They have made the Father's House into a stage production

[Bold Believer]

While visiting my fiancee' this last weekend, we were invited to attend a local church by her daughter and son-in-law. I had a feeling that what I would see would not thrill me. I was right. The first thing that I noticed was that while the church had a cross of sorts, it was not easily recognizable as a cross. The one atop the building was spire-like (sort of pointy on top) and had four spikes sticking out of it, so that no matter direction you approached the building from, you saw +. The problem with that is that you also saw the other spikes protruding toward you as if to say "Don't come here."

The cross on the front of the building was canted at a 30-degree angle instead of being straight up, and it also had a circle around the center where the beams crossed, giving it the look not of a cross, but rather the cross-hairs of a gunsight. Mucho creepy.

When you walked into the building's lobby, it looked not like a church, but rather the lobby of a large professional building. There were TV monitors, bulletin boards and....a huge ATM machine with a big sign stating that you could give there. The monitors had messages that read "Addicted? Call at _____ at xxx-xxx-xxxx." We went on into what passed for the sanctuary, which was in fact a gigantic auditorium with a stage. More monitors hung from the ceiling and three large screens were strategically placed at both sides and center stage. On stage was a rock band. Drums, a bass, an electric guitar and an acoustic and all of the accompanying electronic paraphernalia needed to blast people out of the first few rows. What I later found out was a baptismal pool was off to the extreme right. I saw no pulpit to speak of. On the screens, a timer ticked down toward 0:00. There was absolutely no atmosphere of worship at all. People came on stage and periodically asked people to turn off their cell phones and not to get up during the service.

At the :10 mark on the timer, a casually dressed man came out and started getting people fired up in a countdown to zero. When the timer reached the zero mark, the concert...I mean 'service' began. The band played something that was supposed to be worship music but was much closer to a rock concert's offerings. The lyrics were repeated and repeated and repeated hypnotically on almost every song.

An older man (in a sports coat and slacks) came out briefly and actually mentioned the Bible and giving in the same sentence, but told everyone that they didn't need to get their Bibles out. (Not a big deal, I didn't see many Bibles.) Ushers then came out and passed out little royal blue bags for people to place cash into, but the man also said that you could give using your credit card at the ATM. (A bulletin of sorts that was handed out to people as they came through the front doors listed last week's offerings as nearly $30,000. Figuring $30,000 x 4 weeks=$120,000 a month, x 12 months=$1,440,000 a year income for the 'church'. Silver and gold have we none?)

A man whom I later found out was the pastor came out on stage and talked about a series that was going to be starting the next weekend and promising that the whole stage would be different the next time it was seen. The series would be about how much God loved us and our self-esteem. There was no preaching. A few people were baptized just before the end of the show, with people clapping frantically. The mic was so close to the baptismal pool, I kept waiting for someone to be fatally electrocuted as the pastor dipped them.

I never felt better than I did when I walked outside. They have turned the church into a stage production and worship into something unrecognizable. They preach the gospel of self-esteem. I wanted to puke.

[ladypeartree]

sad to say it is happening all over the place especially since the " tv evangelists" became such a money maker

[MorningGlory]

They probably think they are 'religious'..... They are, in reality, idiots treading putrid water in a pool of ignorance.

[Believer1997]

watch many mega-church services on tv? Sounds like you got to visit up close and personal... I hope you expressed your opinion to your fiancee or to anyone who asked how you enjoyed "church"....

[amor]

It sounds pretty unatractive to me, but there's nothing new about this "staged" approach to worship. There is a dramatic element to much liturgical worship impressive clothes, choirs, bells smells etc, go to any cathedral and you'll find yourself being turned into a spectator/participant.

As to " The lyrics were repeated and repeated and repeated hypnotically on almost every song. " What were the lyrics? Did you find anything wrong with their sentiment?

The Orthodox churches have a tradition of countlessly repeating the "Jesus prayer" Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

The ATM stuff seems a bit dodgy , though.

Iss it their style or something much more fundemental that you object to?

[ayin jade]

Not every megachurch is like that. One I like is quite sound, preaches a solid message, has lovely worship music, altho I could wish for more older hymns and is worshipful and respectful of our Lord. They hold prayer at the start of service, when no latecomers are permitted to be seated so it doesnt disrupt the prayer. Then have worship music, weekly communion with a brief message as it is passed out, more music, then an expository sermon. No atm's, no fancy dramatic stuff, no weird lighting. There is a stage, so you can see the pastor as he preaches. The musicians are not center stage. They have a modern rock service for those who want it, but they also have a non rock service for those who prefer that. Two monitors post the words to songs as well as bible verses during the sermon. Nothing outlandish about it.

