Phil Pringle is an Apostle of the global New Apostolic Reformation cult. He is also publicly recognised and endorsed by its top leader C. Peter Wagner as an “apostolic leader.” In this article it is our aim to highlight just how connected and unethical Apostles are in the NAR and how willing they are to cover-up or brush over crimes or criminals in their movement – in this case Frank Houston.
It is worth recapping C. Peter Wagner’s observation about his New Apostolic Reformation movement. He claims the NAR (click here to read in context):
- Has “no printed doctrinal statement or code of ethics,”
- Has, unlike “traditional denominations,” no “legal structures” the NAR is a “relational structure.”
- People or leaders are “related to, or aligned, with an apostle or apostles,” claiming,
- “This alignment is voluntary. There is no legal tie that binds it… they are in cahoots.”
Phil Pringle has been in close contact with the Houstons for decades. In fact, the entire Houston family have even spoken or visited at his church out at C3 Oxford Falls throughout the decades. Don’t forget that C Peter Wagner and Apostle David Cartledge acknowledge Frank and Brian Houston as Apostles of the New Apostolic Reformation.
Nevertheless, after Frank Houston was exposed for being a serial pedophile, Phil Pringle in his book ‘You The Leader’ (2003) teaches how you can be a great leader, drawing on such leaders as Winston Churchill, Moses, Joshua, King David, Jesus and… the serial pedophile Frank Houston.
It is worth noting that C. Peter Wagner endorsed the book ‘The Apostolic Revolution’ by NARpostle David Cartledge in the year 2000. The Royal Commission revealed that Cartledge was in the first executive meeting (22nd December 1999), where Brian Houston broke the news Frank Houston was a pedophile. However, Apostle Cartledge recognized Frank Houston in his book 8 months later that Frank Houston was an Apostle of Hillsong and the Australian New Apostolic Reformation.
Around the same time Cartledge released his book praising Frank, NARpostle Brian Houston released his book ‘You Can Change the Future’, praising his pedophile father. Three years later, NARpostle Phil Pringle released his book ‘You The Leader’ where Pringle upholds Frank Houston as a legitimate ‘shepherd’ leader for people to look up to.
It did not surprise us at all that Brian Houston and C. Peter Wagner (who knew of Frank’s pedophilia) and all the typical Apostles of the New Apostolic Reformation endorsed Pringle’s work that upholds Frank Houston as legitimate shepherd. David Yonggi Cho would not have been in the dark over Frank’s pedophilia as him and Frank were close friends as NAR Apostles. Clearly this “relational structure” of Apostles have no problem being in “cahoots” in brushing over the serial pedophile Frank Houston.
We hope you are starting to see the true nature of the New Apostolic Reformation and it’s apostolic leaders – they prove again and again to be lawless, just as Jesus described the false prophets he judges on judgment day (Matt 7).
Opening up the chapter in his book on “you the leader” being a “shepherd” Phil Pringle writes,
Published 2003
THE LEADER – A SHEPHERD
A Kingdom leader is a shepherd of God’s people. No matter what area of leadership we’re in, we must have the heart of a shepherd. Whether I’m the deacon’s leader or the choir leader, the youth leader or the building fund leader, a pre-requisite for my role is that I care for the people. I have the heart of the father posing within for me His people.
People matter to God: lost people and found people. Over the 27 years I’ve known my good friend Frank Houston, Pastor of one of Australia’s greatest churches, he has repeatedly said, “The ministry is all about God and people”. If we are not interested in people we are badly prepared for ministry.
Source: Phil Pringle, You The Leader, (Australia: Pax Ministries Pty Ltd, 2003), pg. 129.
You would think NAR Apostle Phil Pringle in his later edition (when he edited his work), might leave acknowledging Frank Houston out of his newer book in 2005. This is what Pringle decided to leave in:
Published 2005
THE LEADER IS A SHEPHERD
Leadership is all about God and people. A leader must serve as a shepherd for the people he or she leads. No matter what area of leadership we’re in, we must have the heart of shepherds. Whether I’m the deacon’s leader or the choir leader, the CEO of a company or the supervisor of a department, a prerequisite for my role is that, as a Christian, I care for the people. I’m not in leadership for the power, the prestige, or the rewards. I’m there because I care for people. I have the heart of the Father pulsing within me.
People matter to God—lost people and found people. Over the decades that I’ve known my good friend Frank Houston, pastor of one of Australia’s greatest churches, he has repeatedly said regarding church leadership, “Ministry is all about God and people.” If we as leaders are not interested in people, we are badly prepared for leadership. When people matter to us, other things we thought mattered more fade in importance.
Source: Phil Pringle, You The Leader, (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2005), pg. 119.
These are the NAR apostolic leaders who endorsed the book:
You the Leader is a “must-read” for any person who feels called to leadership in the body of Christ. Dr. Pringle’s insight, gained from over thirty years of pastoral ministry, is practical, biblically based, and includes thinking in the area of leadership that I believe to be revolutionary in the contemporary church.
—Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer Ministries, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
Phil Pringle is an apostolic leader “par excellence.” He is also one of those few leaders who knows how to mentor others and to communicate what he knows. You the Leader is crammed full of extraordinary insights that will help you become the dynamic leader God wants you to be! I highly recommend it.
—C. Peter Wagner Chancellor
Wagner Leadership Institute, U.S.A.
I would like to recommend You the Leader by Dr. Phil Pringle. All true Christians are called to use their talents and gifts in a position of authority in the body of Christ. This book will help each Christian understand his or her role in the body of Christ.
—Dr. David Yonggi Cho
The Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, South Korea
Phil Pringle’s outstanding leadership skills have been” from “You The Leader” by Phil Pringle, Michael MaCall “proven over many years, and so he is well qualified to write this exceptional book on leadership.
—Pastor Brian Houston
General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Australia Senior Minister, Hillsong Church, Sydney, Australia
Phil Pringle is a true leader of leaders. He has a fresh, unique way to look at everything, and there is a strong anointing on his life and ministry. He writes from a wealth of knowledge and experience. This book is certainly deserving of our attention.
—Pastor Rick Shelton
Senior Minister, Life Christian Center,
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
Phil Pringle has been at the forefront of radical church leadership for many years. At Christian City Church he has pioneered many different areas of ministry, gleaning valuable insight and wisdom along the way.
—Pastor Colin Dye
Senior Minister, Kensington Temple, London, England
Phil Pringle’s new book You the Leader is a must for all in leadership or aspiring to be a leader. Anything Pastor Phil writes is excellent because he practices what he preaches.
—Pastor Kevin J. Connor
Senior Minister, Waverly Christian Fellowship,
Melbourne, Australia
I subsidized the purchase of one copy of You the Leader for each of the leaders in my church—this is a book that can be applied to practical leadership in the local church.
—Pastor Gordon Moore
Senior Minister, Christian City Church,
Bridgeman Downs, Australia
Inspiring, thought-provoking, challenging. I just had to buy a copy of You the Leader for all my leaders.
—Russell Evans
Director, Planet Shakers, South Australia, Australia
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