Hey Dorothy,

George sent out this event invitation, it's this saturday. 7pm. He proposed that maybe we can go to this event as a small group session.  I just want to forward this information and see what is your opinion on this.

http://www.joelosteen.com/Events/ANightOfHope

Fei Fei
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Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:15:57 -0700
Subject: Re: George's Facebook Saturday Event invitation (Joel Osteen)
To:

Dear Rick, Fei Fei and all leaders of ABMC, 

It is wise for you to seek counsel in this and other delicate spiritual matters. Dorothy referred your inquiry for me to respond as the Elder Chair of ABMC. We need to discern what is best for you and the Small Group you are responsible for with Kingdom values according to the Bible.

Televangelist is a peculiar cultural phenomenon of the US society since the invention of TV and mass marketing. Many mega-church pastors turned popular televangelists have fallen due to various scandals.  The latest rising star (without scandals) is televangelist preacher Joel Osteen. He has been named the “Most Influential Christian in America” in 2006 by the Church Report.

Televangelists attract big followings basically by promising to deliver and address two major insecurity of the mass, namely health and wealth. During the second half of the last century, "faith healers" who claimed to have special gift from God to heal the sick hosted major campaign and attracted large followings in cities around the US, and later around the world. In the last 30 years 'health and wealth through positive thinking' is more chic because there were pressure to keep up with the Jones (those who are richer). Getting well is not enough, got to get rich. Many televangelists knowingly or unknowingly subvert core beliefs of Christian faith by trying to adapt or repackage God’s message. They promise the audience entitlement to good health and prosperity from God no less, if the mass follow them.

Joel Osteen the rising star is preaching a new rendition of basically a health and wealth message: “a voice of Hope, living in total Victory, vision for total Freedom, Freedom from Poverty, walk in divine Health, have plenty of money to pay our Bills, etc” 

But a Christian is not searching for a comfortable life we are used to or we hope to get, but to love God and lead a life submitted to Christ. There is the danger of only asking God to provide us health and wealth, and forget about letting God directs our lives, and be joyful with God's will for our lives.

-Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

-Matthew 7:15, 21-23 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…."Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO BREAK GOD'S LAWS.'

That said, it is OK and up to individual young people who wants to go to this type of mass concert and big crowd events. It is almost like a football game/rock concert with Christian lingo. Be mindful of the historical background and discernment I provided above. I do not recommend seekers and new believers visit such venues because they may be confused or misled, unless someone is willing to explain the complicated issues involved.  

Remember: 1 Corinthians 10:23 ^"I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is beneficial.

Brothers and sisters, the Office of Elder at ABMC was set up according to the Bible to be the steward of God, the overseer and pastor of the church, and to guard against false prophets and teachers.

In His Service,

Winston Ko

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2010/4/19 Zhang George

Dear Winston and Dorothy,  
       This is George here, let me start by saying i appreaicate your concern and support for the growth of our youth fellowship. however I understand your concern, but my question regard this matter is the fact that we all know that the path of the Lord is not going to be calm and smooth, and we are ready to take on the challenges (werther it is Trails from God himself or Tempetation from the devil) ahead of us. With that in mind, i dont see what is wrong with people (especially Christians) trying to live with some hope, dont we all believe in the fact Jesus died for us, so we are saved, and therefore have hope. i see many controversies on the internet myself, even seeing people whom called him the one that carry the torch for the devil, everything that he said can and has been backed up by the bible. Please correct me if I am wrong here, but i rather like his style of relating the people to God through reality. In another prospective, hasn't God also promised our eternal glory, health, and wealth in HIM, by health i dont mean that i will not get sick, or die, but to live in him eternally; same goes for wealth. and one last point on this matter, i would just like to say, i believe all of us here today, (People whom are included in this email) will always take priority of God's will over any health or wealth issues in this world, i just think there shouldnt be anything wrong with living with Hope, especailly coming from God with the price of his son. with all that said, i am not here to justify anything, more like seeking guidence from the subject matter expert; i also understand that you have not restain anyone from attending the event, however, i woulda really appreaciate it, if i can take up some of your precious time to sit down and discuss over this matter. Again Thank you for your suggestion and concern, i am looking forward to hearing from you and discussing over this matter further.
 
Very Respectfully
George
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Hi George, 

Thank you for your inquiry. Even now I often ask for counsel from more mature Christian. I am happy that you are making spiritual progress.  I always have time for you even though I am busy.

You are right in that Christian live with hope. It is the hope of eternal life with God our heavenly father when Jesus comes back again. Instead of trusting God with our daily bread many fall for smooth talkers who appeal to our lack of faith, our insecurity and greed. They market a sale package wrap tight with bibles verse to convince us that God wants us to or that we deserve to have health and wealth if we follow them. It is tempting indeed to follow a preacher, of all people, who promise you a winning jackpot or lottery ticket if you stay with him long enough.

The bible verses in my last email established the facts that there are false prophets and teachers. Even though in Jesus name the false prophets/teachers prophesy, cast out demons and perform many miracles, Jesus was sure and said that I never know them and they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Any one can quote Bible out of context. By the way George, God did not promise us health and wealth in Him. God did promise us an abundant (not necessary monetary rich) life if we love, obey and follow Him.

By all means go to the show at the Dodger Stadium. At least enjoy the music. It is my discernment that you all have to be careful and pay attention. Rick promised me to pay special attention to his flock and refer to coaches if there are questions the small group leader cannot answer.

Love in Christ,

Winston 

PS: some of the quotes of Joel Osteen below raised red flags for me.

Do all you can to make your dreams come true.
God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us.

If we say it long enough eventually we're going to reap a harvest. We're going to get exactly what we're saying.
If you want to rear financial blessings, you have to sow financially.
It's God's will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty. It's God's will for you to pay your bills and not be in debt.
To me, we're marketing hope.
You can change your world by changing your words... Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue.
You may make some mistakes-but that doesn't make you a sinner. You've got the very nature of God on the inside of you.