
There is wrong on both sides. Why have this guy perform at an event geared towards growing in God? Why did it take Driscoll calling it out to even be considered? Why didn’t Driscoll call it out in private then out in the open? Why is the Jezebel spirit the only thing Driscoll can talk about? Both were wrong and not something I want my husband and sons attending because it’s a waste of time and money.
It’s what happens when you put emphasis on human capabilities and numbers than reverence to God. The charismatic church by large cares more about how to deliver the message rather than the actual message. This twists scripture and I’m afraid the early Christians and Paul would cringe seeking the state of the church today
It feels deceitful to bring new people into the church by over doing superfluous gimmicks and events in the church, rather than just simply preaching truth in love
Why is entertainment part of any “worship service”? I do not come to be with the saints for entertainment!!!! I come to draw near to my God in the congregation of His saints! I come to seek His face!!!
Mark did not apologize for "what" he said. Only for not speaking to the event leadership first. I don't believe he needed to do that. But he was trying to preserve the lines of communication. You can count on this not being Mark's last word on the topic.
Oh this man has MUCH MORE than just the mess of this Conference. He has hurt MANY PEOPLE in his years of being the senior pastor at JRC. He listens to liars, believes those lies WITHOUT fully vetting the issues, and then proceeds to disseminate said lies to his congregation… And kicking out the people he lied about!!!
Bad look to have the sword swallower, even if it wasn't technically a "pole dance". A larger concern is infantalizing Christian Men with over the top entertainment, rather than equipping them to be men of God.
"Do not criticize leaders who have the anointing on them!" said every cult leader ever. This isn't just a bad look, this is emotional and spiritual manipulation.
Sword swallowing is a pagan ritual In its earliest form, sword swallowing was practiced and perfected by Indian ascetics known as fakirs and sadhus. These "holy" people performed different types of Yoga and practiced sword swallowing as a form of penance. The ease with which a sadhu could swallow a sword showed his closeness to the divine power and proved his mystical credentials. This was only one of various dangerous acts performed for this purpose by Indian sadhus and their disciples. Others included snake charming, walking on a bed of nails, and fire walking.
I'm not concerned w/ pagan adjacent practices of such things. It's a circus act now. Still, circus acts don't belong at Christian church. While the sexy sword swallowing is the most blatant thing to happen, it shouldn't have taken something like that to get our attention. The boxing, the trucks and tanks, light shows and heavy metal music should have disturbed us before it got to this. Of course these things are going to escalate when we keep winking at sin. None of those events are necessarily sinful in themselves, but they don't belong at a church event.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 I totally agree with you. A good majority of modern churches are focusing on entertainment and are following mystery religion babylon and not following the Word of God.
Like I pointed out, it leaves legal entry for demons, evil spirits. I'm not sure of exactly of scripture quote..."don't give door to the devil" Exactly what they did...everything you pointed out is why the opening act is important to understand why it was the opening act... Demons don't care of their ignorance of what they did...cause they were joyful over the fact it opened the door for them
And must be corrected because they are in a leadership role. Souls are hanging in the balance when those in leadership are not following Christ’s example.
The church needs a new reformation. I’m convinced the leaders of the church have been corrupted by money and power once again. Jesus, please return soon and show us the way and take us from sin
What do monster trucks, boxing, sword swallowing, bull riding (see 2025 trailer), and tanks (see previous conferences) have to do with God? Why are these things even included in a conference that is supposed to build up stronger GODLY men? To me, these are distractions and are used for "entertainment" and "draw appeal," especially since the recap videos and the trailer video for 2025 predominantly showcase those entertainment pieces.
@@buisnessclass9520 hmmmm. The word of God is powerful to wake anything up. All of that extra sauce is not needed. God can revive dry bones, he doesn’t need the help of entertainment to get people to listen to his word, or motivate people to join a conference. There’s a time and place for everything. This wasn’t it.
