Tag Archives: Brad Russell

Church Assessments 1/27/25

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B-RAD Has Left the Building

It’s difficult to keep up with the happenings in the variety of churches. So, when God gave me my next church assessment assignment, The Grove Church, I needed to review where they are on doctrinal issues today. I private messaged the church’s Facebook page asking for an appointment to discuss God’s desire to assess the church. That request was only a few days ago, but I honestly don’t expect to get a response. I will keep you informed.

In my scan of their social media, I was surprised to learn that Brad Russell has stepped down from lead pastor role, passing the torch to his brother, Barry.  The Russells’ brand of religion, whose origins are Baptist, needs inspection.

My first introduction to Brad, was while he was a Youth Pastor at Park Avenue Baptist Church (PABC). It was PABC that invested in Brad’s church plant, The Grove Church. In its infancy, The Grove church met at a PABC facility, Ashkelon, before moving on to the YMCA until the current converted grocery store facility was purchased and readied for services. Knowing all that, it seems odd to me that Brad is no longer listed as staff, except to note that he is the “founding pastor”. Despite my seething hatred for some of the false doctrines that I’ve heard from the pulpit at the Grove, Brad as a person is easily likeable. His demeanor reminds me of my own (slightly) older brother whose name is interestingly enough “Russell” (we call him Rusty).

Let’s talk about a few of the strengths that The Grove Church has to offer.

  1. Welcoming and friendly atmosphere to the unchurched.
  2. Addiction recovery programs.
  3. They do NOT livestream their full services, just the sermon/message which makes for a more intimate setting. Other churches should study their format and ask God what pleases Him.

According to their own website list of values, they should be open to receive Scriptural correction. So, let’s look at the obvious doctrines that need to be addressed. I may add to this list, if necessary, as I continue to review their teaching videos.

  1. There is only one God. However, their list of beliefs indicates that Jesus is not God, but instead a Son of God.
  2. Prayer is primarily for hearing God give us direction, not for making immeasurably more requests as their current sermon series suggests. They’re not going to teach that prayer is about hearing God because they don’t hear God themselves.
  3. Women in Leadership/Ministry. This is one of their dreadful doctrinal abuse areas. They have stated that women are NOT to submit directly to God, but instead they are to submit to their husbands. That fires me up ladies! Maybe that’s what lazy, unanointed women do, but not me. I daily seek God’s direction personally. I’m a child of God who goes to Him directly in prayer with the intent on obeying Him wholeheartedly. How could I do that if I needed an intermediary’s permission or filter? To add to their abuse, they seem to believe that women are not allowed to receive the service gift of teaching for the purpose of teaching males over a certain age. And that women are not allowed to receive Holy Spirit anointing if there is an available man in the vicinity. (Note: It’s not likely that they believe in the “manifestation of the Spirit” gifts at all. There is no declaration on their website that the Holy Spirit is unable to make Himself known in the gifts of speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, etc. But there is no declaration for it either. Intentional shades of grey?)
  4. Their need to constantly include Santa Claus in Christmas services certainly provokes God. This subject can be expounded on with their celebration of Halloween and other inappropriate ways that they use God’s house for pagan purposes. It’s as if they don’t realize that God sees everything and delivers justice for their rebellion.

No attachments today. My hope is that you will personally pray to ask God what your part in these church assessments should be.  Is it that you seek God on each of these doctrinal issues so that you can know for yourself what is true? Is God ultimately wanting you to speak up with a voice of truth against the false doctrines in your church? Maybe He just wants you to take a baby step in the right direction. Please seek Him.