What concerns me the most is Chandler's abrupt comments to Furtick about how he isn't liked in the reformed community. It is this hyper-elevation of reformed preachers of their own theology as the litmus test for evangelical authenticity that is so utterly unhelpful. It is the evangelical equivalent of the political Tea Party movement.

Why in the world does Steven Furtick have to justify himself in such a way, it is utterly demeaning of what God is doing in and through Steven and Elevation. Did Jesus not say, whoever isn't against us is for us? Did the reformed forget that verse?

The more I see of this "Elephant in the Room" discussion the more disturbed I am at the celebritification of the pastors going on.

Though some of the people involved desire a good conversation, and I don't doubt that happens at points, I despair over the celebrity attached to these guys. So what is the point of having these guys sit around, argue about stuff that doesn't really matter, when the resources being used up to could go to more helpful, Kingdom minded pursuits? I just don't care for the context and the personal hyperbole going on.

Can we get any more self-centered, self-important, and elitist than these Guys! They set like heads of state discussing empty international issues and say ‘look how great we are!’

Gentlemen get back to preaching and teaching the Holy Scriptures with humility and watch the spirit of God transform the lives of both Believers and non-Believers.

Because Pastors begin to enjoy listening to their own voices, more than being obedient to the voice of God. Pastors have and continue to lose creditability, both in the Church and in the world. Grow some character and stop acting like High School Jocks

"Can we get any more self-centered, self-important, and elitist than these Guys!"

Yes...yes we can.

However, I do confess that I enjoy a certain amount of conflict because it means that due to each persons particular viewpoint, people are thinking...and that...that is something I relish...whether I agree with it or not, that there is debate means people's brains are engaged.
Now, if reason presides, and the ad hominems kept to a minimum if not eliminated altogether, then I think something concrete will come of this discussion.
All in all, a passionate display of biases is good...it means these men believe in what they are doing to be right...and perhaps, we all will learn something...debate can be good...if people listen/read first, think second, and then ask questions if there is doubt or lack of clarity before they decide to respond with rebuke or praise.

What Pastor Furtick said made me think of this quote:
"The matter is quite simple. The bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament." --- Soren Kierkegaard

However, if hadn't had the desire to "go deeper" and if I hadn't been engaged in some "abstract" theological work, I would not have come across this quote.

Something about this clip gives me the icks. Neither of these guys comes off particularly well...and what is up with all the snide comments about Steve's relationship with Rick Warren? Was it sarcasm of some kind? And if so, why?
The whole thing is unseemly. God's servants shot through with ego and pride. Not sure who wins in such a contest...but certainly not The Church.
Let's move on.