Pastor Fired for agreeing with Rob Bell

With our recent focus on Rob Bell here at this blog...I thought it would be interesting to post a current event peeking in at how a Pastor and a church have recently been impacted with the views advertised in Rob Bell's latest book on bookshelves now, entitled "Love Wins!" So as I was digging around some websites I frequent, I found this article and video clip
at www.churchleaders.com and thought it was worth looking at in light of all the Rob Bell controversy:
FOXNews reported that a United Methodist Church pastor in North Carolina was recently removed from his position because he posted to Facebook that he supported the view of hell described in Rob Bell's new controversial book, Love Wins. Pastor Chad Holtz said he was "shocked" by the decision to fire him, because the post was intended to engage his congregation in discussion, but it ended up angering them. Holtz said congregants complained he wasn't representing their views. Bell's book describes the traditional view of hell as a place of eternal torment "misguided and toxic," and Holtz's Facebook post detailed his personal journey toward "losing the idea of hell." Holtz called the congregation "good decent people ... who are simply feeling a little threatened by a pastor who is asking questions they don't want to ask right now." He admitted that he'd posted other notes on subjects such as gay marriage that had troubled the congregation before, but this recent one seemed to be "the last straw."

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this one!

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Atheist Debate Wednesday...

Get ready for the fourth part of the "Atheist Debate!" With Dan Barker and Todd Friel! The debate is getting good! It is good to see guys like Todd Friel who is "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..." 1 Peter 3:15 Whether you agree with Todd or not (speaking to believers in Christ) he has a defense...do you? I hope you are living your life in such a way that others would ask you about your Christian hope...but when they do, what will you say? Good time to develop that now instead of off the top of your head later!


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Great band: Sons & Daughters

I got the chance to see "Sons & Daughters" in Chicago last September at the STORY Chicago conference! They do an amazing job of worship and leading us all into the presence of Jesus Christ! I believe they are out of "Willow Creek?" Anyway, enjoy this video and use it as a personal time of worship with a cup of coffee before you start your busy day!

Come to Save Us from Sons & Daughters on Vimeo.

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Weekly Witnessing Watchable

I love this clip. So encouraging! Even if you think this is weird or radical...remember as Francis Chan says...being weird and radical is normal in the Bible! So then the question is how normal are you?



Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Jonathan David Helser | You're Never Giving Up

This is the most inspirational, moving, spontaneous song of passion I have ever heard! If a person could sing a sermon, this is what it would sound like! Thank God that he promised never to leave us...I need Him/desire Him more today than I did yesterday!


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Rob Bell...Seriously part 2

Here is an interview of Rob Bell concerning his views on Heaven & Hell in light of his new book "Love Wins."



Rob Bell obviously is confused about Hell and who goes there. He makes a statement in this interview, "What about the people who have never heard of Jesus?" Seriously Rob?? No one will go to hell because they haven't heard of Jesus Christ. The heathen will go to hell for murder, rape, adultery, lust, theft, lying. ect. Sin is not FAILING to HEAR the GOSPEL. Rather, sin is the transgression of the Law "Everyone who sins is breaking God's law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God." 1 John 3:4.

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Atheist Debate Wednesday

Hang on guys, there is a lot of content to process in this portion of the debate! Allow this to sharpen you if you are a believer in Christ as to how you would approach these topics of debate. If you are not a believer think about why you are not and allow some seeds to be planted. As you may have noticed the youtube videos of this debate were created by a non-believer.


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Who Am I? | LeadershipJournal.net

Our public personas often overshadow our true identity
John Ortberg | posted 3/14/2011

Who Am I? | LeadershipJournal.net

Great article by John Ortberg. So how do you deal with the many "you's" that you have the ability to portray? Most importantly what are your thoughts on John Calvin's statement: "it is impossible to know myself without coming to know God—and impossible to know God without coming to know myself."


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Can Christians Get Tattoos?

