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2023-12-31T10:20:35+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m Allergic To The Giving Of Tithes

Last updated on: December 31, 2023 at 10:20 am By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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I recently underwent an allergy test and it turns out I’m allergic to several things. A combination of sandwiches, dust mites, and applesauce for lunch is now disastrous for my health. Annoying, but manageable. However, there are other allergies that trouble me much more. In recent years, for instance, I’ve developed a severe allergy to certain rules in the church. I won’t list them all here today, but I would like to highlight one in particular, namely the obligation to... Read more

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Tithes

2024-02-14T14:39:36+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 22. The Circle Is Complete

Last updated on: February 14, 2024 at 2:39 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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Three days after our last meeting, John passes away in his sleep at night. He was only 64 years old. Fortunately, Suzanne and the children were with him, keeping vigil when it happened. I am relieved to know that John was not alone. Five days later, I stand by his grave. The funeral service was full. Not only his family was there, but also many of the young leaders he mentored in the last years of his life. The... Read more

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2024-04-06T09:03:11+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 21. Farewell To A Good Friend

Last updated on: April 6, 2024 at 9:03 am By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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It’s 2035. John and I see each other about three times a year. We spend a day together and talk about everything. I saw him just two months ago, so it surprises me when John unexpectedly calls, asking if I can come over for a day this week. I always make time for John, so a few days later, I’m sitting in his living room. I notice John looks thin and pale. Suzanne serves us coffee and then leaves... Read more

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2024-03-31T18:49:41+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 20. Why Not Coach Young Leaders?

Last updated on: March 31, 2024 at 6:49 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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It’s now 2029. During an evening visit to my house this week, John tells me that a young charismatic community has asked him to become their pastor. I’m a bit shocked. “Do they know about your past?” John assures me that this is not a problem for them. “They believe I have been forgiven and restored, and they would love to have me.” I’m unsure, but it’s John’s life… “You know, I’ve reached a point where I’d rather be... Read more

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2024-03-25T15:51:27+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 19. The End Of Joy Church

Last updated on: March 25, 2024 at 3:51 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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John has gotten his life back on track, but things are not going well for the Joy Church. Today, as I look at my phone, press releases flood in. The Joy Church in New York City has disbanded! The foundation is bankrupt. After John was removed as the senior pastor, Abigail was appointed as the new leader of the church. Eric, the young worship leader, became her right-hand man. Two years later, they married and Eric moved into Abigail’s villa.... Read more

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2024-03-16T12:53:46+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 18. Can A Divorced Pastor Remarry?

Last updated on: March 16, 2024 at 12:53 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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Now that his relationship with his parents has been restored, John is trying to get his life back on track. John has lost everything, and what he hadn’t lost, he gave back after our camping trip in Scotland. It was no small amount, almost one and a half million dollars. In recent weeks, he has visited many of his ‘victims’ to ask for forgiveness and compensate them financially as best as he can. Now, he really has nothing left. To... Read more

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2024-03-16T12:55:10+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 17. An Emotional Visit To John’s Mother

Last updated on: March 16, 2024 at 12:55 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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A few days after our trek in Scotland, John calls me. He has had a phone conversation with his mother and made an appointment to see her. As promised, I accompany him. I arrived in my own car. John’s mother lives in a large senior apartment complex south of New York. As I park, John is already there with his car. He is visibly nervous about the visit. We walk together to the apartment. This is John’s first visit; when... Read more

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2024-03-03T11:00:50+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 16. No Phone Calls For John

Last updated on: March 3, 2024 at 11:00 am By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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John has told me that he wants to give away a total of 1.2 million dollars to people he financially manipulated over the years. But there’s something else bothering him… When we get up in the morning, our tents are frozen, and deer sleeping around them quickly run away as I stick my head out of the tent. A few minutes later, John steps out of his tent. It’s dawn, but it promises to be a clear day on... Read more

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2024-03-03T11:00:26+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Serial The Anointed: 15. A Lot Of Money To Lose

Last updated on: March 3, 2024 at 11:00 am By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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On Canna, both John and I had confronting encounters with Jesus. This led to a newfound brotherhood. Then John makes an unexpected decision… From that evening, our relationship changes. On Canna, we both confronted our darker sides, emerging both broken and more healed. A brotherhood has formed that’s hard to put into words. Maybe for the first time in our twenty-year relationship, we’re truly becoming friends. The next day we take the ferry to the wild mountainous island of... Read more

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2024-02-15T13:22:58+01:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Hidden Perils of Spiritual Hero Worship In The Church

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 1:22 pm By Matt Vlaardingerbroek

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Engage with Our Thought-Provoking Long Read: “The Hidden Perils of Spiritual Hero Worship In The Church” (Reading Time: 15 Minutes) Embark on a reflective journey with Matt Vlaardingerbroek’s insightful examination of the complex dynamics of hero worship within various denominations of the American church. This article, spanning a thoughtful 15-minute read, delves into the intriguing questions of why and how spiritual leaders are often placed on pedestals and dissects the hero worship within the evangelical and charismatic world in the... Read more

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