Should be a minus 100 star rating for real. Scary place! Dallas has a lot of very sound churches, but this one unfortunately has not proven to be one of them. For my family and countless friends we couldn't find the exit door fast enough. Why? Well, for one, there's a huge overemphasis on you giving to "support the top ministers" as they pressure people for bucks and then live lavishly (but they will not flaunt the high-end collection of cars, lands, expensive wines, houses, vacations etc before the crowd). Two key leaders/friends who worked in the accounting department asserted that there is a lack of accountability here.
The term "minister" actually means servant biblically and that’s a good thing to watch for in any church, asking “Are they?”
Don't get me wrong.. there are a few good things that they have done for the poor and they have some pretty good music on occasion, but doctrinally the teaching is off ..a lot of the time. You do want to read your Bible carefully to check what’s said.
With our own ears, my wife and I heard the top pastors and a couple elders first-hand say that they didn’t believe in the doctrine of the Trinity (an Essential Christian Doctrine. They do like to hide this fact not wanting to lose gobs of giving people, but they do teach UPC styled Oneness doctrine in smaller group settings. Well, when we were there, the entire board of the church had come out of the UPC Cult even though they shed the religious dress, hair and makeup codes).
The top leaders also teach that Christians can pick up multiple demons inside their bodies every time they commit a sin, but they have a deliverance department to cast those demons out, promoting “you need them”. They teach that you are cursed of God if you don't tithe with the very first check you write out each month. In fact that’s the premise of what Mike Hayes’ bestselling book “When God is first” teaches (unless he’s changed it by this date – hope he has). Look close to see if the top leaders live and teach according to God's Word, or just throw in some token verses here and there.
Remember Jesus Christ said: "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit" (Lk. 6:43). And.. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 7:19). And.. "Each tree is recognized by its own fruit" (Lk. 6:44). Of course pastors are to be for genuine signs and wonders along with the Gospel being preached/the Bible being taught, but they are not to neglect real holiness, integrity, godly character and the fruit of true love.
To help you out, please read the Bible through. Purhaps read up on Oneness heresy, and read Chuck Smith's great book called: Charisma verses Charismania (not my book—they don’t pay me). I thank God that Jesus didn't say follow my mega church leaders, He said "follow Me" (and listen, many mega church leaders are totally in order).
Pros: Friendly to people of color--I love that!
Cons: Their doctrine--like poison. It goes against the Essentials.
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