Elevation Church is going all out to promote pastor Steven
Furtick's latest book, "Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing God’s Voice Above
All Others."
Click on the church’s website (elevationchurch.org) and up pops a clickable
box that’ll take you to info about how to order the book at Amazon, Barnes &
Noble or elsewhere. Another click and you can order the "Chatterbox Challenge
Kit," a small group Bible study, for $49.
Furtick’s sermon series this weekend will have the same title as his book,
which has a list price of $19.99 but can be purchased for $7.99 on Kindle.
And last Tuesday, to celebrate “Release Day,” the church’s online radio
station devoted hours to live talk about the book and its message.
Furtick was the main guest on the Elevation Network. But he also chatted with
Lysa TerKeurst, an Elevation attendee who has authored some
best-selling faith books of her own.
Several other prominent figures who have written Christian books, produced
Christian films, and released Christian CDs called in to praise the book – and,
in some cases, plug their own projects.
Mark Burnett, who produced TV’s “Survivor,” “Shark Tank” and
“The Apprentice,” mentioned the upcoming film, “Son of God,” that he’s producing
with wife Roma Downey, star of TV’s “Touched by an Angel.” The couple has released a
novelization of the movie – a followup to their hit TV series, “The Bible.”
Sheila Walsh, a contemporary Christian singer and author,
also called. “I can’t wait to read your book,” said Walsh, who has written a new
book called “The Storm Inside.”
While Furtick and friends were talking, others were sending tweets. One came
from Seattle pastor Kevin Gerald, a member of the Elevation
board of overseers that votes on the church’s budget and Furtick’s salary.
“One of my favorite preachers/authors @steven furtick has a new book release
today!” he tweeted. “Check it out!”
Furtick also talked on-air with Steve Smith, the Panthers' star wide received and a member of Furtick's flock.
After talking about the Furtick book's message -- that our internal critic can drown out God's voice -- Smith invited his pastor to come to his house for a few games of tennis.
"I'm putting an all-purpose court in my backyard," said Smith, adding that he planned to put up lights so they could play at night.
Furtick didn't mention his house, a 16,000-square footer in Weddington. He has said he's paying for it not with money from the church, but from the advances he gets on his book sales.
-- Tim Funk
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Elevation Church helps Pastor Furtick sell books
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60 comments:
Not to criticize him for buying a gagantuan home, but wouldn't it clear up the controversy somewhat if he explained his mindset in obtaining such an over the top property?
I wonder if Jesus knew how many people he would make so rich?
He knew, He knows, and He knows whats ahead.
I am glad that you did your research on the sale of Furtick's book this past weekend and mentioned that the proceeds from the book sales at church went directly back to the church. They sold the book for $10.00.
Have you seen what Elevation does for our community? Since 2006 they've given $9.9 million to non-profits including $300,000 recently to assist with Charlotte's homelessness.
A man has been called by God to lead a growing congregation that impacts people worldwide and our community looks past the countless things that he and the church do for so many. I'm glad that the pastor has learned to turn and continues to lead so many to God and impact out city.
God does allow people to do great things.
A person who steals money from people and gives it to poorer people is still a thief. But to each their own. If he can get away with not paying taxes by claiming his cult is a church then so be it. Maybe I should follow suit. Thanks for the inspiration Pastor Furtick!!!
Anyone that's a member of that cult instantly loses all credibility
Anon 6:54 PM,
People who give back to the community and serve others in the name of The Lord do not seek their own glory. They seek to glorify God through their actions.
Praise the Lord and Pass the Loot. Wonder how long before he tries to open an amusement park in Fort Mill?
The new book undoubtably will feature false doctrine that has appeared in all of Furtick's books. Beware of Elevation Church, its false teacher and its false doctrine.
Tim, looks like it's time to follow Taylor Batten's example and kill off the anonymous category on your Blogger account. It's not exactly helping to raise the level of conversation. (Unless that's the point, maybe?)
I've said this for the past 6 1/2 years - those who criticize PBR are just plain jealous. I never liked critics. Critics never created anything, never risked ones livelihood to fulfill their dreams or in this case the dreams of so many others. PBR is well liked, he is changing lives, he risked everything for the people, and he ought to enjoy life. There are enough crazy people out there accomplishing nothing - nothing.
