Actor, comedian, author, and radio personality Steve Harvey made an appearance on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s (TBN) show, Praise the Lord.  Airing May 11th, 2010 with Paula White as the host, Harvey talked about his book, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.” He specifically discussed the “90 day rule.” This rule tells women to put a man on probation before giving away any “benefits.” Harvey went on to state that he knows that the Bible says a person should wait until s/he gets married to have sex and he agrees with that whole-heartedly.  But he states that since people are not going to wait until marriage to have sex, they should at least wait for 90 days.  Paula White wholeheartedly agreed with him and didn’t correct him at all!  The crowd laughed in agreement.  The Bible warns us in Jude 18-19, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”

First, this interview is disturbing because it takes place on Christian television!  It would have been somewhat acceptable if it were aired on a secular station or radio show.  The nature of Harvey’s statement would have been more understandable and expected.  We as believers could have just passed his statements off as worldly wisdom with a roll of the eyes upward.

Secondly, his statement boldly goes against the Word of God. God doesn’t grade sin on a curve.  He doesn’t look at certain situations and say “…ok I’ll let you slide by on that one because you can’t help yourself.”  This is a prime example of cheap grace.   God is a holy God.  The Word says, “Be ye holy for I am Holy.” (Leviticus 11:45).

Harvey’s book may make some good points for women. But is his book’s wisdom of God or earthly? James 3:15 says, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but earthly, sensual, devilish.” The book my offer some good advice for women to follow, but telling them they can’t abstain from fornication is earthly, sensual, and downright demonic.  His advice is within the guidelines of the world system. Godly wisdom within the kingdom of God falls under James 3:17 which says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”  When a person walks in the wisdom of God, they will first be pure, have good fruit.  The good fruit a person shows from abstaining from fornication will manifest as two parts of the fruit of the Spirit:  longsuffering (endurance and patience) and temperance( having control or mastery over one’s desires or passions).

The ironic part of this interview was Harvey began to sound like the serpent in the Garden of Eden. He basically tells others what the Word of God says and agrees with it, “Abstain from sex before marriage!”  But then slyly adds, “hardly any Christians keep the Word of God anyway.  So since we all know you’re not going to abstain, its okay to do it…just wait 90 days until you do.”  He speaks as if the Word has loopholes in it. These types of comments are just like those of the serpent when he told Eve that she would be as gods (Genesis 3:5) deciding for herself what is good and evil instead of leaning on understanding of the Word of God and keeping His Word. This type of nature is rooted in Satanism. Aleister Crowley’s, Book of the Law states “Do as thou wilt, is the whole book of the law, which means I can do as I please and I don’t have to line up with the Word of God.” Even in Anton Lavey nine satanic commandments of the Satanic Bible, the first commandment is that Satan represents indulgences instead of abstinence. First Thessalonians 4:3 states, “For this the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.”  The key word is to abstain from fornication, not to indulge in fornication by giving a man sexual benefits after a 90-day probation period.  This is outside the will of God.

One may ask Shofarsound what is the big deal? It just fornication! God understands I have needs that must be met.  Everybody in my church is having sex and they aren’t married.  They still sing in the choir.  They’re preaching.  They’re teaching.  They’re still serving on the usher board. Does that mean you follow the broad road to destruction (Matthew 7:13)? If everyone jumps off the bridge are you going jump also? I don’t think so!

Biblical View on Fornication

The Old Testament viewed premarital sex as a capital offense against one’s future spouse. This was unlike the Gentile nations that condoned premarital sex. The Greek word for fornication is porneuo, which means to act like a harlot, indulge in unlawful lust of either sex, or practice idolatry – fornication. Fornication is idolatry, because that person you sleep with isn’t your spouse.  You’re bowing down to get in the bed with your idol instead of obeying the Word of God.   It is idolatry when an individual places a person they’re consistently fornicating with over the Word.  First Samuel 15:23 states, “stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

That person you’re sleeping with is an idol in your heart and it is evident that the Holy Spirit doesn’t reign supreme in your life. Every time that person calls you jump up and run to him/her.  The next thing you know, you’re in the sack.   The Holy Spirit calls out to you in order to lead and guide you into all truth.  That person means no good for your spirituality.  Instead of listening, you turn a deaf ear to the voice of Godly wisdom.

