In our case, it is because those in leadership are held to a higher standard; more is expected of them in terms of their beliefs and practice. And, there was zero pressure from church leadership to do so. Prestonwood Baptist also made the list (top 20) and its nowhere near a cult. We've put together a list of some ways . Thats not true. Women have gotten to the point where they thing their poop doesnt stink lately. I assured those who wanted to speak out with their stories that I would not identify them or use any details in my post that could be used to identify them. Watermarks issues IMO are people issues more that content or material issues. You can see it on their instagram! Scripture also says live your neighbor as yourself.folks many of you here have already missed that mark. He first goes into the definition of the word cult which in latin is the word cultus, defined as to inhabit, dwell; to cultivate. No one is perfect including Todd.. he is not God. Todd could use he had no use for you. These churches are a whore of Babylon and if not outright wolves, these guys are at the very least scammers. One is very wealthy and likely the one who lives in the house you mentioned. Outsourced: How Watermark Community Church Fails in Caring for Its Members, The Spin Cycle Watermark Community Church Members Unlikely to Ever Know the Truth Behind Resignations, Before You Sign: What You Need to Know About Membership Covenants, Making the Cut What Does It REALLY Take to Become a Member at Watermark Community Church, Dallas Megachurch Pastor Todd Wagner Resigns, Cites Pride as the Reason, https://www.watermark.org/about/governance, OUR COMMUNITY SERIES: Being Lonely in a Group of People | To Love, Honor and Vacuum, Leaders trying to drain members in order to live exorbitant lives. Its not a cult. The house was gifted to him by an extremely successful member of the church. So in summary, Watermark isnt a cult because they follow Jesus better than anyone, are more radical about it than anyone else, and if thats what a cult is, oh well, I guess were a Jesus cult! Did he stay to minister to anyone in need? AGAIN, I have absolutely NO proof and its pure speculation. Just because you havent personally experienced or have personal knowledge of these things happening does NOT mean they didnt happen to someone else. Theres no independent authority (like a congregational vote or a higher denominational officer) that can remove an elder in this government structure. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Todd was put on sabbatical to reflect about his proud attitude. In His end the crowd that He drew wanted to see Him tortured to death in the most cruel way possible. I dont mean to discredit anyones experience, but mine overall has been encouraging, and yes, challenging, but biblically sound. If we believe that, we should also have a desire to please God, and want the way we live our lives to reflect that desire. Or evasion? * For What? In the video, an emotional Leventhal said that he had resigned on March 26 because of a loss of trust in Todds ability to lead in the role of pastoral elder/senior pastor, which was the direction the elders were wanting to move to.. The only remaining elders at Watermark are Mickey Friedrich and Kyle Thompson, though a third man, Blake Holmes, has been named a candidate for eldership. (note spelling a/e) I have met small groups all over the Dallas area of cast aside individuals who bonded over the abuse they experienced while attending this organization. Its inappropriate and wrong for a pastor serving the church to live an opulent lifestyle. the artificial contrived way of being is over the top. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. It is Lord that gives and takes it away. It also lists Fellowship Church and Village Church in its top 10 on cults (Village likely is, Fellowship is more of a personality cult centered around Ed), strangely Gateway Church isnt listed (and several people think it may be more of a personality cult than Watermark or Village). Below are screenshots of their membership covenant. Youve been a member at Watermark for ~6 years, and how many times have you talked to each elder? Better to have one doctrinal statement that unites both members and elders in my opinion. Our daughters went to the same grade school and were on the same soccer team. Im not saying that the Watermark Todd Wagner lives in a shack, by any means. Show me one bit of Biblical historicity in favor of the modern seeker-oriented megachurch. I dont think so. Thanks to you for writing and Susan for sharing. Watermark Family, Throughout the fall, we have shared that, as an Elder team, we have focused on three main priorities: Strengthening our leadership team Reengaging our members in the life and ministry of the church Equipping our body for a changing world Once you see it, you cant unsee it. Todd Wagner is a guy that would jump in a foxhole with me with the bullets are flying, and I for him. I know him on a first name basis, as I do some of those elders on the stage. I started to plan how to move near Plano so I could attend Watermark Plano. I would be ok disclosing financial information to my community group. no one was threatening him he deliberately chose to live as the 1%, say yes & accept it, move in and make it his home. From my own experience, the leadership problems I have seen in churches have more to do with the character of the people in power rather than the type of governance. I dont doubt some unconcionable things happened. Im confident Todd wagner has done more to help people than all commenters combined. University Park has the advantage though of a much lower tax rate for obvious reasons. I wish he was still there and I know I would be living nearby and attending with spirit filled days and nights studying what he preached. Thats the problem often times one comes on a hot seat and forgets one day would come that same thing that man have to face. ingratiating and wheedling in a way the family in a 1970s 2,100 sf home of their own in the suburbs may feel they have the short end of the stick, and see the family in the newer 3,400 sf home as having amazing luxuries. Im only surprised it took 15 years. Im sorry Todd but Im praying for you and your family through this rough times. When this article was written, Dismiss the abuse of others how did you come to that conclusion? 