Study on Rick Warren and Seeker Friendly church model, Rober Schuller Connection

Study on the “Seeker-Friendly” Church Model

September 1, 2010 |

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Hello everyone,

It seems that I’ve been thrust into learning about “seeker-friendly” churches and teachings. Boy what an eye opening. It is one thing to believe that it is just happenstance that these churches and denominations have lost their path, it is another thing all together to see that is it a calculated, coordinated effort. 1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The first thing that came to mind is that Rick Warren is a plant of the Roman Catholic Church. The “seeker-friendly” concept is Catholic in nature as it preaches church membership over substance and insists on church loyalty. (not loyalty to Jesus, but to the church) The basic idea is for the church to be “target-driven” i.e. know your audience, and then play to their flesh needs. The plan is to see what the local culture likes and then tailor your services to appeal to the broadest audience. Is this not what the early Roman Church did to gain numbers? The adoption of local customs and traditions so that people feel comfortable and unchallenged.

They are taught to remove everything offensive in nature. Prophesy, Sin, fallen nature of man, repentance, sacrifice of self, even the name of Jesus (they use “god” or “christ” both are ambiguous and non-threatening) are all removed or glossed over. The focus is to bring more and more people in to the church and also to preach the preparation or our physical selves and the world and for Christ’s return. It is expressly preparing for the antichrist.

There is a strong emphasis on the music as “more people have found Christ through worship than through apologetics.” In other words.. it’s not the word of God that convicts, but rather the emotional connection one has with “God” through worship that draws them . This sounds a little more like paganism than Christianity to me no?

Anything goes as far as scripture goes, but Rick Warren seems to favor “the message” for his text. I now see where “his radio” gets it from. The similarities between their structure and Rich Warren’s are undeniable. They specifically use multiple versions to promote whatever they are teaching that week. It is about molding the bible to the message, not the message to the bible. The secondary effect is that people don’t bring bibles to church (as witnessed by one writer or an article I read today) but rather rely on the overhead to provide the reference. Obviously this creates further issues as people soon just rely on the “church” to teach them.

In the end the whole movement is expressly opposite of 1 Cor 2:1-5

1 ¶ And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

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

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Their messages are expressly based on intellectual arguments. They have brought the Gospel down from spiritual to carnal so that carnal man can accept it and “understand” it. Unfortunately those that follow that doctrine are going to be very disappointed in the end.

The whole thing reminds me of a multi-level marketing scheme. “The system works if you work the system” just keeps ringing through my head. It is not about the leading of the Holy Ghost, but rather following a marketing plan and schedule. Those part of Rick Warren’s church system can earn the “church health” award by meeting growth and income goals, i.e. 20% growth = health church.

While the “purpose driven life” has captured so many the “purpose driven church” is what is more disturbing because it teaches the techniques and mechanisms of how to accomplish, keep, and grow a shallow, Jesus-less, social club in the guise of Christianity. The fact that nearly every evangelical leader has jumped on the band wagon is frightening.

What I want to do is provide you some links that you can review in your own time. I’ve found these to be intelligent and well thought out.