Readers Debate R.A. Vernon, the Word Church, and the Sanctity of a Kick-Ass B-day Party!

1. What would Jesus Do?
   Well Jesus went to a party!
   And we can’t forget to let kids be kids. If you can afford it and you have given all your time and money to the church why not let your child enjoy what they like. My mom saying is don’t lose your child trying to save some one else! So I say to Pastor Vernon you did what was right for your daughter. You gave the same party that you would of gave Jesus but I bet you Jesus party would of been off the hook. I mean just like a rock star losing our natural minds.

2. I want to make a comment concerning about RA Vernon’s Daughter’s birthday I do believe that the reason that Paster RA Vernon is blessed by God is because is obedient Man of God & also, to his family & Ministry and if I had a Sixteen year old daughter I would prefer of making my Own Happy 16th birthday video instead of having MTV come & do it.
   Also, if God was to give me vision to open a couple of businessess such as, daycare ctr,hair Salon,etc & to me that is a blessing from God and I do believe that God once his Children to do well in this world also, give back to the community,and paster vernon work very hard for the things that God is blessed him and his family.And people in the Cleveland Ohio Area as well in the rest of the United States to be jealious of him because it is a dangerous game you playing with.

3. Anonymous says:
   Luke 3:11 John (the Baptist) replied, “If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”
   Chanae,
   If you have 50 Louie Vuitton purses, why not keep 10 of them, sell the other 40, and ask God to direct you where He wants the rest of the money to go. It would teach you humility and to value the Lord’s money.
   You are sixteen years old, and you are accountable before the Lord for what you do and believe. Is the Lord Jesus being glorified in your life? “Remember NOW your creator in the days of your youth”(Eccl 12:1)
   I quote R. A. Vernon on a recently televised message, “I want all ya’ll to go back to your old churches for two Sundays, I’m not knocking your old church… and appreciate a church that is busy for God.”
   What an arrogant, misinformed, presumputous statement to make. Pastor Vernon has no idea what all other churches are doing, and he has no right to elevate himself and his ministry at the expense of other hardworking, Bible teaching pastors, teachers, and churches who are indeed busy in the Lord’s work. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. The great Apostle Paul refused to compare. We should not compare, either.

4. I think the idea of your daughter having a great party for her 16 years of life is great. however the way it was done on mtv was not in good taste for the who you are to the ministrie.would you do it again?

5. I think the idea of your daughter having a great party for her 16 years of life is great. however the way it was done on mtv was not in good taste for the who you are to the ministrie.would you do it again?

6. I say good for you Pastor Vernon and daughter. Anything you do, you are going to have “HATERS” Keep on blessing the Kingdom of God! She should have a sweet 16,17 and 18th birthday party on MTV if she wants to. Carry on!

7. You cannot mix the world with the church.
   The world has to see a difference between you and them, if they don’t then you cannot minister to them.

8. The national median pay for a minister is approximately $42,000. How does R.A. justify taking so much money from Gods people? Di you get a look at that mansion, the cars, the purses, etc.
   Something tells me R.A. is making a lot more than the median. Sounds more like he is running a business, not a church.
   I guess as long as the people of the “church” are comfortable with supplying R.A. with such a lavish lifestyle at the expense of their own . . . then God bless.

9. Yeah, I hate to say it but you have to leave it at that. They must be happy with that amount of money going to his pocket and not the needy.
   You’ve got to pray for those people, allot of them have never been in church and really don’t know any better. But just like they are babes in Christ now, they’ll have to grow up.
   But let’s just be honest, them books are closed for a reason, and if you feel it’s just hating then your a fool. And legally they are supposed to be open to the general public so whatever reason that’s given is truly illegal