First Corinthians 6:18-20 says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”   Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. When you fornicate you desecrate your temple.  You sin against your own body. If you continue in the sin of fornication you will die.  Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.  You may eventually earn a sexually transmitted disease that attacks your physical body.

Fornication Destroys the Soul

Sexual sins destroys the soul (Proverbs 6:32). The Greek word for soul is called psuche, which derives psychology study of the soul. Your soul is made up of the intellect, will, memory, emotions, and imagination. First example your involve in fornication, Your intellect or reasoning will tell you that you’re in love with him or her so its ok to have sex before marriage.  You essentially rely on your own understanding instead of the Word of God.  Secondly, after you intellectualize being in a sexual relationship your will is given unto your carnal desires. Thirdly, you will have memories of the good and bad things of the illicit relationship. Why do you think someone can be in the act of intercourse with one person and call out another person’s name? It is because the soul connection of the memory is still there.  The person is comparing their present sexual experience with a former.  The fourth example is the emotions.  You develop the emotion of bitterness.  Because of your memory, you remember all the bad relationships you had in the past.  A person develops bitterness and emotional detachment. So when man or woman of God comes to you, your’re damage goods from all the bad relationships you had in the past.  You’re unable to make that godly connection. Lastly is the imagination.  The enemy uses the imagination to keep sexual perverse thoughts in your head and to prevent you from being obedient to the will of God.

So whether 90 days or 20 years, if you’re not married you need to abstain from fornication. We all must keep in mind that fornicators shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21). Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  Keep His commandments and the Holy Spirit will give you keeping power to overcome the devil, the world, and your flesh.  So will you listen to the Word of God or Steve Harvey?

Via ExTimes,  we learn that the site has issued a challenge to the nation’s prominent mega pastors to openly repudiate the Barack Obama’s “two fathers” lie issued on Fathers Day.

Here’s what the savior of the US (SOTUS) said:
“Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step  father, a grandfather, or caring guardian.”

In response, BCNN has placed a call to action on their website urging Christians to tell Obama he’s dead wrong on this.

“Black Christian News has called for the nation’s “Megachurch Pastors and Prophets of God to Publicly Rebuke this unwise President,” according to its website. Explicitly the statement calls for T. D. Jakes, Eddie Long, Charles Black, Charles Stanley, Pat Robertson, Tony Evans, Al Sharpton, Kirbyjon Caldwell, Jesse Jackson, David Jeremiah, Frederick Haynes III, and others to stand up against what it sees as the progress of a homosexual agenda.”

But will they do it? So far, not a peep.

Many Christians fail to realize (or want to realize) that Obama is the political equivalent of Carlton Pearson. His ideology is a political inclusion philosophy which (even as a self proclaimed Christian) drives him to devalue Christ as equal to other religious figures. The Word of God is used only as a social justice prop when convenient.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting on a local controversy against Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines who refused to allow a lesbian to lead the church’s softball team. In the two minute video, Gaines explains to the congregation his decision but has refused to get into public debate about the situation.

First story in the CA
Second story in the CA

What do you think, was the pastor right or wrong to deny the lesbian a leadership role? He seemed to frame it in that context while saying that anyone is welcome to attend the church, but not in positions where their influence is seen as being approved of by the church.

Even now in the 21st century in the church, we have some “preachers gone wild.”  They are generally driven by the lust for fame, sex, and money. Unfortunately, today in the church world integrity, morality, humility, and anointing take a back seat to showmanship, talent, pride, and those who can draw big crowds and money.  They look to be “Sunday’s best” by being the hottest preacher or singer instead of living holy every day of the week and presenting their bodies to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God which is their reasonable service (Romans12:1).

In the last couple of years there have been scandals of pastors caught in immorality. Why is this? The American church has been caught in the trap of pursuing the most popular, crowd-commanding preacher to put it on the map instead of  praying and seeking the face of God to see if the Holy Spirit has endorsed the preacher or not (Acts 13:1-3).  For the most part it seems like churches are not trying to build the kingdom of God through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, but through devilish sensual earthly wisdom (James 3:15).

