Celeste Irwin 6/14/22 Celeste Irwin 6/14/22

Membership Bible Training: Session 2 — Part 2

An Analysis of The Network’s views on Angels and Demons.

Celeste Irwin 6/13/22 Celeste Irwin 6/13/22

Membership Bible Training: Session 2 — Part 1

Analysis of The Network’s practice of hiring young, inexperienced pastors, plus the Network’s teachings on Creation.

Celeste Irwin 6/6/22 Celeste Irwin 6/6/22

Small Group Topics

Thoughts and observations on the topics used for Small Group within The Network.

Celeste Irwin 5/26/22 Celeste Irwin 5/26/22

Membership Bible Training: Session 1

An analysis of Session 1 of Membership Bible Training at Vista Church, taught by Luke Williams.

Celeste Irwin 5/15/22 Celeste Irwin 5/15/22

Demographics of Network Leadership

The Network says they uphold the value of women and desire for each church to be multi-ethnic. How are they doing?

Celeste Irwin 4/29/22 Celeste Irwin 4/29/22

If the Lord Wills: The Story of Vista Church

Vista Church grew from a plant team of 47 to over 300 regular attendance in less than two years. It was a huge success. Now, it likely has less than 100. What happened, and why does it matter?

Celeste Irwin 4/22/22 Celeste Irwin 4/22/22

False Attacks: My Response

This week, false attacks were made against my marriage and my character. This is my response.

Celeste Irwin 3/21/22 Celeste Irwin 3/21/22

Divorce: Grudem’s Shift

Wayne Grudem changed his views on divorce. What does he say now? What does The Network say?

Celeste Irwin 3/16/22 Celeste Irwin 3/16/22

Biblical Analysis: Disclaimer and Intent

Important context for any biblical analysis performed on this site.

Celeste Irwin 2/8/22 Celeste Irwin 2/8/22

More Google Review Issues

Celeste Irwin 2/5/22 Celeste Irwin 2/5/22

Help to the Poor - Brian Schneider’s Paper

Brian Schneider wrote a paper for The Network in 2012 that shaped its engagement with community needs. The paper is shared here, along with some observations.

Celeste Irwin 2/1/22 Celeste Irwin 2/1/22

The “Stay to help” Checklist

Inspired by and borrowing from Episode 28 of the Untangled Faith podcast with Amy Fritz and Krispin Mayfield, here is a helpful list of questions to ask yourself before you “stay to help” in an organization with serious issues.

Celeste Irwin 1/31/22 Celeste Irwin 1/31/22

Wise in their own sight

Christians are called to be “slow to speak, quick to listen.” We are to be humble. So why do network leaders emphasize that they are and have always been right?

Celeste Irwin 1/30/22 Celeste Irwin 1/30/22

Misleading Google Reviews of Vista Church

Reviews by the plant team mislead potential visitors and at least one significant conflict of interest.

Celeste Irwin 1/30/22 Celeste Irwin 1/30/22

“it will be measured to you”

Jesus said we will be measured the way we measure others. So how did leaders in the network measure others?

Celeste Irwin 1/15/22 Celeste Irwin 1/15/22

“On the evidence of two or three witnesses”

The count stands at more than twenty who have given me permission to count them publicly as having experienced harm at Vista Church. How many does the bible say you need before an allegation should be taken seriously?

Celeste Irwin 12/19/21 Celeste Irwin 12/19/21

Defenses for Defenses of Abuse (Part 1)

Learn about common defenses abusers will make, and some thoughts on how to consider and respond to them.

Celeste Irwin 12/18/21 Celeste Irwin 12/18/21

4 Pillars of a Safe Church and How to Evaluate Them

Safe churches have accountable leaders with godly character, value diversity of thought, respect for the dangers of power, and appropriate safeguards. Highlighting a resource to help churches grow in them.

Celeste Irwin 12/16/21 Celeste Irwin 12/16/21

Compiled Edits

I’ve compiled edits to my letter on Spiritual Abuse in Vista Church and the Network in this post, and will continue to do so.

Celeste Irwin 12/10/21 Celeste Irwin 12/10/21

Spiritual Abuse at Vista Church and the Network: My Confession and Call to Repentance

Spiritual abuse is an act of violence against one’s soul. I thought I was building a healthy church. I was wrong.