No - This is not a Joke

Just read a recent news report about a Knoxville Tennessee man who is suing a church because he was "so consumed by the Spirit of God" that he fell to the floor and injured himself. No - this is not a joke!

According to the story (www.tennessean.com), Matt Lincoln - 57, decided to sue the church after their insurance company denied his claim. He's looking for the church to pay his medical bills and loss of wages. Oh, don't forget they also need to pay for the pain and suffering he has endured (anybody know how to calculate that?).

Anybody here think we need to change some of the laws on lawsuits? This story is absolutely ridiculous. It reminds me of one I heard a few years ago when a Florida couple sued a church because they did not get blessed appropriately after tithing to the church. What is wrong with people? Can you imagine what will happen to insurance premiums for churches should this man win his case? I can see it now: a pastor goes into a meeting with an insurance agent and one of the questions on the form is "Does your church allow falling out?" "What about laying on of hands?" "Does your church have enough 'drop cloths' to cover the men or women who should fall?" The list could be endless!

There was a time that we were unsure of the men who set up tents and people would fall out - now we have to be aware of who falls.

Needless to say, but stories like these will eventually spread like wildfire unless something happens. Churches cannot enter into the public arena when it comes to politics...we are hindered from being involved in public education...there are reports about churches trying to protect themselves from discrimination suits should they not hire homosexuals...and it will probably only get worse. This is nothing more than an issue that will try to grab the attention of pastors and church leaders. Rather than focus on the lost within their communities they will be looking to make sure that every loophole is covered and out of reach of children.

I'm sure that some people out there will use this little incident to point fingers at "Charismatic" churches. They will say negative things about those who "fall out" and the churches that promote it. As far as I'm concerned this is a personal conviction. I don't need every one's opinions - I've got my own. Have you ever prayed and felt compelled to get on your knees? Not just that little tug in your heart but almost like two hands on your shoulders pushing you down into a position of reverence? John fell into a trance on the Lord's day and then penned the Revelation. In today's culture if that happened he could sue because of the migraine. Paul was stoned after preaching the Gospel...in today's world he could sue the church for lack of security!

John said of some people who went out from the Apostles that they "were not of us". He goes on to say that if they had been of them then they would have stayed. Point is - regardless of Mr. Lincoln's testimony - he's not one of them. Scripture commands believers not to go to court with one another. Not only that, but he is not innocent in all of this. No one forced him to the ground and according to eye-witness accounts he was laying in the floor laughing.

Jeremiah 6:15, God says that his people have "forgotten how to blush". I hope that you haven't grown cold to stories like these. Pray for this church in Knoxville and remember that God says, "Vengeance is mine...I will repay." It's God's fight!