Download Modern Mega - Revelation And Creation

Modern Mega Church
Movement
An Examination
Modern
Mega
Church
The Community Church
(mega church operation)
has been developing over the past
couple of decades
have sprung up in almost every
area of the country
growth is exceedingly fast
attracts local and national media
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Modern
Mega
Church
Questions About the Mega
Church Operation
what led to the emergence of the
mega church operation?
what tactics are used to propel the
movement?
is it a sound movement?
what effect on churches of Christ
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Modern
Mega
Church
Founder
 Donald McGavran born in India 1897
– after completing college in US he returned
to India in 1923
– disturbed at slow growth
– studied 145 missions over 17 yrs.
– published his research in “The Bridges of
God” (1955)
• church needs to embrace what actually
produces disciples
• effective evangelism will produce
numerical results
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some of Today’s Foremost Leaders
of the
Church Growth Movement
Bill Hybels, Willow Creek
Community Church
Rick Warren of Saddleback
Community Church
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some Good Components of
the C.G.M.
 press for prayer
– 1 Thess. 5:17
 high premium on leadership
 pursues involvement of all church
members
– Eph. 4:16
– members teaching group studies
– Christianity is not for “pew potatoes”; not a
spectator’s sport
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some Good Components of
the C.G.M.
worship services need to be
critically excellent
– conveys that we are serious
– however, CGM stresses on giving
people what they “want” rather than
what they “need”
– what does a visitor think when they
visit?
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some Good Components of
the C.G.M.
integrating new converts into the
work and life of the church
– members should have close
relationships
– Acts 2:44-47
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some Good Components of
the C.G.M.
keep up the physical surroundings
of the building
– classrooms
– landscape
– professional look
– would your home or business be
okay if it was in the same shape as
the house of prayer
(Hag. 1:3-11)?
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Modern
Mega
Church
Some Good Components of
the C.G.M.
should make us reevaluate
what we are doing and why
or why not?
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The Dangers of the Church Growth
Movement
Satan’s Sweet Subtleties
Modern
Mega
Church
Dangers
letting the world set the agenda
for the church
– giving the world what they want
giving special attention to
selected scripture that deals
with growth and ignoring or
placing the rest on a lower par
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Modern
Mega
Church
Dangers
 tremendous emphasis on what the
audience THINKS as relevant, “the
audience, not the message is
sovereign” (George Barna, Marketing
The Church)
– “In fact, it is possible to be so relevant
that one becomes irrelevant because
you are merely telling people what
they already know, and not what they
need to hear”
(Kirk Wellum, An Evaluation of the Church
Growth Movement)
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Modern
Mega
Church
“The CGM wants to see the
worship service used as a critical
evangelistic tool because it
believes evangelism should be
the great priority of the church.
But what it does not understand is
that by allowing the unchurched
to commandeer the worship
service, they are smothering the
holy fire that drives all true
evangelistic efforts” (Kirk Wellum)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Dangers
whatever works is right
– success is not always measured in
numbers (i.e., Noah, 1 Pet. 3:20; 2
Pet. 2:5)
– “growth for growth’s sake is
cancer”
– a technique may work, but that
doesn’t mean it is right
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Modern
Mega
Church
Dangers
 be a “user-friendly” church
– the gospel has bad news for those who
will not conform (2 Cor. 2:14-17)
– regardless of how the word rubs people,
it is what they need to hear
– too many “transformers” are in pulpits
today rather than “translators”
– was the early church “user-friendly”
(Acts 5:1-11)?
• “So great fear came upon all the church and
upon all who heard these things” (v. 11)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Dangers
 overemphasis on “perking”
attendance and catering to the
unbeliever who enters the assembly
– we ought to be concerned with the
unbeliever who enters (1 Cor. 14:23-25)
– but not to compromise the message
– the early church did not “perk”
attendance by having drama acts with
light and laser shows and staging
wrestling matches and ball games
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Modern
Mega
Church
Why the Emergence of
Community Churches?
 a rejection of the “establishment”
traditional church services
– traditional or whatever the current
establishment is
– “At Last! A new church for those who’ve
given up on traditional church services”
(Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven
Church)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Anti-traditional
 Rick Warren’s tradition is to be against
traditional worship
– traditions of men that conflict with God’s
word must be rejected (Matt. 15:3)
– traditions in culture that that do not
conflict with God’s word should be
recognized & regarded (Acts 24:16; 1 Cor.
9:19-23; 10:32, 33; Rom. 13:7)
– traditions of the apostles must be
reverenced
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Modern
Mega
Church
Apostolic Tradition
“But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you
withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the
tradition which he received from us”
(2 Thess. 3:6)
• If having congregational singing, preaching,
prayer along with partaking of the Lord’s Supper
and giving on the first day of the week makes me
a traditionalist, then so be it!