These scandals of immorality on the pulpit range from adulterous affairs, to sexual assaults against female members, even murder. Believe me, the Catholic Church is not the only church that has its sex scandals of molestation.  Pentecostal and Charismatic( among other Christian denominations) circles have been touched heavily by sexual immorality also.

Just recently, like something written out of a soap opera, Houston pastor Tracy Bernard Burleson of the First New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas was accused of killing his wife. Police state that Burleson paid his 20 year old stepson, William Darnnell Fuller, to kill his stepmother Pauletta Ross Burleson. Mrs. Burleson was found dead from a single gunshot that pierced her head and neck. Along with the arrest of Pastor Burleson and William Fuller, a third person, Tyonne Marie Palmer-Pollard, was arrested for tampering with evidence. Palmer-Pollard was having an affair with both Pastor Burleson and William Fuller at the same time. Also to note, before being murdered, Mrs. Burleson was aware of the multiple affairs her husband had with other women. Both Pastor Burleson and his stepson Fuller are being held without bail. Fuller has already confessed to the murder.

In the last couple of years, there have been other preachers who have made the dishonorable mention list of preachers gone wild.  A few are: Terry Hornbuckle, Sherman Allen, Anthony Hopkins, Sergio Alvarizares, Ted Haggard, and Paul Cain.

On August 28, 2006 Terry Hornbuckle, pastor of the mega-church Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Arlington, Texas was con­victed of raping and drugging three women.  Two of these women were members of Hornbuckle church. Not only was it found that Hornbuckle was a rapist, but that he also smoked meth. He even smoked meth with one of his victims, drugged her then raped her! He ended up receiving a fifteen year prison sentence. Hornbuckle before being exposed publicly received counseling privately from several ministers in the area. One of the ministers was Pastor Sherman Allen of Shiloh Institutional Church of God in Christ in Fort Worth, TX.   It can be said that Allens’ counseling Hornbuckle was a bad idea.  Allen has been accused of assaulting women and sexually abusing them. How can somebody that has same perverse spirit lead someone else to deliverance? This is hypocrisy and an abomination before the eye’s of the Lord!  Thirty five women accused Allen of beating them with a pad­dle.  Some even said that this paddling turned into sexual abuse.  The presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop Charles Blake, suspended Allen because of this.  However, despite being suspended by Bishop Blake, Allen has continued to pastor his church and has changed the name of the church to Shiloh Institutional Church and has dropped the “Church of God in Christ” at the end. 

Allegations of abuse go all the way back to 1983 for Allen. Lawsuits have been filed against him with criminal charges pending.  Yet, he continues to pastor like nothing ever happened and is still unaccount­able to leadership.  Its business as usual with his church and some of the big name preachers still run to his conferences despite his “major character flaws and issues.”  

In Portland Oregon, October 2007, police arrested Pastor Sergio Alvarizares for allegedly sexually abusing eight women in his con­gregation. Alvarizares was held on one account of rape in the first degree, two accounts of attempted rape in the first degree, and ten accounts of sex abuse in the first degree. He was later sentence to three years of prison in June 2008, after pleading guilty to attempted rape and third degree sexual abuse of sexually assaulting five women.

The next preacher to commit heinous acts of sexual immorality and murder is Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins a traveling evangelist (some had consider him a prophet) from Alabama.  He was arrested by police during a revival at Inspirational Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Jackson, Alabama for the murder of his wife. Anthony Hopkins killed his wife after she caught him having sex with a teenage relative in 2004. He eventually stuffed his wife’s body in a freezer.  It wasn’t until 2008 that his step-daughter led the police to her mother’s body. On May 21, 2010 Hopkins was sentence to life in prison , he was convicted for murder, sodomy, and sexual abuse.

 Male church leaders not only get caught up with women, but with sleeping with other men. In 2006 Ted Haggard, the pastor of New Life Church, a mega church in Colorado Springs, Colorado was ex­posed when he was caught having an affair with a male prostitute. Paul Cain, a noted Prophet, was exposed in 2004 engaging in long-term homosexual activity.

