It takes a lot for me to have faith in people replenished but the baseball ending put a little back in the tank.
I’m not a sports guy either but I’ve found in recent years that the sound of basketball players’ shoes squeaking on the courts is one of my favourite sounds. Highly recommended as something on in the background.
I like hearing the sound of a ball bounced along the footpath as someone makes their way down the street. It's almost as soothing as the sound of rain on the roof.
Some queer baseball history: this week I read that the high five was invented in 1977 by Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the LA Dodgers. He didn't come out until 1980 (after he retired), but enough people knew he was gay while he played. The team executives offered him $75,000 to get married in the 1977 off-season and he said "I guess you mean to a woman."
Really feeling for those who reported their experience at Arise Church. This was an opportunity for their voice to be heard and to feel empowered but this process or lack of process ensures that power is still with the Cameron's. Can an investigation be organised separate to the church at the behest of survivors? And a report publicly released? I'm thinking of something like the People's Mental Health Report that prompted a formal Government Mental health investigation?
And it's good to see LGBTQI+ being celebrated and accepted. Go Liam!
I like to think that report exists and so it will leak one way or another. Hopefully the board gets a backbone and does it themselves, but they've fucked up so much so far we can't exactly bank on it.
I think John Cameron has got to be taking legal action because he doesn't want the truth coming out. That can delay things massively. Must be pretty bad!
I don't know, I think if JC (unfortunately also the initials of Jesus Christ 😆) has millions of dollars thanks to tithes and offerings, they will want to get their ducks in a row to ensure they don't get sued right?
Liam Hendriks. What an absolute champion. Good on him for taking a stand to ensure everyone is treated the same way. My wife and I have done something similar here in Melbourne – although 54 million dollars aren't a part of our story! Last year our church board and leaders put together an Inclusion Statement promising that our church will treat all people equally regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race, or ethnicity: https://baysidechurch.com.au/inclusion-statement/. It shouldn't be controversial, but sadly, it still is in the Pentecostal/evangelical world, as you have expressed on many occasions, David.
I am convinced that discrimination is inherently unchristian. Excluding people based on something they didn't choose and cannot change is NOT Jesus' way. It doesn't reflect how he treated others, yet it is endemic in many institutions that bear his name. I hope that in time this will change. But the church invariably moves at a glacial pace. Jesus adopted a common saying of his day and remarked that it summarised the Bible: "in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you." It's simple, profound, and life-changing for those on the other side of our actions.
I do hope churches are publicly vocal about the Arise's of this world at some point - the silence still gets to me. I know NZ is small, but when you have a church like Arise that operating on some kind of warped gospel - surely it's the churches that need to speak up.
Well done, that is awesome, and sadly there are too few like you in the Christian church. Ifin Melbourne, I would visit your church! Can't say that about most evangelical churches in NZ. I have often said that the likes of John Cameron are the Pharisees of the modern age; people who have become too accustomed to receiving respect due to their position rather than their actions, who have gotten so used to browbeating and discriminating from the high pulpit, that they have totally lost the plot, and no longer are a servant of God in any meaningful way, only the outworking their own ugly prejudices, greed, and arrogance.
So glad you ended it on such a lovely story. I've not heard of Liam, and to know there's a man like that in that position, doing good helps a lot when you've just read an update like that. Thanks (again) David <3
Great bit of digging to, yet again, call out Arise on their attempts at pulling the hood over the media and people.
Loved the Liam story at the end. Sounds like a genuine nice bloke. I disagree with one comment however; “It’s huge to me that someone like Liam speaks out about this stuff. He doesn’t have to. There is nothing in it for him. “
There is something in it for him. When we do nice to others we in return get a sense of belonging and community. - Dalai Lama (not his exact words but the same meaning)
Liam sounds like a total GC 🙌 Glad you met someone so special and got to share it with us, not just all the narcissistic Christi-Fascist pricks & bullies!
Do the people making decisions at Arise not understand the nature of investigative journalism? What exactly do they think will happen? While it’s horrible how they’re dragging this out, I enjoy how truly stupid and deceitful they reveal themselves to be.
Liam! What a gem! Seriously what a ray of hope, I adore him, thanks so much for introducing him! Friday made.
“The Chicago team” 🤣😂 There are 2 baseball teams in Chicago. I love you David!! So glad you have a weekly podcast. The rapport between Monica and yourself is adorable and a joy to listen to
What a totally bizzare situation. I guess we just keep pushing for the victims. There are always roadblocks that can be shuffled if you have money, but they do eventually run out. What totally self absorbed and callous humans these people are.
It's easy to despise Arise. So much obfuscation, so little care for their flock.
As for your good news, Liam has a new fan in me! And I still admire your continued dedication to unattractive screenshots of John Cameron.
I don't even try - I just skip to a random part of a YouTube sermon and take what I am delivered by fate / God.
😂 that screenshot was my fave part
Haha I was thinking the same about the screenshots. They’re definitely one of my favourite parts 🤣🤣
Liam Hendriks gives me hope that I very much needed.
It takes a lot for me to have faith in people replenished but the baseball ending put a little back in the tank.
I’m not a sports guy either but I’ve found in recent years that the sound of basketball players’ shoes squeaking on the courts is one of my favourite sounds. Highly recommended as something on in the background.
I LOVE THAT SQUEAK TOO!