Truth passes through 3 stages - 1st it is ridiculed, 2nd violently opposed, and 3rd it is accepted as self evident. I think one and two have long passes. Let's move on and give PBR his dues.
who is PBR?
Pabst Blue Ribbon.
A defunct beer.
I was more of a Schlitz man myself. I miss Meister Brau.
Seriously though, this church is just one more in a long line of mega-churches driven by a cult of personality and questionable Biblical doctrine. I give it 5 years before the empire they are trying to build caves in on itself. That's the usual timetable. Meanwhile those of us in our puny little old-school mainstream denominations will just keep chugging along.
I am a Christian and fear this man and his followers are damaging Christianity to the extent that it may never recover. What do you seek at Elevation Church, peace with God or popularity among your neighbors? I do not sit in judgment of you for this will be God's decision. However, when one chooses to enter the service of God, one does not seek to glorify themselves above all, including God.
A preacher, when you get right down to it, is an entertainer and Mr. Furtick is good at it. I don't begrudge him for making some money. When you go to an Eagles concert you don't complain about how big Don Henley's house is. Same thing here - he is a multi-media personality and entertainer and is currently tonning it. Would I attend this church and give money to it since they won't disclose what he is making? No way but that is my personal decision. If someone wants to hand over hard-earned cash to a millionaire that is fine by me.
Tim you are throwing haymakers out there. Matthews 21:12
It's sad that the Charlotte Observer has nothing better to write about other than trying to bring down a local Church and Pastor. I mean really...why not make talking about Elevation a weekly segment? Oh wait, you already do. Get some real writers with talent and fresh ideas.
Um, comparing a drug-addled, egomaniacal, womanizing rock star to a pastor is a bit of a stretch for most people. Then again...Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, et all. But seriously. If his followers see no problem with it, walk on down the path you're on and bow at his feet. Problem is, Jesus should be the focus of worship -- not the pastor, or his house.
This is nothing but a CULT. It will end badly. Either with a financial or sexual scandal or in a tragic event like Waco and Jonestown. Sorry but this is true. We have friends that are deluded into being members but there is no way my family would go anywhere near this circus!
I'm tired of those biblically ignorant Christians who justify Furtick's unknown salary and ginormous house by all the good he and his church have done. Since when have our sins ever justified or excused our sins? Have he and his church done good? Sure they have. But the good we do never justifies us so that we can do whatever we want.
Anon. 8:39 PM, does his standard, "Oh wait,"
Larry... Don'y you have anything better to criticize?
Have you really thought through the whole Bible/Christianity concept and what a stretch of the imagination it takes to believe? The Genesis story of creation - how did the children of Adam and Eve procreate - through incest? How did we get different races? Were Adam and Eve's kids black, white, Chinese?
How could the Noah's Ark story have possibly happened? Think of all of the animals from insects to elephants?
Why isn't there one thing in the Bible that could not have been known by mortal men at the time it was written? Like that germs cause diseases so wash your hands. It took us 2000 more years to figure that out. It sure would have been nice for God to help us with that.
Why were there other prophets both before and after Jesus that were also accepted as messengers from God such as Abraham and Mohammed and Joseph Smith (Mormons)?
Religion is open to all its a choice and the people that choose his worship are allowed. Why does the Observer have a issue with his house and his worship? Does he pay his taxes? Does he pay his mortgage? Look what he has done for the Community. Created jobs , spent money into the economy,donated money to less fortunate and all with no hand out from tax dollars. So he is no Chiquita so thats a winner to me. I have not been too his service yet , but if the CO keeps bashing him I certainly will attend. Keith W. Hurley
Could Jesus have started a mega church in Jerusalem, build a mega house on the shores of Galilee and write books for sale at the temple? Being the Son of God Jesus could have set up His earthly Kingdom and reigned with legions of angels to enforce His rule! But He didn't.
Mark writes about Jesus's message as saying, "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel".
Satan tempted Christ, "Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
Christians are called to be like Christ. He had no earthly possessions yet He changed the world. Jesus said, "If you want to be complete, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me." But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
The Apostle Paul, who began as a very wealthy "temple member", and who spent most of his ministry anguishing in prison said, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Gospel!