These problems are prevalent because of the lack of accountability, discernment, spiritual fatherhood and mentoring, and lack of correc­tion. Pride, arrogance, prayerlessness, the love of money and the lack of a repentant heart is causing preachers to go wild in sin.

No one can take glory for somebody falling into sin.  We are one body in Christ.  Therefore, when a leader blatantly sins against God it affects the whole body, brings a reproach, and profanes the name of the Lord.  As saints of God we must strive to be a positive witness so that our light might shine in a dark world.

Let us keep this in mind: if we have not fallen, it is only by the grace of God.  Through humility He gives us the grace to live a victorious lifestyle in Him (James 4:6-7).  Preachers let us take our eyes off popularity and fame, and keep them on Jesus Christ who is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24).

Remember, His grace is sufficient to keep us saved, and not go wild! 

 Related articles:

• Sherman Allen/COGIC sexual abuse trial looms
• Pastors and Adultery
• Southern Baptists screen out sexual predators

The interview has two distinct parts. The first explores the ministry and personal witness aspects of my dealing with homosexuality. In the second, I talk about GCM Watch, its purpose and the challenges associated with it.

To listen to the first segment, click here.

To listen to the second segment click here.

Published at OneNewsNow, Glatze makes some very important —and heartfelt— points about Christian love and the issue of homosexuality.

Some of the highlights:

“Jesus provides a way out of all temptations that are common to man. Homosexuality is one of those temptations that some people face. There will always be the temptation to dive in, completely, becoming identified with a sinful behavior; in fact, this temptation has become a political movement – supported by many politicians and courts in our land, as well as other countries in this world. But Christians aren’t to be afraid of the pressure of an increasingly prevalent world system; we are not to be yoked together and conformed to the ways of this world.

And, so, it is frustrating when Christians lose their principles and compromise on the brilliant truth and the power of the gospel to save people from all sins. It is frustrating when Christians take the side of the enemy, against fellow believers. And it is frustrating when Christians re-crucify Christ, through their obsession with never-ending transgression. But, all these things – and, so much more – needn’t make us afraid; they should make us more ready to love.

“For me, it is remarkably frustrating to see some people within the so-called “Christian” sphere compromising the Word of God on the issue of homosexuality. It terrifies me to think of what might happen to these people’s souls. I know that homosexuality is a powerful force in today’s world – but don’t forget that it was a powerful force in ancient times as well. Remember in the book of Judges, how homosexuality pops up at the end of a long, progressive apostasy? Remember how homosexuality is described as one of the lusts that enflames people, after they have turned away from God, causing in them the results of their transgression? Have we gotten so far from God that we are willing to attempt a revision of reality, simply because we’re too afraid to see how bad things have gotten?

“The truth of homosexuality is that it is, like so many other things, a sin. And the truth about healing from homosexuality is that, like so many other sins, it can be done.”

As we have seen with some Christian leaders profiled on GCM Watch, we thought they were fairly solid in their theological perspective on homosexuality. But Glatze says the real issue is satan’s agenda of division.

“When I first came out of homosexuality, publicly, in 2007, I received 900 e-mails from loving Christians, praying, asking for guidance, sending their love. But in the last three years, I have seen strong, good Christian leaders fall into a pit of apologetic confusion around this issue of homosexuality. And I have seen good Christians turn on their brothers and sisters with an accusatory look, and the curses of the devil, because of their support for homosexuality. Make no mistake: Satan wants this issue to divide the church.”

That division comes when we reject God’s Word and his plan for man’s salvation and instead offer ourselves and our plans as sufficient to save.

Read the entire commentary at One News Now.

Jason [Roberts] had come up with an idea for a new makeover show randomly one night while filming girlfriend Poon, a makeup artist and actress, making up some of her girlfriends.

“He said, ‘You know what? This would make a great show,” Poon said.

VH1 agreed and ordered up eight episodes. The sixth episode airs tonight at 10:30. Miclette said the show is starting to gain a following. The numbers of viewers doubled between the fourth and fifth episodes.

