Ill happily answer any questions, but for any Believers here I would strongly encourage you to first take this to the Lord in prayer, then His word, and then ask yourself if its healthy or wise or appropriate to make such claims about a person / place you know almost nothing about. . Ill meet you. A lower court has already ruled that the church is free to release private information about its members. Products. A pastor or elder does not automatically have spiritual authority due to his position in a church. Is this standard really higher or is it just more specific? In January, Wagner returned from leave to preach his first sermon and received a standing ovation from the congregation. 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. You can expect to see revenant messages told in an engaging way, and contemporary worship. He was then the most arrogant and disrespectful person imaginable. I keep coming back to this because something just doesnt seem right. Let me guessthe PASTORS of this church DONT have to be real and disclose THEIR salaries, sins, struggles.right???? Watermark exists to be and make more fully devoted followers of Christ, looking to God's Word as our only authority, conscience and guide. Scripture also says live your neighbor as yourself.folks many of you here have already missed that mark. | Grace Community Church. I went home and felt a renewed sense of spirit. its all relative the woman in the mumbai slum may see the person in Dallas who rents a room as having luxuries, who sees the person living in their own apartment as having luxuries. Seems there are some Watermark menbers The elders at Watermark, along with Wagner and Leventhal, announced the resignations at services yesterday. My soul was touched. In my opinion, its best to have the teaching statement serve as the unifying statement that covers both members and elders, so that those who attend and who are working through their beliefs dont prematurely sign a membership covenant that in reality places them under the pastoral authority of elders who adhere to the teaching statement. Watermark Community Church is an elder-led congregation. I agree, it is all relative, which was kind of my point. You are way off base. Readers write about Watermark Community Church's stance on gays, Ken Paxton suing Brownsville, black lives also matter, Michelle Obama and Dallas Stars fans. Being your authentic self in community with others is the goal, they say. Smarmy Thesaurus The only thing I can discern between the lines is that something went very wrong. Why wouldnt they just tell the church what happened? The Asbury Revival Is Over. Additionally, unless you have seen all of the financial reports from the last 22 yrs, you have no idea how Wagner was compensated. Products. Todd Wagner, the embattled pastor of Watermark Church, a Dallas multisite megachurch with a pre-pandemic congregation of 20,000 people, has resigned his position as senior pastor and elder. 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.. My people hath been lost sheep: So you think women are getting a little uppity and having ideas above their station?. This is absolutely nothing like a Joel Osteen situation. As the CG leader, I went first. Elder Mickey Friedrich then urged the church not to try and judge whose version of events is right or wrong. One question is 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. The Judge overseeing this case is TAPSCOTT, KEN. Just checking out the church and looking at the background info the house has tripled in value since the Wagners bought it 20 years ago hardly a 7 figure home when purchased. Prestonwood Baptist also made the list (top 20) and its nowhere near a cult. There are many issues at Watermark. Im confused about your statement that the crowd Jesus drew wanted to see him tortured to death in the most cruel way possible. If you got the impression I was disingenuous or was minimizing someones hurt please forgive me. 4774 sq ft house. She has never seriously considered getting involved with the church beyond that, but has expressed to me that it is quite difficult to actually get connected at Watermark Church because everything is centered around MEMBERSHIP and COMMUNITY GROUPS and you cant have one without the other. There are more than one people with the name Todd Wagner. Even through this challenges we can be so judgements these day. 5,280 were here. What Happens Now? Todd Wagner is a guy that would jump in a foxhole with me with the bullets are flying, and I for him. Wagner said he is excited about what God is going to do at the church in its next season and urged the congregation to obey their leaders. so much pretense. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? So, if they can sell their copyrighted material, that is just the same as authors getting paid for their writing or bible study writers selling their studies in bookstores. christian leaders who are not straightforward and forthright cannot be healthy. These overly dramatic talks tend to make me feel like Im not spiritual enough or theyre covering up something. Not Todds decision but good try on the poor stewardship bit. There are 2 Todd Wagners in Dallas. If you were not From Highland Park or University Park Todd Had no use for you. You may have the last word if you wish. Watermark Churchs membership process first requires that you sign themembership covenant, which oddly enough, you can do online. obey your leaders? TWW last left Wagner on leave due to pride in Todd Wagner, the Controversial Pastor of Watermark Church, Steps Away *for a Season. Mind Games The Bizarre & Controling Culture of 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. Sure, lets not address anything that is rumored to be strange about Watermark and say that Jesus sounded cultish. Kind of smarmy too. I have however heard Todd Wagner say from the pulpit if youre not comfortable giving here thats ok, please give somewhere meaningful to you. All of the years I attended Kanakuk I had awesome and incredible counselors except for Todd. So Leventhal resigned several weeks before Wagner, but theyre announcing this together, on the same day? Shame on you folks. 