Declaration of Reunification
TimeWatch Editorial
March 26, 2016
In an article published in the “Charisma News website on July 7, 2014, Rick Wiles covers an important meeting between Protestant evangelicals and Pope Francis.
“Two prominent Fort Worth-based Christian ministers led a delegation of Evangelical Christian leaders to Rome to meet privately with Pope Francis. In addition to Mrs. Betty Robison, the high-profile Protestant delegation included Kenneth Copeland, co-founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries in Newark, TX; Reverend Geoff Tunnicliff, CEO of the World Evangelical Alliance; Rev. Brian Stiller and Rev. Thomas Schirrmacher, also from the World Evangelical Alliance; and Rev. John Arnott and his wife, Carol, co-founders of Partners for Harvest ministries in Toronto, Canada. Gloria Copeland did not travel to Rome because of a previously scheduled commitment.” Rick Wiles , Why Did Copeland, Robison Meet With Pope Francis? July 7, 2014
The Rick Wiles article contains an actual picture of the evangelicals who met with Pope Francis. The details of the meeting are Cleary articulated.
“The ecumenical meeting in Rome was organized by Episcopal Bishop Tony Palmer. Rev. Palmer is an ordained bishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, a break-away alliance of charismatic Anglican-Episcopal churches. Bishop Palmer is also the Director of The Ark Community, an international interdenominational Convergent Church online community, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Ecumenical Delegation for Christian Unity and Reconciliation.” Rick Wiles , Why Did Copeland, Robison Meet with Pope Francis? July 7, 2014
This meeting of Protestants and Pope Francis is just one more thing which declares the unity that now exists. Here is another. The National Catholic Reporter published Jul. 8, 2015 says the following:
“When the World Meeting of Families announced its roster of speakers for its September meeting in Philadelphia, some were surprised to see Rick Warren's name among the invitees. Warren is one of the leading Christian evangelical voices in the United States, and the World Meeting of Families, which is sponsored by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for the Family, is the world's largest Catholic gathering of families.” Jamie Manson , The National Catholic Reporter, Jul. 8, 2015 Pope Francis' deep ties to evangelicals
Rick Warren has for quite some time now, been extremely influential were Protestant churches are concerned. His mega-church out in Lake Forest, California, has been the location of a training course many pastors of many churches including our pastors are attending to improve “church growth.” Rick Warren’s “40 Days of Purpose” which was presented over a period of six weeks in Adventist churches throughout the nation. Saddleback Church brochure loudly proclaims that “Over 8,000 churches from all 50 states and 19 countries have now participated in 40 Days of Purpose.” Here is what Saddleback’s website says about Rick Warren’s influence.
“Since founding Saddleback Church in 1980, Pastor Rick has become one of the nation’s leading pastors. He mentors young leaders, and many of today’s leading pastors credit him and his book The Purpose Driven Church for inspiring them to pursue their own callings to ministry. He built the Purpose Driven Network, a global alliance of pastors from more than 160 countries and hundreds of denominations who have been trained to be purpose driven churches. Pastor Rick also founded Pastors.com—an online interactive community that provides sermons, forums, and other practice resources for pastors.” Saddleback Church one family, many locations
In his analysis of the Purpose Driven Life authored by Rick Warren, Matt Costella writes the following.
“Rick Warren, renowned pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and chief architect of the Purpose-Driven® ministry empire, has influenced thousands of pastors and Christian leaders around the world with his best-selling book The Purpose-Driven-Church and his Purpose-Driven church growth seminars. Churches and denominations include: Baptist, United Methodist, Nazarene, Seventh - day Adventist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Assemblies of God, Church of God, Vineyard, Calvary Chapel, Christian, Evangelical Free, International Pentecostal Holiness and many others. In addition, leading religious figures such as Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Bruce Wilkinson, Max Lucado and Lee Strobel have strongly endorsed and recommended The Purpose-Driven Life.” Matt Costella, Foundation: A Magazine Of Biblical Fundamentalism.
We have already seen that some of our leaders have been influenced by the Willow Creek “Seeker Sensitive” model of “Church Growth, to the point where they have chosen to depart from the faith altogether and find fulfillment in Sunday Sacredness. Fortunately, the acquiescence of leadership to error has already been foretold. The Great Controversy page 608, paragraph 2 warns:
“As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.” The Great Controversy page 608, paragraph 2.
So we must learn to stand alone. To study truth and live by it regardless of what men of talent and pleasing address might do. For, there is no limit to where error might lead. or cause those who are deceived to do.
Cameron A. Bowen
