If you DARE criticise C3 or their pastors, Pringle would most likely say this to you as he did to the congregation in C3 San Diego (see the entirety of the comment on ‘C3 TIRADE BRIGADE):

“DON’T you DARE criticize and pull down your pastor or anybody else around here! If you want to do that, just go now! We’re having too much fun to have the critics and the miserable people around! Just leave now! If you want to be a builder then stick around. Most fools criticize and- you know, that’s the fact of the matter. Any fool can criticize and most fools do.” – Phil Pringle, “God Creates With Words” // Dr. Phil Pringle // 02.12.12, Vimeo, http://vimeo.com/37288145, Uploaded by C3 Church San Diego, 22/02/2012.

Well. Christians AND non-Christians had some serious issues with a C3 Church releasing this controversial video. Before progressing to the video, we think it is important for readers to consider how Christian’s should consider the work of Christ and the work He did on His cross.

HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO SEE HIS SONS CROSS?

What’s concerning is that C3 does not appear to care what the writers of the New Testament might think about how C3 depicted Jesus and his crucifixion. By now you might be asking what the New Testament writers say about how we should see the cross.

There are MANY scriptures that point out the importance of the cross. The gospel writers make it the pivotal focus of God’s ministry on earth, portraying the cross as God’s ultimate act of glory and miraculous, sovereign power and providence for the sinner. There is so much to say on this topic. Here is just a glimpse of how we are to highly revere and respect Jesus’ crucifixion,

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” 1 Corinthians 1:17

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:13-15

And finally,

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18, (Emphasis ours.)

With this in mind, only view this video if you can stomach a vile display of youth ‘harleming’ the cross.

This is essentially a ‘sensual’ clip that is a work of the flesh and not a work of the Spirit (Galatians 5). It is not winning people to Christ nor is it helping Christians get along within the body of Christ. This video is not even glorifying God Himself but is bringing shame to his name, work and ministry. In fact, this video will only be causing Christians in C3 Church to stumble and cause them not to revere or respect the power of the cross in it’s entirety if this issue is not dealt with.

THEY’RE MAKING “GOD FAMOUS” HOW? 

It appears that C3 Gold Coast does not care about Christians and non-Christians who have a problem with  C3’s attitude toward the cross. On youtube, the two top comments on the video say,

“This is the most disrespectful thing I have ever seen.” – Sarah Z, 1 Week ago, (24 Likes) (Accessed 10/03/2013.)

“To the leaders of C3Church: Honestly, don’t you think you should’ve pulled this video off of youtube by now? It’s obvious that your youth group had a lapse in good judgment by posting this; but as leaders, you should’ve known better. So why is this still here? It embarrases Christians and is attracting haters of Christianity to come here and ridicule the Church. Repentance would’ve moved you to pull this video by now.” – Revelision, 6 Days ago, (20 Likes) (Accessed 10/03/2013.)

A non-Christian made the following comment,

“I don’t believe in this kind of thing s and i don’t follow any religion, but man to be honest this is disrespectful for the people who does, and you and your friends should respect it as i should. No one says you can’t talk or discuss about it, but don’t disrespect them like this..” – diegofernando556, 5 days ago, (2 Likes) (Accessed 10/03/2013.)

Sadly, it is clear that C3 Church is bringing shame to God and his church. As a commentor also said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.

SO WHO ARE THE PASTORS THAT ENDORSED THE VIDEO?

Going by the name C3GC and browsing their youtube channel, it becomes evident that the ‘cross harlem’ was produced by C3 Church Coomera North Gold Coast. If you watched the video you would have noticed the c3 logo was used in the top left corner and the pastor himself was in the clip.

So who are the leaders of this church?

From their own website,

“Kerry & Rhian Robertson are a dynamic husband and wife ministry couple formerly from Christian City Church (C3 Church), Sydney, Australia who were sent out from Pastor Phil Pringle to plant a city influencing church on The Gold Coast.

Kerry D. Robertson

With over 19 years of full time ministry experience, Kerry comes with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.  He is a dynamic communicator that will have you on the edge of your seat.  Known for illustrated sermons, dynamic preaching and powerful moves of God.  Sort after across Australia and New Zealand to impact audiences in churches, conferences, youth meeting and camps.  Through his ministry hundreds come to the Lord each year.

Kerry’s History:

He started out in Auckland, New Zealand as an evangelist, training and equipping churches in evangelism, and then became a Youth Pastor.  During this time he hosted a talk back radio show that had approximately 35,000 tune in, and appeared on National Christian TV several times taking a devotional series;

In 2003 Kerry moved with his family to Sydney. He then directed his focus to the heart of the youth on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. As the High Schools Pastor / Evangelist at C3 Church Oxford Falls in 2006 he saw over 51,000 students go through his programmes in schools.  He also lectured at the C3 Bible College specifically training future Youth Pastors and Youth Leaders.

