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ISSUE #31.07 • NEWS • NEWS STORY

The Big Bible Blog Battle


Online dissidents blast megachurch.

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Feeling the power at City Bible.
IMAGE: AMY OUELLETTE
BY ZACH DUNDAS | zdundas at wweek dot com

[December 22nd, 2004] In Portland's conservative evangelical circles, City Bible Church is a colossus. Its twin-domed complex at Northeast 92nd Avenue and Fremont Street attracts about 4,000 faithful on Sundays. Pastor Frank Damazio is the author of numerous books on faith, finance and leadership. Parishioners played major roles in the drive for Measure 36, the constitutional gay-marriage ban that passed overwhelmingly in November.

One might think a critical blog would bug City Bible about as much as a mosquito bothers an elephant. Earlier this month, "City Bible Watch" (citybiblewatch.blogspot.com) went online, giving a few disgruntled ex-members a place to vent. Mostly, gripes focused on money--the bloggers claim City Bible overemphasizes tithing, fundraising and equipment purchases.

"They put a huge emphasis on giving," says Johnpaul Morton, a 25-year-old flooring-supply salesman who started the blog with his brother and a few friends. "They imply that if you give them money, God will bless you back. But does God really need a plasma screen in the lobby?"

By last week, the blog had attracted enough notice that City Bible leaders sought a meeting with Morton, who attended the church for a decade. Morton says an elder of the church told him his online criticisms were "tearing down the church and the Body of Christ." Morton says he wasn't surprised--he believes City Bible can't handle dissent.














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"It's got a very controlling feel," he says. "If you question them about anything, it's a huge deal."

City Bible referred inquires about the blog to Robert Jameson, the church's business administrator. Jameson says the church has little to say about the critical website, though he says City Bible's financial practices are transparent and in line with those of other churches.

Morton says he's doing some soul-searching about whether the blog is the best way to express his qualms about his old church. Meanwhile, City Bible Watch appears to be picking up steam, attracting dozens of posts in the past few days. Some defend the church; others offer guarded sympathy for the lead bloggers' criticisms.

"When I first read the blog, I laughed because it was true," writes one anonymous poster. "Then I cried because it was true.... However, when observation becomes verdict and sentencing, we are encroaching on the duties of the Lord Jesus, and there really isn't grace for that."

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Story Forum Archive  writes on Dec 14th, 2005 12:00am

The Big Bible Blog Battle
I'm glad that Morton says he's doing some soul-searching about whether the blog is the best way to express his qualms about his old church. My personal belief about City Bible Church is that it has been blessed and is very fruitful. The church is a soul winning church. If the congregation feels moved to donate for any cause of the church, then allow them to give. I think God would see this as an act of faith, regardless of the magnitude of the giving. A Christian can judge a church by its fruit, it is the end result of our prayers, giving and trusting in our pastor's vision. Knowing the complete history and what God has done to bless this ministry, I find it hard for anyone to question these good works.
—Randy Olsen

Story Forum Archive  writes on Mar 25th, 2006 12:00am

The Big Bible Blog Battle
So according to "Randy", his church can do anything and preach anything it wants, as long as the "fruit" and "works" are "good"?

Smells fishy to me.
—Jim

Morton  writes on Sep 29th, 2006 3:49pm

The reason we can question them is because we spent many very involved years there. We are the fruit.Congratulations City Bible Church.

Dave in a Cave  writes on Dec 10th, 2006 11:29pm

Online community is here to stay. So a blog for church goers makes perfect sense. And digging dirt on people is big business from Gerry Springer to the National Inquirer.

The Morton brothers found their nitch and are reaching out to the church in their own way.

Eddy Winslow  writes on May 15th, 2008 12:31pm

The blog is just an expression of people who have been abused by a corrupt and backwards religious organization that (like all others in their camp) believe they are right and everyone else is wrong. CBC is just one of hundreds and when they cease existing another one will rise up to take their place. It's not the church that's at fault as much as it is the people who choose to let themselves be brainwashed into believing in the garbage they preach.

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