^{By, Eric Marrapodi, CNN}

He pastored a 4,000-member church in California. He was a sought-after speaker at major conferences, wrote two best-sellers and launched a DVD teaching series.

[size=16pt]Then he abruptly resigned and left the country.

But in Francis Chan’s unexpected journey there apparently is no hidden scandal, no money trail, and no ‘other’ woman.[/size]

“I just want to disappear for a while,” he said in late September as he prepared to leave Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California for an undisclosed location in Asia.

[size=18pt]Before selling his house and packing up his wife and three children[/size], Chan was becoming “Christian famous” in Evangelical circles.

[size=16pt]"Even in my own church I heard the words, ‘Francis Chan’ more than I heard the words, ‘Holy Spirit’,” he said

That was a big part of the reason he walked away at the peak of his professional career.

“I think there has been too much emphasis on me.

I want to be used by God, but I think we have this desire to make heroes out of people rather than following God and the Holy Spirit.”[/size]

He quotes the apostle Paul, who told his followers “I didn’t die for you.”

[size=16pt]In his world of big conference crowds, multiple services each week, and instant access to social media, the notion of pastoral care had begun to change.

His fame was straining his work as a pastor.[/size]

“When there is a large constituency, there’s a lot of voices,” he said. “It makes you arrogant or it makes you want to shoot yourself. When thousands of people tell you what they think, how can I be quick to listen, like the Bible says? I don’t want to be a jerk and tune everyone out. At the same time you, can’t love every single person and answer them.”

[size=16pt]So after lots of prayer and soul searching, Chan decided it was best to leave the church, country, and Internet behind to focus on serving others one-on-one.[/size]

Chan’s rise in popularity began with the founding of Cornerstone Community Church in 1994.

Like many independent churches in the United States, Cornerstone is not tied to a larger denomination.

[size=16pt]Chan reluctantly calls it an Evangelical church, but says “titles on churches don’t always match up. You walk in with assumptions.”[/size]

His first book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, has hit the New York Times best seller list since he left for Asia. His second, The Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, offers a glimpse into why he left.

[size=16pt]“I was giving a lot of people just five minutes here and five minutes there,” he said in an interview, describing the book’s central theme.

“I need to get better at just saying no to people and no to the crowds . . . Jesus worked a lot with individuals and his twelve [disciples].”[/size]

Two DVDs in his four-part teaching series, Basic, have been released, with more to come in March.

In Basic: Fear God, Chan says he doesn’t think we fear God enough. He appears starkly lit in front of a black backdrop to hammer home his metaphor, in which a woman tied to a bed watches as water slowly fills the bedroom. The water level rises until she is completely submersed and struggling to get free. Only then does panic set in.

If we were to meet God in person, Chan said, “I think the first thing He would say is you don’t take me seriously. You have no idea how to fear me.”

It is just one way Christians miss the point of the messages in the Bible, he said, a notion he aims to correct in the DVD series.

[size=16pt]The New Testament, for instance, calls for a much greater commitment than many churches reveal when wooing new converts, he said.

“We almost simplify it. We won’t tell people how painful it could be. It’s almost like joining the Marines and saying how fun it will be.

Yet Jesus says, I’m worth it, I promise you I’m worth it.”

Chan was not drawing a salary at Cornerstone before he left, and never made more than $36,000 a year[/size].

“I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing things just because I was paid to,” he said.

Mike Steinwender, the current administrative pastor from the church, told CNN in an email that “There were/are no budget or financial health issues that led to Mr. Chan leaving.”

Chan’s departure from his 9 to 5 gig to pursue his passion is something many cubicle dwellers can only dream about. But not every pastor agrees with his choice.

Joshua Harris is the Senior Pastor at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He skyrocketed to fame in Christian circles with his book in the 1990’s I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which influenced many young Christians to do the same.

Harris and Chan have spoken at length about Chan’s decision, and [size=16pt]Harris knows first hand about the rigors of the being “Christian famous.”

“Gifted people often become more the focus than the gospel,” Harris said. “But you can’t build a church around a personality.

You get up and you preach a sermon and people walk away thinking what a great guy – and that’s a failure as a pastor.

Our job is to proclaim Christ.

He said he understood Chan felt God was leading him in a new direction. [/size]

But he hopes there won’t be an exodus of pastors from their pulpits.

“There’s a tendency to idolize one person’s choices. We have to say, ‘you know what, there are a lot of ways to see what faithfulness [to God’s calling] looks like.’ Not every pastor of a big church should leave.”

[size=16pt]Chan has been traveling across Asia, according to his website, where his wife Lisa has posted periodic updates.