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 didnt feel the spirit when I heard him. They did create it. Its how relationships are formed and accountability is established or thats what they want you to think. This is maybe a time for correction for Todd as it seems (2 Tim 3:16-17) havent you ever done anything wrong? And some community groups are less intense. Watermark, a fast-growing nondenominational church in northeast Dallas, says the case involves accusations of adultery, a wife who wanted to save her marriage, a husband who sat on a board of a national Christian organization, and another woman who works for another church. In this murky situation, however, the two men dont need honorary titles. Wagner was tearful during his speech in the video Sunday. Todd had 6 children living at home at the time he was gifted the home. Wow Andy, you got to do more than just Google the name brother. I have never met so many people using the term spiritual abuse asRead more , Concern, Who are you to judge!? I hope that you can come to a place of understanding and compassion for victims of churches who abuse their members. That church is huge and has 2 campuses (at least) so I find it hard to believe you even know these elders yourself. Love you Todd 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. When this article was written, Still havent found a church I like since. Ashley Ruiz alleges in a lawsuit that a member of the International Churches of Christ sexually molested her when she was . Our church does Re-engage and we love it. Listening for root issues and how they cause hurt for make more senses than listening to reply in a sermon. Per Todd Wagner I was not the right person or the right fit or whatever he thought. Tim The information is on Watermark Churchs website: Voluntary Member Termination: Members who move from the local area, change churches, or no longer meet the requirements for active Membership may be removed from Watermark Membership.. It shocks me how much fear this church has put inside of the people who dared leave it. In September 2020, Wagner announced he was taking a leave of absence to work on pride issues. Watermark has a leadership problemRead more , Watermark is very transparent about finances. Appreciate your response! The church was founded on Biblical principles from families that really love the Lord. 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. Pastor Todd Wagner, abuse. yes, that is a valid question. How many have you all lead to Christ? On the cult thing: LIsten to this longer presentation from a high school ministry event. Our church has an elder-type rule that is healthy, but I know of churches that have had an elder-type rule that is not so healthy. Regardless I loved your passion and pray that Holy Spirit would cover you and lead you in the area that needs correction. He hides behind the church to bully people whether in the church or outside. Problem with a church goers these days is (they are simply judgmental- half the time without any knowledge or discernment. Sure, we made friends with our peers in the class and had fun at summer camp, and it all developed out of normal human interaction. Watermark Community Church abuse. BUT are now returned to Plan Your Visit Discover Watermark Membership Events Watermark News Articles Watermark en Espaol. Amy Smith of the blog Watchkeep has documented her experience there, and it bears much of the hallmarks of a cult. search clear. For much of Wagners speech in the video, Leventhal did not look at Wagner, but stared straight ahead. Hi. I came to watermark on a visit with my sons family. Humility, self-awareness of our own sins, repentance, forgiveness and grace for others, these should not be forgotten. 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. utterly un-credible. Let me rephrase: The Dallas ISD board of trustees approved the sale in late August; records show Watermark paid $211,000 for nine acres of building and bare land off Second Avenue a steal, no matter the. Churches that utilize a confession like the Westminster, 1689, or the 39 articles seem comfortable requiring specificity in their doctrine for both members and pastors I think this is more transparent, and thus healthier, than having two statements. Im only surprised it took 15 years. Its clear as mud. It sounds like people from the church may have gotten some things wrong, but I know so many people that haveRead more , Pdiddy The taxes ALONE on the house Todd lives in are over $30K a year, which is probably the salary of some WM staff members. that is, if we keep Jesus Christ as part of the equation, with an understanding that more is incumbent on leaders than on others. I was so disappointed reading all the comments, especially when considering the targeted audience for this site. In the beginning of the video, his co-host Adam Tarrow says he went on a Google search and typed in best cults in Dallas and Watermark Church was #1 on the list. I was wrong and truly apologize. He publicly criticized other local church leaders and called them out in the media and then doesnt really share his issues. Not that difficult, really. Thanks for the reply. Gateway Church. Im confident Todd wagner has done more to help people than all commenters combined. I will never forget the screams of desperation and loss I felt as a young Christian woman. Todd Wagner was preaching. I am not sure what is wrong with elder rule since it is biblical. 