Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
Purpose driven church?
Many in the church today believe that the only way to reach the world is to give the unchurched multitudes what they want. . . Subtly the overriding goal is church attendance and worldly acceptability rather than a transformed life. Preaching the Word and boldly confronting sin are seen as archaic, ineffectual means of winning the world. After all, those things actually drive most people away. Why not entice people into the fold by offering what they want, creating a friendly, comfortable environment, and catering to the very desires that constitute their strongest urges? As if we might get them to accept Jesus by somehow making Him more likable or making His message less offensive. That kind of thinking badly skews the mission of the church.
The Great Commission is not a marketing manifesto. Evangelism does not require salesmen, but prophets. It is the Word of God, not any earthly enticement, that plants the seed for the new birth (1 Peter 1:23). We gain nothing but God’s displeasure if we seek to remove the offense of the cross.
Something is wrong with a philosophy that relegates God and His Word to a subordinate role in the church. It is clearly unbiblical to elevate entertainment over biblical preaching and worship in the church service. Sadly, some actually believe that their salesmanship can bring people into the kingdom more effectively than a sovereign God – a philosophy that has opened the door to worldliness in the church.
Excerpt from Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur.[ HT Old Truth]
More on Purpose Driven Madness here (if you have the stomach for it).
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
Pingback: What Happened to Fearing God??? « Stand Up…Stand Firm
Pingback: 5 Theological errors to learn (and avoid) from the purpose driven church « A Twisted Crown of Thorns ®
Pingback: 5 Theological errors to learn (and avoid) from the purpose driven church | Stand Up for the Truth
Condescending attitudes drive people away from church. FYI.
Thank you for your observation.
Pingback: Philosophical problems with the Purpose Driven movement | Steak and a Bible
Reblogged this on thehopeforlife.
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
Reblogged this on Truth2Freedom's Blog.
Your post is spot on. Btw I clicked on the link to continue but I really didn’t have the stomach to watch the clips. The whole thing makes me feel nauseated. Imagine how God must feel. Thank you for standing up for truth. Our modern church has become blinded and don’t seem to know what they are doing. When I speak to Christians about it, it gets them confused and they think I’m in error. They can’t understand why I wouldn’t love church.