Because of a special program broadcast in Brazil November 13, 2011 featuring Paul Gowdy, two new translations of his article are available.
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/a-decepcao-toronto-pelo-pastor-paul-gowdy/
Portuguese Version link above
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/el-engano-de-toronto-por-el-pastor-pablo-gowdy/
Spanish Version link above
*Update*
The Toronto Deception
By a former Toronto Vineyard Pastor
It has taken me nine years to actually come to the place where I would write this story. Part of the reason was because I was not fully convinced that it is appropriate to speak out against weaknesses in the body of Christ publicly. Another reason is because it has taken years of soul searching to become convinced that what happened in the Toronto Airport Church was actually all bad or at least more bad than good!
For the past number of years I have called it a mixed blessing. I think James A. Beverly called it this in his book Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing 1994. Today I would call it a mixed curse concluding that any individual good that came from this experience is far outweighed by much harm and satanic deception. I suppose that therein has been my dilemma. I have tried to live my life in the fear of the Lord and Jesus told us that the unforgivable sin was the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Attributing to Satan what was in fact a work of God. If pressed as to whether or not the Toronto blessing is all God or all Devil I will still be hedgy, but I am convinced that Satan has used this experience to blind people to the historical doctrines of God, to produce fruit in keeping with repentance, to failing to test and discern the spirits and failing to test prophecy.
After three years of being in the thick of the Toronto blessing our Vineyard assembly in Scarborough ( East Toronto) just about self destructed. We devoured one another, with gossip, backstabbing, division, sects criticism etc. After three years of ‘soaking,’ praying for people, shaking, rolling, laughing, roaring, ministering at TACF on their prayer team, leading worship at TACF, preaching at TACF, basically living at TACF we were the most carnal, immature and deceived Christians that I know. I remember saying to my friend and senior pastor at Scarborough Vineyard Church in 1997 that ever since the Toronto Blessing came we have just about fallen to bits! He agreed!
My experience has been that the manifestation of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1st Corinthians 12 was much more common in our assembly, before January 1994 (when the Toronto blessing started.) than during this period of supposed Holy Spirit visitation.
During 1992-1993 when praying for people we would experience what I believe was genuine prophesy, deliverance and much grace and favour from the Lord. After the Toronto Blessing started, all ministry time changed, the only prayers were ‘More Lord MORE ’, the shouting of ‘Fire’ the jerky shaking of the body with the ‘ooh ooh OOH WOOOAAH’ prayer. (I kid you not!)
On January 20th 1994 about 15 people from our church traveled over to Toronto Airport Vineyard in order to listen to Randy Clark, a Vineyard pastor from the USA. John Arnott had called our senior pastor to invite us. He communicated that Randy had been to the Rodney Howard Browne meetings and that the stuff had broke out in his church in the following weeks. John was hoping that something might break out with us too. We were only too happy to travel over. We were a church plant out of the Toronto Airport and we started in 1992. In those days there were three Vineyard Churches in Toronto. One Down Town church, Scarborough vineyard church to the east and the Airport Church. We were one big happy family. Because we were small in number we did special meetings, conferences etc, together.
The year before most of our leadership teams joined and had headed to Nicaragua for a short term missions trip. We had genuine love and fellowship with each other. Since leaving the Vineyard churches I have read a fair bit of analysis from the critics.
Some make out that the Toronto Blessing was one huge conspiracy to lead the body of Christ into heresy. Heresy and apostasy I suspect may well be the result, but none of these destinations were intentional. I am honestly convinced that the leaders in the Vineyard churches are genuine born-again Christians who love the Lord, but have fallen into deception. They have not loved the Lord enough to keep His commandments. They have failed to obey the scriptures and have been led astray by our longing for something bigger and brighter and more exciting and dynamic. I am guilty of this sin also. I have preached renewal in Korea, the United Kingdom, the USA and here in Canada. I am genuinely repentant and in writing this story I would ask you the bride and body of Christ to forgive me. Especially the Pentecostal / Charismatic Christians among you, for you are my immediate family theologically. I am an evangelical Christian, I always have been but I do not believe in the cessation of the spiritual gifts at the end of the apostolic era. I believe that it was my evangelical roots (my family are Baptists and I was born again in the Presbyterian Church.) that started to open my eyes to problems with this so called renewal.
In hind sight I look back and think how could I have been so blind? I laughed at people acting like dogs and pretending to urinate on the columns of the TACF building. I watched people pretend to be animals, bark, roar, cluck, pretend to fly as if they had wings, perpetually act drunk and sing silly songs. How I thought that any of this was from the Holy Spirit of God amazes me today. It was loud irreverent and blasphemous to the Holy God of the Bible. I suppose in my mind I reasoned that as long as they did not teach any thing in direct violation to scripture then it was what we called the exotic. This is a buzz word for manifestations that could not be justified from a biblical perspective. I was taught from the pulpit that we had two options. The order of the nursery full of life and messy or the order of the graveyard, very orderly but dead!
As a young immature pastor I wanted life with mess. I failed to remember that God wants us to become mature and grow up in him. I became disconcerted by the prophetic words that came forth especially one by Carol Arnott in which she had her bride experience where she was taken into the very presence of Jesus and said that the love that she experienced was even better than sex! I was shocked in my spirit and thought how can one compare the love of God with sex? When we suspected that demons were running riot in our services John Arnott would teach that we should ask are they coming or going. If they are leaving then that is ok! John would defend the chaos by saying that we ought not be afraid of being deceived, if we have asked the Holy Spirit to come and fill us then how could Satan come and deceive us? This would make Satan very strong and God very weak! He said that we needed to have more faith in a Big God to protect us than in a Big Devil to deceive us. This sounded very convincing but was totally contrary to scripture for Jesus and Paul and Peter and John all warn us about the power of deceiving spirits and especially so in the last days. Again we did not love God enough to obey His Word and the result was that we opened ourselves up to lying spirits. May God have mercy upon us!
