Pastor Steven Furtick - Video Blog - You're not Francis Chan

[pharbolsdsmack]

While Steven and I may have slightly different views of how God's guidance works, what he says here is pretty simple and right and good. He's encouraging those who do hard-slog ministry to not be disheartened because it's not glamorous. Surely this is the character of picking your cross and serving, not for gain, but for the benefit of others.

The where and the how surely doesn't come into it, at that level.

Go hard bro.

From Aus.

[Beastlybeaver23]

I just want to say that i really think God just spoke to me through this video... Ive been up late all night watching guys like Francis Chan, Mark Driscoll, Steven Furtick... (the 'Christian Superstars') and i got discouraged because i felt as if i 'wasnt going to make such an impact on this world cause i wasnt one of these guys and when Steven spoke specially to Youth Ministers thats where it hit me, God doesn't always call us out of Ephisis, sometimes He wants us to make an impact where we are

[Godsfriend10001]

We won't make any progress for the Kingdom if we're too busy looking for the negative in what people like Steven Furtick say instead of the positive.

[Godsfriend10001]

He isn't "hating" or bashing. He is just trying to encourage people who see people like Francis and think to themselves that their faith is weak compared to Francis's faith in God. He's just saying to be faithful where you are at right now, and listen to the Lord's call. The Lord's call may mean leaving where you are serving (like Francis) or it may mean staying put.Main point.. We are on the SAME TEAM guys, for CHRIST.

[Godsfriend10001]

Pastor Steven is a man of God. Give him some respect, just like he respected Francis Chan the whole video... He compared Francis to Abraham, I mean, come on..

[jonijana]

Steven Your not francis Chan, that is for sure. One recommendation stop talking about yourself and your church. You talk alot about preaching Christ, but you dont get around to it, sooner or later its about you and your dream. Its getting old.

[Homerunate]

@jonijana Couldn't disagree with you more. Too many pastors stick to vague theological concepts that no regular guy could grasp and apply to their life. Steven uses concrete examples so you can SEE the vision and apply it to your life

[acts1614]

awesome message! simple: do what God tells you to no matter how small/big it might seem. amen.

[kirstenm18]

Thanks for the encouragement, Pastor. I was just sharing this with a group of girls that I lead: Sometimes God asks for action, but sometimes he asks for us to wait. Either way, our obedience is an indication of faith.

It is very reaffirming to hear someone else say it. In my experience, waiting or staying put can be much much harder than say... taking my love life (or lack of) into my own hands or leaving that ministry. thanks again :)

[ChantelleColorBlind]

Thank you so much. Blessed my heart.

[Joshthebear]

THis was totally the idea we talked about at catalyste west in Andy Stanley's message. "Take courage when it is easy leave then it is to stay". this takes a huge step of faith!!! Stay where God has called you and believe and trust what God has called you to do..

when we are called to go we must Go ... when we are called to stay we must stay... true Faith obeys God's Command!!!

[jcfanmason]

Great word!

[Electfilmproductions]

Stop being deceived by charlatans like this guy...watch my video "God's Prison" for a serious consideration of your state before God.

[paulodooby]

I likey do da cha cha!!!!!!!!!!!

[WorldfisherMan1254]

I don't care what people say I'm glad to call him my pastor

[NuclearSidewalk]

I was skeptical about what he was going to say here, but I think he made a good point. We need to be willing to follow whatever prompting of the Holy Spirit that we get, whether extreme or mundane, domestic or foreign.

Though he stayed connected through visits and written letters of admonishment, Paul left several churches throughout his ministry.

[JESUSRockedMyWorld]

Amen! God has different plans 4 different people & at different time in thier lives & we have 2 do & what has calles Us 2 do. :)

[friendjonny]

Wow! Steven Furtick is the first guy I've heard speak the wisdom that I've felt the church needs to hear. God calls some to go and God calls some today. What's important is that you do what God calls you to do. When God calls someone like Francis to go, it shouldn't convict you to go too unless God also calls you to go.

[gracie29161]

makes plenty sense to me- he's just saying that one person's step towards faith could be another's step towards normalcy- following the Holy Spirit's urging is more important than falling into what a man's opinion of faith is!

[joeforHistruth]

Hey hater

[TheScottybobear]

@joeforHistruth Hey fool!

[adamwilliams4405]

I've got a crazy idea.

If you think saying something "in public" may or may not be interpreted as bashing someone, just don't say it.

Then again, you're in a position that allows you to say whatever the hell you want to say and probably get away with most of it.

What a joke.

