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Although Alex and Tim’s case is not completely over, it’s looking very positive for a complete WIN. We definitely know from the court ruling that Pastor Bob Grenier is deemed as a Limited Purpose Public Figure and that speaking about him publicly is protected speech. That is great confirmation that Alex’s blog is fine!
Woohoo – that makes TWO bloggers winning against suing pastors: Alex and Tim’s case and mine. Both suing pastors must not have considered: #WhoWouldJesusSue? Well, that’s their loss, and not only a court loss, but financial loss as well.
Earlier, Calvary Chapel founder, Chuck Smith, referred to Alex in a not-so-kind way when telling a congregation about his dealings with Alex. One of the expressions he said was, “let the little dogs bark.” We’ve been having a little fun with that because it was a veiled attempt to shut Alex and his blog down. Alex isn’t going anywhere. He’s still barking. I’m still barking. We’re all going to keep barking until this church abuse is addressed appropriately.
So, in honor of that part of the ruling, and considering Chuck’s attempt to keep Alex silent, I thought this song was appropriate for our party music.
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Love,
Jezzy Belle
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Spiritual Sounding Board 
Thank you for all your hard work JAS and crew. Another victory for the laity. Church history is speckled with the rise and fall of tyrant abusive leaders brought down by the hand of God through his laity. Flawed messed up people like us, meek enough to actually be useful.
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You’re very welcome, NA. That is a GREAT comment, btw. I’m saving it for future use 🙂
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/large
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Monax – Isn’t that hilarious? LOL I had no idea Twitter photos would show up here! Great to know. I think Chuck Smith may regret ever saying that little dog comment!
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we a crew of kings and queens, priests and priestesses, prophets and prophetesses, shepherds and shepherdesses, judges, ministers and servants of the Most High God.
we know of no biblical clergy / laity distinction. there is none.
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I agree, Monax!
Not Alone, “…meek enough to actually be useful.” Very well said!
Congrats, Alex & Tim!
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Hooooooowwwwwlllolllollll now that’s justice.
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Well this is great news!
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Great news for Alex and Tim! Let’s hope God continues to help them in the weeks and months ahead.
“Let the little dogs bark”? Why, thank you, Pastor Chuck! Don’t mind if I do.
Just remember: You asked for it. 😉
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God’s timing is always perfect even though our flesh and finite minds don’t always comprehend it. Bob became his own worst enemy and his pride led to his own demise.
I once heard a teaching on Moses and how he saw himself as just a meek man. Yet the definition of meek is,” Power under Control.”
So much gratitude to Tim, Alex, Paul, Julie Anne , Dee and the many others who never gave up!
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Janelle – There is so much more work to be done. This lawsuit (like my lawsuit) was an attempt to shut the work we have been doing in exposing abuse in churches. Now we have the law on our side backing us up. It is legal for us to discuss negative aspects of our pastors publicly if they are a person of public interest. The work continues until the abuse stops!
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Yes, there is something to be said about the ‘Real Moses’ Model’–a man who was totally under the Sovereign Authority of Almighty God. He was a man who met with Yahweh and Yahweh talked regularly with him. That is pretty incredible! Moses was meek, as the Scriptures states. Moses took advice from his father-in-law, Jethro. He was a man who truly put his trust in the Creator-Savior God–and especially with the daunting task of leading the Israelites on Yahweh’s behalf.
Moses was a man who was truly a Father and a Shepherd of God’s people. A man who interceded for the children of Israel. A man who can still be studied and learned from as to ‘how’ to do ministry. We are indebted to him for faithfully writing the Pentateuch. People are still inspired by the life and leadership of Moses today. How did this biblical ideal of Moses also get screwed up??!
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Love it LOL!!!!
Thanks a ton guys!!!!
I’m all for the Jesus Model instead of the Moses Model. Jesus turned “leadership” on its head…Servant of All. All the “leadership” verses in the bible need to be viewed through the lens of the Jesus Model.
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Alex
Much agreement about “leadership.” “the Jesus Model.”
