Michael Guglielmucci - his or the church’s fault?
August 22nd, 2008
I was deeply disappointed with the waves of news I have been hearing. Not that there is anything new under the sun. But first I read that Paul Cain, a greatly gifted modern-day prophet, had admitted to alcoholism and homosexual liaisons, and is now under restoration, though he resisted it initially. That was hard to digest. It was old news but I only got drift of it two months back. Then next I heard Todd Bentley, the main preacher in the current Lakeland Revival in Florida, had separated from his wife. Worse of all, now out of the blue, this incredible news broke in south Australia. Russell Evans, Planetshakers Church pastor, made a statement a few days ago about Michael Guglielmucci, renowned Aussie pastor and songwriter, whose struggle with cancer has been widely publicised, and whose song Healer is featured on the latest Hillsong DVD & CD.
“Michael Guglielmucci has informed us that he does not suffer from cancer, was never diagnosed with cancer, and has never suffered from the disease. This admission has come as a great shock to everyone including his wife and family who had no knowledge of the matter.”
I am concerned because a lot of young people look up to Michael, the pastor, the worship leader, the singer, the composer, the musician. This will be a big test of faith for many. In addition, in Australia, Christianity will be ripped apart by a cynical Australian press and I would feel embarrassed to be a Christian in the hearing of folks conversing about this over beer. As a pastor, I feel sad, bad, frustrated, angry. My job is tough enough as it is - I don’t need more cynicism, disillusionment, scepticism, and disrespect.
Yet why should the church be shocked? Christians, pastors included, are fallen beings. We are people saved by the sheer grace of God and are works in progress. We do fall into temptation and the more public a figure you are, the greater shame the fall causes. Have we all not stretched our statistics and stories, covered up our tracks by witholding information, and told lies intentionally and inadvertently. We hold the stones in our hands, but our own sins keep us from throwing them at Michael Guglielmucci.
Yet discernment, repentance, restitution and discipline is the order of the day for to whom much has been given, much is required. Just this afternoon, someone mentioned to me a verse in Matthew 18 where Jesus warned about not stumbling children for it is better to put a millstone around the neck and throw it into the sea. The same chapter talks about discipline and restoration. We forgive; we pray but we also love through restorative measures.
Sure each man is responsible for his own sin, but I do think the problem is also systemic. The Pentecostal and Charismatic movement have always valued the gifts of the Spirit, especially the spectacular and the glittering. The gifts that astound and the gifts that attract the thousands. We do not celebrate the gifts of mercy and helps but if you have great faith, healing or leadership gifts, or musical-worship talent, you are highly valued and put on a pedestal next to the Godhead. We value gifts over character; the spectacular over substance; and glitter over solid gold. We are so often blinded temporarily by the glitter and shine of great abilities, charisma and anointings that we just simply cannot discern that its just gold plated and what’s inside a man could be just plastic, made in China.
Maybe we are getting what we deserve for we all worship and dance around the Golden Calf of Success. We have baptized Fu Lu Shu and now worship an unholy trinity of Health, Wealth and Success. And it is a success as the world defines it: big budgets, bombastic buildings; great excitement and crowds; stratospheric worship. All this while the Cinderella of holiness, godliness and integrity sits somewhere in the grimy world of day by day living and working and serving, dishevelled and forgotten in a dark attic, waiting for the fairy godmother to restore her centrality in the royal ball. Such a worship inevitably cause leaders to turn a blind eye, rationalized with grace, and partner with highly gifted ministers in huge events, because they can bring the SUCCESS that God’s people crave. Like Aaron of old, we give in to what the people want, even when we know it is not the REAL THING.
Like the people living in Samuel’s time, we plead with God to give us a king when God would rather we bow and look to and depend on the ONLY TRUE KING: LORD JESUS. So we have made our own human kings, put them on pedestals, and when they fall from the giddiness of the heights we have lifted them to, and they fall with a great fall, we fail to see that we had set him up for the fall. We know we have raised another king when instead of saying the Bible says this, or Jesus says this, we say, Pastor so and so says this, or Prophet or Apostle So and so says this……therefore it is true.