After this he moved with his family to what he calls the greatest city in the world ‘The Gold Coast.’

Rhian Robertson

Rhian comes with a wealth of experience and ministry wisdom. She has worked in church administrative roles, in a number of settings, over the last 14 years.

Rhian is a great communicator who is passionate about winning the lost and seeing them released into their callings. She desires to see women released from their past and set free into their destiny.

Rhian loves being a mum to their two beautiful girls, Mikayla (14 years) and Summer (12 years).

Kerry & Rhian have built an incredible church here on the Gold Coast that truly has made a difference in the life’s of the peope that attend.  Their desire is to ‘Make God Famous’ right throughout this region.

Kerry & Rhian love people and would love to meet you!!!” – Pastoral Staff, http://www.c3coomera.com/page/Pastoral%20Staff, (Accessed 10/03/2013.)

C3 Coomera and Kerry Robertson shamelessly advertised the event on twitter.

“If you want to be part of a Harlem Shake Video, we are doing a Jesus Vs. the devil version tonight at C3 Coomera. 6pm – Spread the word!” – https://twitter.com/C3ChurchCoomera/status/302985505526648833, 7:39 PM – Feb 16, 2013. (Accessed 11/03/2013.)

“Check out our version of the Harlem Shake – we did tonight @C3ChurchCoomeraHarlem Shake-Jesus Vs the devil editionhttp://youtu.be/a00-cLOfI3g ”” – https://twitter.com/Kerry_Robertson/status/303110771750105088, 3:56 AM – Feb 17, 2013. (Accessed 11/03/2013.)

It gets worse. Another C3 Pastor endorsed Kerry Robertson’s apostate behaviour. ‘Pastor’ Sam Picken of C3 Church Toronto also promoted C3 Pastor Kerry Robertson’s video.

@Kerry_Robertson @c3churchcoomerayou guys are next level // watchhttp://youtu.be/a00-cLOfI3g – https://twitter.com/sampicken/status/303156791573876738, 6:59 AM – Feb 17, 2013. (Accessed 11/03/2013.)

Who is Sam Picken? Picken says this about himself,

“The vision of one day starting a young, vibrant church in the city of TORONTO has been the topic of our conversation since we met in 2006.

Following this vision from God, We left Australia in ’08 to serve Ps. Lorne & Kelly Tebbutt at C3 Church Calgary. Through this time we witnessed God do incredible things through the C3 Calgary young people and in the establishment of C3 Church Saskatoon.

We believe that Toronto is a city for Christ and that the local church exists to connect people to relationship with Him.

Quite often people describe the church/God as “boring & irrelevant”, no one else but the church is to blame for this.

What if we could do church in a way that reflects God for who He is? Relevant, exciting, creative, bright, powerful, courageous, fun, friendly, loving & accepting… Man, that’s a church I would go to!

A HOUSE FULL OF HIS PRESENCE AND HIS PEOPLE!” – Sam Picken, http://c3toronto.com/index.html#/new-to-c3-/, (Accessed 11/03/2012.)

“What if we could do church that reflects God for who He is?” REFLECTS? You haven’t made your “church/God as “boring & irrelevant” Sam. Don’t you think you have mocked your God and made his cross a joke before the world by promoting such immaturity? Alongside Kerry Robertson, don’t you think you are to blame as the C3 Pastor of your church for promoting a video that offends both Christians and non-Christians? How is this advancing the Christian message? How is this glorifying Christ?

CONCLUSION

The behaviour from Pastor Kerry Robertson and Pastor Sam Picken is both immature and foolish. What should be concerning to readers is the immaturity we are seeing in C3 Church leadership in various churches around the globe. In the name of money, influence, ‘fun’ and ‘relevance’, who is anyone to be offended by their immaturity when Pringle bares his fangs against those hurt or offended? Heaven forbid that Christian’s strive to be mature in Christ and remain steadfast in the name of Christ and His Word! Is it appropriate to offend even non-Christians with this behaviour? Clearly both Christians and non-Christians are categorised by Phil Pringle as “critics”, “miserable people”, “fools” and should “just leave” C3. So who on earth is C3 trying to reach? Relevancy seems to be so heavily pushed that it appears that C3 are of the world but still not even close to it.

Please pray that these young pastors are open to correction and apologise for their behaviour. If you know Kerry and Rhian Robertson, please email or visit them and ask them to repent of this woeful portrayal of Christianity.

NOTE: ALL SCREEN GRABS WERE TAKEN ON 11/03/2012.