An Open Letter to J. Lee Grady and Charisma Magazine
In his latest column for Charisma Magazine, editor J. Lee Grady informs us of some of the latest heresies extant in the charismatic church. The first one is really nothing new.
One friend of mine in
a five-figure honorarium
a $10,000 gasoline deposit for the private plane
a manicurist and hairstylist for the speaker
a suite in a five-star hotel
a luxury car from the airport to the hotel (2004 model or newer)
room-temperature Perrier
This really makes me wonder how the apostle Paul, Timothy or Priscilla managed ministering to so many people in
I was relieved to know that this celebrity preacher’s requirements in 2007 did not include a set of armed bodyguards—because I just might want to jump uninvited into her Rolls-Royce and say a few words.
If you like that little tidbit you’ll love this one.
At a charismatic conference in an East Coast city recently, a pastor stood on a stage in front of a large crowd and smugly announced that the guest speaker was “more than an apostle.” Then the host asked everyone to bow down to the person, claiming that this posture was necessary to release God’s power.
“This is the only way you can receive this kind of anointing!” the host declared, bowing in front of the speaker. Immediately, about 80 percent of the audience fell prostrate on the floor. The few who were uncomfortable with the weird spiritual control in the room either walked out or stood in silent protest.
Grady goes on to ask;
What has become of the American church? What is this sickness spreading in the body of Christ? I don’t know whom to blame more for it: The narcissistic minister who craves the attention, or the spiritually naive crowds who place these arrogant people on their shaky pedestals
Well gee, Lee I don’t know about spiritually naïve crowds but I do wonder about cowardly magazine editors who refuse to tell us the names of these wolves in sheep’s clothing. I’m sure you think you are doing the body of Christ a service by mentioning these things but the truth is that you and your employer are part of the problem. The people you write about are the very people your magazine promotes with softball journalism and slick cover stories.
I couldn’t help but notice the irony of your June 8, 2007 column, There’s Trouble in Tampa Bay . You wrote about the Tampa Tribune series which detailed allegations of lies and deception by Paula and Randy White while at the same time featuring Paula White on the cover of Charisma with the headlined Women Are Arising!
Now you tell us about some prima donna lady preacher who demands 5 figure speaking fees and
Now I can’t confirm the identity of this self exalted woman with 100% certainty but I do know that my wife attended a woman’s conference a number of years ago and the featured speaker mentioned the fact that she only drank Perrier and she liked it at room temperature. Like I said I’m not 100% certain that the woman my wife heard is the same one you mention so I won’t name her here, but her initials are J.M.
And what about this so called minister who is “more than an apostle” and who accepts worship from men that rightly belongs only to the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you not willing to tell us who this charlatan is? Why on earth would you not warn your “spiritually naïve” readers to steer clear of this guy? Does the term idolatry mean anything to you? Are you so spiritually deaf that you cannot hear the voice of the Lord saying;
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Lee, you and your employer have become a partaker of the sins of these apostate wolves. When you cover for them you are perpetuating the sin of idolatry in the Body of Christ. Your position as an editor at Charisma has given you a vantage point by which you can clearly see the sin in the camp. But instead of sounding the alarm you hide and cover up for your friends. You esteem the riches of your job and the material comforts it provides greater than the approval of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I fear for your eternal soul brother Grady. If you ever expect to hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant” you are going to have to choose to suffer the reproach of Christ rather than the approval of men. My prayer is that it is not already too late for you.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Ex 20:3
Steve Lumbley 2007
ApostasyWatch.com