She wrote that the family has been to India and Thailand, visiting small churches and missionaries. In an October update, she mentioned Chan was preaching again: “Francis spoke a great message of encouragement to this little body of Christ hidden away in a slum in India[/size] . 100 years from now we will be worshiping together. We will look each other in the eye and KNOW that it was worth it.”

Chan plans to return to the states in January. He is already scheduled to appear at the Passion Conference in Atlanta, which has drawn a crowd of more than 20,000 in the past, and do a stint in the chapel at the NBA All-Star game in February.

http://exministries./2010/12/23/is-this-a-wake-up-call-for-the-church-from-pastor-francis-chan/

Great post! Hmmm I guess I don't need to mention names

Joshua Harris is one pastor I have never met, but I have a lot of respect for. And it is for this unassuming manner of his. God bless his heart

This will make him even bigger I see peeps offering sacrifice to him

Been a long while I came across a popular, "famous" Pastor I would be pleased to call a MOG.

No human is perfect but you can know where a man's heart is by his way(s).

Eat your hearts out, prosperity businessmen. Originals still exist who know and do the truth

Francis Chan.



I watched one of his videos at church few weeks ago and was really blown away by this man's gentle humble spirit. I am not in the least bit suprised to hear this story about his life. This is how we have all been called to live - to deny ourselves, to decrease. What a great example for us believers, I pray God blesses him (and many unknown others) who prefer the glory of the cross, to the glory of men.

JeSoul:

This is how we have all been called to live - to deny ourselves, to decrease. What a great example for us believers, I pray God blesses him (and many unknown others) who prefer the glory of the cross, to the glory of men.

Amin

This is a good lesson for Oyaks and other "entertainers" to learn. They need to focus less on themselves and more on christ.

Praise God!!!!!

If Christianity had been like this, i would av been one!

But with all this other wolves in Shepperd clothing parading as men god, i still prefer being an atheist!

KunleOshob:

This is a good lesson for Oyaks and other "entertainers" to learn. They need to focus less on themselves and more on christ.

and to stop collecting gate fees.

@OP
Better to walk away than to go where the Lord didn't send you and end up in hell fire.

"HE must increase and I must decrease."

Ironically, most of your responses still tend to idolize the man.

It's obviously human tendency to idolize a fellow human with significantly more charisma than you, than to worship something that you can't see, feel, or experience (not within the human scope of perception anyway). The greatest religions were obviously built this way.

It's also obviously a human tendency to attempt to rationalize the inexplicable, within the context of human reasoning. Which is how atheism was born.

Both approaches are as similar as they are distant.

@donnie
Like Oyaks is going were God didn't send him and reaping people off just becos of his greed and lust for filthy lucre.

God bless you Francis Chan. You alone knows the reason for your decision.
@Kunleoshob
Idolizing a man can be both ways. you also are guilty as charged of idolizing "opaks" as u call him with ur great passion for mentioning his name in ur every post and distracting others from the relevance of a post to start arguing unnecessarily. True christian virtue.

This is just what i ve been saying that our pastors should pls stop this flambouyant life style and self exhibition of theirs. Jesus must increase while we decrease. Anything short of this is not true christianity. God bless this man of God. Lord may I decrease  while you increase greatly in Jesus name  I pray. Amen.

He wasn't called to be a pastor.that's why he could walk out. It's not humility. If he were called by God as a pastor, it is rather STUPIDITY to walk out. It doesn't matter  what people say about you, some will abuse you , some will praise you. People must talk about you as a public person , especially when you make impact. It's part of what a popular pastor has to contend with. No more privacy. You can't take a stroll, you can't go to supermarket.  You can live normal life. It's a big sacrifice. But what keeps you going is the fact that you are responsible to God and to a cause and the people to whom God has sent him. You can't please everyone. Jesus had praise singers and enemies, but he knew how to handle them both by focusing on God because the assignment is more important than his feeling.

   Luke 11:27-28 
27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You are blessed! ” 
28 He said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed! ” 

 John 9:4-5
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

 Luke 9:62
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. ” 

If he was called to be a pastor, he rather needs your prayers rather than praise, he couldn't stand the prassure. He will answer for his unfinished ministry. But if he was not called to be a pastor. I will commend him for taking a honourable part by leaving what he wasn't called to do for his real assignment .

@joagbaje, good post you have there and very blunt too
You know when i saw this thread, what came to my mind was what exactly is this pastor's calling
Was he called into the ministry he has being functioning in?
Well he should be led of the spirit in whatever decision he makes
Afterall Jesus was famous too but did He run away from His God sent ministry?
No, so how come a follower of Christ can run away from his ministry because of "fame"
I mean if he can leave because of fame "that is peaceful" what about persecutions?

