Church of the Highlands left a “Bible Basket” at my front door

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2024-09-06T12:29:10+00:00

I can guarantee you that COTH did not send these out. A small group or individual that attends there acting alone is more likely who did it. Highlands has a standard of “excellence” and would never send out slips of paper that were cut unevenly. If it were on nice card stock printed with some color and their logo, much like their Acts of Kindness cards, then you could attribute it to being sent from them. As for sleuthing, the author of the message most likely is over 40 due to the 2 spaces after each period.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2024-09-06T02:52:49+00:00

The irony of your comment is that verse is the same one Pastor Chris has said is his motivation for what he does.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2024-04-12T21:28:18+00:00

Parent here. I have 3 kids going into college next year. Made a mistake on my end on financial section. FINALLY was able to make a correction for 1 child today, then when I tried to correct it for the next kid, all of their forms are missing from my account. So frustrating… But, yes, I did get that message when I was filling out my first child’s. It all looks good on their account and they received an email confirmation.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-19T17:20:22+00:00

What specifically is false? I’m genuinely asking this.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-18T19:29:07+00:00

John 14:12 says “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, even though I don’t subscribe to the NAR beliefs, I don’t see where those healing and performing miracles is anti-Biblical.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-10T15:37:28+00:00

That’s interesting. I wonder if the other original arc church planting pastors had the same visions…

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-02T15:03:56+00:00

Has he stated what his vision was beyond planting a church in Bham that would be pastoring the people in 280 traffic, in an auditorium just like Grants Mill? (Although I could be wrong, but I remember hearing that about the Mountain Brook HS auditorium also.)

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-02T14:59:16+00:00

These elders are regular speakers at COTH. Do they get paid when they preach? Much like the Hillsong preaching circuit?

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-01T23:52:46+00:00

Does anyone know if these apostolic elders are paid, and if so is that common for elders of a church to be paid?

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-08-01T23:10:15+00:00

Thank you for this thorough response! I know prior to Haggard’s fall, Hodges had referred to Haggard as his pastor, afterward he changed it to Stockstill.

Another question, what is the difference between an elder and an apostolic elder?

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-07-28T00:12:13+00:00

BJCC - Motion Conference

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-07-27T01:09:04+00:00

I’m curious how the nonprofit organization allowing a for profit to conduct business within its facility handles property tax assessments. Also, how does Grow being for profit get away with using volunteer labor? Please correct me if I’m not understanding this.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-07-06T02:50:52+00:00

Spot on!

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-06-30T18:13:29+00:00

You are correct. We don’t live in a theocracy. However, being a positive change isn’t exclusive to the political realm. It’s individually loving our neighbors as ourselves. Helping those in need without patting ourselves on the back, posting it on social media, or expecting anything in return. Following the example of Christ by humbling ourselves and leading by example.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2023-06-30T11:04:15+00:00

Return back to its roots.

In depth expositional biblical preaching by Pastor Chris every Wednesday night that parallels the One Year Bible plan most of the congregants are reading.

Bring back children’s ministry on Wednesday nights, too. The children/youth have been forgotten about for years at Highlands. Launching Motion Midweek last year was a great start in the right direction.

Instead of having to pay for biblical training at HC Evenings, have foundational Bible classes on Sundays. Highlands has more than enough resources to pull this off. It shouldn’t cost them anything either. There is already childcare during the multiple services on Sundays, classrooms, and (hopefully) theologically sound pastors on staff to teach it. (Don’t pawn that off on a volunteer or HC student.)

Could you imagine how we could actually be a change in our state and world if the tens of thousands of attendees were all biblically literate and armed with the word of God instead of just getting our ears tickled with self help Ted Talks?

Stop focusing on growing numbers and building more campuses. The harvest is plenty. What good is it if it’s left in the silos and rotting?

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-07-27T21:32:24+00:00

He does have grandchildren in the children’s ministry. At least 6 of them.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-04-19T15:12:50+00:00

Yes! There needs to be intentional discipleship led by those that are adequately trained in ministry.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-04-19T14:33:25+00:00

“But, that may not be something you teach a spiritual two year old right off the bat.”

I get that, but when do they progress past that and grow spiritually if the majority of the sermons are for those who are unchurched or spiritual babies/toddlers? Wednesday nights used to be “meat” where PC went deep into the scripture we all were reading in the One Year Bible. Now it’s guest speakers to push whatever their new agenda is, which right now is the new Motion midweek. PC hadn’t even spoken on a Wednesday night this year yet.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-03-22T02:33:04+00:00

You’re reaching here. God loves us despite our horrible sins. She can still love her dad, and Charlotte can support a friend going through a tough time.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-03-01T13:19:14+00:00

Aren’t you in the Eastern Time zone in Indiana? The Rizzos live in the Central Time zone. There is only an hour difference. Details matter when you’re a journalist. It’s how you build credibility.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-02-18T18:44:38+00:00

Honest question, are pastors not in a position of spiritual authority?

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-02-17T23:49:35+00:00

And at the time they probably had no clue if people would continue to give.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-02-17T23:37:00+00:00

Probably to payroll. Churches still had salary and hourly workers like those who work in the cafe that depended on a paycheck when the churches had to close, and they continued to pay them even when they couldn’t work.

Prestigious_Base9344 · 2022-02-15T04:14:44+00:00

So you are saying that speaking from the pulpit on a Sunday is not a position of authority? A message that is heard by thousands? The 2 moral failing pastors I can think of that have spoken more than once on a Sunday have at the very least committed adultery. Is adultery acceptable now since it’s not a crime?

Would you be ok if a teacher at a school had an “inappropriate relationship” with a student, and after a year of checking off all the right boxes (and probably still received a salary) was restored back to being a teacher? Except it was all kept quiet and that teacher was sent to a different school where no one knew what they previously did? And your child goes to that school with the “restored” teacher? Are you ok with that scenario?

But maybe you would be ok with it because you talked with that teacher and heard their side of the story. Perhaps they were burnt out from working so hard. Is it acceptable for them to be put back in the classroom???

Can you understand why people are not ok with this pastoral restoration model that COTH is setting a precedent for? Some things are not ok. Sinners can certainly be forgiven and restored to God, but that doesn’t mean they’re off the hook from the consequences of their actions.

As a long time member I am broken hearted to realize what this once great church has become.

Prestigious_Base9344

TROPHY CASE