An update, Elevation Church has changed the story about the house...no longer saying what Furtick said (that it was NOT paid for with church money, only money from the books). Now they confirm that it is paid (at least partially) with a housing allowance. So Elevators' tithes are paying for a 16,000-square-foot mansion...the one he described as "not that great of a house."
I love the Lord and so does Furtick. So thankful for Elevation's Outreach program and their mission to reach people for Christ Jesus.
CRASH THE CHATTERBOX!
Yawn. So what if that church chooses to support their pastor's book? This article reeks of desperate tabloid reporting. We get it...you think their church is bad. Move on. Try reporting some inspiring faith news.
PIMPIN it Jesus style!
If only there was really was a god-man, I bet he would drive this moneychanger from the temple.
I suggest you read your Bible more carefully. Or was Jesus a hypocrite when he called the Pharisees whitewashed tombs? Or what about Paul warning of false prophets? Were they hypocrites?
Wow this is certainly headline news. I'm sure Billy Graham Ministries never promoted any books that he wrote. http://www.billygrahambookstore.org/CustomModule.asp?pageid=30
LOL over here. I'm also sure that most of the people that are critical of Elevation have never attended a service there. With success comes jealousy and there must be a lot of jealous churches in the area driving all of these attacks.
these are the days being an Atheist are comforting. Knowing if I do something nice it's not because of a make believe guy in the sky told me to (seriously go drink the red Kool aid already). Knowing my money is mine for the most part (minus the govt) but hey if it makes the Sheep happy let them get raped and harvested. It happened with Bakers sheep it's happening here again with younger and naive sheep. But the key note is these people are happy. Let them be. Once it interferes with us normal folk its not a problem is it?
For those of you stating how much Furtick gives to charity, I'll remind you that Al Capone gave a lot of his ill-gotten gain to charity as well.
What do you expect from a cult?
Only in Charlotte, just another PTL. Simple, simple people. Welcome back Jim & Tammy !!!!
I automatically stop doing business with anyone that is involved with this so called church as soon as I discover it. If I see a work commercial truck with the church logo on it I make a note not to use their services.
Has anyone actually read the book?
The supporters of this church are deluded by their emotions, not by common sense. The so called Church overwhelms them with music and high energy, the people confuse this feeling of energy with God. Furtick is probably a victim of this himself. Apparently none of them can see the forest because of the trees.
By the way. Definition of a cult. Fits here by the way.
cult noun, often attributive \ˈkəlt\
: a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous
: a situation in which people admire and care about something or someone very much or too much
: a small group of very devoted supporters or fans
I agree with the above post. I am immediately turned off by anyone or any business associated with or advertising Elevation.
It just totally and utterly amazes me how such a large portion of our population are so gullible. The term lemmings comes to mind.
No wonder the pocket fisherman was a hit.
Apparently if you want to be rich and have no conscience, then being a mega preacher is the way to go.
Where do you go to school to be a "PIMP" style preacher? Seriously, I want to switch over from my current career of investment banker, I don't make that much currently and this job seems pretty lucrative.
Thank you Rev. Furtick for showing that God's love is money, now I am a true believer.
For all of you ignorant, judgemental people who keep calling Elevation a "cult" you really have no clue what you are talking about and maybe you should go to the church before trashing it. I've been going to Elevation for almost 3 years and Pastor Furtick has helped me quite a bit. He gives tons of money away each year to different organizations and just gave $300,000 recently to help homelessness in Charlotte. Oh wait, we don't talk about that though. Instead we try to make him out to be this awful person who is stealing money from people. His 3rd book comes out and here comes all the nasty comments and criticism. Really people?! Get a life. Instead of bashing a Pastor who has helped millions of people and gives tons of money to help organziations, why don't you go after these CEO's of the big banks? When was the last time you heard about one of them doing anything for anyone else?! You won't because they don't. Instead they take money from people and fire their employees so it puts more money in their pockets. They are so beyond greedy it's sickening.Why don't u go see the size of their houses?? No we don't and won't. Instead we are going to stalk a Pastor and try to make everything he does out to be something bad or shady. SMH....