They use these tactics because most of them do not understand Grace: the one thing that will draw men to God and to live Godly lives. They also could not tell you what Paul's Gospel of Grace is, eventhough it is the power of God unto salvation for anyone THAT BELIEVES IT. Romans 1:16 When Paul preach the forgiveness of sin and justification through faith, almost the whole city came to hear this word. Acts 13:38-44. Nope, they want to mix Israel's doctrine with Paul's doctrine for the Body of Christ Church.
God's anointed are not perfect they should have the humility to admit when they have sinned. can you imagine how please our Heavenly Father would have been if there was repentance instead of denial
The gaslighting was top notch and boy it infuriated me hearing those words because it's the same crap my family would tell me when they were wrong but didn't want to accept it
I am still trying to work this out I have been in the AG for 50+ years, so my first impulse was to be defensive. Then 1) I watched the act - do think it was inappropriate for the event. I do want to correct the misuse of Matthew 18. I taught my now grown children that they would have to “leave their gift on the altar, and reconcile.” However! This was not an agreement between individuals - but, in effect, the church. Paul confronted Peter PUBLICLY. He also called out the Corinthian church PUBLICLY. When Mark Driscoll said he had prayed all night and dreaded having to do that calling out I absolutely believe him. His life, I’m sure, would be so much easier if he didn’t call the problem out in the way he had. (He’s certainly no stranger to the pain of being publicly wrong and the pain that he and his family went through .). I think the tragedy here is that those who attended the conference were deprived of hearing what, I think, is a truly prophetic voice in the church for now. Too bad the leadership was more interested in defense and justification. Perhaps a little more humility? At any rate, I will keep listening to brave Mark Driscoll and pray for him. Take it from an old lady, I think I have seen better
@@saintejeannedarc9460 it is an AG church. I just looked it up. If their district works like ours does here in my AG church, the pastor will be put on a rehab type leave for years. That’s assuming that they find what he did sinful. My pastor is a presbyter for AG and I went to him upset about a number of scandals that I learned about in the AG church and he explained the process to me. Of course if there are crimes involved then they involve the police.
The two verses that these leaders love to misuse… Matthew 18, and touch not God’s anointed. The pattern is getting pathetically obvious. God is showing us.
And, if I'm correct...that is someone trying to defend themselves instead of God defending them? The whole mark Driscoll & John Lindell appears staged... why not the whole conference was a circus act...why not the speaking out then apologizing. If he truly spoke out then he should've stayed strong in his conviction... Seems mark Driscoll caved to man...seems what did he pray at 1am foe them for & his voice being hoarse if he just going to cave after...
We are ALL God’s anointed!! Read your scripture!! But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie-just as it has taught you, abide in Him. 1 John 2
@@Yj-FjI totally agree with you. These mega leaders use that scripture the wrong way, in that no one is to question anything THEY say or do. Totally wrong. God gives us all the anointing to do his Kingdom will. It is not a protective shell bubble around us, where now no one can question or rebuke what we do. Watch these leaders. This is what many of them to, and our God is exposing them.
@@Yj-Fjyes I agree. We are all anointed to do God’s kingdom work. But these mega leaders abuse what anointing means for us all. They use it to claim protection from questioning, rebuke, etc.
First they are not God's anointed. If they were this would never have happened. Reverence the sanctuary. The fact no one walked out, but laughed, screams volumes.
Should mark have talked to the right elders or other pastors at the conference....yes.... But he also had to address the people in attendance.... You have to make it loud and clear that that was completely unacceptable.
Paul criticised Peter and rebuked him publicly then WROTE about it in Galatians. No one is above criticism, even more so are those who are meant to be church leaders!
One disciple was crucified upside down cause he didn't feel worthy to die the same way Jesus did...which I don't think is what they were proving. Upside down crucifix is also a satanic symbol...a mockery... The opening act is rooted in paganism...the ending act, is a satanic symbol...Def think leadership in this church has things they have not given up to Jesus... The ignorance of many men not understanding the opening act opened doors to demons & evil spirits is alarming... Yet, the leadership who orchestrated these things were lead to doing this...and, somehow God is blamed by being named as who planned this event...
