Shepherds’ Conference, J.D. Hall, Women, Church #ShepCon #ShepCon2016, John Mac Arthur, Pulpit and Pen, Bunker
***
This week quite a few pastors and men have been at the Shepherds’ Conference at John Mac Arthur’s digs in California. Traditionally, women are not allowed to attend, yet evidently, women did attend at least one day per Pastor J.D. Hall‘s account quoted in his private Facebook group, Pulpit Bunker :
The quote reads:
Is it just me or was #ShepCon infiltrated by an inordinate number of ladies in the last day or so? I can’t find a seat in the spill-over room, but I’m counting close to 200 wives in there. Which is interesting, because I don’t think they’re supposed to come, or so I thought. I know I seem like a grump, but when there’s [sic] hundreds of seats filled by people who technically shouldn’t be there and we can’t get in, it’s kinda “grrr.”
I’m trying to think of why J.D., or any man for that matter, would be upset that his wife would want to grow spiritually, and would hinder her from attending or complain about other women attending. Yet, J.D. Hall seems to think women attending is wrong because, “I don’t think they’re supposed to come.”
Who said they are not supposed to come? And why? Is that Biblical? Seems like J.D. Hall is trying to stick with man-made traditions and John Mac Arthur’s Shepherds’ Conference letter of the law. The Bible talks about following man-made traditions:
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
I do not see a precedent of men-only meetings in the Bible.
Snark alert: Good for you for complaining, J.D., we wouldn’t want any other woman to be more spiritual than you. I hope you booted some lady out of her seat and made her stand for the inconvenience. And while you’re at it, I hope you asked for a partial refund. Shame on them, grrrrr!
Spiritual Sounding Board 
“The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul:
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”
Psalm 23: 1-3
Thank-you A.Amos Love once again for pointing out exactly Who our true shepherd is…..and it brought those life saving (eternal) Scripture verses to mind. In complete agreement with you, dear sister!
Grew up in the church system, attending every Sunday and never missed Sunday school ever, unless we were extremely sick, which was rare. And in those days, in our small rural church, we never heard nor read in our bulletins, concerning the pay for profit/prophet conference scam operating within the visible church. Maybe we were too ‘rural’ out in the back woods of society, or better yet, they didn’t exist back in those days. Never heard of the mature adults boasting and bragging of attending this Billy Graham conference or that Benny Hinn fake miracle road show, or that false revival from some slick speaking pastor man faking all kinds of ‘supernatural manifestations’ all the while having an ongoing adulterous affair with his children’s babysitter behind the scenes, even while he was ‘leading like jesus,’ a trumped up revival in Lakeland, Florida. (A self proclaimed “prophetess” boasted to me of their grand trip to Florida in attending Todd Bentley’s revival(?), then encouraged me to listen to this blasphemer on the internet because, being the unfortunate lower laity dog that I am, she decided that I needed his ‘ministering.’)
No, I grew up in the church, but never heard of such a phenomenon: PAY THE PASTOR MAN A FEE TO HEAR THE GOSPEL
Today, even in our rural community churches, these institutions charge money at the gate to come inside and hear a speaker speak. Churched women send me invitations to come to ‘their’ conference for $20, $50, $100, and in some cases $200, and this does not include the cost of travel, meals, and in some instances, motel rooms. Then of course, it is a must to bring extra funding to purchase all of the books, cds, dvds, and other trinkets that the pastor is SELLING for PROFIT because he knows a jesus better than you and as the advertisement says, “he wants to encourage you and build you up in your faith in HIM, oh sorry, must be a typo, I mean a jesus figure.
In my former abusive church system where the wolves in sheep’s clothing sharpen their teeth, drooling over the prospect of another innocent sheep entering their building, imagining more dollars for their own pocketbooks, a more lavish personal lifestyle, and most importantly, a greater fan base to stroke their insecure egos…..the visiting conference speaker, whether a man or a woman, would always, always, always, have their table set up right by the church door consisting of their own authored books, their latest cd’s and dvd’s, their t-shirt with a scripture verse and their OWN names inked somewhere to promotes themselves, and other misc. junk. We could not escape their profit tables, nor the “would you like to buy one of his/her latest books?” question by the profiteer because there was no other way out of the building. It was a scam, a racket, and just plain wicked and evil….to be made to feel guilty for not buying the wares from tares…..just plain wicked.