10. well i am a proud member of the word chuech and the books are open any time ANYONE wants to see them my pastor has helped me and many people who have attened that church spiritually mentall phisically and emotionally and if his child a 16 year old gurl wants to have a party y not as long as her party was thrown in the presence of the lord and displayed in front of his children everyone is casting stones but no one looks at the facts that party was the first party sh went to her own party a party her father was able to provide and preside over so that things were done within a moderate holistic enviorment i just have to ask …Have al of u who cast these stones placed yourself n his shoes a wealth god fearing pastor who has the means to provide your childs desires give it to them or say no because everybody and there mother will look at u as a hypocrit so your stuck between being a good and providing father or not and providing your haters with happiness instead of your child?….I’m just sayn waly in his shoes day in and day out ..u cant bcuz u were ot built or even bread for that role just because u give your life to the lord doesnt mean u have to give up your family!!!

11. C’mon now,let’s be honest. God knows them books ain’t open. He said so himself. He shows you what you want to see. Your not talking to someone who is talking out of hear-say. The things I speak of is the truth. The are backed with fact.
    The books are closed – his own members have said it.
    He lied on two popular secular radio shows about the party – His own members have said he lied.
    His businesses are run from the Church and were started with Church funds and promoted with the context of his church – His own members have said so.
    The church building is not owned by the Word church – it is rented to the Word Church by Vernon – Why and this is his church? – His own members have said so.
    I posted before about the beginning of the Word church (Which I was around for) and Vernon going around seeking people to join and offering them money. I was there for that. He offered to pay people who could sing and play and offered to double whatever they were making at that time. I was there for that – i posted before about him interupting a Choir anniversary on the near west side because he wanted the piano player and he didn’t care that there was a service going on.
    I was there when he he was invited to a baptist church and his security closed off the middle of the church and the pulpit so that even the pastor of the church couldn’t be seated in the pulipt.
    And to honest some of ya’ll members were there cheering him on. The funny thing is that more people had more of a problem with me posting it that Vernon actually doing it. That’s how you know that there’s a problem within the Church.
    Not everybody posting here is posting here out of ignorance or jealousy, so of it’s just plain wrong.
    There are pleanty of church who help the poor and feed the needy, whether it be collectively or individually. Just because a church is on tv and done gave out a couple of bookbags doesn’t mean that what’s preached there is the truth, nor does it mean that the Pastor has any intregrity.

12. Ohh and one last thing, his church is a non-profit. He ain’t supposed to have $500,000 or a million to throw on a party. It’ll be national news if the head of the Red Cross did the same thing.

13. Wow, I wonder how many of the people posting are saints of GOD. Did not God promise prosperity (wholeness) nothing broken, nothing missing to His children who loved him.
    Anyone with problems with pastor Vernon has a problem with Abraham, David, Solomon, Ester, Ruth, just to name a few.
    All those who has a problem with pastor Vernon, do you really read your bible? The wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. You do know that at some point the wealth will be transferred.
    The truth of the matter is, this type of wealth is easily obtained. It’s called work, it’s called study, it’s called wisdom. All of the wealth obtained by wealthy people across the land have accomplished it. It’s not a new idea.
    I’ve been blessed by R.A. Vernon’s ministries and my prayer is that he continues on doing the work of the ministry. My prayer and hope one day is to duplicate the same for my church. To provide a place for the youth to go and hang out and have fun without getting into trouble. As much as is within my ability to do. To provide for the children of God the things God has in stored for them.
    If you’re jealous of pastor Vernon now, you’re going to need a straight jacket when it’s all over because God has only begun to bless him and my sincere prayer is God do more.