On a recent blog posted on the Web site Gay Christian Movement Watch, a writer wrote that “Transform Me” is carrying out a gay agenda because it makes “gays look good and utilizes the medium of television entertainment as a homosexual/transgender evangelistic tool.”

Are you a transgender and you want real transformation? Individuals who want to transform their exterior can expect to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Jesus Christ offers transformation free of charge, plus free lifelong maintenance as long as you are his disciple.

What’s more, true transformation happens inside out. A rhinoplasty body which still encases a sinful mind isn’t transformation at all,  its just an expensive makeover. The bible tells us that if we want lasting transformation we have to free our mind through God’s word and the rest will follow:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Romans 12:1,2

You don’t have to pay one single penny to get the wonderful transformation God has for you.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, Isaiah 55:1-4 ESV

Why not let Christ transform you and keep the body he gave you.

Related story: “Transgender women” and the bible

These Christian star-comes-out-of-the-closet stories seem to follow a familiar trajectory. We’ve seen it with Ray Boltz and Tonex. In fact I wrote in November 2008, “people get ready, Boltz’s move will only embolden others. Its just a matter of time.”

And here we are again with another singer named Jennifer Knapp. [Yahoo story] [Christianity Today]

To be perfectly honest, Id never heard of nor listened to any of this woman’s music, so I dont get the “star” accolades. She was nomintated for four grammys, but so have many other music artists.

A rising star on the Christian music scene is returning to the public eye with a new identity after a mysterious seven-year absence spent mostly on the other side of the world.

Jennifer Knapp is not only coming out with a new album, she is also “coming out,” a term the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter considers “very bizarre” as she nervously relaunches her career.

The 36-year-old Kansas native, who dated men during her college days, is braced for a backlash from religious fans who faithfully shot down whispered rumors about her sexuality over the years. On the other hand, she said in a recent interview with Reuters, “I’m definitely getting a lot more friendly winks from the girls (at her concerts) than I have in the past!”

Knapp’s story is familiar almost to a fault. Its one of confusion that most, if not all who have struggled with sexual expression and identity have experienced. The media quickly attempts to paint it as a conflict between the church and acceptance of homosexuals. But the source of the conflict is God’s law. Even if every church in America had full “acceptance” of homosexuals, it wouldn’t change God’s law.

In the Christianity Today interview, Knapp seemed reticent as to whether she would link up and be another spokesperson for the gay movement. Perhaps not. But mark my words, it wont be long before the gay christian movement sinks its fangs into her neck.

While Knapp pretended not to be all that concerned with the biblical aspects of her sin, she nonetheless quickly threw out the worn out shellfish arguement.  That one is in the same category and the Adam and Steve cliche.

“The Bible has literally saved my life. I find myself between a rock and a hard place—between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the “clobber verses” to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics, and various other Scriptures we could argue about. I’m not capable of getting into the theological argument as to whether or not we should or shouldn’t allow homosexuals within our church. There’s a spirit that overrides that for me, and what I’ve been gravitating to in Christ and why I became a Christian in the first place.”

Although the spotlight is focused on Knapp’s sexuality, it exposes another serious flaw in the way the contemporary American church has positioned itself.  This is why the church should begin reevaluating its support for the cult of celebrity in the music industry. The Stellars, Doves and all other award shows should be dismantled. Let’s see whose heart is to serve the Lord and who’s in it for the lights of fame. More and more, we are seeing that far too many of these people are being led by feelings, flesh and fan adulation.

UPDATE 04.16.10 12:49

CNN writer Lisa France has posted a well written story on Knapp and briefly looks at the wider issue of homosexuality in the church quoting both Lexi and myself as well the author of the Christianity Today peice who originally broke the story. Read the full article.

One of the guests was Dr. Eugene Rivers,  who self identified as Bishop Blake’s Chief Policy Advisor. We’re not sure what policy he is advising the bishop on, but nevertheless that’s his title. Dr. Rivers was discussing a rather interesting  Huffington Post article by Eddie Claude Jr, declaring the black church was “dead”.