Finally the penny dropped for me as I was rolling around one night ‘drunk in the Spirit’ as we would say. I started singing and as I rolled around the floor the Nursery Rhyme ‘Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow.’ came to mind. I sang this in a mocking spirit and instantly my heart told me this was a demon. Instantly I repented and was in total shock. How could a demon get into me? Did I not love God? Was I not zealous for the things of God? Was I not nuts about Jesus? I knew that an unclean spirit had just manifested through me and I was guilty of great sin. After this experience I stayed away from TACF. I did not go back there any more. I did not possess the conviction to denounce the whole experience but thought that we where failing to pastor the Blessing well enough.
Even after I stopped going over to TACF, I had to pastor the fruit of it. One example was when some of our people returned from a meeting there asking us if we had all received the golden sword of the Lord? I asked them what they were talking about thinking that it was some prophetic reference to the Holy Scriptures but they said, ‘no, its not the Bible, it’s an invisible golden sword that only the really pure can receive. If taken in an unrighteous fashion then the Lord would kill you. But if you are holy enough to receive it then you can wield this sword and it will heal aids, Cancer etc. and bring salvation. How one wielded this sword was by pretending to have this invisible sword in your hand and motioning to strike people with it when in prayer! I thought while even in deception at this time that the TACF had become Looney bins! This was purportedly first received by Carol Arnott and then given to the ones holy enough to receive it!
Another thing was the golden fillings in the teeth. We had people in our assembly peeping down one another’s throats looking for the gold fillings that God had placed there to show how much he loved them! In all my time there I only heard one message on repentance given by a visiting speaker from Hong Kong named Jackie Pullinger. It went over like a lead balloon. We were not there to repent, we were there to party in the Lord! After one year into the blessing I spoke out at a pastors meeting and said ‘guys we have shaken, rattled, rolled, laughed cried and bought the tee-shirt. But we have no revival, no salvation, no fruit and no increased evangelism so what’s the deal?’ I was soundly rebuked – who was I to expect to see fruit when the Lord was healing his broken people? We had been legalistic long enough and God was spending this time restoring his wounded and freeing us from legalism I was told not to push the Lord and the harvest would come in his time.’
I knew this was wrong because the Lord had commanded us to go into all the earth and make disciples! Not, that everyone should take a sabbatical for who knows how long, while God does some strange new thing! Ultimately I left over something as controversial as the ordination of women. Personally I believe from scripture that women should not be pastors/ elders in a local assembly. I could be wrong on this and there is much debate in the Church today but that is my conviction and in the Vineyard churches they were ordaining all the pastors wives to co pastor with them. I am certainly for women in ministry but believe that the Elder/ pastor role in a local assembly has been reserved for men. I did not write scripture but God willing I will have the grace from now on to obey it.
So there is my story. I could go on and document much excess, folly, sin and latter day reign teaching that manifest from the prophetic end of this Blessing but others have already done that. We sang about Joel’s army and the billion soul revival as if it were one of the Ten Commandments, and as always it was just around the corner. Next month, next year etc. Jesus said that when the son of man returns will he find faith upon the earth? And if he does not return when he does no flesh would be saved but for the sake of the elect he comes. This is a far cry from the dominionism that is being taught all through the vineyard / prophetic/ spiritual warfare movement. I honestly think that they think they are going to take over the whole world! While in the Vineyard I embraced a life verse from the Apostle Paul the phrase do not go beyond what is written!
To finish I just want to say sorry for the damage, that I have personally done by teaching things that are not correct biblically. I repent before men as I already have before God. I will not excuse my falling into deception. I did not bother to test things when the scriptures commanded us to do so. Everyone who was there when this thing started knows that what I write is true, they would just come to different conclusions especially if they are still promoting the ‘river!’
To those in the river I would say swim out, there are things living in the water that will bite you real good! I love the people of TACF and the Vineyard movement but I think that we have much to answer for and may the Lord open your eyes sooner rather than later. I suspect that when this letter goes online I will get bombarded by emails from both camps, some damning me for still believing in the ministry of the Holy Spirit and still walking in deception and some old friends damning me for exposing dirt or being negative about the Lords anointed! Well, the Lord knows my heart and by his grace he will guide me into all truth as I seek to know Christ and him crucified! If you believe that I walk in sin and error please pray for me that the Lord would forgive me and open my eyes. I will study the word to show my self a work man approved! I would call on all who read this to pray that the Lord would open the eyes of all who have been involved in this deception. Whether leader or follower, we are loved and the Lord is a forgiving God. He says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I believe we are like the church in Laodicea, we think that we are rich, have prospered and need nothing, we do not realise that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. We must take the Counsel of Jesus and buy gold refined in the fire (which is his suffering, not a false spirit!), white garments to clothe our shameful nakedness and salve for our eyes that we might see again. Jesus is calling us to repentance and thank the Lord that he is, for it will lead us to true restoration with our Father! If God has forgiven me and opened my eyes then he can do it for all those caught in deception too. I will finish with a warning from Paul, he says if you think you are standing firm be careful lest you fall.
Sincerely Paul Gowdy.
