How often do you hear that from people who left a particular church? There are at least two ways of explaining what's going on when that happens. It could be that the teaching at their church was so watered-down that it really was impossible for someone who has been a Christian for more than six months to get anything out of it. Hence, they have outgrown their church. We often see the comments of former megachurch attendees who say "there's only so many sermons on careers, relationships, and money management that I can benefit from". But if you ask the pastors of such churches about these complaints, in an irritated way they will almost always cast the blame on the sheep instead, implying that they are lazy and refuse to feed themselves. So who's right, and what responsibility does a church have to feed it's flock with solid spiritual food?
It's not out of the question. There really are some lazy Christians out there who do not study their bibles enough. In a sermon on Romans 6, Martyn Lloyd-Jones warned against an attitude that is all too common today:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones Talks About 'Unfed' Christians
There are Christians who say, 'I am saved, and all is right with me; I am not interested in anything else. I am not a theologian, I do not want to read great books on theology'. But no Christian has a right to remain a babe in that way, he has no right to not exercise his senses. 'But I am a practical man', you say, 'I am a great worker'. But you have no right to divide yourself up in that way. It should be the ambition of every Christian to 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord'. You should study your bible, read the best books you can, get knowledge that is as deep and profound as possible, and 'exercise your senses' (Hebrews 5:14 KJV). Because according to the inspired authors, if you do not, you cannot receive the whole truth. If you remain a babe, and do not grow and develop, you will have to continue to be spoon-fed with milk, and you will never know anything about the strong meat of the Word of God, and of the doctrine of Salvation. Apply your minds therefore, struggle with the truth, insist upon getting an understanding of truth. If you have a willing heart, and a true desire, you can be certain that the Spirit will always come to your aid. You will grow not only in grace, but 'in the knowledge of the Lord'.
The modern pragmatist megachurch leaders would agree with that, insofar as he is putting the responsibility on the church goer to feed themselves in that paragraph. Just take a look at some of these quotes found on Granger's Tim Stevens' blog:
Today's Popular Pastors Talking About 'Unfed' Christians
Steven Furtick says: "Churches are filled with those who have known Christ for decades, and still need a bib, a high chair, and want Daddy to do 'open wide, here comes the airplane' tricks with the fork before shoving it into their mouths. I try to serve up the Word, hot and fresh every single Sunday. But if you refuse to apply it, study your Bible and pray some during the week, join a small group and dig deeper with others...if you refuse to bring it back to your mouth, I can't help you. Get your own fork, and learn to feed yourself. Stop burying your hand in the dish and spitting out every thing that doesn't give you a spiritual sugar high. Eat some vegetables. Serve. Pray. Practically apply the Bible to your life."
Perry Noble says: "I've heard it...you have too...'Christians' saying, 'I just want to be fed!' It blows my mind! This would be equal to you and I going to an all you can eat restaurant and crying because no one would bring us any food. Food is all around in this environment...but if the person is lazy and self centered, wanting to be waited on hand and foot, then they could possibly starve to death when food is merely a few feet away. Today as Christians we have WAY more information than we could ever apply. However, I think many people use 'going deep' as an excuse as to not actually apply any of the knowledge they claim to be soaking up. I believe it breaks the heart of God when arrogant people claim intellectual superiority out of pride and stupidity rather than just seeking Jesus and trying to honor Him on a daily basis. In reading through the Scriptures I have found that Jesus' strongest words of rebuke were for the 'deep,' the professional religious people of the day. If 'deep' is being a part of the group that knows tons about the Bible but missed Jesus–then I don't want to be affiliated with them. Give me Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and who will one day return...not another Bible study on the weight of the Ark of the Covenant."
Ben Arment says: "I've always felt troubled by phrases such as 'I need to be fed' or 'I need meat' when referring to spiritual growth. And not just because they're usually meant to be critical of a pastor's content... but I could never see this thinking in Scripture. Paul uses 'feed' and 'meat' in terms of where he expects Christians to be in their maturity, but it's never used by people to demand something."
