Beware of online ministries

We should be cautious of all the online ministries around today and not take anything they say as truth without testing it by the word of God. There are many of these ministries, run by people who aren't the least bit qualified to be teaching or preaching.

Tim Hurd, the so-called Bible Thumping Wingnut, comes to mind. By his own admission, Hurd was disqualified and ejected from his church, only to resurface with an online ministry. Hurd and his sidekick sit jawing while guzzling beer and wine on camera.

This is but one example. Anyone with a computer and internet connection can start an online ministry. I've started noticing some very strange teachings emerging from some of these "ministers."

is it because you are always online yourself? Just wondering.

Whos to say you arent guzzling wine and beer while you typing this. hmm

Amd also, why should we believe anything you say? BTW who is Tom Hurd? Should we all look him up just because you mentioned him? How did you find out about him...too much time online?

Who is John Gualt? ... i mean tim/tom Hurd?
Also what is "guzzeling"? Sounds nasty.
Also what did this guy say/do that is so terrible that it should brought to our attention?

I was listening online and tv to Jimmy Brown in Tennessee. He claims to be the only person in US if not the world that teaches the truth' He does say McArthur is close. I started listening to Melissa Scott about 5 yrs ago and knew about her from her now deceased husband Gene Scott. I remember how he would ask for contributions so he could buy a quarter horse which happened and then he asked for contributions so he could bet on it. He also stiffed my then wife's boss for payment due on some rental property. Both Gene & Melissa were seemingly able to give chapter & verse in multiple languages. Some preachers have plenty of gimmicks.

He was ousted from the ministry, and by his own admission is "unqualified for ministry." What he did exactly I'm not sure; but he admits it got him kicked out of the ministry. Whatever it was, it prevents him from getting another pastoral or missionary gig.

Now, here's my point. Anyone (even Hurd) can start an online ministry whether qualified to be teaching and preaching or not. My default position is to not trust any online ministries until I've tested them against the word of God. This should be true of any teacher or preacher, but especially online ministries where there's no oversight and no accountability.

Yea online ministries are hard to ascertain if the creator is sound biblically unless you've met them or they are referred to by others who know them

It's really not good to be an online minister only. Though many pastors are online. I suggest following churches but it shouldn't be replaced with going to church unless you can't make it.

On line is not a replacement for church. Unless there are extreme circumstances such as shut ins. Even then shut ins shod be connected to a real church where ministers can actually check in on them and serve them.

If a pastor is removed from the office for ergregious sin. He should never hold church office again. While he may be restored to communion with the chruch upon repentance.

I wonder why should you, me or anyone of us watch ANY "online ministries"?

I don't know about you guys but I know TOO MUCH about calvinism, oneness, trinity, dispensationalism, cessationism, continuationism, prepostmid trib rapture, amillennialism, premillennialism, socinianism, unitarianism, supersessionism and on and on it goes.

I have heard ALL the possible arguments from both sides in each of these debates, watched hundreds of em, and they ALL repeat the same arguments, doesn't matter who is doing the debating, its the same arguments being used. I am confident I could prove to you all of the positions listed above from the Bible, then turn around and disprove them with the Bible. HOW is that possible you ask? Easy, I pick the verses that support it and either IGNORE or explain away the other verses, that is how ALL these systems work.

Heres an example

1. Calvinism is true, proof: John 6:37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

See there, they WILL come, not maybe, they will come, its all predestined anyway Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

2. Calvinism is not true, proof:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9


See there you go, clearly God wants everyone saved.

1.But wait, all doesnt really mean ALL without exception, it means all kinds of men as we see from the context there.


2.No actually it does mean all men because "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2 -

ON and ON it goes. The other guy gonna talk about how world there means gentiles in general, other one disagrees and says why. These are ENDLESS repetitive fruitless debates. And that is what 99% of online ministries are, just "exposing" some pastor somewhere for something and his gang of cheerleaders cheering him on. These guys need to go outside, and so do I

Lots of problems offline as well. Be Berean.

Good can come from online ministry though. I've seen many people discipled into Christ this way, find support from people, mentorship, find positive things to do like fellowship, Bible study, and grow in Christ.

You're right that there are some dangers out there. I've witnessed closed groups devolve into cults.

Last one I noticed was on Discord and it was a pre-tribulation rapture cult. The moderator was posting about her fears and concerns as her faith in Christ seemed to waiver due to false prophecies about the exact date and time of the pre-trib rapture. As each prediction failed again, and again, and again, I witnessed her faith waiver.

When I finally decided to say something, I tried remedy it with discussion and scripture, but was qucikly called offensive as a pretense to ban me. So yeah that's how it goes out in the wild sometimes.

And online fellowships like this one.

Oh no! Not another PRE-TRIB RAPTURE CULT!
(Probably that Oyster character from CC.)

I'm not picking on any one, just saying this particular cult seemed to mostly center their faith around the rapture.

You mean to tell me you never Hurd of Turd?

You are quite clever my friend.

what happened to forgiveness

What happened to discernment?

ResidentAlien what does love never see? So far that man has not said one negative thing about you but you have about him. If he did something you don't like agree with write him do not speak evil of anyone. How many times do I forgive my brother? Its not only after I talk about him make fun of him and then feel like it. No offense.

Its what I do. Maybe this will help "Believers, do not speak against or slander one another. He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. "

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

I have heard a few of the types that like to justify drunkenness on the net.
One was a guy who preached primarily on the topic of "masculinity.'. His church met in a barroom. Then there's this guy.

Jeff Burbon