• The only alternative is being a “disorderist”
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Modern
Mega
Church
Why the Emergence of
Community Churches
 downward spiral of denominational
churches
“The growth comes as overall church
attendance has slipped nearly 20 percent
in the past 10 years, according to Barna
research, a polling firm that focuses on
religious issues. Barna says 40 percent of
the nation goes to church on a typical
Sunday, down from 49 percent in 1991”
(God on a Grand Scale, Mega-Churches Grow Bigger and Bigger,
Oliver Libaw, abcnews.com)
Modern
Mega
Church
Denominational Downward
Spiral
& morality
membership
 as denominations decline in
membership, they begin to
compromise to sustain numbers
 extending fellowship to homosexuals;
condoning abortion; etc. has turned off
many
 mega churches usually have a higher
moral message than mainstream
denominationalism in key areas
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Modern
Mega
Church
Tactics of the Community
Church
a strong dynamic leader
– parallels the beginning of
mainstream denominational
churches
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Modern
Mega
Church
Dynamic Personalities of
Denominational Churches
 Martin Luther
 Lutheran 1530
 John Calvin
 Presbyterian
 John Wesley
 Joseph Smith
 William Miller
1535
 Methodist 1729
 Mormon 1830
 Adventist 1831
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Modern
Mega
Church
Tactics of the Community
Church
adopt a neutral name
– name that suggests no
denominational tie
• Saddleback Community Church
(Mission Viejo, CA)
• Willow Creek Community Church
(Chicago, IL)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Tactics of the Community
Church
adopt a neutral name
– a little research will reveal their
denominational roots
• when build new facility do a name
change
• i.e. “Little Flock Baptist Church” to
“Little Flock Ministry Center”
(Shepherdsville, KY)
• appeals to more people in community
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Modern
Mega
Church
Tactics of the Community
Church
“Attraction Evangelism”
– grew out of denominational concept
of chicken dinners, ball teams, etc.
– attractions in Mega Churches are
much grander
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Modern
Mega
Church
Mega Church
Mega Attractions
“large outreach events. . .contemporary
Christian concerts, creative
presentations that utilize drama,
multimedia, and the arts. . .men’s
breakfasts, women’s luncheons,
leader’s dinners” (Bill Hybels,
Becoming A Contagious Christian, pp.
207, 208)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Mega Church
Mega Attractions
“Mega-churches also often have a
virtually complete social environment,
featuring sports and recreation facilities
such as basketball courts, pools, or
roller-skating rinks. Some have movie
theaters and retirement homes built
into their complexes”
(God on a Grand Scale, Mega-Churches Grow Bigger and Bigger,
Oliver Libaw, abcnews.com)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Mega Church
Mega Attractions
“The list of activities can sound like the
offerings at a Club Med or a small
liberal arts college: poetry workshops,
creative writing, singles groups, job
fairs, vocational training, musical
lessons, and even auto repair clinics. ”
(God on a Grand Scale, Mega-Churches Grow Bigger and Bigger,
Oliver Libaw, abcnews.com)
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Modern
Mega
Church

Mega Church
Mega Attractions
“For reverend James Meeks who is planning to
convert 23 acres of vacant land at 115th & the Bishop
Ford expressway, into a $40-million dollar complex. .
.for 10-thousand parishioners to worship in on
Wednesday and Sunday. And for all of the surrounding
community to enjoy the rest of the week, with plays,
concerts, lectures, and sports activities. Made possible
by removing the convertible seats. There will be three
regulation basketball courts with the main court being
in the center, and we would build a 500-seat hockey
arena that will also have an indoor track. . . .”
(Andy Shaw, ABC7Chicago.com)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Positively No Authority
From God’s Word
use of passages like Luke 14:15-
24 to justify church sponsored
feasts
– ignores the spiritual connotation
– if literal food in Luke 14, why not a
literal dress code in Matthew 22:114)?
32
Modern
Mega
Church
Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is
not eating and drinking,
but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit”
•If eating and drinking is not a part of the
kingdom of God, how can the kingdom use
such as a “seeker-sensitive service” (Bill
Hybels) to attract unbelievers?
•How can it be used as “Attraction
Evangelism” (Rick Warren)? 33
Modern
Mega
Church
The Cross—God’s Attraction
for Evangelism
“And I, if I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all peoples to
Myself. This He said, signifying
by what death He would die” (Jn.