I think the push of entertainment is because the Holy Spirit isn't moving in your meetings so you cover that fact by turning up the volume of the flesh through entertainment. It's like building fragrant groves around an alter to make it more aesthetic. And the world mocks our lack of true power despite our claims. Read 1 Corinthians 2
Jesus: *"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."* He did not say swallow one to "celebrate human ability" *as it does nothing to edify the body of Christ* *You either follow Him or you don't! You can't serve two masters!*
If you truly follow Jesus: *"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."* *"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"* *You are not your own*
Exactly. I live in Springfield, and this definitely was not an "outreach", it seems to get bigger & bigger for James River each year. I was pretty disappointed to see this going on in my hometown 😕 They used to be pretty solid in regards to teaching the word, but, I have not been there in years. Crazy how quickly things can change.
@@TheWayWalker it starts with one compromise, then another and another and another until they are far away from shore like a boat floating. I knew this was coming. I left JR four years ago because of compromise. Now it’s full blown. Very sad but not surprising.
I recently finished the book Bully Pulpit (good read overall) and while the book does call out Driscoll a little bit, it totally calls out the false idea of "you shouldn't call out someone anointed by God". That's wack and should be refuted for sure. Especially in these days when false teachers will come out and tickle our ears and appeal to our flesh. Watch out y'all.
He sounds like a “holier than thou”, spiritual dictator. I reject John Lindell and his lies in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. ☦️ Lord have mercy. ☦️
You were not at the event and cannot speak to what God would think about it. You've only seen videos and heard things from people. 600 men gave their hearts to Christ. So I would say he would have been quite happy if he walked into that conference knowing that 600 more men have come to know him.
@@saladqp Nothing about that garish display would make God happy. Who knows if 600 actually gave their actual lives to Christ or not? Going by what I'm seeing in this spectacle, they figure serving God is just entertainment. Not picking up your cross and actually serving and laying down your life.
Leonard Ravenhill would go mental if he saw this men’s conference Why do we need monster trucks and boxing, we need Jesus and Him alone to be men called by His Name
David Wilkerson (Cross and Switchblade, fame) is another one that wouldn't have hesitated to sound the alarm. He wouldn't have been asking permission first either.
Agreed! Funny, I put up a RU-vid short in the past month on Leonard Ravenhill and in it he mentioned he was embarrassed to be a part of the church today (that was like 50? yrs ago)... he might have had a heart attack sitting in on that "mens conference"
What about those men that are coming from a homosexual background seeing a man taking off his shirt climbing up a pole like that is not of concern for any of the pastors I mean it doesn't have to be a woman on a poor it could be a man in a pool with a shirt off and that could be enticing a man who used to be a homosexual who has been delivered from it and being tempted again we have to be careful for both sexes
I was thinking along those lines, too. A woman on a pole would have been considered sexual, but they didn't think that might appeal to an LGBTQ man????
I'm a proud hyper-Charismatic and contemplative embracer of the Mysteries of God - but all this stuff about grave-soaking and mantles, etc don't question those who have the Anointing.... name it and claim it, declaring your own will vs God's will be done.... during God's sanctuary into a den for entertainment, gaslighting your congregation, I'M EXHAUSTED. I'm so tired of the body of Christ being in a civil war when all sides have room to grow in love and sanctification ✝❤
One thing I noticed about most modern churches is that they lack reverence in God's presence. They make sacred things and devoted to God as entertainment and gimmicks. When I happen to attend an Orthodox service, I saw right away the difference, not that I totally agree with the Orthodox style. What I suggest, modern churches today should learn reverence from our Orthodox brothers.
