Tamaki is screwed on the salvation front then
Besides he is on record as wanting NZ to be a theocracy, any one who claims that should be disavowed and ridiculed by all, or at least by those who can find the history section at the library.

VISION Network, which represents a large number of churches, says that although they were supportive of the general message of Destiny Church’s “Enough” campaign, response from its Advisory Board had overwhelmingly indicated that they preferred to see this issue handled differently … “The difficulty is that when any individual or group calls for unity on a single issue, but operates outside of a wider unity movement that others have committed to, it is more likely to create division rather than the unity which is sought”

“We worship you o Brian, who are lord over us all.
Praise unto you Brian, and to the Lord our Father.”

I mean seriously, “It’s My birthday, Buy me Presents!!” He’s like Cartman from South Park, the rabid narcissist!

So crucifixion it is then for the dirty lucky bastard. After all he is called “Brian”.

“In any church I have been in the congregation is expected to honour their leaders, including the pastor. This is only right. However Brian Tamaki takes it way too far.”

Just in case anyone wants to know what that really means – it is like respecting your boss or supervisor in the workplace. No more than that. You can go up and talk to them (just remember that they are busy people and haven’t got time to say hi to everyone)

In most charistmatic/pentecostal churches I have been in the people in leadership live ordinary lives in ordinary houses and drive ordinary cars, etc. They go and buy their groceries in the supermarket and stand in line at the checkout like everyone else.

I bet Tamaki has some hired help to clean the mansion and get his groceries, maybe he has security men around his house. Probably never goes anywhere without a posse of these guys and has a really expensive car.

Your points taken, however you will find Destiny is shunned by most other Pentecostal (and of course mainline) churches because of their doctrinal questionable practices. A prominent example being they recruited and raised to a position of authority, a Bible college superintendent who had been dismissed from his post for sexual misconduct. Also try to find out how many other churches suopported the “Enough is Enough” march and you will discover it was silently boycotted by many who are supposedly on the same spiritual wavelength as Tamaki (i.e. Pentecostal etc)

Enough said, anyway.

They have them write the name on the envelope and then record who is giving and who is not of course. Then whoever is not giving gets harrassed to give more. They usually enforce 10% on everyone. That’s why cults are so wealthy, they go around telling everyone they must give as much as possible. And the fact is a lot of Tamaki’s flock are from the lower socio ecomic strata, they are all paying for his lavish lifestyle.

As part of his long address, Bishop Tamaki said to the gathered men:

“Who is going to touch my people? Who is going to steer your children? Who is going to try and put a disease upon you if I already pre-programmed, pre-designed it? God. I am God, I am not just some man or spirit, I am god.”

Some may interpret that as an affirmation by Tamaki in regard to himself.
However most Christians are familiar with a type of speech called “prophecy” in which the person is speaking a message about God. In this sense, if this is a prophetic message, Tamaki could be assumed to be speaking about God, rather than claiming to be God.

All cult leaders say that.
Have a look at this site for a definition of what a cult is.
They were one of the first to blow the whistle on Tamaki years ago (the term they use is “super-apostle”)
http://www.cultwatch.com/

All churches have genuine people in them, so they have helped these people but what is the long term consequence. YMMV as some of these cults are more extreme than others, some are relatively harmless but others certainly will cut you off from your family if you decide to leave.

There are a lot of “cults” doing “good things” but there are also lot of people whose lives have been completely messed up when they decided they just had to leave. I know a few people in that category myself. So the problem is that the fallout can be at a high cost personally or for society.

If he thinks that then he should be in a mental ward.

“Who is going to touch my people? Who is going to steer your children? Who is going to try and put a disease upon you if I already pre-programmed, pre-designed it? God. I am God, I am not just some man or spirit, I am god.””

“We should hold it (the money) in the air and bless it. I pray and release for a blessing that will make 2010 a year of abundance, of great wealth, or doors opening.”

http://www.3news.co.nz/Secret-video-reveals-the-inner-workings-of-Destiny-Church/tabid/817/articleID/127420/cat/221/Default.aspx