Plan Your Visit Discover Watermark Membership Events Watermark News Articles Watermark en Espaol. TWW last left Wagner on leave due to pride in Todd Wagner, the Controversial Pastor of Watermark Church, Steps Away *for a Season. And why? Todd had 6 children living at home at the time he was gifted the home. The preacher they were to install couldnt preach well. Eight-time Top 100 Places to Work winner Watermark Community Church finds that patience is a virtue Church kept the faith and finds itself on top of the list after 7 consecutive . Many churches won't consider an openly gay man or woman for the clergy. Did he stay to minister to anyone in need? Im not taking about prosperity- However, an expert on church property law says the churches . I automatically defended the leaders and staff, and also automatically discredited the victims with pre determined notions the victim was not telling the whole story. It also means sharing your entire financial portfolio and giving away the freedom to make any life decisions apart from the community group. Thats the other dallas todd wagner who is mark cubans partner. For every story that IRead more . All of the years I attended Kanakuk I had awesome and incredible counselors except for Todd. Scripture also says live your neighbor as yourself.folks many of you here have already missed that mark. I admit I also used to automatically discredit stories Like this one when I heard them. Over the years, Wagner has been dogged by allegations of spiritual abuse published on a blog called No Eden Elsewhere. Being your authentic self in community with others is the goal, they say. If the answer or NONE then you need to look at your own lives and see if correction is needed. I was so disappointed reading all the comments, especially when considering the targeted audience for this site. This piece has been updated. The Asbury Revival Is Over. Sounds like something Whoopie Goldburg would say. Poor Todd. he was reprimanded for not giving more to the church. The lessons were unifying and not surfacy. Are Calvinism and YEC accurately described as higher? Watermark Family, Throughout the fall, we have shared that, as an Elder team, we have focused on three main priorities: Strengthening our leadership team Reengaging our members in the life and ministry of the church Equipping our body for a changing world Genuine question, The house was given to him from a member of the church years ago. There are many issues at Watermark. I suppose you think you can do better than they? I have however heard Todd Wagner say from the pulpit if youre not comfortable giving here thats ok, please give somewhere meaningful to you. +++++++++++++++. Watermark Church is certainly not alone in taking a stance against homosexuality. Ill also go into more detail about how Watermark Church does resemble a cult, and how some of their teachings are harmful and potentially abusive. Those who love control and achievement thrive very well there. If you call Christ a savior then learn to make Him In my opinion, its best to have the teaching statement serve as the unifying statement that covers both members and elders, so that those who attend and who are working through their beliefs dont prematurely sign a membership covenant that in reality places them under the pastoral authority of elders who adhere to the teaching statement. So you either choose to remain by completing the 4b questionnaire or you are no longer a member, [] a greatexample of unsafe community groups which verge on cults. Todd gave me support and comfort during a rough time in my life, and I will be FOREVER grateful. The announcement was captured on video and posted online with a statement from the elders. Yet it turns out they are getting people toRead more , Hi to all, Ive been a member of Watermark for over three years, went through Re:Generation and now co-lead a community group. To become a member, there are certain things with which a person has to be in agreement, of course; but if a person becomes an elder, then what is expected is more clearly defined. Seems there are some Watermark menbers If I had to guess the Sr Pastor Todd agreed to leave if the concerned pastor Steve agreed to resign. I promise Im not trolling yall. What a strange and often sad world much of American white evangelicalism has become. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Im with Scotty and Andy Wilson. I believe this man would help many, I can say that without shadow of doubt. You might want to check out this site The man and his wife were Watermark members. The Christian Post's Leonardo Blair wrote an eyeopening post titled Dallas megachurch pastor who confessed to sin of pride resigns. A church membership contract errr. He finally quit when he decided to switch jobs and was reprimanded for not getting the groups permission. For much of Wagners speech in the video, Leventhal did not look at Wagner, but stared straight ahead. Not to mention that even if the words are perfect its up to the listeners as to how they interpret it. This was the same concept as we moved on to adult Sunday school. I take at face value Susan has hurt and I feel compassion for her. Prestonwood Baptist also made the list (top 20) and its nowhere near a cult. Help me to understand. As the CG leader, I went first. Church leaders concealed sexual abuse of young children, lawsuits allege. To the unsuspecting eye, everything contained in this document may seem