When God Goes to Church

....wow....and Amen! Let it rip Pastor James.

Excellent blog! Your comments are so "right on" for 2007. I'm already looking forward to the next blog. By the way, I listen to your programme on FM 100.3 from Barrie, Ontario. I look forward to it every morning. Keep up the good work.

James,

It's Lane, you're Time magazine guy from IU ;-) I'm pretty pumped about your new book idea, especially the what-I-gather-as-intentional-phrase "led by men on fire". I plead with you to stand strongly against "evangelical feminism" and for male eldership. There's been a breach in the wall for decades now and the faithful shepherds cannot ignore it. Bear with Paul the brandmarks of Jesus. Thank you for your faithfulness.

"Starving Saints, Selfish Shepherds, and Shallow Services." Wow, I know a lot of people who can relate to that and sadly I know a lot of people who can't because they still are in such places. :S

I Listen to you on 99.5 FM Toronto, Ontario

Amen Brother James! I for one with 3 friends accidentally attended your DOWNPOUR event in November and I must tell you that all of us have been in a sort of Transformation since the moment we entered that room on Friday evening. It hasn't stopped for a minute and God is showing up as we are obedient to what He has asked us to do. Huge things are happening as I ask people to forgive me for being mad at them for what I thought they did to me. It sounds crazy - but transformation is taking place in me and in our church, not just those of us at Downpour - but I for one will NEVER be the same.

Pastor James: This has to be the favourite of your blogs since I've been on here. This year is all about becoming on fire for God for me - just being a person on fire so hopefully it catches. Take away church politics, take away our selfish ambition, take away even our political freedom down the road. Take away the marketing of Jesus. What do you have? A desperate hunger for God's actual presence. A church renewed. Revival. You will be in my prayers as you consider this book.

Its interesting, I grew up going to Grace Community (John MacArthur) in California when I was kid. I always thought you could move around the country and find a solid biblical church. Now that I am older and I have moved around, its disheartening to find churches on every corner but not all are proclaiming the name of Christ. Most seem to be the new "social club" or networking zone. Its sad what we have become, a nation of people who say they are "christians" (and so many claim this)...yet their hearts are far from Him. Its interesting now that I have to describe myself as a bible believing Christian, one that believes in the inerrant Word of God. I am glad for your new book, to exhort people to return to true Worship...Not the worship of Malachi 1....May we find the balance between legalism and license...

Have a great day... ;-)

Awesome! You always manage to hit the nail right on the head (as we say in the South)! I've just discovered your website and I am currently reading "Downpour" and I am blown away by the Spirit of God on your words. I look forward to your book and any blogs. Give it to us just as God gives it to you!

Thank you for not being afraid to "cut to the chase" with The Sword! (Heb. 4:12) This is a message that so many churches need to hear. Our church is currently participating in the Downpour study, and I sense the Holy Spirit moving among us like He never has. If I may adapt the phrase you used: "church done weakly in the Spirit is better than church done with excellence in the flesh." 2 Cor. 12:10 I am excited to see what God does in our midst as we return to Him in brokenness and welcome Him to attend and work among us.

Where do I begin?
I currently struggle with the thought that perhaps my own church is too focused on community building and being organized into cells. Cell churches are fine and I'm all for them, but it seems lately that my church keeps focusing on the cell structure instead of the Word of God. I don't doubt for a second that the people going to my church are men and women of God. I don't doubt for a moment that God is using the leaders at my church for reaching the unchurched... but I personally hunger for meat. I hunger for deeper walk with God. God relentlessly pursues me so I go to church. I hear messages on serving together or on How we are to help either other grow.

Am I being selfish?

A friend recently visited a popular church with a popular service. She said, "Great sermon but he only mentioned one verse." I downloaded the sermon and listened to it. She may have missed the message but it was true, he only mentioned a verse once. Are we to be critical or should we know that someone came to Christ through the message.

What do we do with those reached for Christ? Do we give them additional safe messages or do we open God's word and get it on?

How do we reach the unchurched? I'm tired of being pretty. I'm tired of making it nice. Nice if fine. Nice is great. But I find that people have more of an interest in Christ if they get in God's word. People walking in God's word are contagious.

I disagree with you on the point that God doesn't show up. I believe He does show up. But I also believe that He wants to pour out so much more but can't because we have Him on a short leash so we don't scare somebody off.

I just recently read Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Wow! Look what happens when God does show up at church. Transformed lives, amazing miracles!

Pastor James, it is time for this book of yours.