And now, we have grown men (well, they are supposed to be grown up, however, considering the comments that were made, it is dubious concerning the maturity level of such religious men) whining and complaining about women having a seat at a money making conference. Seriously?
Where is the shame in all of this? And please tell me someone, where do we read in our Holy Scriptures where Jesus held a conference, charged money at the gate to come and hear Him, God in the flesh, speak? And where do we find in Scriptures where Jesus and his disciples/Apostles charged money for all of their books, cd’s, dvd’s, t-shirts, jewelry (all of the jesus junk afforded to us today to make us appear holy in the sight of men and women)? Where is the Scripture verse that says “Ye shall pay handsomely for a ticket to come and hear me share the Gospel, and then ye shall be saved! ????”
Or the Scripture verse that says, “If thou shalt not have a seat to sit, it is ye duty and right to whine and complain before the religious magistrates, for thee shall be seen by all of man and your case shall be made.” I know men and women of religious importance have a difficult time receiving instruction from those they look down upon from elaborate turrets overlooking their little kingdoms, but if I may offer up a suggestion to those who regard themselves as leaders, it would be this…….
The Gospel message is free. The Gospel is free to all who desire to receive this life saving, eternal Word from our LORD Jesus, the Christ. And may He have mercy and grace upon all of us who make a big show of profiting off of the harlot religious system all the while Jesus came to set the captives free from all of this whoredom.
And I keep thinking, LORD…..I would rather break bread and fellowship with a prostitute who has repented and found that her faith lies in the only One Who can save, Jesus Christ, than sit in the presence of a religious man who believes a woman is not worthy of a seat at our Master’s feet.
LikeLiked by 3 people
lifewithporpoise
Much agreement when you write @ MARCH 28, 2016 @ 11:30 PM…
“No critical thinking occurs in Sunday Religious Social Clubs.”
“Despite “prove all things, hold fast that which is good.”
I agree because – That was me at one time. Oy Vey!!!
But, It’s amazing how “Pain,” “Abuse,” and “Tears,” can wake you up… 🙂
And, you begin to go straight to Jesus, NO middle “Man.”
And, you begin to ask different questions…
And, you begin to get different answers…
And, you begin to Follow Jesus…
And, you find out, almost nothing of what goes on in the…
“Sunday Religious Social Clubs” is in the Bible…
And, you can NOT be like those in Berea… (prove all things)
Who, “searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so.”
Because, what they, church leaders, christian leaders, spiritual leaders…
Be-a-doin, teachin, ain’t even in the scriptures…
2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you:
LikeLike
Katy
Preach it sistuh. You’re on a roll. @ MARCH 29, 2016 @ 4:52 AM…
Good stuff…
“…we never heard nor read in our bulletins, concerning the pay for profit/prophet conference scam operating within the visible church.”
“Never heard of the mature adults boasting and bragging of attending this Billy Graham conference or that Benny Hinn fake miracle road show…”
“…the wolves in sheep’s clothing sharpen their teeth, drooling over the prospect of another innocent sheep entering their building, imagining more dollars for their own pocketbooks, a more lavish personal lifestyle, and most importantly, a greater fan base to stroke their insecure egos…”
“The visiting conference speaker, whether a man or a woman, would always, always, always, have their table set up right by the church door consisting of their own authored books, their latest cd’s and dvd’s, their t-shirt with a scripture verse and their OWN names inked somewhere to promotes themselves, and other misc. junk.
“We could not escape their profit tables,” 😉
”It was a scam, a racket, and just plain wicked and evil…” 😉
”Where is the shame in all of this?”
“And please tell me someone, where do we read in our Holy Scriptures
where Jesus held a conference, charged money at the gate
to come and hear Him, God in the flesh, speak?”
“The Gospel message is free.”
“The Gospel is free to all who desire to receive this life saving, eternal Word from our LORD Jesus, the Christ.”
”…Jesus came to set the captives free from all of this whoredom.”
Thanks Katy, you made my day…
LikeLike
and the greatest irony of all…
wait for it…
it’s usually the women who see this.
Katy & A.Amos love,
everything you have written is exactly how I view the ‘church’.
