yes, that is a valid question. If you (as some I bet arent producing fruits but first one to take a shot at his house, cars and family. I was blessed to attend Kanakuk for years and years. You cant find any. David (elder) Himself had lot to grow in area of discernment, the way he is reacting isnt ok either. Very humble of you. Thats what they all seem to do. Its all based on financial packages and NDAs now. Small group of meeting once a week. The twin resignations come after months of turmoil at the church. They are full-blown corporate performance reviews, except about twice as long as any Ive filled out. As stated above, dont confuse Todd Wagner the billionaire with Todd Wagner the pastor though Todd Wagner the pastor does live in a home valued between 1 and 2 million dollars. . I merely want to get the facts out on the table. Every argument you put forth seems to be based on your subjective opinion based on your speculation, assumption, and judgement.. Watermark encourages people to confess their sins to one another and to admonish faithfully but thats because thats what the Bible tells us to do as believers.. One is very wealthy and likely the one who lives in the house you mentioned. Wagner blatantly blasphemed Holy Scripture, hence your whitewash of content and material issues. As for the doctrinal statement issue, I see what you are saying. Todd gave me support and comfort during a rough time in my life, and I will be FOREVER grateful. No One Knows. Leventhal doesnt seem very interested in this whole thing Wagner appears attentive during Leventhals speech but Leventhal seems stand-offish toward Wagner. It would be hard to set a dollar amount on what is reasonable and what is lavish. For much of Wagners speech in the video, Leventhal did not look at Wagner, but stared straight ahead. Sounds like the perfect target for attack, I was looking at Watermarks governance section on its website and two things stuck out to me: 1) they have 2 doctrinal statements, one for members and one for elders and 2) they are Elder-Rule, Elder-Led. I dont know folks.if you have to go online and record a video to explain how your church is not a cult..this might lead into a Jeff Foxworthy joke! Im thankful you have experienced the controlling, entrapment, and triangulating side of WM. In response to a tweet by a critic questioning Wagners seeming humility when he announced he was taking a leave of absence in September, Wagner tweeted: Mission accomplished. Wagner later deleted that tweet. Worth 1-2 million. At this link, you will find lots of information about how their community groups operate. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. a lavish lifestyle is contrary to everything Jesus stood for if Jesus still matters, and if anyone actually remembers. They did create it. The Equipping Podcast 10M ago Sharpen your thinking on issues that matter. I was wrong and truly apologize. It also means sharing your entire financial portfolio and giving away the freedom to make any life decisions apart from the community group. The elder team is interdependent of each other, creating a system in which it is impossible or highly difficult to discipline or remove any one elder. (I share this not to be super-negative, but just because this practice is far [], CALL TO ACTION Former WM Members Did WM pray for you, or did WM prey on you? Todd was put on sabbatical to reflect about his proud attitude. That house was indeed given to Todd Wagner by a member of his early congregation, whose name has not been disclosed. Watermark Community Church is a nondenominational evangelical megachurch based in Dallas, Texas . Our Staff Team serves, equips, and deploys the saints to live on-mission for the glory of our King. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. And in Ecclesiastes 12:14, For God will bring every deedRead more , I would be curious to know if you are ok with disclosing all of your financial information to your community group and seeking their approval on life decisions? There are no congregational votes nor do individual members have a 'say' in how things are handled. Another requirement for membership is that you find an area in which to serve in the church. Several weeks after Leventhals resignation, Wagner separately decided to step down as senior pastor and elder, the churchs statement said.. Todd portrays it all as a divine God told me sort of thing. Even now, her parents (who worship there) refuse to talk to her or visit her children, simply because she was dutiful enough to report on the pedophile acts of a man who used to work at Prestonwood. God has allowed the clarity and conviction that we need, that I need, to serve well in this role to dry up, Wagner said. He could have sold the house when it was gifted to him, bought a home more in line with a humble servant leader, and donated the additional proceeds to the church. Products. But it still feels like something is off. Love you Todd Both Wagner and Leventhal will remain at Watermark as elders emeritus. Ive never heard of nor attended a church with such a position. Ill also go into more detail about how Watermark Church does resemble a cult, and how some of their teachings are harmful and potentially abusive. Kind of smarmy too., You use some strong name calling, words A Texas appeals court will decide whether the Watermark Community Church went too far in its attempt to save a church member's marriage. Im happy to answer any questions, but you need to know this is absolutely wrong information. How many have you all lead to Christ? We've put together a list of some ways . Perfectly said Scottie. According to a report by National Public Radio, the Catholic Church has paid more than $3 billion in child sexual abuse lawsuit settlements in America alone. I have edited some of her answers for content and length. It shocks me how much fear this church has put inside of the people who dared leave it. Now he confesses to sin himself , sin ofRead more , I knew Todd when he was an associate pastor at Northwest Bible Church. Grace Community Church will be paid $800,000 by Los Angeles County and the state of California after reaching a legal settlement to a lawsuit over COVID-19 restrictions in churches. Im still waiting for more transparency but doubt we will get if from Wagner as that pride runs deep. This is a big problem if the teaching statement isnt clearly explained in the membership process members may find themselves in a church where they dont believe or adhere to the