2 doctrinal statements create confusion over authentic belonging. One of His Disciples who signed a church membership contract?, Five Reasons to Say No to a Church Covenant If youd like a suggestion for a charity outside of our church well gladly help you. They dont even take a collection in church! Todd had 6 children living at home at the time he was gifted the home. The man and his wife were Watermark members. Watermark Community Church is a nondenominational evangelical megachurch based in Dallas, Texas . Religious Organization. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. At least that was my experienceRead more , The house referenced in the post belongs to the correct Todd Wagner. I was blessed to attend Kanakuk for years and years. Not Todds decision but good try on the poor stewardship bit. The twin resignations come after months of turmoil at the church. even so, i think its patently obvious that living as the 1% by 1st world standards, even in part, is lavish by any and all standards. WM hides abusers and minimizes victims. .. .amazing. Shame on you folks. No One Knows. He had no recollection of ever having seen or met you before because he was so self absorbed. that is, if we keep Jesus Christ as part of the equation, with an understanding that more is incumbent on leaders than on others. Pray snd ask the Lord for that, sure many here are upset, but not many know what has taken place fully, you judgmental hypocrites. The lessons were unifying and not surfacy. Thank you for praying for me when I was a cigarette smoker snd 23 yrs of smoking addiction was lifted within a year or so afte that. Remember the verse when most friends depart, there is one who stays closer then the brother. My people hath been lost sheep: Kind of smarmy too., You use some strong name calling, words Not in your writing, but in the people who felt that they were being personally attacked and never took the time to speak to a leader or to actually consider the teachings that are found in the Bible. that is perceived as insincere or excessive: You can tailor it to your groups needs Just because you have not experienced or witnessed the things that happened to the person who told their story that I featured in this post, does not mean those things did not happen. I canRead more , I can tell you that I know Todd Wagner personally over 20 years ago. He did end the video by defining what HE thought the three marks of a cult were: Im going to address #3, because I did my own Google search of the Dallas County Central Appraisal District and discovered that Todd Wagner lives in a $1.5 million dollar home in a very prestigious area of Dallas. Came off as legalistic trolling. Its clear as mud. Small group of meeting once a week. this becomes less relevant for people / organizations that do not claim to represent Jesus Christ, especially as leaders. It appears to attract a fairly high income crowd if their building program is any indication of the amount of money coming into the church. I agree, it is all relative, which was kind of my point. Its a really bad idea in my opinion because its not being totally forthright with members about what the church actually teaches. Does anyone find this highly hypocritical? As I read Scripture I recognized it didn't have to be my opinion vs. Tony's anymore. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Regardless I loved your passion and pray that Holy Spirit would cover you and lead you in the area that needs correction. But, a money maker? He began to consider that he was in a cult. This case was filed in Dallas County Texas Courts, Dallas County Texas Courts At Law located in Dallas, Texas. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Todd uses God to accomplish his goals ofRead more , We briefly visited WM; I quickly told my husband, this place is the cult of Todd and will implode without him. Thats not Todds fault, but no thanks. Not to gotcha, but I just want to set the record straight that the gift tax doesnt make it unrealistic that Todds family was gifted that house. His Grace is given to everyone, lets say even if He wasnt saved (lets say if he was one) have you prayed for him? It is mentioned in this article. If you arent a covenant member at Watermark Church, you cant join a community group, and that is where all the getting involved starts. Its all based on financial packages and NDAs now. To donate, Pastor of Dallas Megachurch Dogged by Allegations of Spiritual Abuse Announces Hes Taking a Break, https://www.wadeburleson.org/2015/05/five-reasons-to-say-no-to-church.html, Vineyard Pastor Resigns, Wont Cooperate With Probe Into Sons Alleged Misconduct. I went back several times others preached but werent as good holding an audiences attention as Todd Wagner and the full content with historical and life referces and quoting scripture just wasnt there like Todd Wagner.. then they said Watermark Plano was becoming its own church. On the cult thing: LIsten to this longer presentation from a high school ministry event. You are correct. I dont know if I am over-reacting when Todd made a off the cuff remark about taking his wife some where last week where she could be warm. They were not giving Him a standing ovation. 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