Terry Hornbuckle’s Prosperity Gospel

While claiming apolstolic succession, Terry Hornbuckle’s teachings depart from – and contradict – the teachings of Jesus’ original apostles.

Terry Hornbuckle preaches the so-called Prosperity Gospel: God wants you to be rich, but he needs for you to demonstrate your faith by sowing seed-faith gifts – financial gifts to whichever pastor or televangelist teaches you about this scheme.

The bible warns:

“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, {4} he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions {5} and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. {6} But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
– The Bible, 1 Timothy 6:3-10 NIV

An article titled, “Some believe power got the best of their pastor” – published after Terry Hornbuckle’s indictment on sexual assault charges, quotes two former church members saying

they believe that Mr. Hornbuckle’s fall started when the church moved to its current site from a strip mall storefront in Arlington in 1999. They say the charming and accessible pastor grew more aloof as both his congregation and the church’s bank account grew.

“He became more of a diva,” said Mr. Thornton. Questions for Mr. Hornbuckle had to be funneled through church elders, and members of the congregation were asked to provide “security” for the “first family.” The security detail standing in front of the stage scans the crowd intently during church services. The entrance to the church is gated, and weekday visitors must press a call button for admittance.

Tanisha Edwards, who attended Agape for seven years and left in 2003, said she also noticed that Mr. Hornbuckle began distancing himself from average members of the congregation. Mrs. Edwards said that Mr. Hornbuckle announced that he would no longer perform weddings or funerals.

“Pastors are supposed to lead the sheep,” she said. “You’re not supposed to leave them out in the pasture.”

Former church members said he began to behave and live like wealthy, celebrity televangelists such as Creflo Dollar of Atlanta, who served as one of his role models. In a 1999 interview with The Dallas Morning News, Mr. Hornbuckle said he patterned his ministry after that of Mr. Dollar and other pastors of large megachurches, including T.D. Jakes and Tony Evans.
– Source: Some believe power got the best of their pastor, The Dallas Morning News, USA, Apr. 25, 2005