Lonnie Frisbee

I don't know how many of you are familiar with this name, but as someone who has hung around or been involved with the Vineyard for a long time, this is a man whose history is very important to me.

Lonnie Frisbee was extremely influential in the "Jesus Movement" of the 60's and was a catalytic force in the foundation and growth of Calvary Chapel and Association of Vineyard Churches (whose website still is horrible-- despite the upgrades).  Frisbee was also influential in The Shepherding Movement (this is only one of a million sites you can find on this movement-- all of them are wacky, here is the google link for you-- if you can find a balanced critique of this movement, please send me a link).  My purpose in this post is neither to endorse the "heresy hunters" that critique Frisbee and the movements he was a part of (interestingly enough, I have some family friends who were involved in the Shepherding Movement in the 70's and have both positive and negative things to say about it-- though, regardless of the positive things they experienced, it still went well off the rails), nor to attempt to vindicate Frisbee (he had plenty of problems).

Both Frisbee's life and death have been wrought with controversy, but his impact is what it is nonetheless.  Because he has been largely ignored by those who have told the stories, David Di Sabatino (see his book here) has done extensive interviews and done a documentary on Frisbee. 

I have tried to keep tabs on this project for some time, as it has been in the making for several years, but I have yet to see any debut dates for the film until today (thanks to Andrew Jones).  The strange thing is, as I write this, I recall being at Wheaton a few months ago and seeing a poster about the debut of this film there.  (If anybody has any info on this one, it will satisfy my curiosity or certify to me that I'm insane).

Anyway, just thought I would encourage all of you to keep your eyes out for this film if it comes anywhere near you-- or if they ever decide to release it on DVD.  (I've also noticed that I've used an inordinate amount of parentheses in this post--and for that, I apologize) (seriously)

Comments

[David Younghusband]

Some friends of mine and I will be driving from Vancouver, BC to Seattle to see this film at Mars Hill's film and Theology night. Don't know much about Frisbee but it's sounds like really interesting and worth the trip. Your welcome to come if you'd like.

[Whitney Johnson]

Connie (lonnie's ex-wife) is my best friend's mom. This has been such an awesome experience to be able to read about her and Lonnie! I can't wait to call her and ask more about it!!