The September 5th, 2008’s issue of The Washington Times had an article on Joel Osteen, the pastor of America’s largest church. One paragraph that struck me read, “His books and message are America’s new civil religion: a packaging of advice on relationships, health and finances mixed in with shared values that appeal to people of all or no faith. About 40 percent of his worldwide TV audience identify themselves as nonbelievers.” This is the new America’s religion: Christless ‘Evangelical’!
His sermon has no place for the crucifix, the cross, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. The occasional mention of Jesus is not as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, but rather as “Jesus who will bless you only if you believe.” In a recent interview with Larry King Osteen is not different from the theological liberal who denies salvation exclusively through Christ. One of many recent interviews with him was with ABC News that I found to be good- short yet informative. Click here to see the interview.
That is how America’s largest church grows its number: through easy, uplifting, positive messages! Gone is the offense of the Gospel. God is no longer viewed as the offended creator, but rather merely as a benevolence giver who is patiently waiting for people to come asking for his blessings. That is sad, very sad indeed.
Now, let’s take a look at America’s 2nd largest church: Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. As a early pioneer of mega churches, it is well known that they sent people going door to door in the community asking what they like to hear, and what kind of music they would like to have in the church. Instead of proclaiming the message of God’s salvation in Christ, Willow Creek lets the people determine the message (no, it’s not the sermon because nobody likes to be preached at). The unbelievers determined the message of the church? And the music of the church?! It’s almost unheard of until Willow Creek!
In a recent issue of Modern Reformation, based on a recent study published in Reveal: Where Are You? by Greg L. Hawkins and Cally Parkinson (South Barrington, IL: Willow, 2007) Dr. Michael Horton wrote,
“In a fairly recent study, Willow Creek-a pioneer megachurch-discovered that its most active and mature members are the most likely to be dissatisfied with their own personal growth and the level of teaching and worship that they are receiving. From this, the leadership concluded that as people mature in their faith, they need the church less. After all, the main purpose of the church is to provide a platform for ministry and service opportunities to individuals rather than a means of grace. As people grow, therefore, they need the church less. We need to help believers to become “self-feeders,” the study concluded.”
Did you read that? According to Willow Creek, the main purpose of the church is to provide a platform for ministry and service opportunities to individuals, and as people become mature they no longer need the church; instead they will become “self feeders”. SIGH…..
I would skip Warren’s Saddleback Church because he is not much different from Osteen and Bill Hybels. Instead I will let this speak for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYcZEHOy0ak
How about the 6th most influential church? Welcome to the Granger Community Church where:
47% of those attending DO NOT believe in salvation by grace.
57% of those attending DO NOT believe in the authority of the Bible.
56% of those attending DO NOT believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Watch this video if you’d like to know how they produced these people:
I think the environment in their service is more like a rock concert than a church. What think you? The Bible is very clear that it is the Gospel that is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16) and God also appoints the means, through the ordinary preaching (Rom. 10:14-15). It’s not through music, nor through drama skit. It’s through the foolishness of preaching. And the message is not “Your Best Life Now”, or “Purpose Driven Life”, rather it is the “Purpose Driven Death”, the death of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God who appeased the wrath of the Father!!
It’s so heart breaking to look at these mega churches. And many churches (dare I say most churches) are catching up with them. I am grateful for our church where we hear the Gospel preached faithfully and the table is served every single Sunday. I don’t need a life coach to tell me how to live my best life NOW, or how to develop a purpose driven life. When I come to church, I need to hear the good news of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
If you’d like to hear and read more on this issue, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHglKISyaKs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn0vVzEbF1s&feature=related
“Christless Christianity“, an article by Dr. Michael Horton or click here to pre-order his new book with the same title.