Grapevine Texas Fellowship Church Pastor Ed Young Responds to Accusations
An interesting statement that stands out in the response is Ed Young's assertion that he has not viewed the channel 8 report: "We have not seen the piece that was aired, nor will we give credence to it by watching."
Now why on earth would anyone think that a person who is the target of an investigative report lends credibility to his accusers by hearing what they had to say about him?
It is a common ploy for those who have done something wrong to avoid hearing the charges others are bringing against them. After all, you don't have to specifically answer a charge if you can honestly say you haven't heard the accusation. It's the closest you'll ever get to being able to "plead the fifth" with the media other than simply keeping silent. A clever tactic, but just a new twist on the old "that's so preposterous it doesn't warrant a response!" routine that miscreants have used for centuries to avoid answering uncomfortable questions.
So, Ed Young says nothing in his post about the 8 million dollar private mystery jet at Alliance Airport. Nothing about claims he has a fabulous 10,000 square foot house on Lake Grapevine, and nothing about the reported million dollar salary.
If all those accusations were totally false, Ed Young would be addressing and refuting each accusation specifically and in detail to clear his name and preserve the reputation of his ministry, for the sake of the church. Instead, there is insinuation that a story presented during sweeps week is automatically suspect.
He says in the blog post that he and his wife have no secrets. He also says "What we do know is that this report was made based on fragments of information gathered out of context and anonymously, and that it disregarded documented information that the Board of Directors for Fellowship Church is privy to and that is known by legal counsel and accounting audits."
The use of the word "privy" sure sounds secretive to me. "Privy" indicates someone is privileged to know something, and by definition others are excluded from knowing. Maybe we're all hung up on the definition of the word "secrets". After all, Bill Clinton taught us that it all depends on what the definition of the word "is" is, so perhaps the term "secrets" should be translated as "insufficient transparency".
In a terrifically bizarre sentence, Young states: "My life is lived in an aquarium, and I am not ashamed of that fact."
No, Mr. Young, your life is lived in a beautiful mansion on Lake Grapevine.
But I wouldn't be surprised if you have a very expensive aquarium inside it.
P.S. Well, here's Ed Young "Setting things straight and moving on" in his own words, and I will admit that he does directly address many of the things I mentioned above. Now why didn't he do that in the blog post? It would, of course, be hypocritical of me to go change my words above in light of the video I just discovered, so in fairness I leave you with Ed Young's much better video rebuttal below, and you can decide for yourself if I've been too quick to judge:
Published by Timothy Frazier
Tim is a freelance blogger and creative writer living in Grapevine, Texas. He enjoys riding his Triumph Rocket III, woodworking, and making his Grandson, Jade, giggle. He and his wonderful wife, Robin, ha... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI attend Fellowship and have for years. Pastor Young has been a vital part of growing this Church and just as someone grows a business, why shouldn't he be compensated? You people have NO idea what you are talking about! ED Youngs life has been dedicated to helping people here and abroad. Mrs. Young has done much of the "remodel" work in their home-herself! I can't believe you would buy into this media garbage without first speaking to people that are members of this Church and staffers that have been at the Church since it started.
I haven't heard about this. Great reporting.
Used to.
Do any of you attend Fellowship
What a crock. Hero worship at its best. He is so full of himself. And when someone tries this hard to "explain" things, you KNOW there is a wiggle in the snake.
if it wiggles like a snake it's a snake
I am not sure why no one else has pointed out some obvious things...at 3:57 in the video he clearly annunciates "As I've TOLD you before, again..." and then at 8:09 into the video, he clearly annunciates "As I've SOLD you, this is my number one investment the church...". That is the TRUTH, right out of his mouth. He has sold us. He sells. He is a sellling, marketing phenomenon, hawking coins at the temple for his gain, not His gain. As good as he is, he can not help but slip up (think Freud) by saying Sold, crossing his arms, and touching his mouth from time to time, which in non verbal communication, show that he either does not believe what he is hearing/not hearing the truth, or he his aftershave is bothering him. Anyway, I think that in this economic crisis, were folks who tithe to this church and are struggling to pay the rent and utilities and buy groceries, Ed should set an example. By the way, did'nt congress make the big automaker CEOs fly commercial instead of showing up in t
The guy sounds fishy to me.
The board members are his buddies Johnny Cross. He doesn't even attend the church and where is the balance on the board. COO is the attorney and his board is his buddies that don't even attend the church regularly.
How can you advise and council an organization you are not truly a part of, and there is just something fishy about having the attorney & COO and business partner be all the same person. Where is the objective eye?
I can't even watch the video, because while I believe God wants to bless his Children, I don't believe he wants pastor's to fleece the flock. I don't know anymore about the story. I can't judge him. I recall a time in Biblical history when "every man did what was right in his own eyes." Not God's. The results weren't pleasant. And --AND this type of behavior gives other pastors a bad name when there are many who work from the heart w/o pay or barely making ends meet to make sure the needs of the people are met. Not venting at you, just gets under my skin, that's all.