Churches must be taking off Michael’s songs off the worship list for Sunday, and will ponder whether to use the other Planetshakers’ songs, at least as a temporary measure. We need to get behind him and pray for him 
and the thousands of young people whose faith will be tested. Satan is working overtime. We hope he has truly repented, and will go through counselling and restoration. We trust the money raised as a result of his illness will be returned to the givers where possible and those impossible to trace could be donated to charity, which was what the church had announced it would do. But whatever else is done, the church must fix her eyes on JESUS the author and finisher of our faith, and like the cherubim above the ark of the covenant, fix her gaze down towards the atonement cover where she sees nothing but the Blood of Jesus, the crimson love.
More information about this can be read, and his bestselling song Healer heard HERE:
Entry Filed under: Church, Megachurches
Thank you blog pastor, finally I have found a post that is giving the truth of God’s word. We have been dancing around the golden calf way too long. This isn’t about what Michael has done, it’s about where we are at with God. Our hearts have wanted that which is in opposition to God’s word, the church for too long has been giving us a God of convenience, a God of, as you say, “Health, Wealth and Success”.
My prayer through all this is that the many affected will realise that they need to go to their bibles to seek out with all their hearts the real Jesus, the Jesus of the bible. That people would be like the Bereans and search the scriptures to check what they are hearing is found in the word of God and in agreement with God.
We can’t keep following the church over following Jesus. Go to your bibles people, stop swallowing everything the church gives you and know who Jesus really is.
I agree with most of your comments re what is being worshipped in modern day pentecostalism. my husband were in leadershipi in a large pentecostal church. We were shocked at how the senoir pastors behaved - the lack of integrity, the lack of truth they spoke to the congregration and how they got away with it. when those of us challenged the significant things - that is things that were questionably illegal (not just little minor things) - well those of us that questioned got the blame - the usual we had to submit to authority - “the Lord’s anointed” etc - while we still are passionate about the church of Christ and choose to forgive and not walk in offense - the michael issue and what happened certainly raises the question of accountability of pastors in the AOG church.
PS the reason i am anon is that if i put my name i would be threatened with legal action with these so called pastors like others who have
It is to the glory of God that you chose to live in forgiveness and freedom. Forgiving is often a struggle and it takes the enabling grace of God to do so.
I thought that this was really well written and balanced post.
Indeed the signs of a true convert is not in the gifts or ability to work miracles (Matt 7:21-23), but that of character (1 John).
Are there any social indicators that would make “churches” santuaries, safe havens and even transformers of “sinners”
Current social indicator stats between christians and the public are not that different - divorce rate, substance abuse, gambling, etc.
Where is our moral high ground? What is the diference?
If ‘Christians’ continue to be gullible sheep, being led to slaughter is a probable result of being a member of a “successful” independent Church.
In the US, being a religious service provider is a truly lucrative business. It is also catching on in other countries, including Singapore!
Whose fault?
The congregation for being bad stewards and not seeking the “truth.”
The church for not having a morally ethical, transparent and competent board of governors.
Lastly, the gifted leader who perpetrated the whole scheme.
You are right.
Crookedness, brokenness, and giftedness can be all wrapped up in one leader. In the end, we all need to drink the cup of his forgiveness.
We know we need accountability, transparency and mentors, but all we like sheep have gone astray and we have turned every one to his own way.
God’s way is: “Out of his fulness have we received grace upon grace.”(John 1) and “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be made whole.”(James 5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MgH8SAk3xs
A short video by Mal Fletcher.
even Mike’s fall from grace was prophesied to his father pastor Danny three years ago, although at that time it was not mentioned that the person would be Mike.
I think the important think to remember in turbulent times is that the church should always look to God because i) he is in control, ii) men are bound to fail.
i agree that we should not be quick to condemn - at the end of the day God will hold all of us accountable to our actions whether or not the law of man does
I just read on channel news asia’s article on speakers corner that the police mentioned that they will allow gay pride parade demonstrations there as well. That is terrible since it means that Christians will have no way to speak against it as it would be consisted religious speech. Maybe someone (blogpastor perhaps?) should write in to say that gay pride parades would offend religious harmony and therefore should be banned as well.
What do you think?