Bro.. don't worry, I agree with u. There's obviously a messaging problem. Keep doing what ur doing, you have good common sense and most importantly good descirment . God bless u my brother
Boxing, Monster trucks, tanks and acts of strength are all cool and manly things, BUT, they have nothing to do with being a GODLY MAN!!! The scriptures plainly teach what being a Godly man is all about and that should be the focus of a "Men's Conference" especially considering the culture in which we live and what it spew's as to what being a man is about. If it's an entertainment event I would expect it to be plainly stated, so it seems to me to be a way to attempt to grow their church. Although I'm not sure about Mark Driscoll's response, the Pastor of that church was prideful and anyone who is "anointed" has no need to proclaim it, it shows up in their life and speech. When he comes back in with Mark Driscoll he continues to be an aggressor toward the situation. Sure, his initial reaction was off the cuff, but after spending time with Mark before retuning to address the crowd I would expect the same humility from him as was Mark's for coming back to address the situation. Thanks for your grounded assessment of the situation and coming back to address it a second time as I was quite perplexed after watching the initial video, just couldn't quite wrap my head around it all.
This is insanity! Apostasy. Who goes to these events??? And if you do go cause you did not know these things were going to take place......how do you stay???
That reliance on criticising the ‘Lord’s anointed’ is such a racketeering statement. A truely humble pastor would welcome people pointing out error. If they are doing the job right then it’s a very difficult job and they need watchmen.
How Mark showed self-control the moment John started on about consequences for criticizing the “annointed” and how you’re headed for unbelief…is BEYOND ME. 🤮 Striking fear into that crowd of men. Fear tactics of a cult. Teaching them not to discuss, rebuke, etc.
Did not Paul criticize Peter in public? Are we saying that Peter did not have the Lord's anointing on his life? Something seems "off" with all of this.
Exactly! American Christianity is what it is today because of the private disapproval of public actions of the church. We dont have to call people bad names, but we do have to stand by truth and stand by it publicly.
As someone who worked for an AG church and attends an AG church, this type of outright messaging from the pastor of JR is super concerning. It’s the same type of messaging I heard at the Potter’s House (Wayman Mitchell’s), which was spiritually abusive. This is the foundation of spiritual abuse, IMO. I’m deeply, deeply grieved by this. Not so much the entertainment aspect - I think there’s room for grace in that aspect but the “do not criticize your leaders or you will [suffer].” In the PH, it was “you lose your salvation if you question the pastor.” It’s just amorphous “spiritual suffering,” here. Regardless - it’s deeply grievous to me.
Thank you for addressing this 'follow up conversation '! JESUS is the Head of The Church. Any Pastor who thinks he is above reproach has already stepped out from under The Lord's Covering.
@@nicolereed8707 Their entertainment is garish and completely drowning out what church is for. It actually made me cry when I saw the extent of it, and not just the shirtless, sword licking circus act part. I hope you come to see this in time. I pray God leads you out of this "church". It's fallen and barely a shell of what a church should be.
@@saintejeannedarc9460 oh, I don’t attend James River Church. Lol. They are part of the Assemblies of God denomination which I attend in a different state which is under a different leadership district than JR. If I did, I’d be having some serious convos with leadership. What I can say is that I know that my district’s leadership WILL call pastors on their ridiculousness and bad theology when they hear of it. From personal experience of a pastor that I know whose theology has become whacked. They no longer are part of the AG after being confronted. My prayer is that JR’s lead pastor will be explaining to his district what happened and that he will be held accountable for his red flag remarks. We can agree to disagree about the entertainment aspect because we agree on essentials - this pastor is out of line. :)
Criticizing isn't automatically bad; Proverbs tells us "faithful are the wounds of a friend". If you tell someone they can't criticize you because you're God's anointed, sounds like you're falling into pride.
There is a power structure in the Religion business, Mark is under the power of men, men that can destroy him. Mark capitulated, instead of standing for truth and the word God gave him. The guy stripping was out of line.
When ANY "leader" weaponizes that passage about not criticizing God's anointed as a means to be above criticism and not to question their authority, that is not a Pastor but a cult leader. No one is above reproach, criticism, or correction. The moment you believe they are, you simply do not know your Bible. And that's what charismatic wolves count on.
I have had 2 women "correct me". I tell them, "You are right. This was not a pole dancer, it was a church turned into a circus with an acrobat who performed something that looked like a pole dance"
Sounds like a heavy shepherding church, you can't challenge me! That was demonstrated when Mark spoke up. And we have all been anointed by God, as Christians. He is cursing the people.
