The news that Michael Guglielmucci’s so-called battle with terminal cancer was a fraud has hit the Christian community really hard. When I read about it my heart sank, my mind struggled to come to terms with it and my alarm of what this would do brought me great grief. Here is a news report about the situation from nine msn’s website.
No doubt many will be hurt and disturbed by this and I can’t even begin to imagine what his family and churches connected to him must be going through. Below are some statements given to explain this tragedy.
This is a general letter sent to all Hillsong Church members as Michael featured as a guest artist on their latest CD recording:
“Dear Church,
In the past 24 hours it has been brought to our attention that Michael Guglielmucci’s illness is not what we have been led to believe.
Michael has confirmed that he is not suffering with a terminal illness and is seeking professional help in Adelaide with the support of his family.
This news has come as a great shock to everyone including, it seems, his own wife and family.
We are asking our church to pray for the Guglielmucci family during this difficult time.
God bless,
George Aghajanian
General Manager”
God help them to pick up the pieces.
This was all uncovered at a recent meeting of the Representatives of the National Executive of the ACC (Australian Christian Churches) as they met with Michael Guglielmucci. At this meeting Michael read a statement indicating that his claim to have cancer was untrue. His credentials with the ACC was immediately suspended.
In their official statement it reads, “The National Executive is taking this matter very seriously and is awaiting the results of medical tests before determining the full extent of the discipline that will be imposed upon him.
We are very concerned for the many people who have been or will be, hurt by Michael’s actions and we encourage all of our churches to pray for all those affected.”
Very devastating to all involved and yet another example of human frailty and how close moral failure is. So how do we respond to this? Coming across a great blog by Pastor Mark Conner of CityLife Church here in Victoria, I was inspired to post it here for you to consider…
“Like myself, most people who talk to me are in disbelief and bewilderment. Lots of questions are flying around … “How did this happen? What are we supposed to think and feel about this? Where do we go from here?”
Mark Conner continues…”There are a variety of responses to any situation such as this, all of them appropriate:
ANGER. It is totally normal to feel very angry about this. People have been lied to, betrayed, deceived, and they feel ripped off. Leadership is a gift from God, as is influence, and when anyone uses that platform for personal gain it is an abuse. When you have prayed for someone, supported someone, and even given financially to help them in their time of need, it’s natural to feel very upset when you find out that they have been a fraud. Yes, we are to look to God rather than leaders but church leaders are representatives of God and when they fail to do so in an honourable way, even God himself is angry. Lying is a serious sin (read Acts 5 if you don’t believe me).
COMPASSION. You can’t help but feel some pity for Mike and his situation. You feel sympathy for what must be going on in his inner world and the unmet needs that have driven him to this life of deception. He has shattered his personal reputation, endangered his future, and embarrassed not only himself, but his family and friends. The guilt and shame must be incredible.
FEAR OF GOD. Moments such as this remind us all that personal integrity is one of the most important qualities to develop. Integrity means that there is an integration between what people see on the outside (when everyone is looking) and who you really are on the inside (when no one is looking). When we fail to live in integrity, God usually gives us some space or time to repent (see Revelation 2:20-22). If we abuse God’s grace during this time, there will be an inevitable exposure of our duplicity (see Proverbs 28:13). What we build with our charisma (the gifts and talents God has given us) we can destroy in an instant through lack of character. The sobering thing is that we are all vulnerable to deception and have the potential for great evil inside of us. How desperately we need to live in the fear of the Lord, which is the awareness that he is always with us, and which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We reap what we sow - not immediately but eventually.
DISAPPOINTMENT. We live in a generation that longs for heroes and that needs models - people who walk the talk and who live lives worth following. Mike was a role model - a voice to this generation, an incredible talent. What potential and what a platform of influence he had. His fall is a loss for everyone. Yes, we all have feet of clay but, even so, it’s very disappointing.
PRAYER. I hope your heart cries out like mine does. We need to turn afresh to God and pray … for ourselves (that we will walk in the light, living in authenticity and truth), for Mike (that he will experience genuine repentance, deep heart change, and restoration), for his family (for healing grace and consolation), for church leaders world wide (they we will avoid the pursuit of superstar status, an intoxicating state, that we will walk in truth, and that we will build the appropriate accountability processes around us that we all need), and the watching world (that they will see God in our humble repentance and broken hearts).
Maybe you identify with one or more of these responses. As I said, all of them are appropriate. I pray that you will be able to process your thoughts and feelings with some safe friends. It’s not time for gossip but it is a good time to debrief this situation so that we all can learn from it.
How will this incident affect the Christian church? Only time will tell. Thankfully, we have the testimony of the church in the first century who battled through challenges such as false doctrine, fraudulent leaders, and intense persecution. With God’s grace and wisdom, we can do the same.”
Great wisdom in those words. God bless and keep you and please keep your eyes focussed on Jesus because He never fails!
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