The New Pulpit: 'Let Us Make You Feel Great!'
A commentary by Rex Sexton
United Church of God pastor, Olympia and Tacoma, Washington
You
are escorted to your seat in the glamorous auditorium by an attractive
young lady sporting a warm smile, perfect hair and make-up. As she seats
you she tells you how much everyone appreciates your attendance and hopes
you will enjoy the program this morning. As you settle into the plush
seats you can hear others around you buzzing about the big-name entertainer
who will soon perform.
No cost has been spared in this expansive auditorium of glass, silver,
and rich woods. Large screens on both sides of the front wall are ablaze
with scenes of happy young families accompanied by slogans encouraging
the audience to "Be all you can be," "Reach for the
Sky" and "Strive for Excellence."
Trumpets sound as runners trailing long red and gold banners race down
the aisles from the rear of the room and cross in front of the stage.
A deep voice booms over the powerful sound system announcing that the
production is about to begin.
You ask yourself, "Where am I?—at a Rock Concert or a Hollywood
Awards Extravaganza?"
No, you are at a church service—a mega church of 2006. After
the grand entrance of its charismatic leader you hear a message on "How
great it is to be alive" or "God has a special purpose for
you. Today we're going to help you find it."
The glossy brochure you were given features what this mega church has
to offer: health fairs, employment support groups, new member training, 'Finding
Your Ministry,' weight-loss club, aerobics, auto-repair clinics,
sports for all ages, 12 step recovery groups, karate classes, grief-counseling
and divorcee support groups, plus a special theater just for teenagers
and lots of music.
In the expansive lobby you are encouraged to visit the bookstore and
the hundred-foot long Espresso coffee bar for a latte and bagel. The
coffee bar sports a modernistic name, like He Brews. It is so
unlike the traditional church you attended as a youngster. In fact, it
is intentionally different.
Mega churches are taking the American church landscape by storm—often
huge in terms of attendance and campus size. Some have even purchased
sports arenas to meet in. Of the nearly 1,000 mega churches today, almost
all are less than forty years old, most less than twenty.
They are noted for being independent and non-denominational. In almost
every case they are the product of a gifted and charismatic leader, plus
creative marketing techniques that appeal to the on-the-move people of
today's fast paced society.
The primary message they preach, perhaps sincerely persuaded it is
what Jesus would preach today, bears little resemblance to the gospel
recorded in the Bible. Often tagged the "Health and Wealth Gospel," it's
emphasis is mostly on how great each of us is, how every person is special
to God and how positive thinking and talk makes the difference in our
lives. That falls short of the gospel teachings found in the Scriptures.
John the Baptist preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is
at hand" and asked people to confess their sins (Matthew 3). Peter,
Paul, and the other apostles consistently taught repentance from sin
and obedience to God. But Mega church messages are mostly about people,
not in-depth explanations of Christ's teachings or about His return
to restore God's truth and establish His Kingdom.
Instead, churches of all sizes today advertise that one should attend
their services to be "empowered" "nurtured" "uplifted" or "healed." Although
such information may be helpful the true gospel is about repenting of
our sins, changing our patterns of daily living and obeying God's
word.
In His final prayer before His crucifixion, Jesus asked our heavenly
Father, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John
17:17). Paul told Timothy, "But you must continue in the things
which you have learned and been assured of, knowing... that from childhood
you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
Furthermore, the gospel message is not just about matters of this life.
In fact Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If in this life only
we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." The
true gospel of the Kingdom of God is about the coming 1,000 year rule
of Jesus Christ on earth, commencing at His return.
  To
learn more about the core teachings of God's word and the
importance of the Kingdom of God, be sure to request, read online or
download now the first installment of our twelve-lesson Bible
Study Course and our free booklet, The
Gospel of the Kingdom.
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