DiscernIt 
107 comments
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September 14, 2007 at 5:11 am
Cathy
Praise God that you came out, and for your humble statement.
September 14, 2007 at 5:59 am
Cheryl at MM Outreach
It is interesting that you would say that you think that the Elder/Pastor is for only men. If that is the way that we need to take the passage in 1 Timothy 3, then we also need to be consistent. We also need to forbid single men from being Pastors (because they need to be the *husband* of one wife) and they would also be forbidden from being a Pastor if they did not have children (they must keep their children under control).
Yet in 1 Timothy 3:1 if says that if *anyone* wants to be an overseer. The word for anyone in the Greek is not specific to men but includes males and females. If we start with the understand from 1 Timothy 3:1 that anyone can aspire to be an overseer, then we can understand that *if* they are male and *if* they are married, then they must not be a polygamist and *if* they have children, then they must keep their children under control. Any other interpretation that is prejudiced against only women and not against single men and men without children would be taking only one part of the passage as completely literal and leaving aside the rest of the passage as a general principle. This is not a godly thing to do. Scripture never lists a female Pastor as a sin in any of the lists of sins. In fact Ephesians 4:11 says that God is the one who gives Pastors as a gift to the Church. If God is the one who gives the Pastors as gifts to the church and “anyone” can desire to be an overseer, then we have no reason to restrict women.
For a complete understanding the women’s issue from all the hard passages of scripture, considering the scriptures to be fully inspired with inspired words and inspired grammar, you will find much help in the DVD “Women in Ministry Silenced or Set Free?” You can see six different previews of the series on youtube.com Just type in “women in ministry silenced or set free” in the search box and the clips will be available for viewing.
Blessings,
Cheryl
September 14, 2007 at 7:27 am
Kim
You did not quote the entire verse of I Timothy 3:1 The NIV reads.
“If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task”.
When in doubt i always go to the KJV
“This is a true saying. If a man desire the office of bishop, he desireth a good work.”
September 14, 2007 at 7:52 am
Mary
Cheryl,
Please, that’s not the focus of his testimony. However I do agree with him.
September 14, 2007 at 8:21 am
Kim
I have to take an unpopular stand here. I believe that women are not to teach men or to be over them in any way. i know…i know… but there is a biblical order…
1 Cor 11:3 “But i would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; amd the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
September 14, 2007 at 8:25 am
Mary
Yes Kim,
I don’t think it could be any clearer. I know there are various traditions
that each denomination holds to. But it’s pretty clear. I don’t believe you can justify women leaders over men.
September 14, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Nsikan
Kim,
there are so many gatherings in the name of Jesus who do not know why they gather. The primary responsibility of the body of Christ is to reach out to the unsaved community through the message of Jesus Christ. see Mark 16:15. sound teachings make the local church vibrant spiritually. Have you heard recently that Christians who have thousands of adherents are divorcing? The reason is that they were not properly discipled, and in their church they don’t preach against sin.
September 14, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Kim
Nsikan,
The Christian church is no longer separating itself from the world. Yes i have heard that many are divorcing in the church. Look at the poor example Paula White and her husband have just set. You are so right! The church is no longer preaching sin. Congregations will no longer listen about repentance, they want sermons that tickle their ears. Bill Hybel’s Willow Creek church objected when there were too many religious words in the sermon…like the word “Christ”. Unbelievable!!
September 15, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Nsikan
Kim,
High profile divorce involving mega church pastors, some are pursuing their third marriage. What example are they portraying before their followers? No Christlike characters, little misunderstanding between husband and wife leads to divorce, where is the application of the word of God? And besides these are people who are leading thousand of members in their church. The early disciples of Jesus Christ were men and women who were sold out to Jesus Christ, today’s Christianity is very different, emphasis is no longer on Christian living, some pastors are not preaching the mind of Christ to their members but the message that will make their members very happy and comfortable. They don’t want to preach against sin so that members will not be scared away, so that each service day big offering and fat tithe will come into their pocket . It seems at the moment the church has lost focus.
September 15, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Tim
I am a member of a very large Purpose Driven Church in my neck of the woods. I have watched this church accept every “wind of doctorine” all in the name of “saving the lost” enter the church under different ministry banners. I have left recently.
I fear that what we are seeing in the church of today is the thinking that there needs to be a “political correctness” in what we do, say, provide to the world to bring them to Jesus. I have heard it stated by the pastor that “he’ll do what ever it takes to present Jesus to the lost and if he has to do so through the back door, so be it!” The church allows every kind of sin to go on in the body until the person is caught, then they will deal with that one person. Never is there teaching of “sin” from the pulpit. If no teaching then there is never any accountability in that area.
As far as these pastors that are going through divorce in these mega churches or any church for that matter, “shame on them!” But why should they think they are in the wrong when they continue to see “success” in their ministry even though they are in sin and their lives are falling apart.
The great “apostasy” the “falling away” I believe is happening at this very hour and it is happening in the body of Christ. Why would it be the world? They are already fallen. Those like Paul Gowdy of the post above I bless, because it is people such as him (actually I am thankful to God for showing them the truth) and others who are standing up for “truth” and “saving the hearer” as stated in 1 Timothy regarding false teachers and unsound doctrine.
Blessings in the name of the Lord
September 17, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Nsikan
It makes me sick when so-called pastors divorce, what example are they setting before their followers? This is absolutely horrible! Their reason for divorce is that they have endured abusive marriage, so some of them claim. Jesus Christ was humiliated because of our sins, He endured the cross because of us. These people are not qualified to be pastors in the first place. They are still babies in the Lord, they still need to be taught. They have not passed through the elementary doctrines of Christ as explained in Hebrews 6:1-5.
