The Voice magazine has learned that Canadian Evangelist Todd Bentley leader of the Lakeland Florida Revival has stepped down.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Aug 16/ THE VOICE magazine: Advancing Christian Life & Culture
In a letter posted by the Fresh Fire board of directors “We have discovered new information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his personal life.”
Last week in a statement by Fresh Fire, “We want to affirm that there has been no sexual immorality on the part of either Todd or Shonnah, nor has there ever been. Undoubtedly the pressures and the burden of the Outpouring, which approaches 144 days on August 23rd, have helped to create an atmosphere of fatigue and stress that has exacerbated existing issues in their relationship.”
Apparently there is more to this than “pressures and the burden of the Outpouring.”
Developing…
Contact The Voice magazine editor at editor@thevoicemagazine.com or 954-456-6032.
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Everyone should pray for the couple, the church and all involved and realize that man can let us down but Jesus is always faithful!! Please don’t let this hurt your relationship with God. We need to remember to keep our eyes on God, not on people. Love in Christ!
Lets not shoot Todd during this time. King David repented and still remained king. He will be back, God is not done using him…
Amen!
We must be very careful to not deify a man, but instead to understand that though God chooses to use us as vessels for His glory man is still very flawed. Todd Bentley is no exception.
Like ourselves Todd has issues, like ourselves they must be dealt with; but unlike most of us he is more public than we are which means his failings/sins are put out there for the world to see. Consider if your own sins were made public. How would it feel to see the people that should be loving you and praying for you instead be judging and condemning you?
We are not to condon sin, however, there is only one that judges and it isn’t the church. Those condemning Todd use scripture to reinforce their behavior, but it is a misuse of truth. Their sin of condemnation is just as great as Todd’s sin of infidelity, for our God judges sin as sin and nothing else.
As I understand it, Todd is submitting himself to his authority for accountability. He is taking the steps necessary to overcome his actions. What more can this man do? Let us be a church who tends to it’s wounded, and not shoot the man when he is down.
For those of you condemning Todd, please read John Chapter 8:3-11, and let the stones fall to the ground where they belong.
Hi there
The love of God is the strongest power in the universe! If everybody decides to love on Todd and Shonnah instead of condemning Todd like the pharisees love to do, this can turn out to be very good! I know personally that when I have been hurted by christians or decieved in some way, the very thing that has brought me back to God is experiencing his love through belivers. If no belivers give this love, and instead unbelivers give the love, then it is very easy to leave God. It maybe sound dramatically, but I have personay experienced how satan uses wounds and hurts and create an atmosfere where it is easy to start blaming God. It begins by blaming brothers and sisters, and ends in blaming God. It is very dangerous. Let us all love on Todd and Shonnah in this period. They deserve to be loved both of them!!!
Love from Norway
Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort.
Read the story of king David.
Pay for the man of God, we wouldnt know what really led him to do this and we are not supposed to judge.May God who is loving and rich in mercy continue to use him and get him back in the right path.God bless all of you who keep this in prayer and dont encourage negative thinking about it.
God is in control no matter what the situation may look like to us. The situation is sad but who are we to judge. Instead we should pray coz prayer does work wonders.
Shannon, look what happened to David’s son. Sin must be dealt with.
Don
Let he that is without sin cast the first stone…..
Amen! I fully agree with Barbara!
We should be praying instead of accusing. Interceding instead of casting stones.
When David sinned in the flesh (adultery and murder), 4 persons died. But when he sinned in the spirit (pride - counting his soldiers), 70,000 died!
Yes, the younger son in the parable of the lost/prodigal son did sin (sin in the flesh - living a licentious life). So did the elder one, albeit it wasn’t the obvious type (sin in the spirit - pride).
Let’s be watchful and not condemn those who sinned in the flesh lest we become like the elder brother and/or pharisee.
Remember, “Let he that is without sin cast the first stone…”
We are all born in iniquity,with a sinful nature. The process of having that nature redeemed is lifelong, even though eternal salvation is instant when the Spirit of Christ indwells our body and His Spirit takes up residence.
Transforming the mind of man and the soul nature of man takes daily crucifying of the flesh. The more intense God’s prescense is in our life, the harder it is to hide our weaknesses because when the rain of God falls, everything in us grows, both good and bad.
Revival fires will always bring out the best and worst in us, which is God’s plan….gold is purified by repeatedly having the impurities removed as they float to the surface while being melted by intense heat.