I like hearing the sound of a ball bounced along the footpath as someone makes their way down the street. It's almost as soothing as the sound of rain on the roof.
Some queer baseball history: this week I read that the high five was invented in 1977 by Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the LA Dodgers. He didn't come out until 1980 (after he retired), but enough people knew he was gay while he played. The team executives offered him $75,000 to get married in the 1977 off-season and he said "I guess you mean to a woman."
Oh wow - this is something. $75,000 to safe face? Man humans are weird.
Imagine inventing the high five ✋! There is even an emoji prompt when typed. What a champ.
Really feeling for those who reported their experience at Arise Church. This was an opportunity for their voice to be heard and to feel empowered but this process or lack of process ensures that power is still with the Cameron's. Can an investigation be organised separate to the church at the behest of survivors? And a report publicly released? I'm thinking of something like the People's Mental Health Report that prompted a formal Government Mental health investigation?
And it's good to see LGBTQI+ being celebrated and accepted. Go Liam!
I like to think that report exists and so it will leak one way or another. Hopefully the board gets a backbone and does it themselves, but they've fucked up so much so far we can't exactly bank on it.
I think John Cameron has got to be taking legal action because he doesn't want the truth coming out. That can delay things massively. Must be pretty bad!
I don't know, I think if JC (unfortunately also the initials of Jesus Christ 😆) has millions of dollars thanks to tithes and offerings, they will want to get their ducks in a row to ensure they don't get sued right?
Liam Hendriks. What an absolute champion. Good on him for taking a stand to ensure everyone is treated the same way. My wife and I have done something similar here in Melbourne – although 54 million dollars aren't a part of our story! Last year our church board and leaders put together an Inclusion Statement promising that our church will treat all people equally regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race, or ethnicity: https://baysidechurch.com.au/inclusion-statement/. It shouldn't be controversial, but sadly, it still is in the Pentecostal/evangelical world, as you have expressed on many occasions, David.
I am convinced that discrimination is inherently unchristian. Excluding people based on something they didn't choose and cannot change is NOT Jesus' way. It doesn't reflect how he treated others, yet it is endemic in many institutions that bear his name. I hope that in time this will change. But the church invariably moves at a glacial pace. Jesus adopted a common saying of his day and remarked that it summarised the Bible: "in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you." It's simple, profound, and life-changing for those on the other side of our actions.
Such giant respect for this.
Really amazing work.
I do hope churches are publicly vocal about the Arise's of this world at some point - the silence still gets to me. I know NZ is small, but when you have a church like Arise that operating on some kind of warped gospel - surely it's the churches that need to speak up.
Well done, that is awesome, and sadly there are too few like you in the Christian church. Ifin Melbourne, I would visit your church! Can't say that about most evangelical churches in NZ. I have often said that the likes of John Cameron are the Pharisees of the modern age; people who have become too accustomed to receiving respect due to their position rather than their actions, who have gotten so used to browbeating and discriminating from the high pulpit, that they have totally lost the plot, and no longer are a servant of God in any meaningful way, only the outworking their own ugly prejudices, greed, and arrogance.
So glad you ended it on such a lovely story. I've not heard of Liam, and to know there's a man like that in that position, doing good helps a lot when you've just read an update like that. Thanks (again) David <3
Great bit of digging to, yet again, call out Arise on their attempts at pulling the hood over the media and people.
Loved the Liam story at the end. Sounds like a genuine nice bloke. I disagree with one comment however; “It’s huge to me that someone like Liam speaks out about this stuff. He doesn’t have to. There is nothing in it for him. “
There is something in it for him. When we do nice to others we in return get a sense of belonging and community. - Dalai Lama (not his exact words but the same meaning)
I love your final point. Thank you. True.
Liam sounds like a total GC 🙌 Glad you met someone so special and got to share it with us, not just all the narcissistic Christi-Fascist pricks & bullies!
You’re such a legend !! Thanks for bringing it all to light, the morons & the rad dudes 🤘
Really appreciate what you do David - holding people to account and not giving up. Thank you :)
Also loved the story about Liam - what a wonderful human being
Care Bears shirt though 🥰❤❤❤
Great show. Really great show. But it could be really scary, too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZl5OM0hRE
the first movie, with the chase through the haunted carnival was full nightmare fuel.
What a legend
Great work ongoing with the Arise bigots, but what a great way to finish bringing Liam Hendriks to the fore.
Do the people making decisions at Arise not understand the nature of investigative journalism? What exactly do they think will happen? While it’s horrible how they’re dragging this out, I enjoy how truly stupid and deceitful they reveal themselves to be.
Liam! What a gem! Seriously what a ray of hope, I adore him, thanks so much for introducing him! Friday made.
The board is as thick as about 1000 planks. I am not exaggerating.
“The Chicago team” 🤣😂 There are 2 baseball teams in Chicago. I love you David!! So glad you have a weekly podcast. The rapport between Monica and yourself is adorable and a joy to listen to
Oh my gosh this two league situation is so, so weird.
I feel the need to say I’m not into sports, but my dad and brother are big into baseball. Which is why I know and the Cubs and White Sox 🤣
What a totally bizzare situation. I guess we just keep pushing for the victims. There are always roadblocks that can be shuffled if you have money, but they do eventually run out. What totally self absorbed and callous humans these people are.
And Liam- what an absolute GC :)