He doesn't need to be praised or applauded, no

U know while reading this I thought to myself,
Can anyone choose when to go on leave in the ministry?
I don't think so
It's high time we recognise that as Christians you did not call yourself and so you don't take decisions on your own,you can't wake up in the  morning and decide to put the ministry on hold
If he had a challenge and believed himself to have become more famous than the holy ghost (highly unbelievable)among his congregation he should have sought for spiritual help

2 Peter 1:10
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Paul was very famous
But he did not run away neither did he take a break infact most of the books in the new testament were authored by him
Come to think of it  this thread made me know about francis chan I do not think he is more famous than Paul
You can't be a pastor today and decide tomorrow to do another thing,at this point you are no longer your own
That is if he has a calling

@joagbaje and mabell,
am not suprised at your reponse to this because this man's life style runs contrary to that of your pastor whom some of you worship even more God, Yes you people will always quote the bible to support every rubbish but we also know that even satan quoted the scriptures when he was tempting Christ. Let me tell you that a position that God calls you to serve can put you to hell if you are not careful. And of course Jesus toldd us that if your right hand will make you go to hell cut it off and thats what this man of God did and you people are there condeming him. Didnt God call king Saul in the bible and when he misused the call didnt he end shamefully? You people are there condeming a man who decided not to allow a positon endanger his walk with God and his heavenly race. May God save the world from deceivers.

@joagbajie,mabell and Azibalua
i strongly disagree with your submissions concerning this issue. You are not with the man and therefore dont know exactly what his issues are. He never said he will not return to his ministry as a Pastor, all he wants to do is to take time out of the big scene probably do some self examination and evaluation and then return. He needs to check his spirit to determine if pride and arrogance has not set in. The fact that he doesnt preach on sundays doesnt mean he is not fulfilling his calling. Is it better for him to stay in church, preach and carry on as if everything is ok when exactly it is not or should he miss the mark after pleasing people. You need to understand that he is first accountable to God for his personal spiritual life and if he is not up to par, preaching and winning a million souls will not guarantee him a ticket to heaven. I t is clearly stated in 2 corithians 13:5 which states:
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith, "
I am certain this man must have spoken to God and given the go-ahead by God before taking this decision

SMH in utter disbelief

@ some of the responses that have been critical of the man, I guess this must be one of the exceptions to the "touch not my anointed" principle.

Alexleo

alexleo:

@joagbaje and mabell,
am not suprised at your reponse to this because this man's life style runs contrary to that of your pastor whom some of you worship even more God,

there is difference between followership and worship. Don't who don't have who to follow attack this who follow someone as worshippers of that person.

Let me tell you that a position that God calls you to serve can put you to hell if you are not careful.

Wheredid you get that nonsense from. How can God give you a ministry that will take you to hell? God give perfect things dear.

James 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

God doesn't give you a ministry that will take you to hell. Rather, Hell will try to take you from the ministry especiallly through discouragement .discourage you from fulfilling your call . That's why we ought to strengthen this who are weak. If one of us suffer discouragement it can affect others.

1 Corinthians 12:26-27
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

What would have been paul's advice to a minister Contemplating runing away. Will Paul praise him like you guys are doing religiously in ignorance or encourage him to fulfil his ministry. I tell you, Paul would be on his case to make him fulfil the call
As he did to archipuss through Timothy.

Colossians 4:17
17 And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it. ” 

Claus:

@ some of the responses that have been critical of the man, I guess this must be one of the exceptions to the "touch not my anointed" principle.

Haha! Touché! nice one claus

Oga Alexleo and Uche, I salute your responses men.

@JOAGBAJIE
You are really incorrigible. When will you stop stupidly quoting scriptures out of context. So in ur learned position since we are ignorant, a man cannot go to hell if he deviates while fulfilling the ministry God has given to him because Gods gifts are without repentance. Who said Gods gift will take someone to hell , a man will go straight to HELL if he misses it while 'fulfilling his call" why do you think paul said in 1cor9:27", lest when i have preached to others, i myself will be a cast away". So u prefer him to have been smiling, preaching and doing plenty activities to please ur type when he knows he has some issues to settle within himself. For example, if a doctor who is called to take care of the sick gets ill too, what does he do? he simply takes sometime off , treat himself and then come back better in order to treat others. Does he stay put in his job attempting to treat others when he knows that he is not ok.How can he function effectively without getting healed himself. Please read the post again, the man is not running away but has decided to take sometime off. If he complained of being tired, discouraged etc then ur argument would have sufficed rather this blessed gentleman wants to do some spiritual checks and balances and u r complaining. After this, am sure he will return stronger and better.

Some comments are really really comical, If I may say . How can we display jubilance over a man that abandon his call. Because of people .  He needs a father like paul boost his courage .