legitimate or customary as far as church membership goes. eSignature; Some of the most notable settlements are described below. Both Wagner and Leventhal will remain at Watermark as elders emeritus. Ive never heard of nor attended a church with such a position. You cant find any. I am a former Watermark member. Seems like theres a lot of hurting people with a lot to hide on this thread. He had no recollection of ever having seen or met you before because he was so self absorbed. This drum beat often is driven by pride, immature leaders thats been placed to seven themselves. Did You Know This Church Is Closely Aligned with 9 Marx (sic) Thanks for the reply. WM hides abusers and minimizes victims. So, if they can sell their copyrighted material, that is just the same as authors getting paid for their writing or bible study writers selling their studies in bookstores. Appreciate your response! Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Paul, thanks for the response. After hearing Todds sermon, I left the building thinking pride comes before the fall will be evidenced in that man someday. So recent events are unsurprising to me. I canRead more , I can tell you that I know Todd Wagner personally over 20 years ago. But why? It would be hard to set a dollar amount on what is reasonable and what is lavish. seems to me median, or less, is reasonable (relative to the community where the church exists). Its how relationships are formed and accountability is established or thats what they want you to think. Its a really bad idea in my opinion because its not being totally forthright with members about what the church actually teaches. We know a number of people who attend Watermark due to our 10 year stay in dallas. He began to consider that he was in a cult. Im Jesus name. A lower court has already ruled that the church is free to release private information about its members. Problem with a church goers these days is (they are simply judgmental- half the time without any knowledge or discernment. Its inappropriate and wrong for a pastor serving the church to live an opulent lifestyle. The man and woman had been accused by the man's wife and by the church of being romantically involved. Amazing indeed! Remember the verse when most friends depart, there is one who stays closer then the brother. Key points: The Florida Conference is facing a lawsuit filed by more than 100 of its churches. Ive said my bit, not interested in burning much more time, unless you or anyone wants to leave a number to meet to discuss Jesus, WM or Todd. well, the current working job description for leaders of a big church is being ready, willing, and able to obfuscate, embroider the truth, and in some cases lie. Then check your heart. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. It took a tremendous amount of courage for this person to come forward and tell their story, for fear of reactions like yours. That is only for the married folk. . Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. -, You write about the website, No Eden Elsewhere. And some community groups are less intense. And, there was zero pressure from church leadership to do so. Author: this is unequivocally WRONG. a smarmy, unctuous reply. 1 Pet 2:25 Stonebriar Community Church. If you arent a covenant member at Watermark Church, you cant join a community group, and that is where all the getting involved starts. to verify your name calling., Which of the victims of Im thankful you have experienced the controlling, entrapment, and triangulating side of WM. Susan felt it was ironic that I had made a comparison between Scientology and Watermark Church, because she said those same comparisons helped her realize that she was not in a healthy church. Having been a Watermark (now CityBridge) member since 2016 have never EVER heard these messages thatSusan speaks of. Agreed. Before I get into the first story, I want to lay some groundwork to help my readers understand how the structure of community groups at Watermark Church works. As I read Scripture I recognized it didn't have to be my opinion vs. Tony's anymore. and oversee the spiritual interests of our church body. Yeah, I glanced at it. The elders at Watermark, along with Wagner and Leventhal, announced the resignations at services yesterday. Ill meet you. i felt like i was watching and listening to animated cardboard characters. Not Todds decision but good try on the poor stewardship bit. As stated above, dont confuse Todd Wagner the billionaire with Todd Wagner the pastor though Todd Wagner the pastor does live in a home valued between 1 and 2 million dollars. I went to a church with a broadly evangelical membership statement coupled with a specifically Calvinistic, and specifically young earth creationist, teaching statement. It is an interesting discussion. Watermark, a fast-growing nondenominational church in northeast Dallas, says the case involves accusations of adultery, a wife who wanted to save her marriage, a husband who sat on a board of a national Christian organization, and another woman who works for another church. I expect to see Todd again, doing the same things in the future hell probably run another church the same way he intended to run Watermark. No One Knows. the equity in a $million+ home can be invested to provide hot meals, warm beds, jobs, training, and more for years. God has allowed the clarity and conviction that I need to not leave a snarky comment, to dry up.. All