Test all things! Anyone who says not to question is trying to lead Christians astray. They want people to follow them instead of God. Test the things you see by the word of God always period.
His explanation of not criticizing those with the annoiting on them is completely incorrect and flawed reasoning. Even church leaders are wrong at times. They need other strong men of God to speak into their lives and question things when they see potential problems…
He turned over the seats of those who sold doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house is to be called a house of prayer.’ You have made it a place of robbers.”
its pretty hard to separate the strip pole from its cutural back ground: I dont even know another word for it, except "strip pole", so the excuse that its innocent is pretty insulting.
Having just read Jonathan Cahn's book the return of the gods, I have a very clear idea of Why Mark acted as he did.I support him.I have concerns for people present at the conference.Spiritual abuse is also at play.
I was the coach/cornerman of the main event MMA fighter at this conference several years ago. It wasn't until now that I even realized this was a James River event.
Jesus called out the religious leaders publicly without meeting them first in PRIVATE. you can tell those who operate in the flesh, they twist scripture... Unless, you grasp the context of full chapter...people use verses to manipulate the audience
I think about our brothers that struggle with homosexuality. Just like we wouldn’t put a woman in inappropriate attire on the church altar, we shouldn’t put a man either EVEN if it’s a men conference. Some people struggle with different things.
That whole do not criticize God's anointed in my opinion is worse than the sword-swallowing thing. It sounds quite arrogant to me, especially as he should know the original context. If I were Mark I would have said something and then just walked out. I seem to get the impression that a lot of these mega Church Pastors get triggered by any sort of criticism. I imagine it must be hard running a big Church and conference but that's a big red flag saying that no one is allowed to have any criticism.
As someone who was there, I understand most of what you were saying, but it’s important to note that this event is half outreach and half conference, there were six full length messages preached, and entertainment as well. 576 men gave their life to Christ so in that regard, it was definitely an outreach. please watch James Rivers message from Wednesday night April 17th, it was a message directly to Mark Driscoll addressing the deeper issue beneath this confrontation
There is a place n time for entertainment, and to get entertainment there’s always a place to go, for that, what men need it was powerful gospel, and then the laying hands and ministering to them
It’s inappropriate to make an event that is supposed to bring men closer to God, to be that of a circus. It’s disrespectful and has no reverence for God when they make these events so ridiculous and over the top. God is enough and this does not glorify God
@@Whatsnottogive145-ty8kz so you're not supposed to have a Festival before the actual Conference because in God's eyes it's wrong? The Bible has examples of feasting, regulated drinking of wine to celebrate important events. In the Old Testament, Israelites were urged to celebrate and to have fun in feasts. Again these fun activities, weren't the main focus of the two day conference. They only took a small time slot. In your rush to judgement, you've imputed your narrow minded views on God. God doesn't condemn fun as long as it doesn't distract from Him...the source of all joy
@@buisnessclass9520 All this fun, as you call it, is instead of him. It replaced actual teaching about God. What about boxing, trucks, tanks and guns is making men stronger? In pointing out the feasts, yes, we can have festivals. We have traditions of church picnics, coffee and donuts, bbq's, Alpha meetings, w/ dinner and meetings, which is all wonderful. This is taking it way too far.
“When you begin to criticise the Lord’s anointed, you’re in the flesh”. Was the Prophet in the flesh when he called out David’s deceit with Bathsheba and Uriah? Was David anointed of God? Yes His actions fell outside of God’s will and he was rightly judged and called out on it. This man needs to step off his high horse willingly before God removes him.
Anyone OK with having a male stripper at Christian conference needs to reevaluate a lot of things. Anyone apologizing for expressing that sentiment and receiving backlash is simply afraid of being cancelled and also needs to reevaluate A LOT of things.
He’s gone from threatening Driscoll to threatening the congregation/crowd with “Don’t ya’ll say anything, you might fall away from God” This isn’t even worth discussing anymore- come on people, souls need saving! Maranatha