It's a common message, and we've seen how this new breed of church leaders have a propensity to parrot one another. There's no doubt that it's even true in many cases that Christians can be a lazy bunch, but are the words of these leaders really comparable to what Martyn Lloyd-Jones was talking about? Or is it true that Lloyd-Jones was saying something that relates as much to these kinds of leaders as it does to anyone else.
First of all, I'll go on record as saying that the average member of Lloyd-Jones' mid-twentieth century church in England was probably more biblically literate than, not only the average church goer who sits under the trendy pastors listed above, but also the pastors themselves! That's an amazing statement isn't it? It's saying something about Lloyd-Jones' church (which was also large at around 2,000 people), but more-so it is saying something about the weak leadership of today's pastors of pragmatism.
Secondly, is it possible that these pastors actually breed a lazy Christian attitude in others with the things they say and do? Those of us who have seen it won't soon forget Steven Furtick's video tirade in which he railed against Christians who want to be fed. His answer was - quit being a lazy complainer and actually DO SOMETHING, like evangelize. He seems to prefer that his flock could be described as the woman in Luke 10:40 of which it says "But Martha was distracted with much serving" (ESV). Perry Noble, who often talks favorably about his lack of seminary training, I suspect is speaking in code when he says: you don't need "another bible study on the weight of the Ark of the Covenant". The message he's sending is, don't get too deep into the bible because there are more important things for you to be doing. He parrots Rick Warren almost word for word when he says above "Today as Christians we have WAY more information than we could ever apply".
Really? Is there a certain amount of bible knowledge that we should have, and then we should stop studying until our good works get caught up? And also, doesn't this imply that the only valuable bible knowledge that exists is that which can be "practiced"? So a study of the Trinity is definitely out of the question then, because it can't somehow be "applied" to our everyday living apparently. They don't seem to understand that the bible is more than about how to serve God - it's also how we know God, as JI Packer's classic reminds us. Should our quest to know God EVER be slowed or stopped? No!
Many of those sentiments are foreign to anything Lloyd-Jones ever said. You would have never heard him (or so many of the preachers before his time) disparage learning, doctrine, or bible study. Instead you would have heard them saying "do both things". There would have been no setting up bogus competitions between works and knowledge, deeds and creeds, like Steven Furtick does in his video, and like so many of today's pastors do. Worst of all is Perry Noble's notion that the Pharisees were bad guys because of their deep knowledge. In reality, the Pharisees were not faulted for knowledge or deep bible study, but for making up man made regulations and burdening their fellow man with things that were extra-biblical. After reading so many anti-knowledge posts by Perry over the years, I sometimes wonder if his lack of formal biblical training has made him insecure, and this is the way he reacts to 'critics' who understand the bible better than he does.
In his quote above, Ben Arment seems to suggest that scripture always leaves "getting fed" up to individual Christians on their own, and that it should not be expected of their leaders. But this ignores Acts 2 and other places in which we read of Christians regularly gathered together to hear the Apostles teaching. And what is it that the Apostles taught? Was it pragmatic grow-your church by preaching "here's how God can help you have a smooth-sailing life" sermons that have a handful of bible verses thrown in for good measure? Not at all.
Once again, I can't stress enough how much I agree that true Christians should be feeding themselves, and that we are all to blame for not doing this more diligently. What I disagree with however, is the idea that today's churches can wash their hands of the responsibility of feeding the sheep. Steven Furtick says he "serves up the Word every Sunday"; no doubt the other pastors mentioned above believe that they are doing their part to educate their followers as well. But is that true? Are they really doing what they could and should? A more interesting question is, CAN THEY even feed their flock? In other words, do such pastors even have enough bible knowledge, and are their churches so geared towards unbelievers that they have no choice but to keep up a steady diet of milk and not meat.
In part two I'll provide some suggestions for churches who really want to feed their flocks. I think when you see this list, you'll recognize right away how far off today's pragmatic churches are from truly fulfilling their responsibility in this regard. With the Holy Spirit's help, when you feed your flock in the way that I'm going to suggest, superior bible knowledge will result in superior good works (including individual evangelism). As I've mentioned in other blog posts, that's the way Paul sets up his epistles; the first part is generally doctrine, and the last part is generally action, with the idea being: Creeds breeds deeds. Orthodoxy builds orthopraxy. If that's not happening, then true orthodoxy has not been realized. In which case, you actually want MORE bible study and teaching, and not less. More tomorrow.
