Real Preachers of Genius: Seeker-Sensitive Mega Church Guy
Do you find the following video Funny? Well it is funny the people who put it on did a great job. The sad part is that so many would not see a problem with much of what the pastor did, “at lest people want to come to church Right” well that is the thinking of so many of the “Church” I use that word loosely. Really, it not all that funny when you start to think about the great damage that it causes. Let us look at the seeker sensitive Church movement.
Over the next couple of days, I will be adding a new article as we discuss the topic of the Seeker sensitive Church. However, let us hear from C.H. Spurgeon First.
I fear there are some who preach with the view of amusing men, and as long as people can be gathered in crowds, and their ears can be tickled, and they can retire pleased with what they have heard, the orator is content, and folds his hands, and goes back self-satisfied.
But Paul did not lay himself out to please the public and collect the crowd. If he did not save them he felt that it was of no avail to interest them. Unless the truth had pierced their hearts, affected their lives, and made new men of them, Paul would have gone home crying, ‘Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?’ . . .
Now observe, brethren, if I, or you, or any of us, or all of us, shall have spent our lives merely in amusing men, or educating men, or moralizing men, when we shall come to give our account at the last great day we shall be in a very sorry condition, and we shall have but a very sorry record to render; for what avail will it be to a man to be educated when he comes to be damned?
Of what service will it be to him to have been amused when the trumpet sounds, and heaven and earth are shaking, and the pit opens wide her jaws of fire and swallow up the soul unsaved? Of what avail even to have moralized a man if still he is on the left hand of the judge, and if still, ‘Depart, ye cursed,’shall be his portion."
C. H. Spurgeon
SEEKER-FRIENDLY OR SEDUCTIVELY FATAL
Our purpose in these pages is to examine the so-called seeker-friendly movement and offer what we believe are biblical antidotes necessary to deliver the church from this withering blight. You may find it strange that we describe this movement in such negative terms since, according to popular opinion, today’s Evangelical church is in a state of renewal largely because of the seeker-sensitive philosophy.
The problem is that the current "renewal" does not bear the marks of past spiritual renewals. Such awakenings have been characterized by a profound sense of human sinfulness in the presence of our Holy God and an accompanying sense of intense gratitude for his mercy and undeserved favor.
Additionally, true revivals have resulted in vast, sweeping social change effected by genuine conversions to Christ. In the past, the result of spiritual awakenings has been that God’s people have bowed in holy reverence before the throne of a God whose character they knew.
By contrast, today’s excitement is merely characterized by large numbers of people gathered to sing superficial songs and listen to teaching that is only marginally Christian. If revival should occur today, it would largely have to take place in a virtual theological vacuum.It is not our intent to impugn the motives of those involved in the seeker movement.
It is altogether possible their desire for church growth springs from pure hearts. It is not their sincerity we are questioning; the problem is methodology. Throughout the history of the church there have been sincere people who have done untold damage to the cause of Christ.
The Emperor, Constantine, surely had good intentions when he decreed Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, but it is difficult to imagine a more damaging blow to the vitality of true Christianity.
I believe this movement, if allowed to go unchallenged, will be devastating to the spiritual health and well-being of the people of God. Perhaps this caution can be best expressed in the words of the Prophet, Isaiah, who wrote,
Isa 9:16 KJV
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
In this short article we intend to define the seeker-friendly movement, describe its main emphases and practices, examine what appear to be the presuppositions on which it is based, and offer suggested remedies to those who belong to such churches.
Check back tomorrow where we will Define & recognize the Seeker-Friendly Church.
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