14. Stella, Shonda, and Ky’aira Smith
    I think you ladies along with many other members of the Word haven have lost sight of the purpose for these comments/blogs. The bottom line is Vernon lies, his intintegrity, and character are in question and he doesn’t walk upright to even say that he was called to be a Pastor by God.
    He publicly lied on two seperate occassions within 1 day of each other about the cost of his daughters party. One of the scooters he bought for his daughter costed at least $6440.00. Do the math ladies. 3 bikes would cost $19320.00. That’s probably more than your car and he bought three bikes for a child to goof off with her friends on.
    If he lied about the cost of the party, Lord knows he’s lieing in the Haven you call a church. Think about it, do you really think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will extend the use of their facility to him FREE of charge when their loosing out on money because of his event. THINK LADIES! Yet another lie.
    Not to mention the dancers Chanae hired to dance during her party. Do you really think they did it for free? Or the “private jet” LOL (as his daughter put it) and the trip around Cleveland with Bobbie to deliever her invitations. Do you think these things were really done for free? Because let the lieing Motivational speaker Vernon tell it all he paid for the party was $25,000.00.
    Since we know the cost of the bikes that would only leave $5,680.00 for food, entertainment (including the Rapper and DJ). Let’s not forget the Fliers, custom made Matrix outfit with “real diamonds” LOL, sew in, choreographer used to teach his daughter to dance. Need I go on.
    Nobody is saying he couldn’t in fact give his daughter a party, however the image he wanted to be portrayed was that they were rich. That’s the purpose of the show…to show off wealth and see who can give the most elaborate party for their teen. His lack of judgement put him in a position to be questioned.
    Motivational speaker Vernon may have done a few things in the community here and there but the truth of the matter is nothing that you say can negate the fact that the people who question his character have all the right to do so. Motivational speaker Vernon should be teaching his daughter humility, and what it means to serve others 1 Peters 5:5. The reality is you can’t live what your not learning.

15. And one more thing, why is it that everyone has to “be jealous” of Motivational speaker Vernon. Since reputation builds on good integrity Ruth 2:1-13, and Vernon has no integrity, what is there to be jealous of.
    Since we all know how God feels about reputation 1 Chronicles 2:3 I would hope he allows some humility to begin to grow within and cover his life, and then maybe his reputation can be rebuilt, this away eventually he might gain some hmmmmmm…….. Integrity maybe.

16. Just because a person disagrees with you don’t mean that they are ignorant of the bible. It could be that that is the very reason they disagree with you.
    The church is not biblical.

17. Hello People.
    I was there at the Rock & Roll HAll of Fame with my teenaged grand- children. It was one of the sweetest and most thoughtful events that a Godly man could plan for his teen.
    #1 His daughter was not in a bar setting letting it rain.
    #2 Pastor Vernon had the party at a place that was educational as well as fun for all. Some attendees had never entered the building for whatever reason.It was open to the public. Critics had an opportunity to experience the love that a father had for his daughter. It made me so happy to see my Pastor beaming the entire time. He showed so much Love as I observed him watching his daughter as well as other teens. It was good wholesome fun. It was a good experience.
    #3 Jesus provided for his people the same way. JESUS WAS NOT POOR.HE WORKED LIKE PASTOR
    #4 If RA Vernon was poor, I would not hear a word he uttered. In other words, a poor pastor can not tell me anything except how to be poor. Leave my Pastor alone and stop hating. We are blessed because he shows by example how to give. Want to give your chid a sweet 16 @ the R&R? Get Jesus in your heart & TITHE TITHE TITHE Hate on , but we will still LOVE you

18. This con man was just at Trumbull Correctional Institution on 3/18/07 wearing gang clothes and boasting to indigent inmates about his house and Range rover what a sham preacher. I was embarrassed as a Pastor who works at TCI.

19. Paulette,
    I am sure that you love your Pastor, but don’t misuse scripture to support wrong doing. There is no scripture to support Jesus being wealthey while on Earth. Hey even TD Jakes states that the bible don’t say it, he just believes it.
    Vernon went on a show meant to show off just like everybody else that’s been on that show, that’s the whole point of the show. There has been no one on the show before or after him that was there for any other reason.
    You statement about not listening to a “poor” pastor speaks volumes about your state as a christian. I would like to ask you a question:
    Did you listen to Vernon when he worked at Home Depot while starting the church?
    I don’t need to know your answer, God knows.