It's not out of the question. There really are some lazy Christians out there who do not study their bibles enough. In a sermon on Romans 6, Martyn Lloyd-Jones warned against an attitude that is all too common today:
Martyn Lloyd-Jones Talks About 'Unfed' Christians
There are Christians who say, 'I am saved, and all is right with me; I am not interested in anything else. I am not a theologian, I do not want to read great books on theology'. But no Christian has a right to remain a babe in that way, he has no right to not exercise his senses. 'But I am a practical man', you say, 'I am a great worker'. But you have no right to divide yourself up in that way. It should be the ambition of every Christian to 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord'. You should study your bible, read the best books you can, get knowledge that is as deep and profound as possible, and 'exercise your senses' (Hebrews 5:14 KJV). Because according to the inspired authors, if you do not, you cannot receive the whole truth. If you remain a babe, and do not grow and develop, you will have to continue to be spoon-fed with milk, and you will never know anything about the strong meat of the Word of God, and of the doctrine of Salvation. Apply your minds therefore, struggle with the truth, insist upon getting an understanding of truth. If you have a willing heart, and a true desire, you can be certain that the Spirit will always come to your aid. You will grow not only in grace, but 'in the knowledge of the Lord'.
The modern pragmatist megachurch leaders would agree with that, insofar as he is putting the responsibility on the church goer to feed themselves in that paragraph. Just take a look at some of these quotes found on Granger's Tim Stevens' blog:
Today's Popular Pastors Talking About 'Unfed' Christians
Steven Furtick says: "Churches are filled with those who have known Christ for decades, and still need a bib, a high chair, and want Daddy to do 'open wide, here comes the airplane' tricks with the fork before shoving it into their mouths. I try to serve up the Word, hot and fresh every single Sunday. But if you refuse to apply it, study your Bible and pray some during the week, join a small group and dig deeper with others...if you refuse to bring it back to your mouth, I can't help you. Get your own fork, and learn to feed yourself. Stop burying your hand in the dish and spitting out every thing that doesn't give you a spiritual sugar high. Eat some vegetables. Serve. Pray. Practically apply the Bible to your life."
Perry Noble says: "I've heard it...you have too...'Christians' saying, 'I just want to be fed!' It blows my mind! This would be equal to you and I going to an all you can eat restaurant and crying because no one would bring us any food. Food is all around in this environment...but if the person is lazy and self centered, wanting to be waited on hand and foot, then they could possibly starve to death when food is merely a few feet away. Today as Christians we have WAY more information than we could ever apply. However, I think many people use 'going deep' as an excuse as to not actually apply any of the knowledge they claim to be soaking up. I believe it breaks the heart of God when arrogant people claim intellectual superiority out of pride and stupidity rather than just seeking Jesus and trying to honor Him on a daily basis. In reading through the Scriptures I have found that Jesus' strongest words of rebuke were for the 'deep,' the professional religious people of the day. If 'deep' is being a part of the group that knows tons about the Bible but missed Jesus–then I don't want to be affiliated with them. Give me Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and who will one day return...not another Bible study on the weight of the Ark of the Covenant."
Ben Arment says: "I've always felt troubled by phrases such as 'I need to be fed' or 'I need meat' when referring to spiritual growth. And not just because they're usually meant to be critical of a pastor's content... but I could never see this thinking in Scripture. Paul uses 'feed' and 'meat' in terms of where he expects Christians to be in their maturity, but it's never used by people to demand something."
It's a common message, and we've seen how this new breed of church leaders have a propensity to parrot one another. There's no doubt that it's even true in many cases that Christians can be a lazy bunch, but are the words of these leaders really comparable to what Martyn Lloyd-Jones was talking about? Or is it true that Lloyd-Jones was saying something that relates as much to these kinds of leaders as it does to anyone else.