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 2 doctrinal statements create confusion over authentic belonging. In the video, Wagner said that the clarity to step down was not hasty, adding that the discernment process had started a year ago. To donate, click here. Approach with caution but it is OK to approach. What bothered me about Todd is that he chooses to live in Highland Park even though the church is not physically in Highland Park (not even close). Get eSignature workflows, document management, and business process automation with the airSlate Business Cloud. Wagner is a bully. Synopsis of the case is as follows. His Grace is given to everyone, lets say even if He wasnt saved (lets say if he was one) have you prayed for him? 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 wonder what is considered a lavish lifestyle. * For What? 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. Set up and configure your eSignature workflows the way you want them. Really miss your sermons and spirit led preaching. I have shepherded groups at Re|EngageI do not trust the leadership at WM Re|Engage. Yes WM hides abusers and minimizes victims. I started to plan how to move near Plano so I could attend Watermark Plano. Todd Wagner, the embattled pastor of Watermark Church, a Dallas multisite megachurch with a pre-pandemic congregation of 20,000 people, has resigned his position as senior pastor and elder. The over-humility seems fake, like false humility. Religious Organization. Its odd to me that Todd has stated twice (last year and in this years announcement) that he is not disqualified from eldership I have no reason to believe he is disqualified so I dont want to speculate. ingratiating and wheedling in a way Im thankful you have experienced the controlling, entrapment, and triangulating side of WM. 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. But, you provide NO evidence, NO situations Yet, Mickey Friedrich says: [dont] try and judge whose version of events is right or wrong, and that even Friedrich and Thompson land at a different place than (Leventhal and Wagner) regarding why weve arrived here.. Watermark is very good at many things but also very bad at a few. This gives freedom to members who may still be working through some of their beliefs while also holding the elders to a higher standard. There is clearly some issues, but isnt Lord bug enough to handle it, even at the worst of Todd missed the boat? God has allowed the clarity and conviction that we need, that I need, to serve well in this role to dry up, Wagner said. You guys can rip apart our church and Todd all you want, but I know him, and you wont find a man with more of a heart of gold than him. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? that the elder board was ready to go in Todds leadership direction. like hes a programmed automaton. I believe this man would help many, I can say that without shadow of doubt. Dont need the large meetings with rock music and parking headaches and entertainers with impulse control issues claiming its the Holy Spirit in them. THAT is what these people are afraid of. One of the core values of the community groups is Live Authentically, which they define as being completely honest with one anotherthis means giving others permission to know the real you by sharing authentically. This includes sharing your sins, struggles, along with your entire life story, potentially to a room full of complete strangers. This piece has been updated. If you dont fill out the form you can leave easy if your just quiet. OK. Paul, thanks for the response. No longer fulfill the requirements of membership. Life Stage Care and Recovery Equipping Outreach Serve Community Groups. Maybe Im straining at a gnat. Im Jesus name. Just study what a grandiose narcissist is and you will see why. Im happy to answer any questions, but you need to know this is absolutely wrong information. Embattled Dallas megachurch Senior Pastor Todd Wagner has resigned from his position after accusations of spiritual abuse led elders to question his leadership of Watermark Community Church. If you (as some I bet arent producing fruits but first one to take a shot at his house, cars and family. 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. (How many of you have actually prayed for Todd)? . Hello, Scottie. This was the same concept as we moved on to adult Sunday school. If youd like a suggestion for a charity outside of our church well gladly help you. They dont even take a collection in church! Thanks to you for writing and Susan for sharing. Re|Engage at other churches may be worthwhile. He confirmed Leventhals statement that the two are at peace and are in community together.. These resources are found in Appendix V and Appendix VI at the end of this case study and in the clarifications given by Watermark in the section Watermark's Response to the Nation. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Izael who are you to judge someone elses experience? There is forgiveness for a church also and I hope they are humbled one day so they can grow past some of there root issues. 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? Its all based on financial packages and NDAs now. It is mentioned in this article. 1 Pet 2:25 to the homeless person in Dallas, it might be a hot meal and a warm bed, a job, eventually a home of some kind (a room to call their own, a studio, an apartment,). 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. Perfectly said Scottie. 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