Joel
Hi Joel,
Perhaps as followers of Jesus, we could do a bit more by befriending homosexuals and sharing the good news with them. Whether the gay pride parade gets on or not, if we do our part in reaching them, there will be no parade ultimately. Because all would have follow the Lord.
This is somewhat similar to the IR. Since it’s already a go-ahead, followers of Jesus should do what they ought to do best - love their neighbour as themselves. By doing that, there will be no gambler at the end of the day. Protesting against the building of the IR will yield no ‘real’ result at the end of the day. Gamblers can still fly to Macau and many other places to gamble. But if one is reached for Him and repents, IRs will close down because there are no more gamblers. Protesting against it leads us nowhere sometimes. Doing the ‘real work’ in loving and sharing the good news is a lot more effective and fulfilling. (and glorifying to Him)
Just my two cents worth.
cheers,
Jason
The thing is that now, they can promote homosexuality all they want at speaker’s corner, but as Christians, we are not allowed to speak about it. In court, how long do you think you will last if defendant is not allowed to defend himself, but the persecutor is allowed to say whatever you want?
And in Singapore, there is also the “gay” church. They can hold talks in support of their position at speaker’s corner, but can other churches rebut them at speaker’s corner without getting into the bible or religion? Looks like we have got our hands tied behind our backs.
hmmm… i thought you’ve given an answer to your own question - “other churches (can) rebut them at speaker’s corner without getting into the bible or religion”.
it is possible to engage in a fair and clean debate on homosexuality without dragging the bible and christianity in the picture, i.e. argue from first principles distilled from the bible. this should be permissable since homosexuality is not (yet) legally recognised as a race/gender, nor protected under any charters.
“The thing is that now, they can promote homosexuality all they want at speaker’s corner, but as Christians, we are not allowed to speak about it”.
Christians then should ‘promote’ Christ wherever they are. If our concern is really for the homosexuals and the bystanders which might be influenced by their promotion, then we should be at Speaker’s corner ‘promoting’ Christ when they are promoting the homosexual lifestyle. Just do it one-to-one street evangelism ’style’. Do we always need to ‘defend’ in a ‘large scale official’ manner at speaker’s corner? Not necessary.
“And in Singapore, there is also the “gay” church. They can hold talks in support of their position at speaker’s corner, but can other churches rebut them at speaker’s corner without getting into the bible or religion? Looks like we have got our hands tied behind our backs.”
As an official ‘rebuttal’, the NCSS has given a statement regarding this lifestyle some time ago. I think if our concern is really for the ‘gay’ church to understand the word for what it said concerning this lifestyle, then perhaps we should be spending some time in that church(before/during/after) service, befriend them and open them up to the truth. I sincerely don’t believe there is much impact/effect by rebutting this issue at speaker’s corner. I might be wrong. But I think it’s more effective if we befriend them and show them the truth the way Jesus does it with the outcasts & prostitutes.
Who is without sin? Cast the first stone.
Gay church, gamblers church, addict church, fornicators church……..we have all of them NOW except some sins are less visible and organized than others,
Why are Christian social stats are no better than the public at large?
Maybe Christ just needed each of us to tranform ourselves to simpley become the salt and light to the world. No need for fancy paraphenalia and fancy buildings…….
More pressing question is the church as we know a failed instuition.
After 2000 years, we really do not have much to shout about.
Hi Joel,
So preaching the Gospel is not allowed at the speakers corner. With your passion for open air preaching, which you experienced in Brisbane in the last few years, this must be a let down for you.
I am praying that Mike will come back to God in repentance because nothing can change God’s love.
It is time people of this world to realize what they have been missing out for too long…that God’s grace is sufficient for anyone who comes to Him in repentance and giving their lives to Jesus.
What I learnt all about Jesus in the bible, I am very sure that God can be glorified through this episode of Mike’s life in that Man will fail a thousand times but God is faithful forever.
And while Satan continues to work overtime, let us not let down our guard and continue to fix our focus on God!
Amen. This news is indeed very sad. let us continue to focus right and do right. All for Him and Him alone.
Michael will not be the last. May the Lord forgive those who confess and repent of their wrong-doings and restore them in His love.