Hebrews chapter six tells us the steps to maturity, with eternal judgement of all sin and weakness that reveals its ugly head a necessary action by the believer. It amounts to using the sword of the Spirit to cut away the hooks of satan that so easily beset us, because of the tendency of our sin nature, our inborn iniquity to sin.
Many believe you can bury the old nature in water baptism, and arise in newness of life, which I believe is true. However, repentance and judging our own hearts is a lifelong responsibilty of all diciples of Christ. Unfortunatly, the more publicly visible the ministry becomes, the harder it is to repent of our secret desires, and the more prone we are to cover up that sin rather than exposing to our brothers in Christ who could help deliver us from the accuser of the brethren before we sin against God and the body of Christ, including those closest to us, our spouse and family.
I was personally touched by Todd and his team on Mothers Day, and received a real impartation that I have passed on to many others. Todd was and is a cracked vessal, the only kind God is able to use, since there are no perfect ones available on earth…………God is not finished with Todd, although the accuser may think he has won. There are more rounds to come, as we learn to rely upon Jesus, the Author anf Finisher of our Faith.
Todd has inspired millions, and probably has a very large mansion in heaven being prepared for him, big enough for all those he led to Christ to sit down and have a feast together!
The bentley’s case is one of the many happpenings in the house of God. Many are falling in adultery,homosexuality,immoral life, pride, covetousness, greed, misappropriation of ministry funds, mismanaging the ministry funds,promoting of themselves and their ministry rather then the Lord thus stealing God’s glory,exploiting on God’s people’s money and hunger for the Lord, to make high profits in selling videos,dvds,tapes,books etc, selling anointing and healings to make themselves rich and so called “Kings Kid”, falsely teaching others to become rich only by then making themselves more richer. etc etc exaggerating, lying and manipulating people using God’s word for their own benefits and gain
We hear many sins are being committed by famous and so called anointeds. Some we know after being caught and some are covered up in the name of love and mercy
Why is this happening? This is because we have run after signs and wonders,anointings,healings,worship, laughters,drunkardness in spirit,jerks,shakings,screamings, shoutings enjoying ourselves like kids without paying attention to the dying and crucifying of self everyday which is very important for our growth into the likeness and character of the Lord and into His holiness.
People are more excited to hear and see the power with great feelings of joy and extacy but never stay on ground to deal with all our carnalities and self which needs a daily attention.
Yeshua died that we may become like Him in Character and stature. WE have paid more attention to ministry rather then ourselves to have Yeshua life manifested.
Mnay leaders also go for it as it brings fame, finance, authority, security and great ego building as you feel great being wanted like super star.They even start living a lifestyle of a hollywood or the rich and famouus lives. Some even need bodyguards with guns and more special treatments. Now they even lay a price tag for preachings. They demand like movie stars and expect to be treated like a movie star.
Why this because we fail to die daily and crucify our self. It creeps into us and we being blinded in the anointings,ministry and fame and busy schedules did not pay attention to our deteioration of our character missing the fruits of the Spirit.
Thats why those who are the closest(spouse and children) and staff get shocks seeing the hypocrisy of the anointed one.
Todd’s fall is another wake up call for all of us to examine our character which is vital in the Lord’s will for us. Otherwise we will be rejected by the Lord even though we preached, healed,miracles, signs and wonders followed our ministry as the Lord dont see His image and likeness in us(gen1:26 and eph 4:13)
Anointing and power, miracles will follow us in the preaching of te gospel. But character/holiness is what we need to allow to grow and manifest in us daily by the dying and crucifying of self as Yeshua ask us to do inorder we become his disciples.
Yes its not a time to exploit on Todd fall but its time for us to repent and search our own filths and dirts hidden in the dungeons of our hearts and soul or under our spiritual and anointed carpets.
What saddens me more than the mistake that Todd has made is the fact that he is being critisized to harsh degree. We preach restoration, but we won’t dare practice restoration. Truly we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. I don’t condemn Todd, but I don’t condone what he did either. What Todd and Shonnah need is the prayers of the Body of Christ. It is my prayer that God restores him fully, and that once again, he can be the vessel that GOD called him to be.
Barnabus David Grice, you are an eloquent writer and you touch on what is truly important. I recommend all that visit this site read his blog.
My deep concern is for the body of Christ, and for the average pastor, who for what ever reason, seems to have no discernment. Jesus clearly stated in Matthew 24, that many would come in His Name, saying, I am Christ. Now, Jesus did not say many would claim to be a Messiah. He said many would say, I am Christ, Greek, “christos” or, I am anointed or have a special annointing.
