Sorry, "Pastor James Merritt Tells his FHTM Story" was deleted at 12:24:17 Mon Aug 1, 2011. Vimeo has removed or disabled access to the following material as a result of a third-party notification by Dr. James Merritt claiming that this material is infringing: Pastor James Merritt Tells his FHTM Story. We have no more information about it on our mainframe or elsewhere.
Hopefully this means is that Dr. Merritt is hearing the concerns about his involvement with FHTMC, whether he agrees with them or not. Even if he simply takes a much less public approach with his involvement ... well, I guess that's something due to his massive influence on one of the largest Protestant denominations in our nation.
A few more resources on Merritt's involvement, in case you missed the video before it was deleted:
Surprised By a Hero of Mine
I Thought I Had Seen It All
Weekend 7: Money, Money, Money
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I was going to give some commentary on this video, but I think I just have to share it and allow everyone time to process and discuss.
This is a prominent mega-church pastor, promoting a multi-level marketing business. What you are seeing is not a part of a sermon, but an informational meeting held at his church.
Pastor James Merritt Tells his FHTM Story from Leverage LLC on Vimeo.
If I ever stop beating my head against the wall, perhaps I can join the discussion.
14 comments:
I researched FHTM after watching this video. I also read their financial disclosure - less than 4.89% of their representatives make a livable salary according to their commissions - BUT that does not disclose what their expenses were out of that livable salary!
Held this meeting in his church/recommends to those in his church who have lost jobs ... Luke 19:45-46.
Yep, now I have some pretty big feelings about this!
I didn't make it past the 3rd minute. When he started talking about how business could glorify God, I knew if I watched any longer I'd be physically ill.
Would love to hear more on this, my Mom just signed up and was trying to get me to go too. When i asked what it was or what the name of the company was she said "It is hard to explain, you have to watch". she had the lady who brought her into this get on the phone and basically say the same thing, I have to watch the DVD first. I said no but anyways she ended up buying a $250 "training session" in which she earns 5 points. Those 5 points give her higher percentage rating on the items that are sold or services that are used. I asked if she realized this is a pyramid scheme and that her pastor is the only one who will be making money off his already struggling congregation since he will have all these people signed up under him. I was in shock by it and now I am really surprised to see you posted something about it too. Curious to hear others thoughts on it.
oh, my. Me and you as PKs of humblish ethical pops are not suckered by this guy, but yikes. I am glad God holds this guy accountable and not me. Millstone, anyone? A former co-camp staff person is also involved in an effort to boost his ministry. Yikes.
This makes me SO STABBY. We had a number of church staff get involved with another MLM scheme last year and it caused huge problems - eventually the church stepped up and prohibited any pastors from being involved, because it was manipulative. I hate these schemes a whole lot, but hate them even more when there's a pulpit involved.
Um, after 1:30 with the 'glorify God in business' crap, I kinda stopped watching.
Ick, ick, ick.
Went to the company's web site just to prowl around (what do they REALLY sell?) and was told "THIS SITE IS PRIVATE. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GROUP CONTACT THE PERSON WHO DIRECTED YOU HERE." It is people like this who give Christianity and churches bad names. Gak!
John Tesh sells Amway during his DJ time on the radio. Not a fan.
It's just not right.
Aw shoot. So now is probably not the time to invite you to a "bible study" we're having here tomorrow night?
Listen Christine, it's not MLM or a pyramid ... it is more of "different levels of selling things" and we reject the word "pyramid" in favor of 'triangular shaped'.
7pm. Livesays. It will be wonderful. See you there.
"like"
We had a realtor who was doing amway - a looong time ago. He said "my son is doing blah blah blah, but I can't really explain it, you need to come..." I said "is it amway?" "he said, I can't really explain it - you have to come blah blah blah..."
I am curious why you cannot answer a simple question - you don't KNOW what you're hawking? Then why would I ever go with you?
The reason you "just have to go and hear about it" is because that's the only way to get caught up in the charisma of it all. Reading/hearing about it in black and white, that tends to reveal the truth.
Shudder. This sort of thing drives me nuts because I find it exploitative, manipulative, and a fantastic example of gaining off of other people. Seems very anti-America. This said from a Canadian.
There was a spate of "Quikstar" (a temporary rebranding of Amway) back a few years ago at our church. I went to one introductory meeting at a friend's house because the guy I liked was invited too. The up-stream guy that gave the talk was REALLY frustrated with me because I was single with a good job at the time and no debt other than a mortgage. There was nothing that I wanted more money for. I had all I needed. He was astounded and had no idea how to sell me on the product/way of life. Plus I was busy and it seemed like all they ever did was go to "motivational" meetings. My parents were hurt one time because my dad ran into an old high school friend who was a coach at _my_ high school. The coach and wife invited them over. My parents thought they were being friendly. Turns out it was just for Amway. I know it works for some people, but I hate how skeevy it makes me feel to use my friends that way.
Pastors are people too though. Granted, if he were literally talking about it from the pulpit or had somehow used his position to get benefits with the church (like not paying for space for his meeting if it was required for others), then it's wrong, but if he's doing something that any member could, then it's not wrong imo...just skeevy and in poor taste.
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