We must be wary all the time of those who come in sheep’s clothing . May the Lord always give discernment to the people of God so we do not follow preachers/teachers blindly nor sing their songs blindly but test for doctrine and lifestyle of proponents, against the Word and with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Especially let us guard against those who advertise themselves(instead of the Lord) and those who have grown too flashy/fleshy for their own and their congregation’s good.The enemy is a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour. May the Lord help us to remain humble before Him always and hear His voice and not our own. May we adopt the practice always of checking with the Word.
Amen.
Perhaps Michael’s fall (and the many others before and soon to come) exposes the over-introvertedness of the church i.e. it’s always been about ‘us’, about ‘private religion’, about our ‘personal r’ship with God’.
Maybe what the church needs is more immersion, engagement w the world…Mother Teresa-like…more outreach, more getting our hands dirty, maybe plant a few trees, etc.
I’ve read somewhere before that service is the only way to humility?
Amen! The church needs the spirit of Mother Theresa and Bob Pierce and General Booth.
I thought the church should be simply Christ-like.
Why model on imperfection when you have the real McCoy….forget the ways of the world, just be like the Boss….is this even possible?
Can our imperfect perception of reality be tranformed?
Wonder if anybody has managed to do so if only for a time……
It is interesting to see how each of us will try to interpret the significance of this sad incident. it is very easy to say: “see, I told you so…” or “look, it is finally falling”
Many of us would even attempt to say things that seemingly right with our own sets of moral judgment. To be honest, such things do not happen only in the big and prominent churches but it can also happen in the smaller churches. The only difference is - whether do we bother to report it. To be honest, I believe there were many similar incidents just that they dont get highlighted in the media.
With regards to the comments by Alywn - When it comes to planting trees and getting our hands dirty etc…I am kind of puzzled…do you need to be a christian to do all these?
Even a non-christian can be doing all these.
A non believer may even be able to do more good deeds than a christian.
Are we saying that as Christians we have to do more good deeds to earn heavenly merits?
Just sharing a thought on this subject…
Hi Simon,
If the event does not kill you, then God has given you another chance to do the right thing….question if our pride will let us ………..we are either strengthened or sucked into the abyss of darkness…..the gift of free will is there and the burden of knowledge are human attributes. Wisdom is God given….
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your thoughts.
The planting trees and ‘getting hands dirty’ - not unlike spiritual disicplines like fasting, praying, studying, etc. - are ways of immersing ourselves into the work of the Lord. And God’s work has for too long perhaps been limited by the church to the ’spiritual’ things - hence the virtual irrelevance of the Church as a voice/force for social and political change.
Yet I proposed them as a way of getting our minds (and bodies) ‘unstuck’ from all the ecclesiology and theology and hallelujah-ology which tends to (over)-fill our heads, with ‘heaven’ that we’ve lost touch with earth.
Note: It has nothing to do with ‘earning merits’, nor has it anything to do with whether a non-believer can do it or not. It’s about living out our lives as a sacrifice (check out Rom 12).
One problem with mega-churches is that the leaders have VERY LITTLE TIME to get ‘down and dirty’ with the needy of the world. There are too many bright lights, too much ‘glamour’.
Hi Alwyn,
The problem will always be the gullible sheep - comfortable in mindlessness and expecting the promised free lunch by some incredibily talented salespeople.
Mega churches are great business enterprises who have brain washed shareholders that are not demanding in their standards of governance and ethics.
The “business” has got bigger and more suc cessful than the original purpose, Selfhelp spiritual books, records, VISA, AMEX, MASTERCARD, PayPal are the new icons at the successful modern church.
If your “church CEO” can afford a private corporate jet, then you know you have a truly magnificent GOLDEN CALF in a 2008 sense.
Have we got more enlightened in changed in 2000years of worshipping???
.
I agree with Alwyn that it’s not about earning merits(I don’t think that was even what he meant by getting our hands dirty). And I think it’s true that we can get too ‘overfill’ with ‘heaven’ that we’ve lost touch with earth.
I’m not so sure if every mega-church’s leaders has very little time to get down and dirty with the needy of this world. I certainly hope not. Anyway, it would be hard to say such a statement without knowing for sure. Perhaps, in general it is true. or perhaps from what has been reported or highlighted, it appears to be true. But the ‘glamour’ and glitz is certainly a temptation and a distraction.