Jesus never said He is building a revival meeting. No, Jesus said He is building His church and the gates or authorities of hell will not prevail against it. When Jesus had a revival meeting in John chapter 6 and fed 5,000 people, many tried to convince Jesus to keep the meeting going. What did Jesus do? Even though the meeting was genuine, Jesus shut the meeting down and said, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you.” In other word, Jesus is far more concerned with personal growth, maturity, and character then He is about a revival meeting. And even if a meeting is genuine, it will have a beginning and an end. Why? Because Jesus is building His church of those who completely surrender to Him. He is not and never will build a revival meeting.
So, I blame the tea sipping, cookie nibbling ladies men who we have as pastors that do not have enough guts to speak the truth.
Anointing does not come from sitting in a non-genuing, or a genuine revival meeting. Anointing comes from being planted in a solid local church run by a righteous pastor who disciples Christians in truth and releases them to serve in the community, touch hurting people, and bring people to Christ.
We have got to get back to the basics of teaching people that God will touch their lives in their own local churches. The truth is this, the average Christian wants to be a little theif and get touched by God in a revival meeting where no commitment is required, and then, show up at their own local church when ever the feel like showing up. In other words, they want to serve God they way they want to serve God instead of serving God the way He says we are suppose to serve Him.
So, I do not blame Todd Bently. Todd is simply a product of our luke warm, waterd down, live how I want to live gospel that is now being preached by the average pastor in America. Just like Israel wanted a king and God gave them Saul. The body of Christ wants a super anointed preacher, and our own luke warm doctrines allowed Todd Bently to fill that gap. The body of Christ got exactly what it wanted. When will American Christians (and now the luke warm pastors in America) come to repentance and begin to preach Christ again? Many people came to Jesus in the Bible. The Pharisees came to Jesus to humniliate Him. The Saducees came to Jesus to debate Him. Judas came to Jesus to betray Him. We are not to come to Jesus. We are to surrender to Him. A big difference. Mark my words, there will be many more people like Todd Bently until the entire ministry as we know it, including all preachers and the entire body of Christ comes to genuine repentance. As one who is a preacher myself I am trusting Jesus to keep my motives, ministry, and manners pure.
My only problem with the whole revival was seeming how many BELIEVERS ran to the healing meetings. Do we as the Body of Christ not understand that we have the Holy Spirit with in us? We all are commissioned to preach the gospel and the miracles that FOLLOW believers are to justify God’s Word. THis is normal Christianity. We should not be running to it; we should be doing it.
Even David wouldn’t touch Gods anointed.I repent for participation in this criticism.
All i have to say is i haven’t “criticized” betnley, but have raised questions about his doctrine and ministry as warnings. im glad he has stepped down - he shouldn’t have been their in the first place in my personal opinion. the sadness that i have is to now see the people affected by this whole ordeal. so many people are going to doubt their faith that started at Bentley’s revival. So many people got so wound up about it and got so excited about everything…now it’s unavoidable that people are going to be wondering “was it even real in the first place?”
Matthew Chapter Five : The words of Jesus
The Fulfillment of the Law
17″Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
Adultery
27″You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31″It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
It was clear to me from the start there was trouble with this man. We as the body are so hungry for the power of God we are easily drawn to the fraudes. The bread is not enough we must have salt. Holiness is the missing ingrediant. See saltcovenantnetwork Ron Millers book walking in the salt covenant.
I LOVE YOU TODD AND I FORGIVE YOU
FELICI
Todd and Shoanna Isend you and your children love and prayers for healing and restoration of your marriage and family. Thank you for allthe sacrifices you have made to wake up the Body of Christ and sleepy churches. Many christians are being challenged personallyin their faith .We should all look at ourselves ,and our hearts . We are
required to learn to love….thats all…..then there is no room for for pointing fingers and judging. We should focus on the positives and pray for the brother who falls. God knows! He is the only judge. God loves Todd Bently and his wife and children. He forgives us all over and over again. God is using this situation for good ! Jesus has already paid the price.
God bless you all my dear church family and throw those stones away. Send them love and prayers. Our Father is watching dont let the evil one steal our joy. We shall overcome! Lets proclaim to unbelievers that He truly lives in us! I miss the Revivals!
Wow…comes right off the back, actually a day after Mike Guglielmucci’s confession…
I THINK THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SHOULD STOP SEEKING FOR SIGNS AND WONDERS AND SEEK JESUS ,THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DONT TEST AND DESCERN ALL SPIRITS. WE HAVE BECOME SO HUNGRY FOR A TOUCH OF GOD THAT WE GO ON THE HUNT FOR THE FALSE. HELP US LORD IN THESE DANGEROUS TIMES WHEN THE VERY ELECT OF GOD WILL FALL BECAUSE OF DISOBIDIENCE.
