A Few Lessons from Todd Bentley's Restoration Process
1. Restoration Must Begin With Complete Removal From Ministry
Even though Todd immediately stopped leading his revival meetings in Florida, two things happened right after he moved to Rick Joyner's church to begin his restoration process: a) donations were invited for Todd's support; and b) it was announced a new charity would be set up for his new ministry.
Rick Joyner has since denied this implied that the outcome of this process was guaranteed. He said people were asking to donate money, and he was simply accomodating their request. As for setting up a charity at the beginning of this process, I don't believe Rick ever commented on that.
Todd now has an office at Rick's church and apparently is being supported by donations, even though he is doing no ministry work.
The restoration of a fallen leader must begin with a complete removal from church ministry. He must get a job and support his family with work outside of the church. There is no need for the church to support him (or private donors) because he is not doing any ministry in the church. Why should he be paid for not working in the church? Surely this is poor stewardship of church funds.
Further, there is no need for a new charity until the end of the restoration process because it is not known if it will be needed. By creating the new charity at the beginning, Rick effectively admitted the outcome of the process is guaranteed. Why go through the process then?
2. Restoration Does Not Begin When The Fallen Leader Decides It Should
Todd's apparent disappearance for approximately 8 months after his pending divorce became public is a big part of the problem. Where were his overseers during this time? Why was he allowed to quickly finalize his divorce and remarry before his restoration process began?
Rick Joyner has publicly said he should bear some of the blame for Todd's rapid remarriage, apparently by giving Todd some vague advice that was misinterpreted. If that's so, then Rick should be disqualified from leading Todd's restoration process. It was a failure in oversight over Todd that made this big problem even worse, and further eroded trust with the church.
Oversight should have happened immediately after Todd's divorce plans became public by trying to restore Todd's first marriage. It may not have prevented the divorce, but it was the logical first step.
By permitting Todd to determine when his restoration process began (i.e. after he moved to Rick Joyner's church), he got to lock in his divorce and his new marriage. Repentance has no consequences now. Nothing can be undone. Which leads to my final point ...
3. Repentance Is Not Just Saying "Sorry"
By locking in his divorce and remarriage, Todd gets to avoid undoing his sin. Repentance involves admitting one's sin, changing direction, and cleaning up the mess. Todd has confessed his errors, but how has he changed his direction? How has he cleaned up his mess?
Todd admitted his inappropriate "emotional" relationship with another woman, and dealt with it by divorcing his wife and marrying his new girlfriend. That doesn't sound like a change of direction to me. It sounds more like keeping the same direction and stepping on the gas.
Hypothetical story: A pastor confessed of defrauding his church of a huge amount of money, stepped down from his leadership role in the church, and disappeared for 8 months. Then he reappears again, says the money has now been spent and he's broke, but he's ready to repent. He's truly sorry, but it's no longer possible to return the stolen money because it's gone. Too bad, but that's just the way it is. Would you consider that repentance? Sounds more like opportunism. Let's finish enjoying the sin, and then we can enjoy the forgiveness.
Repentance is the fruit of a change of heart. Words can be empty; actions speak louder than words.
Todd Bentley and Rick Joyner have been shouting apologies, but Todd's actions have drowned out his words.