I’ll recommend this book to all of us - “Good News to the Poor: Sharing the gospel through social involvement” by Tim Chester (IVP Press). Very biblical-based, and real with real-life case studies around the world. Talks about this ‘Private religion/faith’ that Alwyn had mentioned and presents the different concerns of 4 christians, each with a different view with regards to social action and evangelism(either extreme view or somewhere in-between). The author then talks about social involvement and the preaching of the gospel - how it comes hand in hand from a biblical viewpoint & real life examples.
The church in Asia needs to do itself a favour and be rid of american american glitz, hype and glamor.
More developments: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24232365-5006787,00.html
Firstly, I must say, like many others – I am often quick to condemn and slow to forgive.
In fact, I find it shocking that we can call someone a “wolf” so easily.
After reading the article, the following thoughts came to mind…
Have you been swindled by him?
Did you, as a result of believing his sickness – donated a single cent to him unknowingly?
Have you, as a result of his songs – rejected Christ and gone astray.
Did any other sisters get implicated with his life?
Lastly, have you actually listened to his latest song – Healer?
I did and I must say - I have been so blessed by his song.
Obviously, this brother has a problem.
But after reading the article, I thank the Lord that he has finally decided to open up. As a father myself, I am full of compassion for him and his family. Lying about his sickness is a big mistake but if our Father God can forgive us and would even sent His only begotten Son to die for us…who are we to condemn?
If we, as Christians and as brothers in Christ to Michael could not forgive him, how would the world look upon us? How would any sinners have the boldness to come forward again expecting to receive love and forgiveness from Christ.
Psychologically the perception of hurt is often many times the actual, hence the need to extract a greater retribution. It is like slicing another’s arm for the punch inflicted on oneself.
This was the way in settling our grievances before the Mosesic laws, often resulting in the birth of bitter blood feuds. Think Caucuses, Balkans, Palestinian, Kurds, Serbs, Dafour and many many others - luckily we managed to solve the Irish. Mosesic laws help us socially, the Gospel teachings will take us to the next level but we seem stuck even after 2000 years.
I think alot of us need sombody to be a lower life form than us for us to feel adequate, so when one of our own appointed leader fall, he becomes a convenient dumping ground for our own baggage.
Can we ever evolve past our embedded “selfish gene” and become completely alturistic.
Most of us know the path to transformation and sanctification but can we follow or want to ???
Witness brother Michael, unfortunately he will not be the last.
Talk is easy, the journey is almost impossible.
Welcome to Rome, to The Battle of Milvian Bridge more than 1700 years ago when the direct attack by the gates of Hades failed, but a sharing of power, wealth, and face, suceeding in bringing down the church.
For those who are concerned, the “Gay” community has obviously had no intentions to hold any parade - in Hong Lim Park. The question was raised by journalist of the possibility, but the answer by their “leader” was “no”.
I wonder what would the “Gay CHurch” talk about at Hong Lim Park? Perhaps. “Gays & Jesus”. But I guess no one would come since they thought the church focus is about sex and perhaps the Church focus should be with 14,000 abortions each year and 7,000 divorses
After spending so much time condemning homosexuals, perhaps few will be interersted in Christianity? They probably mistaken the “gay church” for the Church up the road at the Cathedral and get bashed up verbally.
However, if the Christian Churches at this forum do intend to show up enmass with banners such as “God hate Fags”, “Gays burn in hell”, perhaps that would be the reason Gays needed to hold a parade on a Saturday afternoon with the Worlds media at hand.
Ultimately lets face it ….. we have deviated so much from the simplicity of the Gospel Faith, focus on issues which we should not have, and engaged ourselves in the world - in its religion, power, riches, and fame. We spent so much time judging people and communities, but they are judging us too!
I agree.
Many a time we are too quick to judge. We should:
i)Love God with all our heart
ii)Love one another
We should approach all sin, with an attitude of humility that we too have sinned that Jesus died for us. I think it is more important to love a person, gay or straight, and leave it to the Lord in prayer, that He might convict us of our sins.
It is a great shame that so many among the church are unable and unwilling to accept ALL people with love, in the way that Jesus would have.