Spot on Lucy and how hard it is for people to admit they do those things. Always out for the quick fix. Repenting today seems to be harder for Christians to do than anyone else. Seems they call unto themselves what their itching ears want to hear is so true and the blindness stays unfortunately in many after the false teacher has gone.
I have never judged Todd Bentley. My God did through his Word found in the Bible did.
Lucy pliz study & read you bible well.Todd is still a man of God.When David fell that did not make him seize being a man of God.So is evangelist Todd.whats the need of discerning? He has the spirit of God although He has sinned. Pliz stop condemning.Touch not the annoited of God. Pslams 105 15:15-18. Do not touch with both the tongue and hands.Many have not touched with the hands but have done so wuth the tongue.
I suggest some need to study their Bible and see what makes a man a man of God. Better still see what makes one an Evangelist of the Gospel message. Then of course study and see what th Gospel message actually is. Study how to discern and actually what the “Touch not the annointed of God” scripture means in context and not what some man tells you. This line has been done to death by people who do not want to be tested by the Word of God as God instructs us too. See the fruits of the spirit of God before judging the mans spirit as being the Holy Spirit. Remember the unpardonable sin. Attributing the works of Satan to that of the Holy Spirit. Let Gods Word determine the real spirit at work here and not teachings from men.
We battle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and rulers of darkness. If you think you cannot be deceived by them think again. Do the hard yards and know your Word and walk in the power of His Spirit rightly dividing the truth.
do not be fooled, God says we reap what we sow. If any lessons have to learnt God will teach them lets lay our hands off and not try to help God judge. Besides Gods says He has mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy, He might just have mercy…
God has already taught them. In His Word the Bible. Why is it so hard to know what God thinks when he has already told us in His Word. Of course he still can be saved if he becomes a believer in Christ according to the Word as defined by the bible and repents of His evil ways. Just like anyone else. To discern false teachers is quiet simple in this case as defined by the Word. One does not even have to go past his basic doctrine and tales. I think people confuse discernement and simple analysis according to the Word with judgement which it is not. God has clearly judged this nonsense as false and sinful in His own word. No need for anyone to judge anything as God has already done it in his word. In fact he warned us about such people yet Christians today love to ignore the fact and apply the Bible and what God says. Why is that ?
Because in the last days the Wood will be dry and they will call unto themselves teachers that say what their itching ears want to hear. Arrogance today stops most from admitting they are wrong unfortunately.Saving face seems more important. That is a proud and Godless people.
God has already judged him according to His word. I feel not ashamed of agreeing with Gods conclusions. The wonderful thing is he can repent and still be saved, for one day it will be too late.
We should pray for him that he will.
God Bless
Amen mike..
We are called to not judge a mans motives, but most definately his fruits! And a fruit doesn’t lie..
I retract that. God wil be the judge. I am not worthy.
I have to agree with Mike on this whole matter. I preached against Todd Bentleys false teaching in my own church several months ago. Even just a modicum of discernment would reveal the nonsense that this man was spouting. My message did not find total favour with the congregation and in fact one lady went so far as to email Todd to pray for our church. But you see, temptation will reveal the true strength and character of the man and God will not be mocked. Now that Todd Bentley has fallen there will no doubt be many people struggling to come to terms with being duped and mislead. It is a hard thing to admit to and I am sure that there will be many who fly to the old fallback position of blaming the ‘enemy’. In reality they would be better looking to the flesh because Todd Bentley’s fleshiness was all to evident. As for the numerous comments about judgement that abound in this thread, I would suggest that perhaps a little more study of the Bible in depth may assist. It is incorrect to say that judgement should be left only to God. If this was true then why does Paul quite clearly state in 1Cor5:3 …”And I have already passed judgement on the one who did this, just as if I were present”. Ironic that he was also talking about a case of adultery in the church. He is quite clear around the issue of righteous judgement and it is the failure to apply that tenent in the church today that see the church riddled with immorality and an object of derision and ridicule to those unsaved who we should be trying to bring to Christ!
1Cor 5:12 “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.”
Correct me if I am wrong but that is a pretty simple and direct message and if it were applied in a prayerful and righteous manner then perhaps we would not be afflicted with the Todd Bentley’s in our midst, blighting our love feasts.