5. John Lindell Calls Mark Driscoll To Repent for ‘Trying To Destroy James River Church’ and ‘Sow Disunity’ in the Lindell Family
During an evening service on Wednesday, April 17, Pastor John Lindell of James River Church in Ozark, Missouri, accused controversial Pastor Mark Driscoll of attempting to sow division in the Lindell family. According to Lindell, Driscoll even encouraged Lindell’s son to seize control of the church.
Lindell’s call for Driscoll to repent was the latest in a series of strange events that began over the weekend, when Lindell and Driscoll publicly feuded and then apparently reconciled at James River Church’s Stronger Men’s Conference.
4. ‘Lyrics Matter’—Evangelist Shane Pruitt Sounds the Alarm on Taylor Swift’s Album
Pop star Taylor Swift came under fire following the release of a surprise 31-song double album, titled “The Tortured Poets Department.” Some have criticized Swift, who has described herself as a Christian, for her “self-worshipping” lyrics that include biblical imagery.
One person who sounded the alarm on Swift’s new album was Shane Pruitt, the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Director of Next Gen Evangelism for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Pruitt emphasized in a recent social media post that “LYRICS MATTER.”
3. 14-Year-Old Contestant on ‘The Voice’ Brings Snoop Dogg to Church While Singing a for KING + COUNTRY Song
Jaukeem Fortson, a phenomenal 14-year-old singer who competed on Season 26 of “The Voice,” wowed audiences across the country and received high praise from judge Snoop Dogg.
One month after his blind audition, Fortson competed against Reba McEntire teammates Adam Bohanan and Cassidy Lee in the Knockouts Round. Fortson chose to sing “God Only Knows” by Grammy Award-winning Christian group for KING + COUNTRY.
2. ‘The Chosen’ Criticized for Season 5 Scene in Which Jesus Promises To Pray for Judas
A clip from the upcoming season of “The Chosen” made waves online, with some calling out the dialogue in the scene as “unbiblical.” The footage was one of two scenes that Dallas Jenkins, who created and directs the show, previewed to fans during a livestream on Dec. 10.
The scene will appear in Season 5 of the show and depicts a conversation between Jesus and Judas.
1. Dr. Steven Lawson Removed as Lead Pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas Due to ‘Inappropriate Relationship’
In September, Dr. Steven Lawson was removed as the lead pastor of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas following news of “an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a woman.”
In a statement published on Trinity Bible Church’s website, the elders said that they “regretfully announce that effective immediately, Steven J. Lawson has been removed indefinitely from all ministry activities at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.”
