Greg and I were doing a little more reading on the whole Lakeland skirmish.  We found a WONDERFUL letter/admonishion by Dutch Sheets, for whom we both have much respect, and a horrible one from Rick Joyner, for whom we used to have a degree of respect.  In Rick Joyner’s response to Todd Bentley’s moral failure (even if it isn’t/wasn’t physical, to me it’s still unfaithfulness), he basically excused any future ministry by Bentley as being acceptable because God Himself is divorced.  So to not allow Bentley to again serve in that capacity after a period of restoration, would be impossible because God divorced Israel, so He should be counted out as well.  HUH???  He also stated that over half of the marriages in the church end in divorce, and I *think* his point was if we do not allow those folks to be in ministry, we don’t have many options left.  This is only opening ANOTHER can of worms, by making it sound like so what if you’re divorced, there’s really no consequences.  He totally left out any reference to the directives we are given as to elders/deacons, those in “leadership”.  They are to have their house in order, be a husband to ONE wife (this could very well indicate no one who is remarried, not just polygamists), have respectful children, be well-spoken of by unbelievers….Obviously, this is not a popular way of thinking, and we certainly don’t want to actually TEACH this.  I wonder, though, if more people would work harder at keeping their marriages and families together if things such as being permitted to function in “ministry” were at stake.  As far as I can see - and I speak through a filter as I am one - children of divorce are the only ones who really have to suffer consequences.  Not that the couple aren’t hurting, but they can basically go and do whatever they want to make themselves feel better, even if it means remarriage.  The kids are along for the ride.  I don’t know what is in the future for Todd Bentley, and I sure am not standing in a position of thinking I have it all figured out, but this I do know: I will have some SERIOUS problems if he turns up remarried in short order and back in ministry.   

I am very concerned and grieved by this whole thing.  Much damage has been done.  I do believe those who went in innocence and with a seeking heart may very well have been met by God where they were at.  But the cost of all this is still to be seen.  I find it sad and humiliating and infuriating that once again those of us who adhere to charismatic or pentecostal Christian beliefs are being regarded as hypocrites, flakes and gullible.  Not only by the world, but also by those in the fundamental and evangelical circles.