Preaching against sin or to teaching on how one can live a victorious Christian life is no longer a popular topic in some pulpits, the emphasis now is on how one can make plenty of money. Prosperity teaching is the order of the day. I wonder where the church is going. I have read my bible countless time, i have not seen where Jesus or His disciples taught people how to make money. Some say this is a new revelation. The emphasis is no longer on soul winning, i think this is the primary responsibility of the church, soul winning and discipleship. pastors have private jets, live in expensive houses and drive Roll Royce, where is the money coming from? people tithes and offerings. They can’t condemn sin so that members will not be scared away, overflowing tithe and offering, these items influence church teaching today.
September 17, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Kim
Tim..Sunday i visited a church in a nearby town who is kicking off Rick Warren’s 40 days of community. They have been through the first 40 days.
The pastor of this church is totally immersed in Rick Warren. She is a true believer in his programs.
I could not believe the emphasis this 40 Days of Community placed on the small cell group. Each person was to be INTERDEPENDANT ON EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF THE LORD.
Also i couldn’t believe the use of so many bible versions. The Better Together Workbook i bought indexes 13 different bibles. Why so many?
September 17, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Kim
Nsikan…I also occured to me how much money that these prosperity teachers rake in and how they have let down the people in their congregations. The Lord will deal harshly with them because they are to hold themselves to a higher standard. But obviously they have not.
September 17, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Rosie
Kim,
I tried going to the link you provided in your email, and for some reason , no matter how I tried to get there, I couldn’t access it. I even went to the Collins site but your interview wasn’t listed on his Archive Index. Must be some sort or secure zone.
September 18, 2007 at 7:33 pm
IWanthetruth
Kim,
When you teach something that is of a topic, trying to make a point that one is trying to make and can’t find a verse that supports what you want to say, one goes to all different versions until one finds that verse wrtten in a certain way that agrees with ones theology. We are doing the Better Together Series also and I have noticed that very same issue, different versions. Interesting how a 4Square church can become so “Willow Creek”. I shouldn’t be surprised. The church is listed in the Willow Creek affiliation.
Rick Warren likes to use the Living Translation or the Message many times, because the wording of a verse fits what he needs. I also notice that, in my church, the pastor uses the same versions so that they fit what he is preaching. In fact we seem to now teach from other books and use the scripture secondary to prove the point. Not long ago we had a series that was based on Donald Millers Searching For God Knows What and I was sorely disappointed. The use of a book by a man who is becoming more and more affiliated with the Emerging/Emergent Church just goes to show that the post-modern church of today is swinging more and more towards a redifinition of evangelism.
Blessings
September 18, 2007 at 7:38 pm
IWanthetruth
May I also say here just in case Mike who has has been reading SOJ site that I, me ,myself am not saying that Donald Miller is “Emerging/Emergent. I am quoting others and his writtings seem to be fitting into that class of ministry, theology, teaching. Donald Millers denies being a part of that type of church even though he goes to one.
Tim,
Don’t take it too personally if Mike calls you a gossip and that you need to repent, etc. He has already done that too me but I love the brother in the Lord anyway.
Blessings
September 18, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Kim
IWanthetruth…
I have the Better Together book in front of me right now. With time mgt issues i haven’t had much time to look at it. The pastor who gave the talk about the program had some interesting things to say.
“The key is interdependence”
“You cannot fulfill God’s purpose by yourself”
” Do this as a cell group”
“Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you”
“We are to focus on our relationships together”
“Who does the women in the hospital waiting room turn to? What about someone suffering with a disease or having a problem with a relative, what is one TO DO? Turn to each other so we do not have to walk alone”
Okay this is just from the morning talk and i haven’t even looked at the materials much yet. On the surface these things sound good but there are problems.
Where is God in the above mix? I need to do God’s will but God’s purpose will not be thwarted. He can use me but he doesn’t NEED ME. This is all turned around. I am dependant on God. I do need others in the church are we are to encourage each other, but ultimately i lean on the Lord.
The comment the pastor made about the cell group is interesting because of my study of networking the church into government programs and business. This issue is discussed at length at http://herescope.blogspot.com There is so much here you could spend days, esp. when learning about the P.E.A.C. E. plan. Scary stuff.
Off to work….
September 20, 2007 at 11:06 am
George
Paul – Thanks for your brave article and the truth behind the TACF craze. I recently viewed a worship session with great music that actually brought me closer to God, but then came the lies and deception, and all the other stuff that a child could see through, especailly the smuck flying like an airplane! I wonder if he knows how rediculous he looked? Sad – why do they always curupt good music with magic they know in their hearts they can’t produce? I knew there was more to it than met the eye at first glance so I searched around for sometime before coming to your article and one similar written in 1994. I can’t believe 13 years later they are still at it with full auditoriums. Oh well – can I say it? SSDB least we forget Jimmy and the PTL.
September 21, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Kim
George what does SSDB mean? i dont know….
September 21, 2007 at 9:07 pm
George
KIM – Same sh….. different box! Least we forget Jimmy Baker and the PTL, Waco Texas, Jonestown, RLDS and Jeff Warrens, Benni Hin and his traveling magic show and on and on it goes till Jesus finally returns and shows us all how it is really supposed to be done. By the way, as we speak I am being healed of West Nile Virus slowly by the Lords power and time, there is no medicine for this as of yet. It wasn’t in the name of and poof it was gone, or WOW as Carol Arrnot would say. Yuck!