[Rbrockcoble]

@adamwilliams4405 I have a feeling you didn't watch this. He doesn't ever make a rebuke to anyone.

[Terrencelunt]

False prophet, run for your lives!

[SMUDACUB]

Nooooooooooooooooooooo.

Man I really like Steven, but this reeks a bit of insecurity.

The book plug was a booooooooooo.......

nooooooooooooooooo

[rustysruger]

Francis Chan's words and actions challenges the whole American Mega Pastor paradigm.

The only thing that remains to be seen is how long he will be getting those speaking invitations when "they" finally realize he's rebuking them too...

[pbwicks]

Can tell Steven just had Christine Caine at his church. She speaks a message entitled, "Embrace Your Place". Honestly, I think Chan scares Mega-Church Pastors. He not only challenges your faith, he challenges modern church ideology, where image, stature, and influence have replaced the simple message that Jesus entrusted us to share. Believe me, I'm not against the Mega Church. I'm a pastor at one, so I understand why his message is so threatening to guys like Steven. Hope this helps

[Justinphilip24]

@pbwicks: He doesnt really challenge modern church ideology as he does trying to reel it back to the era of believers who acted in love. Steven furtick isnt responding to a threat. He is saying that having faith in god doesnt mean drop everything and leave. Rather it means serve god to the best of your ability where you are and God will direct your steps. Faith in god isn't general. God doesn't tell everyone to do the same thing. Sometimes faith is get up and go. Other times faith is staying.

[kajazatowa]

@thecrazedmd I met Francis Chan in Asia serving at risk children. I asked him about it. Understand that he didn't leave a his church without leadership. He has entrusted his elders and leaders for years to get ready for this move. He knew he was going to leave, the elders knew, even his church members knew. Like Steven has said, its about obeying what God has said to do. He's still apart of his church, just not the leading pastor of his church, so he didn't leave anything. Hope this helps.

[thecrazedmd]

@kajazatowa It does help, thank you!

[dmunnman]

Paul started churches, and moved on all the time. thats what church planters do. start a church, get it going, go start another one.

[thecrazedmd]

My observation is that something sounds very wrong with the statement/sentiment "He has the faith to walk away from his church." How does faith compel someone to walk away from the church? What is the biblical reason for an overseer to leave his church? Is there a single overseer we know of in Scripture who ditches the souls placed in his charge for "a different thing"? I think what is sad (especially in the American scene) is that pastors staying at their church is the rare exception.

[Zillatha]

@thecrazedmd A pastor should have the faith to follow the will of God in his life. Just because God calls someone to start one ministry does not mean that it is the only place God will ever have that person. Paul started a lot of churches in the Bible and stayed as long as he needed to stay. Francis Chan was pastor of the church for 16 years, and if God is calling him to move his family to a new area, who are you to say that he is wrong to follow?

[thecrazedmd]

@Zillatha Paul was a missionary. I don't think he was mainly a pastor. His goal from the beginning was to spread the gospel in cities, start churches, and develop leadership in those cities. He helped appoint men to be overseers. Did any of those overseers leave the church they were appointed in? Did Paul in any of his instructions to them say "Listen Timothy, if the Spirit really calls your overseers, tell them they can leave the church."...

[thecrazedmd]

@Zillatha I just see that overseers/elders/pastors were not guys who drifted around the place. They were men appointed from within a community (not hired from without mind you) to stick with it and are held accountable by God to watch over souls. (Heb13:17). I'm not trying to smash Francis. I just question his reasons for leaving. The Spirit works in accordance with the Word. So if someone says "The Spirit told me..." yet there is no Biblical support, think carefully.

[thecrazedmd]

@Zillatha I guess what gets me is Hebrews 13:17.... Why would you leave the people whose souls you are responsible to give an account for? When does that accountability cease? Does it cease? If so, how? I guess I am just not convinced with a decision like that being backed with such thin reasoning. If my pastor pulled a Francis Chan, I'd want to have a long talk about it is all I'm saying. I don't understand it and hope continuous dialogue with people like you along Word digging will help.

[bethdeesb]

One of the things I have learned this year is how 2 be obedient and faithful to God exactly where He has me, at this moment of my life! It IS very easy, especially at my age of 54, to be impatient and question God, but I have found such contentment and peace, in "the staying", "the rest", & "the open doors" right where I am. God continues to teach me, in all situations, if I am willing to listen! My finite mind might not always understand but like Paul I can be content in all things! That's joy!

[Persilver40]

Awesome post. I think this is just what I needed to hear today, and probably many others. I'll give this a big AMEN!