Seems like every day someone asks me what I think about Todd Bentley and the Lakeland revival. I try my best to avoid the discussion.

I blogged about it here, and here.

In case you haven’t heard, Todd is having some serious marriage issues, and it has now come out that he also has a drinking problem.

Here’s what I think about ministry and marriage.

Here’s what I think about drinking.

And, here’s what I think about Todd Bentley, Lakeland, and revival in general.

Todd Bentley – Sad. Really sad. Especially for his wife and three kids. Got caught up in and chewed up by the Charismatic celebrity machinery. Fifteen minutes of fame, followed by humiliation and rejection—that’s the sick celebrity culture the church in the West has created. Sad. Really sad. I have no stones to throw at Todd. But for the grace of God—and a good wife—me too.

Lakeland – I did not go to Toronto. I didn’t go to Brownsville. I didn’t go to Lakeland. I probably won’t go to the next revival or rumor of revival. People flocking to Lakeland (and Toronto, Brownsville, . . .) reminds me of the Samaritan question in John 4. Where should we worship? Where is God moving? Where is the revival? Jesus said it is not about going to a certain place—not the “where” but the “who”—worship the FATHER in spirit and in truth. It is not about the place, the signs, or the celebrity leaders—it is about seeking, finding, and worshiping the Father. You can do that anywhere, anytime.

Revival – I need revival, constantly. But not the American Charismatic version of it. Not the celebrity worship. Not the sideshow. Not the weirdness. Not nightly religious meetings. I need God. I need a fresh daily infilling of the Holy Spirit. (My friend Mike Watkins recently blogged about being filled with the Holy Spirit.) What I don’t need is to go to endlessly long religious meetings every night—that cause me to neglect my family, my job, and the lost. I have little hope that what we call revival here in America does much long-term good—unless the revived believer develops spiritual disciplines and gets involved in a healthy church community.

My summary—“same old boring strokes”—read your Bible, make disciples, love your wife and kids.

*** Ed Stetzer’s blog, Evangelical Gullibility offers some insightful comments about Todd, revival, Lakeland, and what went wrong.