I agree with your assertions. I believe the church has, in part, adapted to the “self-focused society”. Our expectations, and even much of our preaching and teaching, is man-centric, rather than God-centric. In other words, “What can God do for me?”

Reading the story of Josiah, you find a great lesson in faithfulness for it’s own sake. No other king had more of a heart for God than Josiah. Yet, you couldn’t say his rule was one of the most successful, by earthly standards. God stated that, while he honored Josiah’s faithfulness, he would not withhold punishment from his people. Then, Josiah ended up dying in battle against two sinful rulers. The truth that continued faithfulness may not result in God doing anything for you in a material way, or even removing harmful forces in your life, might not go over too well in many churches today.

I believe this is largely why deep, impassioned corporate prayer is no longer the norm in so many of our churches.

We seem to be focussed on systems and methods in growing churches and having a “great” church. I think a great church begins when your eyes are off of people an onto Jesus. And, instead of a lot of worship songs that begin with, “I need you…” let’s have the focus be on HIM and who He is. Our needs and what God does for us is becoming an increasing focus in our self-focussed society.

Just to clarify, the only castigating I ever heard Dr. Akin do was when 1. one of his students was misrepresenting the Gospel, and 2. When somebody was trying to change the ministry paradigm of their church because of their own preferences. Dr. Akin is a Godly man, and I would be honored to be among his students again.

Blessings!

I’m sorry that you think I’m “jabbing”. Emails can sometimes come across the wrong way, since inflection cannot be communicated. My email is marktab@ptsi.net. If you wouldn’t mind emailing me your phone number, or giving me your email address so I can email you mine, I would like to talk this out with you, so you can better understand my mindset and where I’m coming from. No way do I want a a flame war on the Baptist Messenger site. Bad witness.

I am extremley gratefull god has sent Jason Brinker our way To Jacksonville N.C. We are happy with what the lord is doing through him here. I understand the meaning of your artical, and we all know what Rick Warren means to us as well as numerous other preachers across the country who have and will have large congregations as long as christ in first. I hope we can all be happy that churches are beginning to grow, and that through our young pasters a new age group is being reached.

Again, Keep up gods work and lets all pray for the pasters of our nations that we keep them focused on the goal. Its not about who is best but it is about doing our best.
I heard a saying yesterday that fits this pretty good, ” We as people try to use duct tape, but GOD uses Nails”. Stay strong as nails and keep up the good work

J.R. Jones