Concern regarding "Seeker Churches".

The following is a video on a topic I am very concerned about. It's something I've seen as a growing concern in 'Christianity' today. Churches that want so desperately to attract seekers and teach almost exclusively on the gifts and blessings of salvation that they forget to even address why man needs salvation or what a growing faith looks like.

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." - Brennan Manning. I site that quote because I see this following from these churches that are not leading their flock with bible centered teaching. By making sermons full of stories and psychology, with hints of verses promising prosperity followers are lead to have a very narrow view. It doesn't instruct how one is to live a life honoring God and as a result many followers claim to be Christian, but when you dive deeper into matters of faith, don't really have any answers other than that they know they're saved because they believe. While this is true it should also mean that one is called out, made different, and led to lead a new life, free of their past self with Christ as their example. When the rest of the world doesn't see any difference in a Christian, that, I believe, is where this over simplification is falling short, and actually only encourages unbelievers in their disbelief.

I hope this topic is something that all bible believing Christians, especially leaders, take to heart and act upon. This is a concern because it sets (new) followers up to be misguided and disappointed when life gets hard. It ushers in guilt to those who are suffering leaving some with a crisis of faith, wondering why they are still so afflicted if God is so good and kind and will just make like perfect. The truth I've learned in my faith walk isn't that God will take away my burdens (in this life), but that He will give me strength to get through them, and that through it others might see Christ in me. Only when I become a new Heavenly creation will my failing body and burdens of this world be fully released from me. This is where I cling to 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, and I see this in other parts of scripture as well. Please take the time to watch this video. It can explain more clearly what I am getting at.



Revelation 3:14-22

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"