September 22, 2007 at 3:25 am
IWanthetruth
Kim,
It is kind of scary stuff.
Warren and EC leaders would be firmly in the semi-pelagian camp (Arminian). Arminian theology explains the metholologies that guide seeker sensitive churches. While denied theologically, in practice the thinking is “If we can create a compelling enough experience and deliver powerful felt need messages, people will come to Jesus.” The only problem with that reasoning is there is no foundation for it in the Bible–it’s egocentric humanistic) and not christocentric (Christ centered). Jesus stated the exact opposite, “No one can (i.e., is able) come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him….” (Jn. 6:44), and again to drive home his point, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can (i.e., is able) to come to me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (Jn. 6:65). These are merely two obvious texts that illustrate God’s soverignty in salvation–the entire Bible (OT & NT) clearly illustrates God’s initiative in salvation and that apart from him we are doomed. When speaking to Nicodemus Jesus underscored this reality, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). Note that I underlined “unless.” These are conditional statements made by Christ and the implication is clear: left to himself fallen man is unable (“can” to come to Christ by faith–faith is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9). According to Jesus regeneration (being born again) precedes faith (sola de gloria, “To God alone be the glory!). It is regeneration that enables us to believe and come to Christ in repentance, not the other way around. Arminianism teaches that we come to Christ in faith and we are born again–that is antithetical to Christ and the Bible. Notice that Jesus said that unless one is (first) born again a sinner cannot see the kingdom of God to desire it and come to it. That is to say, the kingdom of God is invisible and cannot be understood, discerned or in any other way made appealing to the unregerate mind (1 Cor. 2:14). The new birth brings with it a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17) that now desires the things of God and Christ, willingly coming to Him who prior was repulsive.
This was a ststement made by a friend of mine who was part of the Purpose Driven Church which is moving toward Emerging Church.
November 30, 2007 at 4:26 am
james
I think what we need is a return to liturgical worship, the TACF style has no precedent in the history of the Church. Btw take a look at this I saw this on the internet and found it interesting:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0077.html
December 22, 2007 at 4:06 am
Learn about toronto » Blog Archive » Comment on The Toronto Deception by former TACF Pastor Paul Gowdy …
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December 23, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Learn about toronto » Blog Archive » Comment on The Toronto Deception by former TACF Pastor Paul Gowdy …
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January 6, 2008 at 12:32 am
Jewel Grewe
You have a great blog!
January 6, 2008 at 1:55 am
Kim
Wow, that was Jewel Grewe from http://www.Discernment-Ministries.org
January 12, 2008 at 8:34 am
sadparent
It was the ‘holy’ laughter thing that I experienced back in the early 80’s in a WOF church.
Scared the living daylights out of me. I watched what you described up above but then the person who had fallen down laughing at the base of the podium, began rolling UP the stairs.
I was a brand new Christian. Didn’t know much bible. But I was positive that what I was seeing absolutely was NOT from God.
This is a needed blog.
March 15, 2008 at 5:21 pm
David
Greetings Pastor Paul, and many others who have commented on this article.
We visited the TACF meetings as members of an observation team of Pastors from Vancouver (myself a chairman of the Vancouver Council of Churches at the time)- Pastor Paul may or may not recollect – and also
happened to be present at the time Jackie Pullinger spoke about repentance.
I wish that Paul could have observed the influence the message that evening was having on the visitors -perhaps not the locals like him – but hundreds who spent their earnings in some cases to seek the face of God, and find grace to help in their time of need!
Later, tens of thousands would spend hard-earned savings, give up jobs, travel from England,Africa,India,Singapore etc to seek the face of GOD in an expensive city like Toronto – great repentance by any standard!
Repentance should cost something – everything whether in the apostolic days or present time!
Perhaps Paul, your people entered into this season of prayer, as I prefer to call it, far too unprepared and hurriedly, to the extent that the grace of God was “cheapened” for lack of a better word, under your group local leadership. I wonder if “he who is forgiven more loves more” can be applied here? (I may add, the truth is he who loves more GETS more)
You were’nt ready and you got it way too easily, unfortunately, to actually grasp the levity of hour and shepherd it in a way becoming to God, the holy Church that He established, and the world for whom Jesus shed blood.
I also am truly sorry for us as a Body that yet another potentially world-changing kairos moment had to pass us by!
It is true that you, brethren-and sisters – of Toronto’s Church are entirely responsible , and particularly our friends in the Airport Church community; So now we are left to internal shredding – ripping apart even the good that God brought about during that period of time. Sad indeed.
Paul, my suggestion is that since Toronto pastors ARE responsible – why don’t YOU ask God if He will allow you to research independent, reputable sources to discover any decent legacy that came out of that season ie ex-Toronto +INTERNATIONALLY if any exists.
At least you should have made that effort BEFORE airing such an article – which I may add is valid mainly- but, I don’t believe that of the tens of thousands of distinguished, sensible men and women of God – fellow servants like you – that visited TACF will agree with you abut the Grace of God that we carried back to our own provinces and countries!
You are actually denigrating what the Lord Jesus has wrought with us internationally brother, which is entirely your responsibility however!
Many decision making leaders have not repsonded to your article out of Christian love, and also, perhaps because they visited your “homes”in Toronto and realise where you were “spiritually.”
It was very obvious that your leading Pastors were very immature in some areas- yes even fleshly, but then we didnt feel that would negate God’s original intentions with and thru your people. At least some of us were mature enough to recognise this.