Seems Jesus has a unique take on “Leadership” – There is “ONE” Leader – Jesus.
Mat 23:10-12 NASB – New American Standard Bible.
Do not be called leaders; for “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
The Message – Mat 23:10-12.
And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them.
There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
**Do you want to stand out? – Then step down. – Be a servant.**
If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you.
But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
Jesus instructed **His disciples** NOT to be called **leaders** and NONE did.
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant
**His Disciples** all called themselves **Servants.**
None called themselves “Leaders.” None? None.
None called themselves “Servant-Leader.” None.
If Jesus instructed **His Disciples** NOT to call themselves “leaders”
and someone calls them self a “leader” or thinks they are a “leader;”
Are they one of “His Disciples?”
Why isn’t what Jesus said important? 😉
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall **hear MY voice;**
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice – One Leader
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
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It’s very important to critique leadership styles and ministry systems that are anemic, toxic, abusive, or otherwise INHERENTLY lead to spiritual abuse of people inside and outside those organizations. It’s equally important to have a constructive model available that describes and demonstrates what a robust, healthy, empowering leadership and organizational approach is.
So – the best book I’ve found thus far on the real “Jesus Model” of leadership is *UnLeader: Reimagining Leadership … and Why We Must* by Lance Ford. The first half deconstructs the worldly CEO-business model of church “leadership” and the second half presents/re-presents the TRULY biblical model of leader as follower of Christ and servant of others. He also flays the attempt to soft-soap the nearly same-old same-old CEO stuff by rebranding it as “servant-leader.” No, just servant..
If I were called to write a book on missional-gospel-biblical leadership, it would likely look a lot like this. But since Lance has done that for us, I can do other things instead. I’m VERY grateful to him for his work, and I’m working on a review of it.
Please read this book to get a dose of the real thing about disciples as leaders!
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Amos & Futurist, your posts are so well put I’d like to repost them at CCAbuse with your permission?
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Yes, Grateful. Go for it! Hopefully I’ll have a review up sometime soon. It’s been percolating for 6 months … but such things emerging in their own time, which hopefully is providential time. But those who read *UnLeader* won’t need my review anyhoo.
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thanks brad, i just now purchased Lance Ford’s book from Amazon.
looking forward to reading it. .
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“Moses Model” = Fuehrerprinzip with a Christianese coat of paint.
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Grateful
Yes – You have permission to re-post. Thanks for asking.
One of my pet peeves is about what many today call “Church Leadership.” 😉
And I can’t seem to find “Church Leadership” in my antiquated KJV.
Seems, in the Bible, Jesus never asks His Disciples to “Follow” a mere fallible human. Jesus always instructs His Sheep to – “ Hear My Voice” and “Follow Me” – Jesus. John 10:27.
Why would a “Mere Fallible Human” want a Disciple of Jesus to “Follow” them? 😦
IMO – There is an abnormal, over-abundance of focus, on “Church Leadership.” Lots of books. Lots of conferences. But very little focus on “Servantship.” NOT many books. NOT many conferences. And NOT many sermons about Jesus teaching His Disciples – NOT to be called Leaders. For you have “ONE” Leader – Jesus.
I’ve noticed, most who desire to be a pastor/leader/elder/overseer “Ignore” or “Twist” the “Qualifications” in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9, so they could obtain for themselves this “Position” of – Power – Profit – Prestige.
Anyway, it was after I left “The Corrupt Religious System” of today, tore up my papers, and walked away from “Church Leadership,” that I realized Isaiah, had prophesied about my “Leadership skills.” And the “Leadership skills” of the rest of todays “Church Leaders.” No really… 😉
Isa 3:12 KJV
…O my people, *they which lead thee* cause thee to err,
and destroy the way of thy paths.
Isa 9:16 KJV
For *the leaders* of this people cause them to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Some legacy todays “Church Leaders” are creating for themselves…
I’m in agreement with King David…
The Lord is my Shepherd. 🙂
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
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Thanks, Amoslove!
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