What is the true church?
This ia a part of a comment sent to me from a member of Rick Warrens Saddleback church.
"To a strict traditionalist the notion of orienting a church to the target market in order to win souls for Christ must be heresy. To a strict traditionalist, the pipe organ plays hymns, the worshippers sit in pews and gaze at the stained glass, the pastor wears a suit and tie, and the sermon gives a deep dive understanding of a passage providing the original Greek or Hebrew versions of the text so as to provide believers with a better understanding of scripture. That is well and good if your intent is to appeal to believers or save the already saved. I went to a church like that for 25 years. The choir's robes were neatly pressed. The organist played dutifully. The pews were comfortable and the message each week was very enlightening - to a believer. To a non-believer there was nothing to connect with. It looked like a club that a non-believer didn't belong in. Churches like the one I attended actually kicked out an entire ministry that was trying to reach people in a post-modern society. They weren't corrupting the gospel, merely using newer methods to bring people into the church to HEAR the gospel. But many strict traditionalists couldn't handle this new approach. You sound like one of those people"
In order to understand what a true church is you must first understand it is not a gathering of unbelievers but believers.
The word "church" comes from the Greek "ekklesia" which means "gathering" or "assembly." Therefore, the church is the gathering of the believers who come together to participate in fellowship with one another as they worship God and hear from His Word, the Bible.
Its really just that simple.
The church was never meant to be somewhere that unbelievers feel comfortable.
Notice I said comfortable not welcome.
But how did Rick Warren create his new religion.
Did he consult what scriptures state.
No not at all.
Instead he polled people who did not have the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth.
But instead a unregenerate mind.
Rick asked them 4 questions.
*Why do you think most people dont attend church?
*If you were looking for a church, what things would you look for?
*What advice woudl you give to me as a pastor of a new church that really wants to be of benefit to the community?
* How could I, as a pastor, help you?
Again did Rick consult scripture or Christians on how to build a church.
Not at all!
Did Rick serve this up for the unsaved?
You betcha in spades thats why Saddleback and its fruit are such a flesh fest with pagan dancing and music that does not bring glory to God among other things that this false movement has bought forth.
The sad thing is there are people roaming these grounds that think they are ok with God and are treuly no saved.
Unsaved people will never feel conmfortable insurroundings where God is worshipped in spirit and in truth through music and the preaching of His word.
Unsaved people should always feel welcome in a true church.
However they will never feel comfortable in a true church until they are saved.
"To a strict traditionalist the notion of orienting a church to the target market in order to win souls for Christ must be heresy. To a strict traditionalist, the pipe organ plays hymns, the worshippers sit in pews and gaze at the stained glass, the pastor wears a suit and tie, and the sermon gives a deep dive understanding of a passage providing the original Greek or Hebrew versions of the text so as to provide believers with a better understanding of scripture. That is well and good if your intent is to appeal to believers or save the already saved. I went to a church like that for 25 years. The choir's robes were neatly pressed. The organist played dutifully. The pews were comfortable and the message each week was very enlightening - to a believer. To a non-believer there was nothing to connect with. It looked like a club that a non-believer didn't belong in. Churches like the one I attended actually kicked out an entire ministry that was trying to reach people in a post-modern society. They weren't corrupting the gospel, merely using newer methods to bring people into the church to HEAR the gospel. But many strict traditionalists couldn't handle this new approach. You sound like one of those people"
In order to understand what a true church is you must first understand it is not a gathering of unbelievers but believers.
The word "church" comes from the Greek "ekklesia" which means "gathering" or "assembly." Therefore, the church is the gathering of the believers who come together to participate in fellowship with one another as they worship God and hear from His Word, the Bible.
Its really just that simple.
The church was never meant to be somewhere that unbelievers feel comfortable.
Notice I said comfortable not welcome.
But how did Rick Warren create his new religion.
Did he consult what scriptures state.
No not at all.
Instead he polled people who did not have the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth.
But instead a unregenerate mind.
Rick asked them 4 questions.
*Why do you think most people dont attend church?
*If you were looking for a church, what things would you look for?
*What advice woudl you give to me as a pastor of a new church that really wants to be of benefit to the community?
* How could I, as a pastor, help you?
Again did Rick consult scripture or Christians on how to build a church.
Not at all!
Did Rick serve this up for the unsaved?
You betcha in spades thats why Saddleback and its fruit are such a flesh fest with pagan dancing and music that does not bring glory to God among other things that this false movement has bought forth.
The sad thing is there are people roaming these grounds that think they are ok with God and are treuly no saved.
Unsaved people will never feel conmfortable insurroundings where God is worshipped in spirit and in truth through music and the preaching of His word.
Unsaved people should always feel welcome in a true church.
However they will never feel comfortable in a true church until they are saved.
posted by Tim Wirth | 1:55 PM
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