Denny Kenaston/Charity Churches

Hello all. I am sincerely not wanting to start controversy here, but i am searching for truth. I started listening to the Godly Home series by Kenaston - which seen very good- yet a red flag or two was raised in my spirit. Now this just may be my own doubts, I don't know. But it did cause me to look up some info on Mr Kenaston and Charity Ministries. I found this article - which is a booklet- written by Rick Freidrich who started the Truth in Heart website. I am familiar with Truth in Heart from previous reasearch about Finny and Edwards. I don't know Mr. Freidrich personally but he seems to me a trustworthy man. But I know I could be wrong. I also found his discussions on a forum discussing cults. He is 'aletheainnheart' on the forum (and you have to scroll down a bit to read his responses).

It seems that he and his wife are not the only ones who have had a bad experience with Charity churches (including accusations of spiritual abuse). I really don't know what to make of it.

Yes, I know that there will be naysayers and persecution for those who are giving out truth, but something does not set right with me here. If any one knows any more info. I would appreciate it. I do feel that they subscribe to more of a christian perfection doctrine- of which I lean more toward reformed doctrine.

I hope I have not caused anyone to stumble and i do not want to smear anyone's name if they are innocent. I am truly seeking out the truth in this matter and maybe even warn others if they are not aware.

I am sure there are many good things that charity ministries promotes but I think it is wise to stay away from extremes if they are not biblical.

[url=http://truthinheart.com/Remnant/index.html]Truth In Heart Article[/url]
[url=http://www.factnet.org/discus/messages/3/2119.html?1184302268]Forum discussion[/url]

In Christ, Chanin

Thanks for your quick response, Greg. Do you happen to know this Rick Freidich as well? I also got the picture that some of the problems lay with other leaders in Charity churches, not necessarily Denny himself.

I can see where some would see this as a beautiful way of living - such as the Amish- but I am also concerned that followers of Christ are maybe living by extra-biblical rules and laws. Does this not interfere with the simplicity of Christ that Paul talked about?

Just curiosity I guess.

In His love, Chanin

yes, I agree. If it is not imposed on others- but from what i have read- it is imposed and christians are made to feel like they may lose their slavation if they do not follow these rules. Plus the heirarchy that is in place in these churches. I don't mean to argue at all. I am just concerned for those who may be involved in these churches and are in constant fear of losing their salvation at every turn. And maybe they do not want to follow "Remnant" or Charity ways anymore- are they made to feel like they are wrong. It seems from they way they call themselves the 'remnant' that they believe they are the only ones who know the truth and are living it.

Thanks for your patience.

In His love, Chanin

Our family has never been part of the Charity church. However, we know Denny and others personally.

Anyway, I am glad to see that you are sincerely seeking the truth. I will offer a few comments for you to consider.

but from what i have read- it is imposed and christians are made to feel like they may lose their salvation if they do not follow these rules.

Plus the heirarchy that is in place in these churches.

I am just concerned for those who may be involved in these churches and are in constant fear of losing their salvation at every turn.

It seems from they way they call themselves the 'remnant' that they believe they are the only ones who know the truth and are living it.

In brief, you might find a few of the Anabaptist practices not to your familiarity, but overall Charity represents a solid and biblical Christian experience and Denny is a great preacher. His best messages are not on the godly home, but on Christ, worship, surrender/service/sacrifice, and missions (usually intertwined). Maybe I will recommend a few hidden gems sometime. Please remember I am not an advocate for Charity nor do I have any preference for them over another group, but I also am not an advocate for misinformation and slander, which I believe they unjustly receive plenty of.

[edited]

http://www.charityministries.org/theremnant/index.a5w

Have been receiving The Heartbeat of the Remnant magazine for a couple of years now, think Greg very well stated it as did Koheleth from what I might gather. It has been a tremendous blessing, not any different from the great articles that are presented here. The occasional article on dress and music, what have you ...

Thank you all for your responses. I must assume from what Koheleth wrote that the article written by Rick Freidrich and the statements made by others who have come out of Charity churches are either not true or exaggerated.

I definitely did not intend for Mr Kenaston's name to be slandered(which i stated in my first post).

I only used the word 'imposed' because Greg used it in his post. I am in no way making judgements on Charity churches or on Mr. Kenaston, I am only questioning. If I have made some judgement by accident, please accept my apolgy.

In His love, Chanin

Interesting I see this thread here...This morning while surfing the web I came across a site that was a tad bit critical about them.

One of the points the writer made was how they did not approve of their people wearing the wedding band and felt as though the leaders were imposing their opinions upon their flock. What this writer apparently was ignorant of is that they are following the Scriptures forbidding the wearing of jewelry, as written in 1 Tim. 2:9: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array."

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Chanin / moreofHim,

Thanks so much for your reply! No apologies needed! At the risk of saying too much or becoming confusing, I will add a few comments.