Ive also seen smaller churches that I think are a bit too flashy with fancy stuff and dramatic skits each week and a pastor who struts up and down the aisles like a movie star. Gimmicks to get your attention. Really I find that objectionable.

That atm though. Wow. Moneychangers in the temple.

[Guest]

My old church went "seeker friendly" and watered down the gospel, so I had to find another one. That search took over a year and a half, and in the process I went to many places similar to what Bold Believer experienced. The one exception was the ATM thing -- that was even farther over the top than most things I saw.

The main thing that frustrated me during my search was a lack of Biblical preaching. I don't need self esteem, I need to take up my cross and follow Jesus. I don't care about a rock concert -- but some decent public worship that didn't require ear protection might be nice. I don't want a "show" -- I can see that on TV. I'd like some fellowship and public worship with other believers.

I've been meeting many lately who feel the same way, and many of those don't go to church any more because they got burned out trying to find one that preached the Word. I was almost out of options myself because I don't have a car and was running out of places I could get to -- don't get me started about what happens when you ask someone for a ride these days.

[Bold Believer]

It sounds pretty unatractive to me, but there's nothing new about this "staged" approach to worship. There is a dramatic element to much liturgical worship impressive clothes, choirs, bells smells etc, go to any cathedral and you'll find yourself being turned into a spectator/participant.

As to " The lyrics were repeated and repeated and repeated hypnotically on almost every song. " What were the lyrics? Did you find anything wrong with their sentiment?

The Orthodox churches have a tradition of countlessly repeating the "Jesus prayer" Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

The ATM stuff seems a bit dodgy , though.

Iss it their style or something much more fundemental that you object to?

Jesus said that the heathen repeat their prayers over and over, thinking that they would be heard for their many words. I could live with the Orthodox prayer a lot more easily than the same song-lyrics over and over again. The people I sat with I don't think would EVER call themselves sinners. I heard about accepting Jesus, but nothing about repentance. I heard about self-esteem. The term self-esteem is not even Biblical. The only place the words 'self' and 'esteem' are mentioned in the same sentence in Scripture is when we are told to esteem others better than our self.

Liturgical worship (as in a Catholic or Anglican church) is not accompanied by drums and electric guitars. If I recall, it's actually meant to convey what is believed to go on in heaven. The entire so-called service at this place was nothing more than a rock concert in Christian dress.

[nebula]

I have mixed feelings and thoughts on this.

On the one side, the church building isn't the Temple - we are.

On the other side, it does sound like they went overboard on making the church a business. (Face it. All churches are run like a business, even if to a small degree.)

The lyrics were repeated and repeated and repeated hypnotically on almost every song.

I've been to worship services where lyrics were repeated and repeated over and over and over.... I didn't find it hypnotic, I found it annoying. Of course, I never had much tolerance for too much repetition. But then I think of the angels around the throne repeating, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come," forever and ever and ever and ever . . . .

Instruments and styles of music are personal preferences. I know some people believe some styles and some instruments are holy while others are heathen. I disagree. What I can't stand is the single piano accompanying a hymn. The words just go in one ear and out the other, or out my mouth, but never get collected by the brain cells. But some people get meaning out of it. Different tastes and preferences. I have no problem with modern instruments as long as they aren't TOO LOUD.

So, it seems to me as if some elements of what bothered you may have been personal preference issues.

But the ATM and the credit card donations, the feel-good sermon, making modern art out of the cross, and that sort of stuff - I agree those parts are troubling.

Some aspects expressed though are a by-product of having such a massive amount of people to coordinate (like the count-down). This is one of the reasons I am an advocate for small congregations over the Mega-Church.

[Guest]

It sounds pretty unattractive to me, but there's nothing new about this "staged" approach to worship. There is a dramatic element to much liturgical worship impressive clothes, choirs, bells smells etc, go to any cathedral and you'll find yourself being turned into a spectator/participant.

As to " The lyrics were repeated and repeated and repeated hypnotically on almost every song. " What were the lyrics? Did you find anything wrong with their sentiment?

The Orthodox churches have a tradition of countlessly repeating the "Jesus prayer" Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

The ATM stuff seems a bit dodgy , though.

Is it their style or something much more fundamental that you object to?

The Fundamental

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

Need Is

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:17

Food

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4

You See

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

____________

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe