Seeker Friendly

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of seeker-oriented churches, with their contemporary music and other attributes?

H.B. Lutz - Albuquerque

Hear Mr. (or Ms.) Lutz,

As far as I know the concept of seeker-sensitive churches was made popular by Willow Creek Church outside of Chicago. It's a highly successful church by any of man's measures - large attendance, large budget, great influence in the world. I suppose the question is whether or not these are God's measures of success.

Not long ago, Willow Creek commissioned a study that concluded it's people weren't maturing or growing in Christ. Largely they were milk-fed babies in real danger of hell. This was despite the church's overwhelming success. And you see, that is the problem.

Churches that adopt and pursue a "seeker-sensitive" model do so to entice people into church who would otherwise be turned off by church. Cappuccino bars, flat-screen TV, contemporary bands, casual dress, children's theaters, gymnasiums and other features are common to these churches. While it is well and good to make church attractive to people - the church has a great responsibility once they get there.

Jesus told us to "go and make disciples." Many of the people in seeker-sensitive churches are not growing. They are being coddled, milk-fed and lied to about who God is and who they are in Christ. They ignorantly come to church whenever they feel like it, call it their church, don't tithe, aren't committed and pretty much live lives that look like those in the fallen world around them. Jesus said, "Not everyone who cries, 'Lord, Lord' will see the kingdom of heaven." These are the people He was referring to.

I believe the concept of seeker sensitive churches was a good idea. But for the most part, these churches have failed to successfully disciple and grow the people they attract. They have little or no money in their budget for true discipleship - but spend plenty of money on music, drama, facilities, advertising, etc. Jesus never said, "go and serve cappuccino"