I have read all of Rick Friedrich's material and I guess I would say that (1) I have appreciated it because I believe in "examining everything carefully" as Paul said to do, (2) it mentions points that have some degree of true legitimacy and I have taken note of them myself, (3) in reading Rick's material, we only have one party's views on the issues (Prov. 18:17), and (4) in striving to be as objective and balanced as possible, I find Rick's material to be generally extreme or exaggerated. Rick has not made public whether he followed the Matthew 18 course of action to solve his concerns, but I would say if not then I do not see a Biblical reason to publish this material.

This all comes down to there being strengths and weaknesses and differences among all churches. We can make much of those differences or we can ask if we should rejoice whenever we see God working through any other group. You have mentioned you were of a "reformed" leaning. I am glad to see you have not allowed that to come between you and material of a "Christian" leaning. ;-) Let's keep on keeping on and maintain a heart of "charity" toward all.

;-) Let's keep on keeping on and maintain a heart of "charity" toward all.

Amen!

And if i may i be the first to recommend a sermon by Brother Denny, I would would say that the one titled "Others Lord, Others" would definitely be worth your listen.

Blessings to all who love the Lord in sincerity!

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on "charity", which is the bond of perfectness. ;-) lol

As someone who has had quite a bit of contact in the last year with a charity church, I find this thread interesting. I've really appreciated them and their contrast to typical evangelical Christianity and have probably at times even idolized them. Hearing words of caution are therefore a great blessing to me and remind me that every congregation with people in it will have their faults and charity churches are no different.

My thoughts on them are as follows. They tend toward legalism, but many of the brothers readily admit that. They see it and can therefore guard against it. They follow scripture quite literally but not blindly. Their love for others and their devotion to God is something I've never seen in a fellowship anywhere and causes me to grieve when I consider the low standards I've been brought up under as a believer.

One thing I've noticed in a lot of sermons I've heard from charity preachers is that they will often direct hard questions to the congregation. When speaking of sin, they exhort the hearer to examine their hearts in this matter. What a blessing!

In a time when most Christians are asking what the lowest common denominator is for getting into heaven, they are asking "how far can I go with God; what's the highest standard I can live up to to please my Savior?" Chris

JelloTaster Wrote:

In a time when most Christians are asking what the lowest common denominator is for getting into heaven, they are asking "how far can I go with God; what's the highest standard I can live up to to please my Savior?"

Well said!! The Godly Home series has been a tremendous blessing to my family and has brought us to a closer relationship with God. We have visited a charity plant in North Carolina to see Zac Poonen preach and again at another time. What an awesome experience it was. After one of the services we were approached by at least 10 different couples to see if we would come over to lunch, and we had 6 kids at the time. In most of the churches that I grew up in and still attend, you almost have to make appointments with people before you can come over. They show true charity.

They do tend towards legalism and even pharaseism in some things if the two are separate. The thing is, as was said before, they are aware of this and do try very hard to keep this from besetting. I think the thing that they want so much is to be holy before a Holy God. A desire that I want more and more.

Honestly, as wary of some of their beliefs as I may be, I would much rather attend one of their fellowships than to go to a Charasmatic church where they are swinging from the rafters in an unbiblical manner, or even a liturgical scripted service. I am even charasmatic and believe in the gifts of the Spirit.

Just my 2 cents.

Sean

I'm very blessed by all the balance and openmindedness in this thread. I am in the Charity movement and even though I do have a number of fairly large differences in certain areas I have seen alot of unbalanced, groundless criticism of the whole movement and been grieved by it. You all have blessed me.

Have you read Rick Friedrich's book that is against the Charity movement? You'll see how childish his complaints really are. Mr. Friedrich is not a reliable source at all.

I too receive The Heartbeat of the Remnant magazine, and probably have received it for over 10 years. It is a wonderful day when I see it in my mailbox. I do not detect legalism in its pages. I am ALWAYS challenged by a pursuit of holiness and godly living that I find almost nowhere else in what is called the Church in America today. Perhaps there are cautions about the Charity movement, and as has been said, we must always examine everything we read or hear against Scripture. But I find that these Brothers and Sisters are following hard after God. May we all do the same...

I always ask myself when reading about other "movements", is the Gospel being obscured or even hidden.

People (I thought this for a long time) think if they can just find authentic christianity, the "right camp" then all will be well. There is no "right camp" and never will be, only the right Jesus.

The key really is finding the authentic Jesus.

Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I was greatly blessed by the Godly Home Series and met some of their people at the Greenock Conference. The body of Christ can do with a good dose of their regard for purity, authority and submission. It is very commendable to see their standard in a time when the majority of the church drifts further and further into worldliness. We can learn a lot from them.

I can imagine that they get fiercely attacked by critics in this respect and at times battle with legalism. Legalism appears when I detach the commandment of Christ from the person of Christ and try to establish my own righteousness.