Colossians 4:17
17 And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it. ” 

Some good Samaritans should have done what Paul did in the scripture above. They rather made a hero out of someone who deserted his call and assignment.

@UcheQ

uche13:

@JOAGBAJIE
You are really incorrigible. When will you stop stupidly quoting scriptures out of context. So in your learned position since we are ignorant, a man cannot go to hell if he deviates while fulfilling the ministry God has given to him because Gods gifts are without repentance. Who said Gods gift will take someone to hell , a man will go straight to HELL if he misses it while 'fulfilling his call" why do you think paul said in 1cor9:27", lest when i have preached to others, i myself will be a cast away". So u prefer him to have been smiling, preaching and doing plenty activities to please your type when he knows he has some issues to settle within himself. For example, if a doctor who  is called to take care of the sick gets ill too, what does he do? he simply takes sometime off , treat himself and then come back better  in order to treat others. Does he stay put in his job attempting to treat others when he knows that he is not ok.How can he function effectively without getting healed himself. Please read the post again, the man is not running away but has decided to take sometime off. If he complained of being tired, discouraged etc then your argument would have sufficed rather this blessed gentleman wants to do some spiritual checks and balances and u r complaining. After this, am sure he will return stronger and better.

My own is . A man doesn't run away just because of people. It's part of the training. Jesus fame went every where. But responsibility is laid on him , he didn't  abandon ministry. A minister has to be tough. He may take time out to pray etc but the assignment should be more important that feelings. Was he more popular than Jesus? Jesus became so popular that they wanted to make him king. 

John 6:15
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

It only made him pray more and intensified his work. The assignment is more than emotion. This "HUMILITY" is now getting more attention ,and nothing has changed.

uche13:

@joagbajie,mabell and Azibalua
i strongly disagree with your submissions concerning this issue. You are not with the man and therefore dont know exactly what his issues are. He never said he will not return to his ministry as a Pastor, all he wants to do is to take time out of the big scene probably do some self examination and evaluation and then return. He needs to check his spirit to determine if pride and arrogance has not set in. The fact that he doesnt preach on sundays doesnt mean he is not fulfilling his calling. Is it better for him to stay in church, preach and carry on as if everything is ok when exactly it is not or should he miss the mark after pleasing people. You need to understand that he is first accountable to God for his personal spiritual life and if he is not up to par, preaching and winning a million souls will not guarantee him a ticket to heaven. I t is clearly stated in 2 corithians 13:5 which states:
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith, "
I am certain this man must have spoken to God and given the go-ahead by God before taking this decision 

What big scene are we talking about here
Is it a big scene of telling a million people about jesus
I still insist that in ministry we don't take time off
I wonder what would have happened if after looking at the cross Jesus decided to take time off what life would have been like
If there was any challenge all he should have done was to seek godly counsel
Proverbs 24:6
6 For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.



My pastor used to be very shy in front of people to the point when even during his birthday while we sang happy birthday for him it was obvious he was not comfortable,this went on for quite some time but thank god he did not run away or take time off I wonder, where I would be today

Who actually made him popular? I f man makes u then man will break u. It only goes to say that maybe he was moved emotionally by what they presumed about him. John 15:16a ' Ye have not chosen me,but i have chosen you , and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain, '

Joagbaje:

He wasn't called to be a pastor.that's why he could walk out. It's not humility. If he were called by God as a pastor, it is rather STUPIDITY to walk out. It doesn't matter  what people say about you, some will abuse you , some will praise you. People must talk about you as a public person , especially when you make impact. It's part of what a popular pastor has to contend with. No more privacy. You can't take a stroll, you can't go to supermarket.  You can live normal life. It's a big sacrifice. But what keeps you going is the fact that you are responsible to God and to a cause and the people to whom God has sent him. You can't please everyone. Jesus had praise singers and enemies, but he knew how to handle them both by focusing on God because the assignment is more important than his feeling.

   Luke 11:27-28 
27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed You are blessed! ” 
28 He said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed! ” 

 John 9:4-5
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

 Luke 9:62
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. ” 

If he was called to be a pastor, he rather needs your prayers rather than praise, he couldn't stand the prassure. He will answer for his unfinished ministry. But if he was not called to be a pastor. I will commend him for taking a honourable part by leaving what he wasn't called to do for his real assignment .

Peeps like you never fail to embarrass yourselves. If it was one of your Oyaks fellow thieving pastors and someone implied him as "stupidly" walking out, you are your brainwashed calvary would have quoted the boring and overused "touch not my anointed" but since he has more morals than you and your thieving brothers, it's somehow convenient to use all manner of descriptions for him.

Thief!

^^^ Parfait & Apt description!

For the first time, non-believers see a good example & "gods" dey touch THIS anointed