12:32, 33)
34
Modern
Mega
Church
Preaching—God’s Mode For
Attracting Sinners
 attracts those who are being saved
(1 Cor. 1:18)
 the cross can be made of no effect
when we place emphasis on
something else
 wisdom of words (1 Cor. 1:17)
 “human wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:4)
 “wisdom of this age” (1 Cor. 2:6)
 “man’s wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:13)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Where Will The Frolic End?
“Then they rose early on the next
day, offered burnt offerings, and
brought peace offerings, and the
people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to play” (Ex. 32:6)
Metroplex Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City
Modern
Mega
Church
Where Will The Frolic End?
“And when he came near the tents he saw the image
of the ox, and the people dancing; and in his wrath
Moses let the stones go from his hands . . . And
Moses saw that the people were out of control, for
Aaron had let them loose to their shame before their
haters (Ex. 32:19, 25; BBE)
Metroplex Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City
Modern
Mega
Church
Where Will The Frolic End?
“In like manner also, that the
women adorn themselves in
modest apparel, with
propriety and moderation. .
.which is proper for women
professing godliness, with
good works” (1 Tim. 2:9, 10)
Metroplex Fellowship Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City
Modern
Mega
Church
Tactics of the Community
Church
 non-threatening services
“To draw people, they use an inviting, informal
approach, with well-produced dramatic shows,
sermons relevant to their congregants' lives, and
catchy jazz and pop music. When it was founded
in the early 1970s, Willow Creek set out explicitly
to research what people did and didn't like about
going to church, and tailored their services
accordingly. The low-pressure atmosphere of
Mariners Church helped convince Lorraine
Hanson to join, she says. "In some ways you can
maintain a sense of anonymity if you want to," she
says. "It's very non-threatening." (Libaw, abcnews.com)
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Modern
Mega
Church
“Non-threatening”
non-threatening services
“Don’t hit them over the head with everything
they’re doing wrong. A lot of their sins will be
dealt with after they come to Christ” (Rick
Warren, Purpose Driven Church, p. 216)
– Isn’t the purpose for coming to Christ to deal with
sin?
– “Repentance” was at the core of first-century
preachers (Luke 13:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38)
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Modern
Mega
Church
“Non-threatening”
Would Rick Warren approve of:
– Stephen’s preaching
(Acts 7:51, 52)
– Peter’s preaching
(Acts 2:23; 8:20-23)
– Jesus’ preaching (Lk. 4:18-30)
• did Jesus fail to teach His audience
“anger management”?
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Modern
Mega
Church
“Non-threatening” “impact”
more important than “information”
 “storytelling” over “instruction”
– “Stories stir our emotions. They impact us
in ways that precepts and propositions
never do. If you want to change lives, you
must craft your message for impact, not
information” (Rick Warren)
– “I believe it is a sin to bore people with the
Bible” (Rick Warren)
– criticizes preachers who say, “We are not
here to entertain.”
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Modern
Mega
Church
There is a Place For
IMPACT!
Eze 6:11 ‘Thus says the Lord
GOD: "Pound your fists and
stamp your feet, and say, ‘Alas,
for all the evil abominations of
the house of Israel! For they
shall fall by the sword, by
famine, and by pestilence.
IMPACT WITH INFORMATION!
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Modern
Mega
Church
I Wonder. . .
– “. . .Paul. . .continued his message until
midnight. . .And in a window sat a certain
young man named Eutychus, who was
sinking into a deep sleep. He was
overcome by sleep; and as Paul
continued speaking, he fell down from the
third story and was taken up dead”
(Acts 20:7, 9)
 who would Rick Warren think was at
fault?
 Did Paul use too much “info” and not
enough impact?
 whose preaching saved more
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souls?
Modern
Mega
Church
Real example of “IMPACT”
Void of “INFORMATION”
We don't care about religion!
Arlington, TX
There...got your attention. What we do care
about is relationships - your relationship with
God and others, including family, friends and
work colleagues. Jesus said that's what being a
Christian is all about - God first, others second.
Keep that simple principle in mind, and you can
cover all Ten Commandments.
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Modern
Mega
Church
Arlington, TX
An “Impact” of NONSENSE!
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of
God - if it's not in there, then we don't place
much weight on it. We try and make everything
we do conform to the Bible.
BUT ON THE SAME PAGE. . .
We believe that all that's needed to get a prepaid ticket to heaven and have the power of
God in you is to pray a prayer similar to the
following and really mean it:
WHERE DOES THE BIBLE TEACH IT?
Modern
Mega
Church
Arlington, TX
An “Impact”
DEVOID OF THE NT!
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of
God - if it's not in there, then we don't place
much weight on it. We try and make everything
we do conform to the Bible.
We invite you to visit us at our 31-acre facility!