Hi James,
I hope you continue on with your thoughts and write the book. It is very much needed. A friend and I are studying Hebrews and using your series on it as a guide. Tonight we listened to the first tape. I can't help but say..don't stop preaching the word as you have been. Don't become "seeker-sensitive, "Purpose driven(in the wrong way), "emergent", "contemplative" etc....Just keep yourself humble before God and preach the Word. Please!!!Thank you, Carol

Dead on James !! I'm a regular attendee at Meadows and have invited some friends recently to hear you drive home God's word. They are pinned by god's word and the truth that start's burning inside from the holy spirit. We (You) are so blessed to be apart of this awesome ministry to proclaim god's word. We need to be light of the world everyday of the week, Not just on Sunday to take us a couple of hours or so after the service...Amen :)
Hebrews 4:7,12

James; When can I pre-order your book!? I live near a Kansas wheatfield and I know the power of a tornado. How I long for that type of preaching and Spirit's power in my church! It seems we are trending towards making people comfortable and the Word is dosed out in bits and pieces. I rarely hear words like Holines, repentance and Lordship from the pulpit. What I hear is we have to embrace our culture and select songs and media that appeal to the guy off the street. Who is worship for? Visiting Harvest has helped me see worship in a whole new light! I am convinced that God not only does NOT show up at many churches in North America, I am also convinced he wants some churches to close than to continue as ineffective witnesses or as places where the lines between the redeemed and the world are blurred. It's one thing to draw a crowd, it's another to build a church where God shows up. Preach the Word without apology, James. Pray for my church to experience the Hosea 6:1-3 revival I experienced at Downpour in Minneapolis last November!

Hi James. I couldn't agree with you more. I'm sick of these churches that think they are "succesful" when there is no real lasting growth or change. I'm sick of these chuches where most of the people are there for social hour, or use it as a cultural preservative. I'm sick of these churches that try to do things on man's knowledge and doesn't look to the Word to know what God wants us to do. (as i'm reading in Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers we can see how costly that is!) I'm sick of these churches that are about doing events and working for christ, but there is no growth, or Christ likness happening. I'm sick of the conveniance the church has put as a priority. I can't imagine the disgust or anger God must feel about his people making the church into something it's not supposed to be. Instead of being a beacon of light, some churches have become problems. I can't wait for your book to come out. The church is something I believe God truly wants to use, but He is missing from it. I look forward to reading your book. God bless and thank you for your teaching.

Thank you James for your passion it has been used greatly in my walk to seek the Lord. I thank God for His Spirit in using you in my life.

HI Pastor James, I am so glad to hear about this message since God has been showing me the same things in the church. There are two songs that have touched my heart lately about the church that seem right on....Casting Crowns sings them and they are called, Does Anybody Hear Her? and Stained Glass Masquerade. These are on the Lifesong CD. I think the Lord gave them the same message...Susan

I agree that the North American Church has become self centered and not God centered. It makes me so sad to realize this is true in my own church. I truly love the people there and feel horrible that Satan has twisted the truth of God's holiness.I pray daily for God to change the hearts of the people and put God first. I believe that He can supernaturally change it. It is not easy for those of us living in places where we don't have a " Harvest environment..." I am reminded that Corrie Ten Boom was able to worship God and minister to women in a concentration camp, and God was with her and blessed her ministry to the other prisoners. I am praying that God will change the North American Church. I look forward to your book!!!

Amen Pastor James. We recently left a "people-pleasing", flashy church with dismay and hurt. God found us a powerful, Jesus-honoring, Word of Truth church and has healed us. Praise His Name. From personal experience, you are right, and this book NEEDS to be written We'll continue to pray for you. God Bless. Kim

James,
What a great book to write. Who better than you to pen a message from God about the church. I worry about churches who are so caught up in the programs and some people's hidden agendas that I sometimes wonder if God is really there during their so called worship. God has taught me through you about revival and true worship. I am so lucky to have a church in my own town that knows what worship is all about and a pastor who is not afraid to use the word repentance. If I did not have such a place to go and worship, I guess I would have to move to Chicago. Serving for Him, Marsha

Wow!!!! What an AWESOME blog! My first stumble into it....and I am so revived to read not only Pastor James' thoughts on the book he has planned... (YAY!!! It is TIME for some 'no-nonsense, smack-up-side-the-head, "WHAT are you thinking?!", GET REAL, HERE is the RIGHT way to worship, pray and learn!!' information for the led-astray, the misinformed, the misguided and the don't-know-any-betters! )...BUT it's also great to read that there ARE others like me who feel this way about the new churches. I've been made to feel that I am simply behind the times. I tell you, my husband and I moved to Albany NY in 2002, and are still looking for a church. We have visited so many, and the worst offenders are the churches that are big and are looking to get bigger for the sake of getting bigger. Right now a radio station has a commercial from one of these churches about their Easter service - it's full of rock riffs and slick chatter, making Christ's brutal death for our sake something to go and get hip with! Am I wrong? IS this right?
Boy, I would so be blessed to able to visit Harvest and Pastor James in person - but every morning at 7:30 is the next best thing!
Back to topic, the book sounds fabulous - God willing, I'll buy several copies and send them to some Pastors...

