toronto – Protestia

C3 Church Global, formerly Christian City Church International, is a charismatic movement founded by false prophets Phil Pringle and Christine Pringle. Now comprising over 500 churches, they’re known for their hip ethos, preaching the prosperity gospel, aggressive proselytizing and inviting new people to church, and their propensity to focus on tithing in exchange for blessings and miracles.

Notably, their Toronto location is run by Pastor Sam Pickens, who is the subject of an alleged leaked internal memo released by c3churchwatch. (note, the blue edits are not ours or c3wc) The missive contains a “User Manual’ for dealing and interacting with Pickens, and it’s more narcissistic than even Steven Furtick’s infamous ‘The Code’ coloring book.

The memo kicks off with a pledge of fealty to the pastor.

OUR LEADER-“We work for him (Pickens) “
I AM HERE TO SERVE MY LEADER. SO THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS IN THE ORGANIZATION IS MY ABILITY TO WORK IN THE WAY MY LEADER WANTS ME TO, EVEN IF IT IS NOT MY PREFERENCE.

It offers a “How to present new ideas to Pastor Pickens” with the guidelines saying: “When making a suggestion, do not add any adjectives” in order to “allow the team to decide what kind of idea it is.”

If another pastor or leader disagrees with the pastor on a matter, it instructs the dissident to broach it with him in a very specific way:

If you truly disagree with me, present it in a Question rather than a statement. ie. “Have you thought about?” rather than, “That’s not right.”

He outlines what sort of meetings he likes to have and how long to expect responses from him (half a day for phone calls, one day for emails), then explains that if any of his pastors or staff want to be promoted, they need to be “Teachable and Loyal” because “nothing else gets you promoted faster.” He also promises that if you make his wife’s life hard, he will make your life hard.

He closes it out with a “Phrases that don’t need to be said,” which include:

“I’ll do my best.
If you feel the need to say that, you’re probably leaving room to not do your best.
If you actually did your BEST, it would be evident and you would not have the need to say so.
“Sorry I’m late”
If you have reasons for dropping the ball they just sound like excuses. And giving excuses is pushing the blame off you. Maturity assumes responsibility.

With many provinces in Canada going into full lockdown mode, closing small businesses and even prohibiting churches from gathering for drive-in services where no one leaves the car and the windows remain rolled up, one industry, along with liquors stores and cannabis shops are allowed to be open: Sex shops.

The government has deemed that these should be categorized as “safety supply stores” because they sell condoms and other prophylactics.

Veronica Kazoleas who owns The Nookie confirmed that they were considered to be an essential service and allowed to stay open.

It is true that we’re open as an essential service under the safety supplies category. We’re honored to support the sexual safety of our community during these unprecedented times. We’re particularly grateful to continue to serve marginalized populations who may not have a credit card or even the internet access that would allow them to order curbside pickup for our essential supplies.”

For many Churches either forced to close completely, or allowed only 10 people for outdoor services, it’s a slap in the face and a sure sign that the government has their priorities messed up. We await the cheeky church that will begin to sell condoms and dental dams in the front lobby in order to stay open.

May God help us.