Frisbee

Last night I watched the documentary film "Frisbee: the Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher."  Lonnie Frisbee played a large role in the History of Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard.

After viewing the film it seemed that the general consensus is that Lonnie was given a raw deal and that the leaders he trusted mistreated him.  But somewhere along the way Lonnie had to take responsibility for his own actions and he had to come to grips with his own sin.

Looking at 1 Timothy we see the qualifications for church leadership.  It wasn't just Lonnie's homosexual sin that removed him from ministry.  It could have been any of these areas that Paul refers to.

From watching this film it seems that both Chuck Smith and John Wimber were doing the right thing when they removed Lonnie from ministry.  These were shepherds that were protecting their sheep and doing their best to obey the Word of God.

Lonnie seemed to be portrayed as not wanting to be under any type of leadership.  It seemed he wanted to do whatever he wanted to do.  When restrictions were put on him, he rebelled.

I noticed three things that seemed to manifest themselves in Lonnie:

• resentment
  
• bitterness
  
• rebelliousness

These are things that I know that I do not want in my life.

The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:  Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, not covetous man, who is an idolator, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  (Eph. 5:1-5)

Personally, I want to be an imitator of God.