I hope that your article, Pastor Paul, may not be construed as someone with a hidden personal agenda somewhere – sour grapes – because denying the grace of God is equally blasphemous and a greater mistake ie the Pharisees rejecting the Lord Jesus because of His miracles.
May God forgive and enable us, let this be a wake up call to the Church of Canada to recognise that ALL REPENTANCE TOWARDS GOD IS VALID,live accordingly- and BE READY if the next season of prayerful visitation arrives!
May 11, 2008 at 4:51 am
John C. Gifford
I would like to point out a major element that is missing from Paul’s article.
Nowhere in this article is there any element of slander or accusation of moral wrong doing that permenates most critical articles in the Body of Christ.
I visited TACF several times and attended several conferences. One thing I noted was that people believed what was happening and a lot of people were emotionally accessable. Moral lines often get crossed when this happens. TACF had created a safe place for openness.
We can all be happy that no stories are out about how christian leaders took advantage of people, like we have seen so many times elsewhere.
Regarding the ordination of women. WOW. Is this an issue we want to get lost on? I hope not. If a women leads a person to Christ, PRAISE GOD. That is our focus. Not the title or the level of authority in the church. There are some very GODLY ladies in the Body of Christ and I would not want to miss a word from the Lord because of the vessel he sent it in.
People get lost on things like women not wearing pants. The scripture that follows the one about women not being adorned as men talks about the robe men are to wear. I don’t wear a robe. The scripture that talks about wives submitting to their husband is followed by husbands dying got their wives. I must admit I have had a hard time dying. She is right more often than I. This is often over looked. We can’t read only 1/2 of the word. So how important is it that women not be ordained or otherwise recognized by the Body of Christ?
Finally, I have always been leary of the things that people add to the word of God. Some of the things at TACF and following struck me as additional to the word of God. But I was listening to people who were more spiritual than I and more Godly and who have studied the word more than I.
What I have learned from this is the God really loves me, right here, right now. JUST AS I AM. I grew up knowing that he was watching me closely trying to find a way to keep me from heaven. WOW how wrong is that. For this I BLESS TACF and the time we spent there.
AND PAUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLE.
THANKS
John
June 12, 2008 at 11:28 am
Ron Larson
Dear Paul,
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your testimony regarding the events years ago in Toronto. With the “going on” if you will regarding Todd bentley and the Florida Outpouring thsi message I pray will awaken those who are gaain are deceiving and being deceived by this will be restored and led to repent.
Ron Larson
Duluth, MN
ronno0729@yahoo.com
June 12, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Rudy Pohl
Bentley Explains: On June 8, 2008, Todd Bentley posted on his ministry’s website a detailed letter explaining a number of things that people are confused or stumbling over regarding the outpouring and himself, and in which he appeals for unity in the Body of Christ. We have found this letter to be solidly Biblical, balanced, well-written, and quite helpful. It can be found at this link: http://www.freshfire.ca/?Id=1059&pid=993.
Biblical Scholar provides theological support: Dr. Gary S. Greig, PhD., former Associate Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Regent University School of Divinity, and Senior Editor, Theology and Acquisitions for the Regal Publishing Group, has written a theological response to questions and criticisms of the Lakeland outpouring. Dr. Greig recently wrote “Biblical Reasons to Receive God’s Glory and Give it Away in Power Evangelism,” so that as many as possible would receive “biblical permission” to get on board and fully commit to receiving the Lord’s glory and anointing, and to give it away in power evangelism. You can find his paper at this link: http://www.freshfire.ca/UserFiles/File/drGreg_biblicalperspective2008.pdf.
Read more at http://www.barrhavennewlifechurch.ca/Lakeland_Revival_Bentley.html.
July 15, 2008 at 8:19 am
rsteveg
Kim, Do you have any links that can be used to verify who Paul Gowdy is? This testimony is very enlightening (and has been posted extensively), but so far I can’t find anything that authenticates the author. I’m not asking as a skeptic, just say I’m from Berea (Acts 17:11).
July 15, 2008 at 9:47 am
Kim
Hello,
Paul Gowdy used to have a website
http://www.jude23.wordpress.com
but it seems he has taken it down.
Now the last writing i have found by Paul can be found here.
http://www.discernment-ministries.org/NLJanFeb_2008.htm
I can see what you are saying that finding evidence that he even exists difficult. Although i have not read or heard of any public conflicting arguments from the church itself denying his accounts.
July 15, 2008 at 10:56 am
Layla
Rudy,
also a good rebuttal on Dr. Greg poorly written paper.
http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/a-review-of-gary-s-greigs-pseudo-scholarly-apologetic-for-the-unbiblical-antics-of-todd-bentley/
another site to come
July 15, 2008 at 10:59 am
Layla
http://www.moriel.org/articles/discernment/church_issues/review_of_gary_greigs_apologetic.htm
here is the other article that rebuts the greg article very well….
July 15, 2008 at 12:02 pm
mbaker
Kim and rstveg,
Paul Gowdy does exist. I correspond with him from time to time. He was a frequent commenter on the now defunct sign of Jonah, where he first shared his testimony on the TACF revival. I can assure you he is a man of integrity.
signofjonah.wordpress.com
July 15, 2008 at 12:05 pm
mbaker
Oops, forgot the the http preface. Sorry.
http://signofjonah.wordpress.com
Hope it goes through this time.
July 15, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Kim
mbaker,
Is it Paul G. that is making the comments on this article on SOJ?
http://signofjonah.wordpress.com/2007/04/09/out-of-the-miry-clay-part-i/
rsteveg…
Are you satisfied that Paul Gowdy is alive and well?