First of all, I'll go on record as saying that the average member of Lloyd-Jones' mid-twentieth century church in England was probably more biblically literate than, not only the average church goer who sits under the trendy pastors listed above, but also the pastors themselves! That's an amazing statement isn't it? It's saying something about Lloyd-Jones' church (which was also large at around 2,000 people), but more-so it is saying something about the weak leadership of today's pastors of pragmatism.
Secondly, is it possible that these pastors actually breed a lazy Christian attitude in others with the things they say and do? Those of us who have seen it won't soon forget Steven Furtick's video tirade in which he railed against Christians who want to be fed. His answer was - quit being a lazy complainer and actually DO SOMETHING, like evangelize. He seems to prefer that his flock could be described as the woman in Luke 10:40 of which it says "But Martha was distracted with much serving" (ESV). Perry Noble, who often talks favorably about his lack of seminary training, I suspect is speaking in code when he says: you don't need "another bible study on the weight of the Ark of the Covenant". The message he's sending is, don't get too deep into the bible because there are more important things for you to be doing. He parrots Rick Warren almost word for word when he says above "Today as Christians we have WAY more information than we could ever apply".
Really? Is there a certain amount of bible knowledge that we should have, and then we should stop studying until our good works get caught up? And also, doesn't this imply that the only valuable bible knowledge that exists is that which can be "practiced"? So a study of the Trinity is definitely out of the question then, because it can't somehow be "applied" to our everyday living apparently. They don't seem to understand that the bible is more than about how to serve God - it's also how we know God, as JI Packer's classic reminds us. Should our quest to know God EVER be slowed or stopped? No!
Many of those sentiments are foreign to anything Lloyd-Jones ever said. You would have never heard him (or so many of the preachers before his time) disparage learning, doctrine, or bible study. Instead you would have heard them saying "do both things". There would have been no setting up bogus competitions between works and knowledge, deeds and creeds, like Steven Furtick does in his video, and like so many of today's pastors do. Worst of all is Perry Noble's notion that the Pharisees were bad guys because of their deep knowledge. In reality, the Pharisees were not faulted for knowledge or deep bible study, but for making up man made regulations and burdening their fellow man with things that were extra-biblical. After reading so many anti-knowledge posts by Perry over the years, I sometimes wonder if his lack of formal biblical training has made him insecure, and this is the way he reacts to 'critics' who understand the bible better than he does.
In his quote above, Ben Arment seems to suggest that scripture always leaves "getting fed" up to individual Christians on their own, and that it should not be expected of their leaders. But this ignores Acts 2 and other places in which we read of Christians regularly gathered together to hear the Apostles teaching. And what is it that the Apostles taught? Was it pragmatic grow-your church by preaching "here's how God can help you have a smooth-sailing life" sermons that have a handful of bible verses thrown in for good measure? Not at all.
Once again, I can't stress enough how much I agree that true Christians should be feeding themselves, and that we are all to blame for not doing this more diligently. What I disagree with however, is the idea that today's churches can wash their hands of the responsibility of feeding the sheep. Steven Furtick says he "serves up the Word every Sunday"; no doubt the other pastors mentioned above believe that they are doing their part to educate their followers as well. But is that true? Are they really doing what they could and should? A more interesting question is, CAN THEY even feed their flock? In other words, do such pastors even have enough bible knowledge, and are their churches so geared towards unbelievers that they have no choice but to keep up a steady diet of milk and not meat.
In part two I'll provide some suggestions for churches who really want to feed their flocks. I think when you see this list, you'll recognize right away how far off today's pragmatic churches are from truly fulfilling their responsibility in this regard. With the Holy Spirit's help, when you feed your flock in the way that I'm going to suggest, superior bible knowledge will result in superior good works (including individual evangelism). As I've mentioned in other blog posts, that's the way Paul sets up his epistles; the first part is generally doctrine, and the last part is generally action, with the idea being: Creeds breeds deeds. Orthodoxy builds orthopraxy. If that's not happening, then true orthodoxy has not been realized. In which case, you actually want MORE bible study and teaching, and not less. More tomorrow.
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