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My sister recently got herself involved in this movement called THE CALL...it was started by a guy named Lou Engel. Has anyone had any experience with this movement and or Lou Engel? The more I read the more I am having some cognitive dissonance about the entire situation. Prayer is obviously a great discipline to have, but I think that this guy is of the boat a little. Any thoughts?
Side note...cults....how and when is it appropriate to step in when you see a loved one being sucked in to a spiritual crisis in the form of a cult?
There is a really good article about Lou Engle and the Call movement in the current issue of Relevant Magazine. (you can probably find the article on their website, relevantmagazine.com) Anyway, I dont think Lou Engel is getting too crazy. I think he may be right on. Now, certainly, in any religion or belief people can go too far and it can easily become "cultish." But, I think Engel's not that. Hes passionate, and feels God has put a message and a purpose on his heart to effect/affect culture, and it seems to be an honest thing. As you stated, prayer and fasting are, obviously, excellent spiritual practices, but they may not be for everyone. If it brings your sister closer to the Creator and maybe even speaks to her heart and gives her a vision for her life, it may be awesome for her, but, might not necessarily do anything for you. The part about it that I liked is that these The Call events arent a marketed, overhyped thing. There is no list of ccm-land artists and bands or motivational speakers. It just happens, and people come. It seems genuine.
ps....They said that John the Baptist and even Jesus were "off the boat".... Maybe we could all use a little less boat.
Thanks for the feedback but I am going to push the issue a little further. One of his major movements in Bound for Life and IHOP. Bound for life is focused on changing abortion legislation through prayer. The establishment of IHOP is part of this plan by creating a "strategic" location that points to where legislation is made; In IHOP teens pay $1500 for three month to become "interns" of prayer. They pray and worship etc. all to stop abortion. So....here is my logical stance on all that and bringing it back to the life of Christ. Where is the action? Lou Engel racks in 400,000 salary each year with the anonymous women who pays his salary and the money that these kids pay to come to IHOP. Realistically the legislation isn’t going to change...our country will never ban abortion completely...it's unrealistic. God gave us a hear, soul, and brain....why are so many Christians ready to move mountains with faith but fail to look at the facts. Why isn't Lou Engel putting that hard earned money into helping these teens who are pregnant? Why isn't there a plethora of resources and options for them provided by this man? I know that there is something he is doing but I just can't seem to believe that this is what Jesus would do. Do you know that there are more references in the bible to mold than abortion? How about poverty....how for could 400grand go to end poverty here in the states. I know I am on a rant but I am hurting for my sister and I really think she has been sucked into a very skewed view of God, Jesus, and the Spirit. Like....if we only pray enough then God will move. Or that we make choices because we though that was what God wanted but we refused to use are brains.
I just have a hard time using my soul and my brain in comming up with the mass good this is doing. If this is such a great cause why aren't we seeing more adults on the ban wagon?
I see your frustration and I know that you are concerned for your sister. As I said above, you are gonna find some wacky people in every denomination, and every movement. Truthfully, I dont think its our place to say, "hey, engle makes this much money, and does what with it??" If God gives him that much money and he personally isnt a good steward with it, God will judge him accordingly. So, I dont care what he makes. Thats between him and God.
IHOP...Another hot button issue. I've had conversations with people from there in K.C. and alot of them are great young people. I have had run ins with some people who seem to think I should pay them to pray there. I find that a bit off. But, thats just me. However, I have many friends who went there desiring to reach people and came back with direction and passion and are now on/in the mission field throughout the U.S. and world.
I think we dont see more adults on the "bandwagon" because, in all honesty, a large majority of the adult church are way too comfortable in super churches and mega churches learning how to live their best life now. Revolution of a spiritual nature, whether it be The Call or whatever, does not fit into that game plan.