So what are your thoughts? We have heard the answer to the question "Can Christians get tattoos?" But what about the question "Should Christians get tattoos? For those of you who have tattoos..."What made you decide to?" and for those of you who do not have a tattoo..."What keeps you from getting one?" Are there any limits to how many tattoos? Should a pastor get a tattoo? Should I get a tattoo? Well I tell you what if I get "50 comments" on this post I will think about getting a tattoo?

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Being scared of Hell does not save you!

The fear of hell by itself saves nobody. Use this video to help evaluate your preaching on hell, heaven, and the gospel.



Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Weekly Witnessing Watchable

Hey everyone, it's FRIDAY which means it's time for a weekly witnessing watchable...Sit back and watch this conversation take place and think about how you would respond regardless of which side of the fence you find yourself! Be encouraged my friends to be seed planters and convdersation starters! And remember don't be a jerk, just be Jesus!

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Atheist Debate Wednesday- part 2

Hey everyone I hope your ready for -part 2of the Atheist Debate. Remember for the next 6-7 weeks, every Wednesday, I will be posting portions of the most intense, challenging, edge of your seat atheist debate I have ever heard. Debating on the side of Christianity is Wretched Radio host "Todd Friel" and debating on the side of Atheism is once evangelist/Christian Dan Barker whose website can be found here. I warn you ahead of time, brace yourself. Allow this segment, along with the other segments of this debate, to prepare you for such a conversation in the future. I would pray that it stretches you and takes you outside of your comfort zone.


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

A "Must Listen" video

What will matter most when you are breaths away from eternity? Enjoy!


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Radical by David Platt

Radical by David Platt from Taylor Robinson on Vimeo.

Go grab this book at your local Christian bookstore or order it online...be challenge and be changed! But don;t sit back as a "Christian" and do nothing!

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

More thoughts on Rob Bell...

Recently I posted Rob Bell's "Love Wins" promo video. I shared with you that in the past I have struggled with what Rob Bell believes and teaches therefore, it is to no suprise to me that He would pull another rabit of bad theology out of his hat. Below I have provided a segment of Wretched Radio with Todd Friel. Sit back and listen to Todd and see if you agree or disagree... However, I would love to hear from some of you as to why you like Rob Bell, what is it that you agree with his proposed theology? Looking for some healthy conversation as iron sharpens iron!
Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

The best 5 minutes of your day...

Grab the family. Take 5 minutes to sit down and watch.
It's worth your time. Really worth it.

Kimyal New Testament launch in Indonesia from United Bible Societies on Vimeo.

Praise God that you and I have the Word of God in English. My prayer is that we have the same desire as these people to read it...and not just read it, but pass it on!

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Atheist Debate Wednesday

Hey everyone! At least for the next 6-7 weeks, every Wednesday, I will be posting portions of the most intense, challenging, edge of your seat atheist debate I have ever heard. Debating on the side of Christianity is Wretched Radio host "Todd Friel" and debating on the side of Atheism is once evangelist/Christian Dan Barker whose website can be found here. I warn you ahead of time, brace yourself. Allow this segment, along with the other segments of this debate, to prepare you for such a conversation in the future. I would pray that it stretches you and takes you outside of your comfort zone.


Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew

Moral Relativism

When someone says that morality is person to person relative and that their opinion is of no more value than the next person's opinion they have officially forfeited using words like "should" or "ought" as this assumes there is a way things "should" or "ought" to be. C.S. Lewis would point out that you can't call something crooked unless you what straight is.

The natural consequences of Ben's denial and suppression of God's moral law is futility and irrationally (Rom. 1:18,21). Something within him (Rom. 2:15) tells him that certain act are absolutely wrong, but he can't make sense of it outside of God, which ultimately puts him in a camp where a child molester's moral judgments are admittedly just as valuable as his own!- this video and commentary taken from www.livingwatersonthebox.blogspot.com
So it goes without saying that the idea/concept/belief of moral relativism is around every corner these days on an epidemic level. I will go even as far to say that moral relativism is even found in our churches, our youth groups, and our college age ministries. So what are your thoughts? How do you deal with moral relativism or how have you seen moral relativism displayed in your community? It's all to funny that those who believe in moral relativism don't believe in right or wrong until you steal their wallet! Ha!

Way of the Pastor,
Joe Drew