It’s just not what Jesus had in mind.
What deception.
He warned us, didn’t he?
Just a read of Matt 6 (how hypocrites pray) and Matt 23 reveals the modern day zealot.
Talk about blinded by the (false) light.
LikeLike
I’m new to your blog. I have read a few of your posts and many of them resonate with me on some level. The church I left about 4 months ago wasn’t an outright cult. What I mean is, some of the things other people describe–the pastors or the elders yelling at you, affairs, the leadership telling wives to stay with abusive husbands. These things weren’t obvious to me while I was in the church. The thing I finally realized was they were just a bunch of hypocrites. They stood up at the altar and talked about love, love, love and grace yet when I approached them, they’d tell me I was the problem. I fear even posting this here as now that we’ve left, certain members have found comments I’ve made and attacked me “How dare you say such things about the church?” How dare I? I dare because I am still so hurt by all they did. There’s so much I could say, but this post reminded me of one of the things they did. Women were there to pop out children, serve in the nursery, and help with women’s ministry crap. Women weren’t allowed to make decision or even give advice. No, this wasn’t said, but it was frowned upon. I offered to help with their website. I worked hours and hours on it. The Pastor got up and announced to the church that the website was getting updated and my husband was the contact person. Why my husband? I’m the one working on it! He didn’t do a thing. Just aggravated me. The pastors wife had 9 kids so everyone felt like it was some sort of competition–let’s all be Michelle Duggar. No thanks. My husband went to a “Fathers Council” meeting and he came home upset. He said “I just don’t fit in with those guys”. I asked why. Apparently one of them made a family crest–took 2 vacation days to meet with his wife in a hotel so they could come up with a family crest. Another dad talked about how he read all these books and led his family. The dumb thing was, all their kids were snotty jerks just like their parents. The church was not loving. The church was mean spirited, gossipy, and judgmental. I could go on and on about that, but I’m basically still really pissed off at the entire experience. Our family has chosen not to return to church. I still have a lot of anger about it though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Elle – I hear you loud and clear and I can understand your anger. I’ve been there.
I had to contend with churches who condoned apathy in the men. Praise God that your husband and you are one. Mine played the Christian game and now does not profess Christ or want to be my husband. Long story but I left the church many years ago… tried returning but so many preach a false Gospel … and I felt I had to join their programs to be truly a part of their fellowship. Questioning was not always welcomed. 😦
Homeschooled three children. As adults they now have gone the way of the world and I have been blamed for much … I know much of it is because I will not back down on the purity of the Gospel; like the man I married did. They have chosen his family, the yoga and other eastern mind-set about peace and harmony, etc.
Take care, Elle. The Lord is our strength and many of us have had to draw away in order to worship Him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good words of encouragement to Elle, healinginhim. We praise our LORD Jesus for you! Elle, Jesus called out His ekklesia/assembly to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to love each other like His Love for us, to bear one another’s burdens, to confess our sins to one another, and to pray, pray, and pray for one another as taught by Him. We are His chosen people, a people so different from the world that the world has and will always hate what Jesus loves; His sheep.
Julie Anne has been called out to do this ministry here in the Name of Jesus, for His Name’s sake. The Body of Jesus Christ is ministering here to a number of saints who have been so wounded by wicked and evil men and women within the institutional church who are posers, imposters, those who seek important titles and dominance over other people. This is the world’s system of manipulation, power and control, it is not of our LORD Jesus, the Christ.
Praise God, there are some amazing wonderful people commenting on this site who have assisted, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in being real, in bearing one another’s troubles, in praying people back to the only One Who saves, Jesus. His Ministry was and is like no other human being and will never be, for He is still God.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And A. Amos Love, obliged to ‘make your day!’ You are the salt of this earth, a dear saint in Christ Jesus, alone for salvation.
I love you, dear sister! For the freedom we have in Christ allows us to love one another without even meeting face to face on this side of Heaven. The Holy Spirit leads us together in Jesus’ love! Keep teaching, keep preaching on this site, for I will always need to be ministered too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Katy
Yes, Thank you – “the salt of this earth”
I am a little salty, having been in the Navy.
And yes, I’m honored, you call me “Dear Sister.”
After all, We be both a part of “The Bride of Christ.”