I am disappointed that Steven Furtick first tells the public and his parishioners that his book sales will pay for his mansion and then sells the book via his parishioners. It's a terrific business model (especially with those board members being out of town and out of sight). However, I cannot attend a church that spends my money on his mansion while others are struggling to buy groceries each week for their families. Thank you, Tim Funk, for keeping us informed.
This isn't new. Go read "The Pardoner's Tale" by Chaucer.
I think this guy probably does some good in the world. Acknowledge it rather than trying to judge all of his actions with the same blow.
His charitable donations are commendable. I applaud him for that, but I don't think we have to look very far in the Bible to find condemnation for this kind of wealth.
That part we should be able to judge on its own. How should we feel about this? I know that man is not God. Judging him is not judging God.
Jesus never made any distinction about whether wealthy people got their money from tithes or from book sales.
I really don't know enough to judge this guy, but as I see it, he has to be doing one of the following things:
A) Pursuing wealth because he doesn't believe that part of the Bible.
B) Exploiting people's religion for personal gain.
It is written: "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly, mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 NIV
I attend Elevation Church. I do not follow Pastor Steven, but like Pastor Steven, I follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, very energetic to my spirit. As I heard a minister once say, "Heaven or hell, this is the quietest world we will ever live in." Debra Lineberger
PTL supporters would circle the wagons and trash the media for "criticizing a good man?"
I don't have a problem with this guy being a sinner. We're all sinners.
What bothers me is that he doesn't see greed as a sin. For a pastor, that seems like a problem.
The money came from the pockets of his "flock". I don't care if Amazon got a slice or not. That almost seems worse.
Such an extremely SHAMELESS PLUG, by a News organization & reporter, under the guise of it being a "news story". Too, I see no mention of the recent revelations of the under-handed tactics being employed by the Author & Publisher, to exploit the sells of his books & packages. Such tactics while common in the publishing world, should be very questionable for a person that claims to be a "Man of God". One that is so obviously greatly benefiting from this "well supported" effort. Supposedly "all of the proceeds are going to the church". Yet, he has made it very clear when previously questioned, that the proceeds are what is paying for his new Mansion. Seems there is a major contradiction in what is being told here...
This man is an abomination and the followers are cult-like. May God have mercy on their souls.
Tim, it appears that it's time for a little moderation work on this thread...
And yet the PCUSA spends $15 million in lawsuits and is lying to its members al la the Louisville papers and Tim Funk says zero...bias much?
For the above supporter of Elevation.
The money given is Hush money.
It has to be done to appear viable, otherwise the scam wouldn't work, spend money to make money.
So Blind.
It's always funny, and scary at the same time to see how brain washed people have become. No, not just about cults and false prophets, but about the ability to speak your mind on a topic without being part of yet another silent Devil: FACEBOOK!
Why force me to join something that many of us feel is just as cultish and dangerous as Elevation Church, just to post a simple comment. In case the editor of the Observer hasn't seemed to notice, most of the previous posters from before the switchover have returned under Facebook accounts that they made up with generic names that link to nowhere.
People are going to speak their minds no matter how you try and stop them. To the sad person who posted about that they think Tim should hurry up and get rid of the anonymous posts just like the rest of the Observer: You are a a cult member yourself, brainwashed by a site that leads you to believe you are someone, but your privacy and life is being stripped away each and every day. It is people like this that are truly scary to those of us who see it for what it is.
Maybe the Rev. Furtick will go into overdrive with his church and start ramming Facebook down the throats of his followers like everyone else has, ......well, I guess I'm late on that one. It's already happening. Good luck with all that!
The so called 'better Christians' here are so disheartening. They seem to take great joy in judging those that don't dress like them, don't worship like them, etc.
These are the ones that break God's heart.
No wonder why people can't stand Christians, take a look at yourselves. Judge, judge, judge - yet you sin behind closed doors.
The book was offered to the parishioners for $10. They could buy it for $10 at the church, or they could buy it for $19 online. I don't know why this is a big deal, if people want the book they will get it either way. The church is offering a savings.
Wonder why the Observer and the Faith and Values writer are Pit Bulling Elevation? I have no dog in the fight but if the feds don't have a problem why should you? Followers were called sheep in the Bible because that's what the were. And still are today.
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