I know that I keep saying that the contemporary "church" has lost its sense of purpose. Even among those who call themselves "Protestant," very few know their own history or have even a passing familiarity with the circumstances or theological disagreements that led to the Protestant Reformation. Our predecessors were beaten, burned, mutilated and tortured in order to keep the vital doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alive. Yet today, most church-go'ers sit in air-conditioned, carpeted, opulant palaces with surround-sound, smoke machines, projection screens and legions of "worship leaders." And, because they are Biblically and theologically ignorant (in the truest sense of the word) they are willing to engage in any sort of silliness that comes down the pike, as long as someone attaches the name "Jesus" to it. They'll buy any trinket, support any cause, or accept any bizarre activity, as long as it fits their tradition and doesn't require any in-depth Bible study.
Sadly, the evidence of the downward slide within the modern church is overwhelming. If we could only find occasional demonstrations of peculiar behavior, then we could write it off as an aberration. But not only is it pervasive, aberrant behavior in the church is at the very heart of the current church-growth movement. Proper theology and sound doctrine have been utterly replaced by an ever-growing list of worldy forms of entertainment.
Our erstwhile webmaster, Jeff, has been keeping tabs on what's going on out there and every once in a while he sends me the "lastest and worst." Here are a few recent examples:
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Hula praise dance teams at Saddleback Church (Rick Warren’s church).
Hula for Jesus
Quote: “Interested in joining us and learning how to hula for Jesus?”
Appeal for Support: “Hula Praise! needs your help! We cannot do it alone. We need you
to be our partners in keeping worship-hula alive for you and others to enjoy for a long, long time!”
Mission: “We pray that we reach out to other cities, other states and other nations.
One way to do this is to reach other churches and help them start their own hula
ministries or hula worship teams, and then we can all be one big happy hula ohana for Jesus!”
Jeff: AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!!
(By the way, it's worth pointing out that hula dancing originated as a form of pagan worship. I'm sure Jesus really appreciates it. --- Jim)
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Drawing Closer to God through a Spiritual Director
Scary…
Spiritual Director
Jeff writes: The “pastoral care” class I took at the liberal seminary I attended had a lady who did this same kind of garbage. At one point, she turned the lights off in the room and encouraged everyone to close their eyes as she “guided” us in prayer through the use of visual imagery….again – scary!
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This church has been given kudos by church growth leaders for its cutting-edge seeker-friendly style. When you reach the site, click on the “Teaching Highlights” link and watch the video.
What Teaching?
As one blogger states: “These so-called teachers and preachers look like washed up comedians on amateur night at a local club.”
(This truly is the worst of the worst. Click on the rock band "worship" link, too. I'm no critic of using various forms of music in the church, but this is not anything I'd be comfortable letting my teens attend. --- Jim)
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The most recent "Drive: A Conference For Church Leaders" actually held a program on the platform (ostensibly dedicated to the preaching of God's word) called: Pimp My Church Van.
Yes, you read that right. It's a title derived from the MTV program of a similar name. Now the church is not only ape-ing the world, it's ape-ing MTV, the worst the world has to offer.
You won't believe it until you see it:
Church Van Video
Or,
Church Van Stage
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Anyway, I don't have the time to chase all the nonsense going on in the churchworld these days. My philosophy has always been that if you lay down straight sticks, everyone can see the crooked sticks for themselves. Heresy is easy to find. And it's growing by leaps and bounds. So, it would be impossible to point out and comment on every heretical movement that comes down the pike.
But fortunately, there is a website that is doing its best to keep up with all the trends and outrageous behavior that is permeating the so-called "church." It makes for interesting, if not terribly frustrating, reading. The site is called "Slice of Laodicea."
You may recall the Laodicea was one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the book of Revelation. Jesus had nothing good to say about them and concluded, "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." (Rev. 3:17-18)
That seems like a fitting rebuke for the church today, as well.
Anyway, here's the link.
Slice of Laodicea
Prepare yourself.
