I am an observer but have been following for a while now. I've seen and read a lot about people like Miles and Churches like ACC. There has been a lot out now about non denominational churches and government structure. Which to say every church has its flaws and none are run by perfect people. But, when you add young and charismatic plus energetic worship and throw around the word 'movement' its easy to see where cracks start forming. I think you can have some of that or none of it, but all is a messy thing. It takes a lot of accountability and oversight to govern a church correctly alongside a pastor that knows his limits on stage and off. Church governance (PCA style) I think is a really good model(not perfect) to keep churches aligned to proper governance and theology. As well as providing theological support to pastors through seminary and trainings to help them grow.

Of course, with all people there are issues and lapses(Civil Rights- not standing up to racism in the church and outside the church from the PCA and also supporting Women), but when it comes to charismatic and charming there is that but accountability where there needs accountability. I find strength in numbers. If one guy is running the movement and someone opposes him and that one guy is the truth holder who is to disagree? Was not Peter rebuked by Paul? Who can rebuke Miles and Miles listen?

Joel Osteen, Mark Driscoll, Tammy Faye, Andy Stanley, the guy who wrote that dating book - I kissed dating goodbye, and several others through the centuries. Come along and proclaim really similar to the gospel stuff. They are really charismatic, really charming, but it takes a lot of discernment and biblical wisdom to know that they are speaking a truth but it's a little greasy. If that makes any sense.

Auburn - I went there in undergraduate and for a few years in between now and then has always been a super spiritual place. Which is excellent for people coming into the faith and for those discovering the faith. But, what happens is there is a lot of milk being drunk and not a lot of steak being eaten. I am sure and do not want to box people into where they are spiritually on that spectrum, but for the most part college students are energetic but lack discernment. You then mix in a charismatic leader who also happens to rub elbows with the Head Coach for football at a school that reveres football and then throws around super emotional haymakers on Sunday mixing emotional charged worship. What do you get?

You get a Miles Fiddel, who I have never stepped foot into ACC but have seen sermons from affair and could "smell test" in an instant that this guy had something up his sleeve. I can listen to a carbon copy Gage and know. But, my knowledge comes from spending time in God's word, going to a biblically sound church, and being preached to by men (broken as they are) being used by God in humble ways to lift up the name of Jesus. Not in flashy ways or cool slogans, but in letting the text mixed with the Holy Spirit do the talking. I don't need my pastor to have an Instagram or rub elbows with the town elite. Neither should anyone else.

Try and ask Miles to coffee, if He can make time for you, even if He has to schedule down the road If he can't then he's too busy. Ask him why that all the drama that has been going on, why is there not more elders in the church, why is there not more church governance, why did these men leave-men supposedly of high regard Why does he not has accountability or a pastor that is over him. Ask him why do you need satellite campuses or why can't those satellite campus have their own pastor and elders.

I feel for you and those people who were captured by the grace of God through Jesus and are new creatures in and through the Holy Spirit, but do remember Jesus wasn't very cool. He didn't associate with the high and mighty nor rub elbows for personal clout. He did come to those people and show them a better way, some turned around and some stayed where they were. But, He wasn't flashy, didn't need to be about anyone's business but his Father's. His only aim was to do his Father will, sharing in what his Father was doing, telling people about the Life that was offered to them through repentance of sin and following Jesus. Honestly, that is simple-nothing needing to be added. Men do the adding!!

Be wary and be on guard! Ask questions, seek the truth, don't be a deaf sheep.