teaching statement thus disqualifying them from an elder position or, at the least, making them feel like a second-tier member. In my next post Ill share another story from another former-Watermark member. It definitely wasnt the first thing that we did (nor was sharing our life maps, as *Susan* said was her experience). What does being your authentic self really mean, in the context of community groups? Spiritual authority influences others toward Gods purposes. Amy Smith of the blog Watchkeep has documented her experience there, and it bears much of the hallmarks of a cult. Watermark's Church Contract Case Summary. Visit us at 9:30 or 11:00 am CST on Sunday . Dismiss the abuse of others how did you come to that conclusion? Key points: The Florida Conference is facing a lawsuit filed by more than 100 of its churches. Im confused about your statement that the crowd Jesus drew wanted to see him tortured to death in the most cruel way possible. The Porch. There are more than one people with the name Todd Wagner. Ashley Ruiz alleges in a lawsuit that a member of the International Churches of Christ sexually molested her when she was . 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. Perhaps its appropriate for an elder who retired after many years of exemplary service and is available on occasion to give counsel. Stonebriar Community Church. Are Calvinism and YEC accurately described as higher? The Asbury Revival Is Over. However, an expert on church property law says the churches . There are many issues at Watermark. I really enjoyed the music and people. Create new account. Its all a show for people to be conned into thinking your being godly. Watermark is a community of faithful, creative, authentic Christ-followers who are united in one purpose: to be and make disciples of Jesus. Just because you havent personally experienced or have personal knowledge of these things happening does NOT mean they didnt happen to someone else. I promise Im not trolling yall. Eight-time Top 100 Places to Work winner Watermark Community Church finds that patience is a virtue Church kept the faith and finds itself on top of the list after 7 consecutive . Definitely they are important to Christian theology, but they fall within a spectrum of orthodox third-rank doctrines. And so have I. Or evasion? Awaken Conference 2021. He is a gifted teacher and speaker and could have made so much more money over the years with the opportunities he was given, but he didnt take them. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. TWW last left Wagner on leave due to pride in Todd Wagner, the Controversial Pastor of Watermark Church, Steps Away *for a Season. Thats for God to reveal or conceal.. If your Parents were not rich and someone. Photo taken March 7, 2014. Per Todd Wagner I was not the right person or the right fit or whatever he thought. Todd Wagner, senior pastor of Watermark Community Churcha multi-site megachurch in the Dallas area with an average attendance of 11,000announced yesterday that. Childcare was free. If you dont want to share about your finances you dont have to. In the online video, Leventhal described the process of discernment with Wagner as heart-breaking, exhausting, and expensive for Leventhal, his wife, the elder team, and the campus pastor team. No wonder the under 30 group are saying goodbye to church. that the elder board was ready to go in Todds leadership direction. I asked Susan if she wouldnt mind answering a few questions for this post, which she was happy to do. While God does allow humans to have free will, His greatest gift to every human is salvation and eternal life, through believing that He sent His son as a sacrifice for our sins. To donate, click here. Watermark is very good at many things but also very bad at a few. When this article was written, 4774 square feet also poor stewardship unless hes raising 8 kids or something. He first goes into the definition of the word cult which in latin is the word cultus, defined as to inhabit, dwell; to cultivate. True humility is replaced with a very shallow and false one and so they humble brag about how big a crowd they can draw. Todd had 6 children living at home at the time he was gifted the home. Women have gotten to the point where they thing their poop doesnt stink lately. Move away 2.Join another (approved) church 3. I think I have a pdf copy of a ten year old one. Thats a new one on me. 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. Also I probably would be off my depression meds. Todd Wagner is a guy that would jump in a foxhole with me with the bullets are flying, and I for him. Which still seems excessive for a follower of Jesus. Third, Todd said Christians should live their lives in a way that looks radical or extreme to other people, and Watermark is the best at it, because most churches arent very radical! Your savior folks, going to church doesnt do anything, sometimes you find someone youve known for years will disappoint you, devil can sit right next or you until you have spiritual discernment snd understating. This gives freedom to members who may still be working through some of their beliefs while also holding the elders to a higher standard. They gossip. 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. This is a quality and important post. It is Not referenced as a legal tool which may be weaponized against anyone they desire to control or experiment on. I first visited Watermark in 2005 when they were still meeting at a high school in Dallas. If you dont want to share your story you dont have to. 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. The state of California and Los Angeles have agreed to pay $800,000 in legal fees to settle their lawsuit with John MacArthur's church over COVID-19 lockdown rules. I keep coming back to this because something just doesnt seem right. These overly dramatic talks tend to make me feel like Im not spiritual enough or theyre covering up something. The only fees were for the materials we used. But, you provide NO evidence, NO situations Thats for God to reveal or conceal. He added that there are just too many layers and that even Friedrich and Thompson land at a different place than (Leventhal and Wagner) regarding why weve arrived here., Both Wagner and Leventhal will remain at Watermark as elders emeritus, though the church said it is proactively pursuing men to add to the Elder team., According to the church website, Wagner and Leventhal will spend time with their families preparing for whatever the Lord has next.. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. He comes back, preaches, and the elder board is moving forward with reinstating him and Leventhal has qualms about it. Evangelical Church. In some ways this reminds me of the CJ Mahaney and Sovereign Grace debacle. 25 years ago, I found myself getting angry atRead more , I was a WM member until I realized that if you fail their morality assessment and they decide you have a pride issue, not a desperate, destitute, homeless or depression issue.. Ive been freed for nearly 10 yrs now with cigarettes, alcohol snd sex until wife had been given, Yes WM hides abusers and minimizes victims. You are right, being up front about it is important. I dont have an extensive history with Wagner but several of my closest friends say that they saw this same controlling, egotistic behavior back in the 1990s when he came to Dallas to lead a high school group called K Life. My soul was touched. I know I often do. God has allowed the clarity and conviction that I need to not leave a snarky comment, to dry up.. Watermark exists to be and make more fully devoted followers of Christ, looking to God's Word as our only authority, conscience and guide. Take advantage of extra customization tools by signNow. He confirmed Leventhals statement that the two are at peace and are in community together.. 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 I have no comment on the Cabo thing; but I will say, the church was opened to anyone and anyone during the snowstorm, event the kids playhouse for children to play. Confession, of course! This church sounds exhausting and prideful. the artificial contrived way of being is over the top. And this is important. I canRead more , I can tell you that I know Todd Wagner personally over 20 years ago. Yeah, I glanced at it. XPastor recommends readers take special note of the resources provided by Watermark about the issue of Care and Correction. Or, in this case, you live on as Elder Emeritus! I was one of the cold ones! In these community groups you are enmeshing your entire life into the church. insincere; smooth-tongued, slick; greasy, oily, saccharine; It was a class before the main church service where people around the same age as you sat in a room, listened to a bible lesson, maybe interacted a bit, shared prayer requests, took up a small offering, held hands and said a closing prayer. Todd especially. The gift tax is only levied at the end of someones life when they exceed the gift tax exclusion in their lifetime (which is currently set at $11.7 million per individual). Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. The over-humility seems fake, like false humility. Plan Your Visit Discover Watermark Membership Events Watermark News Articles Watermark en Espaol. We could look to God's Word for the answers. Susan felt it was ironic that I had made a comparison between Scientology and Watermark Church, because she said those same comparisons helped her realize that she was not in a healthy church. Before I get into the first story, I want to lay some groundwork to help my readers understand how the structure of community groups at Watermark Church works. I verified it. I have nothing to hide, and sharingRead more , As an ex-Watermark member (8 years), and former CG leader (6 years), I can say unequivocally that I had no problem sharing my financial information with my guys. AGAIN, I have absolutely NO proof and its pure speculation. Read More. I am praying for you in San Diego CA. Both of these practices are, in my opinion, unhealthy. Pray snd ask the Lord for that, sure many here are upset, but not many know what has taken place fully, you judgmental hypocrites. Kind of smarmy too. Hes definitely not perfect, but he is a good and Godly man who preached the gospel boldly and consistently. 2 doctrinal statements create confusion over authentic belonging. Yet it turns out they are getting people toRead more , Hi to all, Ive been a member of Watermark for over three years, went through Re:Generation and now co-lead a community group. I bet some of you, dont attend or are part of the church, Jealousy amongst many of you I can smell from here. Watermark Community Church review: fraud. What Happens Now? Of course, God has a very different definition of success than we do. Wagner was tearful during his speech in the video Sunday. Wagner is a bully. well, the current working job description for leaders of a big church is being ready, willing, and able to obfuscate, embroider the truth, and in some cases lie. Why is it that Im led to believe (Based on reports and personal experience) that one has to possess certain sociopathic traits in order to be a successful megachurch pastor? The man and his wife were Watermark members. Its clear as mud. So you either choose to remain by completing the 4b questionnaire or you are no longer a member, [] a greatexample of unsafe community groups which verge on cults. Usually blood in the water attracts sharks, but nothing that fierce here, just a bunch of blood sucking remoras. what is enough? See more of Watermark Community Church on Facebook. Regardless we know Romans 8:28 maybe its a season of 2 Tim 3:16-17. Below are screenshots of their membership covenant. Just study what a grandiose narcissist is and you will see why. Seems there are some Watermark menbers that is, if we keep Jesus Christ as part of the equation, with an understanding that more is incumbent on leaders than on others. Demands full disclosure of finances in church groups, but having a hard time finding his. Really miss your sermons and spirit led preaching. Having said that,Read more . Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. And Elder Kyle Thompson tearfully described how God had used Wagner to disciple and grow and to model for me what faithfulness looks like more than anybody else, period., Elder Mickey Friedrich then urged the church not to try and judge whose version of events is right or wrong. Todd had 6 children living at home at the time he was gifted the home.. Come after months of turmoil at the time he was gifted the home Articles! The gospel boldly and consistently at Watermark as elders emeritus who preached the gospel boldly consistently... Our King move away 2.Join another ( approved ) church 3 Conference facing. 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Would jump in a foxhole with me with the bullets are flying, and the board!
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