20. There are many examples of mega church pastors who pastored for years and storefronts and small congregations.
    TD Jakes – small virginia church
    Rick Warren – church grew over a 25 year period
    Paul Shepard had a 50 member church for almost 20 years – it’s now 8,000.
    Tony Evans (he pastored for 15 years before geven getting paid a salary from the church -and he didn’t hold down a great job)
    and that’s off the top of my head, the point is that everyone of those pastors could have been considered a broke pastor by your own standards at one time.

21. The fact of the matter is Paulette, Motivational speaker Vernon is a lier. How is it this “HUMBLE MAN” finds the time to go to a prison and boost about his material possesions to prisioners as if being a Pastor is a hustle. And you people as followers see nothing wrong with this? All of you brainwashed people have an arrogance about you that is a shame before God.
    I love how you refer to other God serving and fearing churches as POOR, as if all your worldly gain can go to heaven with you. Not to mention the FACT that your not rich, because if YOU were you wouldn’t be waisting your “valueable” time blogging on Cleveland Scene. Paulette, the wrong values will defeat you! 2 Chronicles 13:8.
    If Motivational Speaker Vernon was teaching you anything first off he would teach you that God hates Pride! Proverbs 6:16.

22. I saw the video, how ungrateful his daughter appears to be. You dont have to go to “The Word” church to see that this was a prime example of how to flaunt your money. As someone mentioned this man nor his family is hardly “humble”, what in fact are they teaching their children? judging from that daughters attitude…not much to be desired. And for those of you who attend his church, dont get upset others have a right to their opinions, this is what happens when you put yourself out there in public view. Its all about perception anyway,and to think I would even consider becoming a member,too much negative attention for me. Next time can we see some ground rules and home training ,teach your children the VALUE of working for the things that they want not the things your daddie can buy!!

23. i don’t really care whether his daughter is ungrateful or not and truthfully in the grand scheme of things her party was considerably more tame than most of the parties on that show.
    I do have an issue with a religious figure living in such audacious luxury. She wanted a rock star party b/c her father has a rock star life.
    I hope his church isn’t a 501c3 and i hope we won’t be reading about his indicment in the near future — which I wouldn’t be surprised.
    I’m not intimating that he should live like a buddhist monk but remember this. . . the money that he spends for an over the top party, jet service, or a mansion comes out of the pockets of working people that trust him, and the church. In that way, he is doing a major disservice to those people and general crook.

24. I was also dissappointed to hear the attitude of Pastor Vernon’s daughter. I think the bible has something to say about excess…. However, she is not alone. We Baby Boomers have sincerely overindulged our children since birth. Then these same students show up in my classroom and don’t feel they have to work hard or even just work for anything. The bible says that Jesus sent his disciples out 2 by 2 and told them to take no script (money) with them. They were to find a good man (person) in each city to put them up while they were there preaching. It is the love of money that is the sin. Satan is so good at enticing us with it. The question to ask is does someone have money, or does it have them?

25. I think the major point that is missed is that Pastor Vernon is “human”. He is also still a young man so that means at times he’s not very smart. He is dealing with the same core issue that we all deal with as christians, the denying of oneself. Just because i can does not mean I should. I can say Pastor Vernon is one of the most gracious givers not only to the church but the community. If we are looking for fault its not hard to find in anyone. The beautiful thing is we won’t be judged by Pastor Vernon’s actions. Let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and allow God to deal with his son!

26. I challenge any and everyone who believes that Pastor Vernon is doing God’s work to listen to the free 24/7 webcast at http://www.wblr.com and then tell me how it is he is doing God’s work.

    If http://www.wblr.com doesn’t do it for you, then check out zeitgiest.com

    Either way, it is WAY PAST TIME TO WAKE UP OR DIE!

