imagine the world if….
Ken’s response to CRN.info criticism
“Dear Lord, I refuse henceforth to compete with any of Thy servants. They have congregations larger than mine. So be it. I rejoice in their success. They have greater gifts. Very well. That is not in their power nor in mine. I am humbly grateful for their greater gifts and my smaller ones. I only pray that I may use to Thy glory such modest gifts as I possess. I will not compare myself with any, nor try to build up my self-esteem by noting where I may excel one or another in Thy holy work.
I herewith make a blanket disavowal of all intrinsic worth. I am but an unprofitable servant. I gladly go to the foot of the class and own myself the least of Thy people. If I err in my self judgment and actually underestimate myself I do not want to know it. I purpose to pray for others and to rejoice in their prosperity as if it were my own. And indeed it is my own if it is Thine own, for what is Thine is mine, and while one plants and another waters it is Thou alone that giveth the increase.”
Let’s hope this is the truth. If it was, CRN would basically need to be shut down or change course completely.  Imagine, no more comparisons, talking about how quality your people are than others, and no more missives judging everyone by the standard of the reformation. It would all be replaced with prayers for others, rejoicing when that 50,000 member church reaches another for Christ and recognizing that no one in immune from error or judgment. Wow. The church could actually be the church.  They were Tozer’s words, but I really do hope Ken meant then.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:59 am
If only it was his words…
October 31st, 2007 at 10:04 am
The funny thing about his response to my comment was that I wasn’t trying to focus upon/criticize the size of his congregation as a judgement of his worth. Rather, I was expressing gratitude that there aren’t that many folks in the real world making themselves subject to his influence…
However, the fact that he jumps to this type of response every time someone puts his “pastoral” title in perspective speaks to what an old friend of mine used to call “small man’s disease“.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:59 am
I’m back after 7 hours of surgery. All looks well and we can pray the graft takes.
I do not believe in the celebration of days and if the truth be known the RCC is the king of celebrating days and seasons. Advent, Epphany, Pentecost, and all the other observances are litergical in nature and sometimes remove the spiritual nature of the New Testament.
October 31st, 2007 at 11:04 am
Welcome back, Rick!
We’ve been praying for you during your surgery… Perhaps you can get one of your sons to post updates to us in the future, should the need arise
Blessings and prayers for your swift recovery!
October 31st, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Nathan,
Ken openly states he does not agree with everything Tozer writes… so we do have progress in that Ken now understands he even has differences with Tozer… though it seems Ken is willing to compromise his own beliefs with Tozer’s by still posting his devotions.
So, yes progress, but I still cannot wonder if Ken is writing out of sarcasm instead of a pure and humbled heart…
If it we so I agree, he would stop critizing others on outside matters and focus on the 3 or 4 he has and deal with heart issues through the power of Jesus Christ.
Be blessed,
iggy