A Website or a Congregation?

Driving through Decatur, Alabama, yesterday, I noticed a billboard with these words:

Love God?
Hate Church?

The rest of the billboard was just a logo, motto (“a new way to do church”) and a website. Admittedly, my curiosity was raised, so I went to the website.

The website is epicchurch.tv, and I went to it figuring it would be a site that promoted a congregation with a strange name. I was right. The name of the congregation? The same as the website: epicchurch.tv.

Another motto of the congregation is found on their site: “No perfect people allowed.” This group seems to pride themselves on the fact that they are not perfect, and this emphasis is given throughout the site. I totally understand that none of us is perfect (cf. Romans 3:10, 3:23), but we should be striving to be!

Also, the emphasis of this place is on the “experience” one will get when visiting worship. (The picture is from their site.) Obviously, it’s all about the worshipper instead of the One Who should be the emphasis. Notice this description of the “lead pastor’s” lessons:

[The pastor] speaks in a way that is clear, humorous, compelling and true to life. Kevin’s desire is to invite God’s presence into the room and ultimately into our lives. His messages, wrapped in God-inspired music in today’s style and other creative elements, will challenge your heart to move in God’s direction.

I’m just wondering: why isn’t the Bible at the center of the preaching? Itching ears obviously abound.

Finally, about that billboard. “Love God? Hate Church?” I don’t think these people realize the seriousness of the statement they are making. It is God’s Church! We cannot love one without loving the other!

Emphasis today is on making me feel good when I “do church.” Friends, my focus should be on pleasing God. Instead of seeking to “invite God’s presence into my life,” why not focus on making my life a sacrifice to His will? Isn’t that the point of New Testament worship.

I’m sure these people feel they are doing the town of Decatur a great service. I pray that they will come to realize that they are, in reality, leading people further into the “me-first” way of thinking that is dooming our nation.

What is it we teach our smallest children? How do we gain true joy?

J – Jesus first

O – Others second

Y – Yourself last

Let’s remember that in every part of our lives.