"Seeker Churches"

So, what do we think about so-called "seeker churches"? Churches that try to be relevant and contemporary - that try to appeal to the masses in an effort to get the gospel better distributed.

I had a conversation this week that really got my attention in this regard. I was talking to a good friend who is learning what it means to follow Christ. He has been going to a "seeker" church for a while. While he has heard the gospel, he says he was starving for "meat" - although he didn't realize it. As a result, he was slowly fading away because of lack of nutrition - and not knowing why. He said that there was no emphasis that he should need to bring his Bible on Sundays - or any emphasis that he should be reading it on his own regularly. He could not find a Bible study where people were serious about learning and growing. As a result, he struggled. He made a great cell phone analogy. He said that in that church, he felt like he had no "bars" - his reception to God felt very weak - or non-existent - like his cell phone when it had "no bars".

I was looking at this particular church's website - and noticed that it was covered in references to words like "contemporary", "relevant", "great music", "wonderful children's programs", etc. The appeal of the church was all man-centered. Their version of the gospel was about appealing to man. I checked out another church's website in the same area - one that I do respect (EV Free in Corona) and noticed their terminology was much different. They described their mission "to bring glory to God". Their web-site continually stressed the fact that teaching God's word is their foundation. It talked about honoring God with "holy lives". It talked about reaching people for "God's glory". It was very apparent that this church had a God centered gospel.

So, what's this life all about? Is it about God making us feel good? Making us happy? Giving us peace? And then we worship Him? No. How about "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness" - THEN all these things will be added unto you? Life's about Him - about glorifying and worshipping Him - then He blesses us. We don't wait to be blessed, and then worship Him. We worship Him first. Inherently, that is the difference between a man-centered gospel and a God-centered gospel.