white and all men has nothing to do with anything. Wagner has always surrounded himself with yes men. Are you familiar with the website, No Eden Elseware? Not to gotcha, but I just want to set the record straight that the gift tax doesnt make it unrealistic that Todds family was gifted that house. However, if you have any experience with these covenants or have heard stories of people who have dealt with a church where they signed one of these and there was a point of contention or disagreement, you know that these are LEGALLY binding agreements and can be used against you (re: current The Village Church lawsuit& the Karen Hinkley story.). University Park has the advantage though of a much lower tax rate for obvious reasons. This process is called Community Formation (formerly GroupLink). Elder Mickey Friedrich then urged the church not to try and judge whose version of events is right or wrong. Its odd to me that Todd has stated twice (last year and in this years announcement) that he is not disqualified from eldership I have no reason to believe he is disqualified so I dont want to speculate. It sounds like maybe you want Todd to fall in line with the way you think things should be instead of what is biblical. She has never seriously considered getting involved with the church beyond that, but has expressed to me that it is quite difficult to actually get connected at Watermark Church because everything is centered around MEMBERSHIP and COMMUNITY GROUPS and you cant have one without the other. Once you see it, you cant unsee it. Watermark is a community of faithful, creative, authentic Christ-followers who are united in one purpose: to be and make disciples of Jesus. If you dont fill out the form you can leave easy if your just quiet. In September 2020, Wagner announced he was taking a leave of absence to work on pride issues. We have ministry partners with boots on the ground, helping to love and serve others by meeting their immediate physical and spiritual needs. Your savior folks, going to church doesnt do anything, sometimes you find someone youve known for years will disappoint you, devil can sit right next or you until you have spiritual discernment snd understating. Thats for God to reveal or conceal.. Thats for God to reveal or conceal. He added that there are just too many layers and that even Friedrich and Thompson land at a different place than (Leventhal and Wagner) regarding why weve arrived here., Both Wagner and Leventhal will remain at Watermark as elders emeritus, though the church said it is proactively pursuing men to add to the Elder team., According to the church website, Wagner and Leventhal will spend time with their families preparing for whatever the Lord has next.. I wonder what is considered a lavish lifestyle. that the elder board was ready to go in Todds leadership direction. Thats a new one on me. One of His Disciples who signed a church membership contract?, Five Reasons to Say No to a Church Covenant Todd Wagner, the embattled pastor of Watermark Church, a Dallas multisite megachurch with a pre-pandemic congregation of 20,000 people, has resigned his position as senior pastor and elder. They have brought a civil lawsuit against the Church of Scientology for stalking and intimidation that occurred after they reported their assaults to the police. Watermark exists to be and make more fully devoted followers of Christ, looking to God's Word as our only authority, conscience and guide. Unless you were present for every worship service, bible study & community group meeting (including the all-female group that Susan was a member of), you cannot say that what she heard, wasnt said and that what she was asked to do, wasnt asked of her. Humility, self-awareness of our own sins, repentance, forgiveness and grace for others, these should not be forgotten. Todd Wagner is a guy that would jump in a foxhole with me with the bullets are flying, and I for him. In the video, an emotional Leventhal said that he had resigned on March 26 because of a loss of trust in Todds ability to lead in the role of pastoral elder/senior pastor, which was the direction the elders were wanting to move to.. I went through the Re:Engage program twice early in its development. The first being last and the last being first is not how most Christians think. These overly dramatic talks tend to make me feel like Im not spiritual enough or theyre covering up something. THAT is what these people are afraid of. If by community you mean confessing every single sin in your life to a group of virtual strangers, disclosing your personal financial information, and seeking the approval of the group to change jobs, buy a house, start a family then no,Read more , Christian community can have so many different levels, and not everyone is seeking the same depth in all relationships. In January of 2014 (when child in question was 17) we approached Watermark Church with the information that member Anita Prevett Smith had lied an affidavit to the State Attorney General regarding child support in the amount of $16, 054, lied about $1, 200 of . so much pretense. Hello, Scottie. And Elder Kyle Thompson tearfully described how God had used Wagner to disciple and grow and to model for me what faithfulness looks like more than anybody else, period., Elder Mickey Friedrich then urged the church not to try and judge whose version of events is right or wrong. 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