There's something for the whole family, at one
location. 60,000 sq. ft. facility - Athletic Fields Tennis Court 47
Gymnasium - Swimming Pool - Fishing Pond
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What Effect On
Churches of Christ
www.SDCOC.com
Modern
Mega
Church
An Actual Church of Christ
Web Page
"Moonlight Masquerade" Teen Prom, 2003
We are excited to announce the first annual Teen
Prom! This year's theme is "Moonlight
Masquerade". Each person/couple is responsible for
designing their own mask. The evening should be a
night to remember! We will have a full, sit-down
dinner, pictures, dancing, the whole works!
Time: 6:30p-11:00p
Place: Hyatt Islandia, Mission Bay
Date: Saturday, February 15th
Cost: $35/person (dinner included!) - pay at the door
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PRETEEN CAMP, 2003!!
Lookie...here is a sneak preview of Preteen Camp, 2003...
Our theme for Preteen Camp has been entitled "No
Rules"...that's right..."No Rules"...can you believe it! We
will be learning alot [sic] about how our relationship with
God is not about rules and regulations, but about loving
Jesus from our hearts and how much He really loves us. We
will learn about "Who Really Rules in Our Lives" and how
"God's Rules" lead us to make wise choices that will make
our lives happy!! Ya know what else...we will be having our
Bible Bowl right at Preteen Camp! It will be called The
Proverbs Bowl, 2003! Get ready because we will be passing
out quiet times just for you on the Book of Proverbs real
soon. . . .
San Diego Church of Christ
. . .We will be having our 'Formal Dinner', tons of Mud
Wrestling, our Princess Party and so much more! This year
our camp will be at Idllywild Pines...and ya know what...they
have a HUGE POOL! We may even be able to do some Horse
Back Riding on the camp grounds as well. Get ready for some
Mountain Climbing! Let's also begin praying about the great
spiritual messages and discipleship groups that will be
happening throughout each day at camp...how awesome! Keep
checking this website for more camp information. Your
awesome Preteen Leaders will also have all the info that you
need.
Would you like to send your
DANGER!
DANGER!
DANGER!
son or daughter to a church
that boasts on
“NO RULES”?
2 TIMOTHY 3:1ff
“But know this, that in the last days perilous
times will come: for men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters. . .unholy.
. .without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
God,
having a form of godliness but denying its
power. And from such people turn away!”
Modern
Mega
Church
Effects on Conservative
Churches?
VBS geared toward “fun” instead
of “Bible instruction”
food is served
plays worked on and acted out for
audience
basket ball goals popping up in
church parking lots
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Modern
Mega
Church
Other Signs:
advertisements advertising secular
events (camping, games, etc.) with
spiritual
churches changing names to be
more ambiguous
tolerant attitude toward those in
error; intolerant toward those who
expose error
54
Modern
Mega
Church
Other Signs:
changes in preaching
– non controversial messages
– emphasize positive
– do not identify names of false
teachers
– emphasis on personal stories
– no application of scripture
change services to accommodate
sporting events
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Modern
Mega
Church
The Mega Church
 is appealing
 is growing
 is influential
 IS DANGEROUS
– only give lip service to truth
– emphasis is on the natural man
– emphasis is on entertainment
– has no regard for the authority of the
Scriptures
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Modern
Mega
Church
Isaiah 8:20
“To the law and to the testimony! If
they do not speak according to this
word, it is because there is no light in
them”
• God’s word is our guide
• God’s word shows who is of light
and who is darkness
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Modern
Mega
Church
A Religion like Jeroboam
(1 Kin. 12:25-33)
Jeroboam sold his religion by
appealing to “convenience” rather
than the law of Moses (v. 28)
CGM appeals to programs,
entertainment, catchy phrases,
etc. to sell their religion rather than
the N.T.
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Modern
Mega
Church
SIMILARITY TO
Jeremiah 5:30, 31
“An astonishing and horrible thing
has been committed in the land;
the prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests rule by their own power;
and My people love to have it so.
But what will you do in the end?”
59
Modern
Mega
Church
Simply Put. . .
“They are of the world. Therefore they
speak as of the world, and the world
hears them. We are of God. He who
knows God hears us; he who is not of
God does not hear us. By this we know
the spirit of truth and the spirit of error”
(1 Jn. 4:5, 6)
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Modern
Mega
Church
True Growth
doesn’t come from some larger
church feeding off of smaller and
dying churches
comes when God’s people are at
work in the field
– “I planted, Apollos watered, but God
gave the increase”
(1 Cor. 3:6)
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Modern
Mega
Church
Zechariah 4:6
“This is the word of the Lord
to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by
might nor by power, but by
My Spirit,’ says the Lord of
hosts.”
We better never forget it!
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