Hey J-Mac! Sort of a touchy subject Aey? Just a couple of thoughts on the new book idea. In no way do I want you, or anyone else to think that I am insulting your intelligence. So if I say something in this post that sounds like "duh", I do apologize. Ready, here are my thoughts...
Why don’t you just walk down the street with your ESV and say "Bill we need to talk"? You know like Jesus would do. Plus I don’t think that all the willow / mars hill style churches are evil, or opposed to Christ, (Mark 9:40) just another style. The teachings that I have heard or witnessed didn’t excuse sin, talked about the fact that there was only one way, (Jesus) and elevated Gods Word. Is it not the responsibility of everyone to know the truth for themselves? Each of us is responsible for our own salvation and what we know about Gods Word. A church can’t take ALL that responsibility can it? Are these “other style” churches not a part of the body? I try to look at them like Paul in Philippians 1:18. I understand the frustration when you see some money hungry liar on TV acting like a fool swaying week minded people with shallow preaching or even down right lies. It also makes me a little nauseous when I see the ear tickling of “your best life now “ preaching. Trust me, I understand your heart in wanting to write this book, but your boy Mr. MacArthur has already done a good job with one on this topic. Why not go after something like the abomination of the roman catholic church. This organization dwarfs the “other churches”, has and still is blinding and deceiving more ever day! You always talk about a “stench in God’s nostrils” well look no further then the RCC! Ever studied Catholicism? If not, you will be shocked at the down right commandment breaking, mystic, idolatrous, evil being pumped into our family and friends. And with our Saviors name attached!!
I just think that you are so much more of an “igniter of passion through the proclamation of Truth” I think you should spend your time and efforts on teaching us how to pray better, or a lesson on fasting, or something meaty like that. And if you are dead set on this book that you have in the works and don’t mention the greater “problem church” (RCC) as a major focus, I will be disappointed. I do however love you and your peeps! And can’t come up with anyplace good enough to get my pic with your WITW logo! That’s okay; I already have most of the WITW library.
I hope you respond to this!!!

-Abe

Dear James.
I have been reading your Blog since you created it. Very nice I must say. I listen to your radio program on the web site and when I was in Chicago area on WMBI.

I would like to let you know the great impact your ministry has had in my life. I never knew how amazing God was until just recently. Oh I thought I was a faithful follower of Christ. Sad really, how one can be led to believe something that sounds sweet and easy to swallow. That was where I was. I am not sure if it is appropriate to mention the previous church that I attended, but I think you may be interested in that you had a part in my conversion away from the Mormon Church. I had already discovered some of the inaccuracies for myself and then I was Now what? Through some very unfortunate situations I ended up in the Chicago area. There with the help of some wonderful friends I found what I had been lacking for so long. So an unfortunate situation was a blessing to me. I have since moved over 2K miles away from Chicago and that’s where your program comes in. It is a constant, honest in my face reminder of where I was and where I am still heading. Please forgive me but I never take your word completely on everything. I have to, for my own sake, given the past religious experience seek out in scripture and with prayer, for myself the things that you speak of. Of course I feel like a child just learning how to walk so the insight that you offer in your program helps create a starting point for me.
Keep doing what you do. There are those out here who truly appreciate it. I am looking forward to the completion of the book that you write of in this Blog entry. I will be praying for you.

YES!!! I can't wait to hear these messages! Pator James, we love you & your passion for God! Thanks for your faithfulness!!!

Read the Puritans for reference material. They knew how to "do church". (By the way, I hate that phrase.) May God bless your efforts and may you glorify Him with your book.

James,
I listen to you on the radio often and I believe you are solid in your faith. It is sad to be a part of this generation's church where God has been replaced by selfish wants and desires. It appears that the older generation is being replaced by a culture with no reverence for the Lord. I grew up being taught 1 John 4:8 that God is Love and it is not about a feeling but what has already been done in love. The battle is mighty and I will continue to pray for your efforts for God to open the eyes of todays church.

Hi James,

As I read this blog, I felt a little sad in my heart. My church is this church you describe. I can't say God doesn't meet me there though. I actually have not attended an actual service there for a while, but I have gone to the small groups on Sunday mornings which I seem to get a whole lot more from them than I do the teachings at church. So although you bring up these very valid points, what does one do once they are apart of a church like this? Do we leave the church only to find another mediocre church in the process? My husband and I have been to every church in the area. The one we are at now is kind of like the lesser of the evils. There are good points to our church--we have made a few close friends that are true to their faith, our kids are surrounded by other kids with like minded parents, and we have been pushed to grow in our character because of people that have tested our patience at times. However, many times we leave church feeling kind of angry. For instance, one week the topic was on praising God and after the class was over, our table started talking about how much acreage they wish they could afford to buy up in our town. I was really irritated because we had just discussed how grateful we should be to God for giving us what we do have and then the entire table starts talking about possessions. Then there are other people who find nothing wrong with playing poker and drinking as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. It offends me! Anyway, the list goes on. So what do we do? Do we just say goodbye and not help shape this church into something great or do we stay and then what?

Thank you for your post. It has got me thinking now.

James,

How are you doing on your book "When God goes to Church" with the subtitle - led by men with fire?