A Sobering Summer [editorial]
by Brent Hershey
Notebored, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 5
September/October 1992
NOTE: Address of Notebored [sic]: PO Box 238, Atglen, PA 19310.

It has been an eventful summer. Tragic is probably a better word. It's been a summer when the most notable events and happenings have taken place off stage and behind the scenes. In addition to Mark Heard's passing, there is the tale of comedian Mike Warnke to further distress our thoughts.

To those who have yet to hear, Cornerstone Magazine, in its summer issue (Vol. 21, issue 98), published a lengthy article on the validity of Warnke's claimed past, as well as the validity of his present "ministry," for lack of a better term. It also uncovered many questionable practices in both Warnke's business and personal lives, the kind of which rival the Bakker/Swaggart debacles. This is an article you need to read, as it raises several serious questions. It is available for $2 from Cornerstone Magazine, 939 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640. We will not go into the troubling details of the case here, but will examine the ramifications and look at how the Christian music industry is handling the incident.

One fact is undisputable: Mike Warnke exploited our trust. Whether or not you have listened to any of his albums, gone to his concerts or read his books -- you could be the biggest Warnke fan or as uninterested in him as one could be -- he performed under the name of Christ our Lord. He has had an integral part in many people coming to know Jesus. Doing it, though, under the false pretense of being a former satanist. Doing it, it would seem, without a hint of Christ in his day-to-day personal life. The very thing that many feel is an accurate barometer of one's sincerity -- the personal relationship with Christ and living out one's beliefs in the day-to-day world -- seems absent in Warnke's life as depicted in Cornerstone. It is very difficult not to be judgmental, not to be angry, with Mike Warnke. I have failed already -- in only three paragraphs.

The article serves as a wake-up call that says, "Yes, situations like this do happen, even in the Christian music industry." It should come as no surprise, I guess -- but it still does. The implications are vast. Do we need to challenge every artist who comes down the pike? What are our responsibilities as journalists? It certainly has made us at Notebored re-think some things, such as how important the term "minister" is, and, unfortunately, how it gets thrown around a bit too carelessly by Christian musicians.

Also, the issue of accountability is raised. One of the more distressing things (trust me, there are quite a few) in the Cornerstone article is the fact that Warnke refused counsel again and again. At different periods in his life, various church leaders tried to get through to Warnke [to ask him to] get his personal life in check, or he will jeopardize his "ministry." None were successful.

But Warnke certainly was. He sold lots of records, which ties into another grave revelation. Mike Warnke has been employed by Word, Inc. through various labels since 1975. In theory, it would seem to be a stretch that he basically could pull a "satanic expert" act over on the public for more than 15 years. But in reality, that's exactly what he did. Given that case, one still would have to believe that those closest to him -- his friends, family, and certainly in this case, his employer -- would eventually question him thoroughly, if not totally expose him as a fraud. After all, the whole basis for his act is grounded in the Truth -- and you wouldn't want him spreading lies, would you? (He $old lot$ of record$.) They're just little fibs. (He $old lot$ of record$.) We all have our own little problems. (He $old lot$ of record$.)

Word, Inc. issued a three-paragraph statement a few days after the story broke. In it, Word President Roland Lundy defended Warnke, stating that only one of Warnke's 13 products, Mike Warnke Alive (1976) focuses on Warnke's past satanic involvement. Which neglects the fact that Warnke's whole act is based on this "involvement." The release went on to cast Warnke as misunderstood in the area that he pioneered. It closed, "We are pleased to [be] associated with Mike Warnke, recognizing the strength of his ministry, and that our partnership with him has opened up new avenues for reaching people for Christ." There was no mention of any of the moral inconsistencies that make the story so troubling or any plans to remove support or promotion of Warnke's projects.

Interestingly enough, this fits the article's depiction of the Nashville community to a "T." Cornerstone stresses that many in the city knew of Warnke's immorality, and for whatever reason, chose not to expose him. This veil of accountability runs rampant through the article, resulting in industry leaders covering for each other, rather than openly addressing problems, be they personal or business.

In this case, it seems the employer is not willing to make the sacrifice to correct the situation, even if it means a bit of embarrassment. Sure, it would have been difficult for Word to sever the lengthy relationship with Warnke. Sure, it would have raised questions as to how long they knew of Warnke's inconsistent stories and unGodly behavior. (It is very, very hard not to be judgmental.) But it would have been the right thing to do. To prove, at least, to other people in the industry and to listeners who have every right to feel betrayed that the Warnke case is the exception, not the rule, and such actions will not be tolerated within their company. Instead, the easy way out was taken. Need you be reminded -- he $old lot$ of record$.

In complete fairness, Word, Inc. eventually did do the right thing. The cover headline of The CCM Update for August 10, 1992 read: "Word Suspends Promotion, Sale of Warnke Product." But, according to form, it was handled subversively. Word, in its statement, cited not the Cornerstone article -- written with concern for a brother in Christ and only after prayerful consideration -- but instead a July 29, 1992 article in the Lexington Herald-Leader, a local daily newspaper in Kentucky. The newspaper article investigated Warnke Ministries's finances, finding, in part, that the ministry took in in excess of $2 million in 1991, with Mike, his third wife Rose, and Rose's brother and ministry president Neal Hall collectively receiving almost $1 million in salaries. The Word statement, in part, read, "In light of the recent accusations concerning the business ethics and financial integrity of Warnke Ministries, Word, Inc. again met with Warnke. After reviewing the reported information, Mike Warnke and Word, Inc. have jointly determined to suspend the sale and promotion of Warnke products and allow full return privileges pending the resolution of questions surrounding this matter."

Again, no mention of the Cornerstone accusations as part of the decision. Business ethics are far more important. (He $old lot$ of record$.)

A sad story all around.

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original filename: CSR0016A.TXT "A Sobering Summer"
Release A, 4 June 1998

This file was previously released as NB_EDITL.TXT in the WARNKE2.ZIP archive on the JPUSA BBS in October 1992. Heading and footing information revised. Minor typos in original fixed; bracketed words added for clarity.

This file may be reproduced on electronic media and communications services without charge or permission from the author(s), so long as the wording of the text remains unaltered. For files on related subjects, please visit our website at <http://www.cornerstonemag.com/> or write to: Cornerstone, 939 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640-5706, U.S.A.

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