I contacted Jewel at Discernment-Mininstries for verfication.
July 15, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Lee
Kim,
I’m pretty certain Paul Gowdy was over at the GreyCoats site; but, I can’t find any of his posts just now.
I KNOW Paul was over at SOJ; but, I’m not certain if that was him in the thread you reference.
July 16, 2008 at 7:03 am
Tim H
folks,
Paul Gowdy has another site that he runs or atleast started under another name. I am not at liberty at this point to give that away at the request of Paul.
Suffice it to say, he was still around and I am sure that, as MBaker has stated above she has been in contact with him on and off.
July 16, 2008 at 9:06 am
mbaker
Kim,
Yes it was. Later on, when he got his own site, he continued to comment on the SOJ under “judesplace.” So, he’s the real deal all right.
July 16, 2008 at 7:41 pm
rsteveg
Thanks to all for their feedback. Your comments and communication with Paul show that although he has not written much under the Paul Gowdy name you know him through other channels.
Although I’ve been a church attender my entire life I’m totally disappointed in most of the practice I see, both in charismatic and in cessationist churches. The life demonstrated by the early church is significantly missing. For the last several years I’ve been actively studying the Scriptures while looking for local implementation of the “real thing.” Maybe I’m being too critical, but Acts 2:42-47 doesn’t match anything I’ve seen.
Paul’s essay was the first (but now, not the only) I’ve read questioning the charismatic revivals of the last few years. His other writings you’ve referred to express many of my feelings. So thanks again for your replies.
For now I’m still looking for the NT Church.
July 16, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Kim
rsteveg,
Believe me…the apostasy is in all denominations. The evangelical churches are becoming mission-based or just weak in Bible teaching. The purpose driven churches are seeing the same things. The charismatic churches are experiencing excesses, with emphasis on gifts and signs and wonders. Churches focused on revival have taken on the heretical Latter-Rain teachings. The mega-churches…forget it….get em in, make them feel good about themselves, get the money, see ya next week.
The church i am in has started bringing in movies about Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism. I am complaining and finding that many do not believe in John 14:6. that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. I am in shock.
I am looking at a little church down the street called ” The Bible Church, (conservative baptist) where the sermons are preached right from scripture, verse by verse.
Many are forming house churches though and this may be the way to go. No building to support and maintain.
October 31, 2008 at 11:04 am
Naxus
I can vouch for Paul Gowdy’s discernment and assessment. The Lord has also showed me that a counterfeit spirit/s are in operation in TACF and those assciated with them Like
October 31, 2008 at 11:11 am
Naxus
opps! Todd Bentley and Patricia King. I also would like all of you to know that those who run the show are in fact Satanists. Oh by the way this grand scheme is orchestrated . Their is a counterfeit holy spirit and a counterfeit Jesus spirit in TACF These are very powerful evil spirits.. Beware of Rick Joyner and his friends.
October 31, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Kim
Naxus,
I totally agree with you.
November 2, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Macy Demissie
Dear Sir,
In Matthew 24, Jesus said that in the end of the time
Because the inequity shall abound, the Love of many shall grow cold.
Many shall be offended and shall betray one another and
Hate one another.
As I read your letter, it is clear to me that you are offended. I encourage you to go higher than this “offence” if any.
I recently had a bad experience in an internationally known Burch church. They sent to this local church non experienced man who has not a real pastoral calling. On top of that he has not a strong team that could cover his shortfall. Many people were hurt and left the church as a result of his team and his shortfall.
I was angry at Home church for sending out such a guy who have not clue at all about leading a church. He was a kind of a fund raiser. However, I would never go to the Internet to shutter down the Home Church for the error made by this brunch church.
Why? Because I know as a servant of God, our responsibility is to exhort each other in Love, but not to shutter down the body/church of Christ.
We are human, error is common to us.
You might lived difficult time with people serving at TACF, or even been (in your eyes) hurt.
You might have seen bad attitude or unforgiving behaviour from people you trusted,
But calling the Toronto blessing as “the work of the devil” you are going to far.
If I were you, I would trust the Lord for the judgement. For judgement, as salvation, belongs to the Lord alone.
As I read your letter, I feel you are an angry man. But remember, our human shortfall. Being a Pastor doesn’t exempt you from being a human being with a mortal flesh incline to sin.
You said you are a Pastor, but remember you’re not God. Your position is not enough to have Godley decrement.
You are seating on the judgement seat of God.
You are harming the body of Christ; you are not serving Jesus at all.
What you are doing is not spiritual at all; it is a wounded heart speaking,
It doesn’t make you any good to further harm the body of Christ.
So for your own good,
Let go the Offence (bet of the devil, read John BEVERE),
Forgive, Repent and go forward in your own ministry, if you have any.
If you really Love Jesus don’t participate in the Lie of the devil,
Your Goal must be God not your own financial concern.
True Love forgive
November 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Kim
I admire much about Pastor Paul Gowdy. He repented and is warning the Body of Christ of deception. Anger?? I see no anger in his article.
I am wondering about the use of Matthew 24 in the last comment. There was an important part missing. Verses 10 & 12 were used but verse 11 was omitted. This is dangerous as it changes the meaning of the passage.
This is the scripture.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
I have met people involved in these ministries and they tell of how they allowed deception into their lives. In humility, one woman told of vomiting into paper bags to get rid of demons. There are many who are willing to share their experiences so that they can warn others because of their love of Christ.
I like this verse:
Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
November 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Naxus
LOL . Dear Madame, your all over the place with your post and you like your fellow beings are inserting things that are not there. I believe the technical jargon for it is “Red herrings” and “Straw men”.