27. When I saw mtv’s sweet 16 with that pastor’s child, I was stunned. How can anyone let this “pastor” use the church’s money for a spoiled child’s birthday party. Just like PT Barnum said, “their’s a sucker born everyday.”

28. “Pastor” Vernon is the biggest pimp in Cleveland.

29. thats not even his daughter. i have seen what many of you have not and few have. i would like to start off by saying that i do have love and admiration for brother vernon. and i want to see him grow to a level that martin, malcolm elijah, huey, al sharpten and many others have grown to. and surpass them for the betterment of all indigeonous/colored people of this world. he has the gift. BUT he definitely isnt using it humbly. i dont care to debate bible verses. that was two thousand plus years ago. today is a new day and we all have to atone. his arrogance and love of money has shown strong minded black people that he is failing the community. malcolm x would be outraged by such bafoonery. did he forget who and what he is. the devil will allow him to continue. but when he makes a change like brother michael jackson said, then he will have to come out of his 2 million dollar house that poor people facing foreclosure have bought for him, and battle the devil like our pioneer ancestors have been doing for quite a long time. when the rich and powerful white man attacks you, then you are doing gods’ work. ask dr. king. oh wait they killed him!!!

30. The hater comments here are unreal.

31. I was a member of the word church; and vernon is not a humble person as he portrays to be; he is all about the dollars; I personally witnessed him drain money from the people of God when he was trying to reach his “million dollar” goal to pay off many expenses of the church at that time; we had just financed the Metroplex, which became our new church home; and, he raised over 400k in one entire day (we had 4 services that day), and he still literally kept calling the people up to the alter to donate more money; my wife and I went home that night soooo upset by his actions. I knew then, that it was only a matter of time before my family and I would leave. I love Vernon, but, the truth is that he twists the Word of God, and he’s money hungry, which equates him to that of a “pimp.” It’s sad because his church started and prospered mainly, because of very young believers; he got their hearts with his subtle way of talking to people; they failed for it, and it became a church that literally “blew up” within months. However, people are exiting his church because they’re growing up spiritually, and listening to the voice of God. Vernon has taken people off of their secular jobs (many with degrees) and given them fulltime positions at his church; only to fire them within 2-3 years; my guess would be because they chose not to bow down to him, which I have witnessed with my own eyes personally; I hate to say it, but Vernon is a modern day “cult” leader; the people are being deceived; the older Saints are leaving, and the ones that are staying, are staying because they love the worship atmosphere of music etc; and are simply psychologically bound like an abused wife who is scared to leave her husband because of the “lock” that he has on her mind. I was more than a member there, and I trusted Vernon with my life and family; I knew his preaching was not doctrinal; I knew he was prideful when I witnessed him “blessing out” a leader because that leader made a joke pertaining to him; the joke actually gave Vernon praise, but, Vernon took it as an insult. Former members approach me now and they all give the same reason as to why they left the word church; “because he’s becoming a prosperity preacher.” I just pray for him, and hope that the children of God that are members, will wake up and listen to God; and, make plans to leave this “CULT” ministry disguised as a church. I was personally told by an Elder in leadership that “the reason why (blank) was fired, was because they chose not to be a little Vernon.” In other words, this faithful, and committed person got fired because they decided not to “bow down” and worhsip Vernon. I know some people reading this blog will think that I’m just another “hater,” but, that’s far from the truth; I am a person that was there to witness everything that has been stated in this blog; I loved serving the word church members; I love how they supported me, and we basically would bless each other with words of encouragement weekly; my prayer is that if a current member is reading this blog, will allow God to speak to their hearts, and allow God to open their eyes to the truth. Only God can show you the truth; only God can convict you to step out on faith and leave that cult-ministry; I can only be the vessel of information and of truth.

32. I wonder why know one questions how much money goes to the Catholic church which has its’ own city? IJS All people and should hold all of their leaders accountable for their actions not just in religion but all aspects of life.

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