Then, this statement towards the end of the article:

But where are the press conferences and impassioned efforts around black children living in poverty, and commercials and organizing around jobs and healthcare reform? Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., the presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, appears to be a lonely voice in the wilderness when he announced COGIC’s support of healthcare reform with the public option.

Speaking of reform

Supt Harvey Burnett of Peoria, IL, who wrote a comprehensive victims advocacy plan for COGIC questioned why no one was asking Bishop Blake about his reluctance to enact a victims advocacy program for the denomination.

As Bishop Blake is hailed for his humanitarian service, we must also ask why has there been no action within the Church Of God In Christ to institute any resemblence of a victims advocacy program to help the church minister to its own hurting victims of clregy sexual abuse and misconduct? Dr. Rivers claims this area is a “legally complicated issue” and offers his own version of why the church is doing what it is doing and approaching the subject as it has been.

Rivers says that Pastor Burnett has made an “excellent point”. But then he calls the issue of victim’s advocacy “legally complicated.”  Listen to the conversation here. It begins about the 13:44 mark.   Dr. Rivers says that he is “privy to a lot of the discussions”  in regard to sexual abuse issues in COGIC.  Speaking to Pastor Burnett, he says, “I would love to reach out to you…” before Sharpton tells his assistant to get the information.   Its strange that although Burnett was clear that his perspective was about victim’s advocacy, Rivers didnt even utter the word “victim”. Intentional?

Incidentally, Al Sharpton himself was drawn into COGIC’s Sherman Allen sexual abuse case when lawyers for the plaintiffs filed a motion to have him testify as an expert witness on clergy matters. The defense fought against it, fearing Sharpton’s presence at the trial would draw unwanted media attention. The case was dismissed in February.

Read Pastor Burnett’s blogpost challenging Al Sharpton is raise the issue with Bishop Blake.

Enoch Perry III is a man on a mission. A dubious one no doubt, but a mission nonetheless. He’s lethal against people who accuse COGIC leaders of sexual abuse because he used to be a judge so he is keen to how the “system” works. Currently, the seemingly unbridled sycophant is pulling the Church of God in Christ into legal, moral and ethical quicksand. But the top brass in COGIC apparently like him and his advice. So our job is to document the proceedings as a witness to such reckless folly.

Perry has been COGIC’s chief behind-the-scenes architect of sexual abuse “policy” in the last few years. He’s navigated church leadership though numerous legal waters with ubiquitous ease, donning different faces depending on which court room he happened to find himself in. In November 2009,  when Bishop Charles Blake dropped a bombshell announcement that his denomination spent on a yearly average $800,000 to settle sexual abuse claims against the church,  he actually thanked Perry for his cacophony of supporting distortions.

But Perry does have one major fear. He fears the media connecting the dots to the sordid events perpetrated by sexual predators in COGIC (44 and counting) and like the current Catholic church debacle,  putting all the dirty business on NBC nightly news, FOX, ABC and other outlets. To that end, he tells COGIC pastors to keep attention away from sexual abuse cases.

“Media coverage of any sexual oriented event and the church will have a negative slant. The pessimistic coverage will have a direct impact on the overall public perception of the church involved, its corporate body and its membership. Additionally, this negativity will directly affect new membership and outside donations.”

Perry is still miffed at the excellent reporting the Dallas Observer did on Sherman Allen which led to a reopening of the case and a potential PR nightmare for COGIC.  In his deposition, he called blogs who reported the story “gossip rags”.  The problem was the reporting on real facts threatened the flow of donor money the church was getting from corporations. And who cares about victims when money is at stake?

If anyone ever doubted that COGIC leadership has an intentional strategy of  diversion on clergy sexual abuse cases, perhaps this is the smoking gun.  And all of it can be attributed to the devious counsel of Enoch Perry. His heartless crusade to paint victims of clergy abuse out of the picture or as “problems” for the church is evident in this presentation given to the church’s “General Assembly” last November. You can read or download the 16 page presentation here.