November 6, 2008 at 9:40 am
Naxus
Madame as in Madame Macy, kind of like Sir Naxus, lol.
November 11, 2008 at 6:30 pm
John
Dear Paul Gowdy, i admire your ability to articulate your assessment of what you have been through. I attended the church at Rome (anaheim) when Wimber was alive. I did very much enjoy John Wimber. But obviously something happened very bad. Something totally got out of control. The leadership was not mature enough to deal with what came through the door. They were not spiritually mature to handle and “pastor” as you say the movement. This is why it is extremely important that neophytes are not placed as “elders” or “bishops” (overseers) – they will fall into the snare and judgment of the Devil. Now Paul, I have experienced all kinds of spiritual things at the Vineyard that were life changing for me. Now I do have family members that have acted in the ways that you described and are faulty. This I agree. I have had very strong disagreements with my own family over stuff that is not biblical. I think that God moved and people were blessed who lived godly lives. Those who were not grounded and sinners were deceived and have acted very carnally. This is know to be true. I think that your overall assessment must be heard and not discounted brother. I do maintain a theology like yourself that the gifts are for today – the canon can not be applied to 1 Cor 13 that is old time thinking – the perfect is not here – if it were we would all be in agreement – but now there is faith – hope – and love but now desire spiritual gifts that is the basic flow between of 1 Cor 13-14. Paul your life is not over with yet, nor is your ability to understand your past. I think you have not been foolish in describing your personal journey thus far. I am proud that you are able to articulate what you think and what you feel about what you have gone through. My gosh, Paul, if you can do this neither can we, thank you for speaking your mind. I have seen what you have first hand. I have had some experiences like you have. When we heard the dogs and chickens that is when my wife and I got out. Things were just too weird and the pastors failed to “pastor” and lead the sheep and the move of God and take control so that things were done decently and in order. I long to see mature pastors lead the church. Paul, i think that God is preparing you for your next season of life. May God bless you – John
November 23, 2008 at 11:03 am
Rahab
There’s just one little problem with this. This is from the TACF website.
We acknowledge that Paul Gowdy was a pastoral intern at Scarborough Vineyard (not Toronto Vineyard – the Toronto Vineyard was located in downtown Toronto). Gowdy was under the leadership of senior pastor, Paul White. According to Paul White, Gowdy served only a few months as personal issues arose in his life. There is a reference to White in the Gowdy letters, White has no recollection of this conversation that Gowdy states. Gowdy participated on the prayer ministry team of his church Scarborough Vineyard, but did not lead any meetings at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Scarborough is a community on the east side of Toronto.
You can see the post in context there.
November 23, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Kim
I went to
http://www.tacf.org/
and I can’t find this quote….what links do I need to follow?
kim
ps I need to verify that the above comment is not Ad hominem
November 23, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Jeff
rolling up stairs? Dogs & chickins?
Green pea soup anyone?
Thank you do much for exposing this pastor Paul!
Maby that’s why god put you there?
Christ is lord,
Jeff
February 9, 2009 at 11:59 am
joel
the funny thing is the church (all-denominations) really has no idea, everyone wants to be right so they treat bible verses like its a piece of rhetoric to prove there points. The congregations because of this are more seperated then the leadership they just dont believe leadership as much anymore. I think if leaders in toronto really wanted the truth they would find it how bout they just lock them up till they agree seriously cross denominations just water beds and washroomsno one leaves then when new christians like me go to churches they dont have to leave confused. Come on guys even men like Barack Obama can use the bible like an awesome piece of rhetoric to prove what he wants, Men that want to manipulate women can right convincing speeches, and women that want to look after number 1 rather then being humble can make the unions with a western culture rather then a kingdom culture.
February 9, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Kim
Yes, i agree that people can use the Bible and isolated scripture to prove their points. This happens when verses are taken out of context- when we don’t address who the verse is written for, the church or Israel etc. and when we don’t use scripture to interpret scripture.
We need to study the Bible from table of contents to maps, with the middle part most important of course.
We need to view the Bible and the Word of God as full council. This takes time and diligence on the part of the believer, but Christians have become lazy and believe the heresies taught from the apostate seminaries. They no longer open their Bible and prayerfully read, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach.
One has to find a good Bible-teaching church that adheres to the fundamental teaching of Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fundamentals are the forgiveness of sin by the blood of Christ who died for us and was resurrected.
When we repent of our sin and turn away from it and toward Jesus Christ, there is evidence in our life that we are walking in the narrow way. That we are a reformed people whose very nature has been changed even though we still battle the flesh.
This is why prayer and daily Bible study is essential for all in the faith.
February 22, 2009 at 10:18 pm
IWTTGBA
http://www.tacf.org/tacforghome/Visitors/NewsandUpdates/tabid/761/Default.aspx
Kim see above link
February 22, 2009 at 10:30 pm
mbaker
Paul Gowdy recently appeared live on the Drew Marshall show, and cleared up some of the things that have been said by the TACF folks, in relation to the article above. It was an excellent interview.
http://www.drewmarshall.ca/listen2009.html#090207
February 22, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Kim
IWTT –
Hey… where have you been?
Thank you for providing the link to the TACF article. I couldn’t find it.
And mbaker…thank you for the link to the interview. I will listen to it this week.
February 24, 2009 at 8:36 am
Mary B
God is certainly merciful. I hope God continues to provide means to which Paul can be heard. Sadly, he would probably be kicked out of my inlaws house for what he has said. Keep going Paul, God bless you.