And, in Christ We be “one.”
And, for future reference, I am my mothers only son.❤️
LikeLike
That did have me going there for a minute. I’ve always called you brother, Amos. But Katy is right, too, we are all the Bride of Christ. My brain is easily confused though. If I met either of you in this world, it would help to have the gender right. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Precious Amos, you are my brother in Christ Jesus! Amazing, I did not know, so very, very sorry to confuse the issue. My humble apologies to you personally, here in the public forum. So glad to know a little more about you….Navy…..salt……and a saint in the Bride of Christ. So blessed to know you and Him….Jesus.
My training is far from the Navy to be sure…..was trained in fashion design and now sew wedding gowns/bridesmaids dresses/alterations on everything…including repairing ATV (four wheelers) seats. Also do a bit of design work on the side. Currently sewing on memory bears for a dear sister in Christ whose mother passed away when she was a teenager. She delivered her mother’s wedding gown and some special woolen coats she once wore to have special cuddly bears made for each of the daughters and all of the grandchildren. A truly special way to remember their loved one who meant so much to the daughters.
And the cool thing was this….when she came to my home, we ‘ministered’ to one another for she loves Christ and she loves people….what a beautiful daughter of our KING! Bride of Christ…..oh how we can truly love that Jesus calls us out as His own! Praise Him in His sanctuary….which is everywhere!!!
So dear Amos, thank-you for understanding my misunderstanding and making light of it instead of throwing it back in my face. The precious fruits of God’s Spirit live in you and you so eloquently displayed that here today.
Now you, Amos…..made my day!
God be with you…Blessings!
LikeLike
Katy
Cool…
“was trained in fashion design and now sew wedding gowns/bridesmaids dresses/alterations on everything…”
My Mom “was trained in fashion design” also.
She could draw the design before sewing it.
She did lots of work on
“wedding gowns/bridesmaids dresses/alterations” too.
That skill requires quite a talent. Good for you.
When I was young my Mom shopped at lots of Rummage Sales…
(Used clothing sales for fund raising, at churches, Boy Scouts, etc.)
I might have worn second hand clothes…
But, with a few straight pins here and there…
A few chalk marks and a quick run through that Singer Sewing Machine…
Those second hand clothes always fit well. 😉
And – “God be with you…Blessings!”
LikeLike
A. Amos Love
I love your Mom too….Amazing folks on this site. Just amazing….and the grace that follows!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elle
Thanks for sharing your story.
Sounds familiar. Oy Vey!!! 😦
I understand, and am with you when you say…
“Our family has chosen not to return to church.”
I now say it this way…
I have chosen NOT to return to the…
501 (c) 3, Non-Profit, Tax $ Deductible, Religious $ Corporation…
That the IRS calls church.
As one of His Disciples, should WE, His Kids, call an IRS corporation…
The Church of God?
NOPE…
I love being a part of “The Body of Christ,” The Church.
Where – The Scriptures say…
The “ONE” Leader, The “ONE” Teacher, The “ONE” Shepherd, IS…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
LikeLike
Elle
Browsed your blog and enjoyed your writings.
Especially…
“It’s a New Dawn”
“Right now, I just feel at peace with Him.
When I was at church, it was all about serving the church
and dealing with toxic people
and keeping up with whatever unwritten rules I had broken.
With God, I am free to just be me.
I don’t have to force myself to be an extrovert.
God loves me as I am.
He meets me where I am at.
He likes the person I am and made me this way.”
The pain caused by the screwy-louie “church leadership” cabal…
Stinketh…
But, when you can believe, and write…
With God, I am free to just be me.
God loves me as I am.
You’ve come a long way…
The liberty to “just be me,” is pretty much worth it all. 🙂
AHHHH – Freedom…
2 Cor 3:1
Now the Lord is that Spirit:
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
LikeLike
Elle,
“Women’s ministry crap”.
This statement shows insight into the way things are in the Sunday Religious Social Clubs.
Forced religious activities.
THE ministry.
“I’m called to full time ministry”.
No, you’re not.
You’re speaking Christianese.
Every single believer is called to ‘minister’. It is simply SERVICE!
Elle. Smash plates in secret if you must. The anger is justified. Jesus turned over tables.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
He is Everything
LikeLike