The above statement is so dizzying that we have to break it down so that you see its elements. Notice that Perry pitches media coverage, not the crimes committed by clergy, as the church’s “vulnerability”.

Perry: “Media coverage of any sexual oriented event will have a negative slant.”

The negativity doesn’t come because the media invents it, it comes because a grown man sexually violated a young woman or a young man. Perry’s perspective helps the criminals look like victims of media bias rather than the lowlife criminals they really are.

Perry: “The pessimistic coverage will have direct impact on public perception…”

Why label coverage as “pessimistic” (meaning  seeing the worst in a situation) when it is the actions of sexually deviant leaders who are causing the “pessimism”?  And just what does Perry expect the secular media to say or think about a church who claims to be the “greatest church in the world” with preachers raping boys and girls? Is there something positive in this we are missing? This is just another way of saying that COGIC’s “name, image and assets” must be protected at all cost, including at the expense of victims.

Perry: “This negativity will directly affect new membership and outside donations.”

There’s the money quote. The BIG reason why COGIC must keep clergy sex abuse cases quiet. Translation: Keep up the lies and charade in order to fool people into thinking that all is well. If we let the media find out we have sexual predators in positions of authority people wont join and money wont come into the church’s bank account. After all what’s more important than keeping the money flowing and deceiving people on the outside of the church? Perry should be arrested for encouraging such blatant deception when people’s lives are in the balance.

The numbers game

Pastor Harvey Burnett took a look at the numbers and came to some conclusions that are almost unbelievable. Stay with me on this.

“He (Judge Enoch Perry) reported that in over 100 years, there have been 20-25 processed cases of sexual misconduct. He stated statistically the numbers are significantly small; however, there should not be one case among us. Judge perry reported there has not been one successful lawsuit against the church; cases have either been settled or dismissed. He further stated that Bishop Blake supports the church’s zero tolerance policy against sexual misconduct.” ~ [2009 COGIC General Assembly Minutes Pg. 2 Para. 2 parenthesis added]

Later, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake remarks included the following:

“Presiding Bishop Blake thanked Judge Perry for his remarks regarding the church’s policy in relationship to sexual misconduct. he pointed out that, on average, the church spends about $800,000 to settle legal matters many of which have to do with accusations of sexual misconduct. (Who made the comment? and that one singe lawsuit has the potential to bankrupt the church.)” ~ [2009 COGIC General Assembly Minutes Pg. 3 Para. 2 as it is in the minutes]

Now it seems to be somewhat of a disconnect. How can a settled lawsuit be unsuccessful when $800,000 on average is paid toward the settlement and legal matters regarding it? According to Perry’s numbers,  this would mean that about $16,000,000 to $20,000,000 dollars (almost $200,000 per year over 100 years) have been paid out to adjudicate matters of this kind and this is only from the national church perspective. I believe these numbers don’t even begin to tell the real story however, because the fact is that it has been documented that over the last 20 years there have been over 35 visible cases of clergy sexual misconduct and abuse among COGIC clergy. Some of these cases were highly publicized and ended in incarceration.

If we condense even Perry’s numbers (which are more than likely understated) into the 20 to 25 year period of time in which we can document publicized cases of abuse and misconduct, that would mean that the church has paid an average of approximately $1,000,000 per year toward the adjudication of sexual misconduct cases. Remember this is $1,000,000 per year of national report and auxillary fund dollars collected and paid to defend and or settle sexual abuse, misuse, harassment, and other sexual misconduct cases.

If you find this at all disturbing, its because it really is. The “presentation” given by Perry to the denominational leaders encouraged duplicity, equivocation, and unethical if not downright illegal activity among so called holiness leaders. Maybe they are already used to operating this way, that’s why no one has called for his resignation. Per the presentation, victims of clergy sexual abuse can expect to receive no mercy, no compassion and no help from Church of God in Christ leaders which is just another reason why they really should drop the “God in Christ” from their name. Perhaps a more suitable name  would be Church of Name, Image and Assets (CONIA).

Other stories on Enoch Perry:
Under oath, COGIC legal counsel Enoch Perry makes stunning admissions
Surveying COGIC’s “justice system”