Its a real shame to see what we’ve seen in the life of Todd Bentley over the past week - it has finally emerged that TB was in an illicit relationship whilst running these recent meetings and that that is the reason behind the separation. You have to feel for his wife & family.

I imagine there will be further revelations about what he’s been up to behind the scenes. I do feel both angry and sad. I visited Toronto twice but I’ve never been to Lakeland or anywhere to see Todd speak - I’ve always felt strangely ambivalent toward his ministry and so have not invested an awful lot and hence don’t have a feeling of being duped. I do feel disappointed that this is going to be used to undermine some of the work God did despite Todd in the first place (Calvanists would say God planned this to happen for higher purposes, Arminians have to admit that God foreknew what Todd would do and still chose to use him - praise the Lord there are more sensible ideas than these about God’s perspective of time). It is an amazing testament to God’s grace & favour that He would meet with people despite what was going on.

So is this just a clear cut case of someone diving into ministry before their character was ready?

Or, as a friend of mine suggests of many fallen leaders, did Todd just pull the ejector seat cord because the pressure of leading this ministry was too great for him?

Reading on the internet there are quite a lot of vicious things being said, but also a lot of needless defending. Lots of accusation of judging (we can judge someone’s actions but not judge (in the sense of ‘condemn’) the person), on both sides. None of it looks good to the outside world.  One thing that has angered me has been the constant over-defensiveness of Todd’s followers.

If one were to question Todd’s theology & methods before all this blew up we were told by many that by questioning Todd we were questioning God, that by raising concerns people were accused of being against God.  In fact, God TV said (from http://fireinmybones.com/index.php?col=081308~Life%20After%20Lakeland:%20Sorting%20Out%20the%20Confusion) “any criticism of Todd Bentley is demonic” and went on to warn listeners that if they listened to criticism of Bentley, they could lose their healings.

Now that his affair has come out those of us with concerns are still not allowed to speak of it: Looking around the internet the two things being said by his (clearly hurt) defenders is: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” and “judge not lest in the same measure ye be judged”.  Apparently you can’t question it while it is going on and you can’t talk about it all blows up - just when can we talk about concerns?

Most seem very quick to defend Todd and request we pray for swift restoration of his ministry - I wonder whether people are in denial or I wonder whether that is perhaps because (at the present time: 20th August) it has only been announced that Todd has had an ‘unhealthy relationship on an emotional level’.  Thing is - you don’t tell someone to step down and distance yourself from a leader because they’ve had a few coffees and an exclusive chat with the same girl a few times - you don’t seperate from your marriage partner because they’ve had a few cosy chats with someone they shouldn’t have - I’d be very surprised if after the final Lakeland meeting on 23rd August there are not further revelations.

Don’t get me wrong - I know of people who have been genuinely affected for good by God through the revivalist meetings in Lakeland, it is great that God responds to his people that are hungry for Him and expect to meet with Him.  I’m thankful for the lives that God has touched and transformed and I’m sure that in 10 years Todd will have a great testimony.  I’m also aware that anyone in ministry can fall for the same thing - I have a saying when people (or I) think that someone isn’t capable of something: If you’re physically capable of doing something, then you’re capable of doing it.  So like I said, I don’t judge the man, just what he’s done - I don’t condemn the man, just his actions.

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