Dear Lighthouse Trails Editors:
I live in the Midwest, and one would think that the apostate church has not infiltrated us here. Nothing could be further from the truth. My husband and I have stopped attending church due to previous churches attended now being mega seeker sensitive. Recently we decided to try two churches.
The first church is a non-denominational. I felt the Lord was leading me to attend Sunday school, which I did. The pastor led the class, and it was during the time of the Pope’s visit. The pastor stated, “The people are attracted to his anointing.” Another lady stated, “It is a good thing he is not running for public office, or he would be easily elected.” She spoke highly of him. This was also during the time of the “blood moon.” This church was watching John Hagee’s series concerning the Blood Moons on Wednesday nights. They were starting a series of studying a book written by Bill Johnson of Bethel Church of Redding, California. Needless to say, we did not return. I know a couple who attended the same Sunday we did, and they continue to attend because they “like the music.”
We tried another church. I again attended Sunday school, and they do not study the Bible like I do. Very basic, milk instead of meat. The church has a new pastor who invited my husband and I to lunch. He shared his love of Andy Stanley’s books and said he had plans to “grow the Church” and “if anyone disagrees with my methods, they can leave.” His preaching is very “feeling’ focused. He is a former banker who became a pastor later in life. He clearly is using the techniques learned in the business world to woo the people. During his sermon, he stated, “Sometimes I even use the Message Bible for my sermons.” I was amazed at the people’s response. Many laughed, and one man mockingly stated, “blasphemy” as he laughed. A cold chill ran down my spine as I looked at these people, some whom clearly love the Lord but are being led astray.
A friend and her husband attend an ELCA Lutheran church and have been asked to leave because of their views against homosexuality—they believe in the biblical view of homosexuality being a sin. The leaders of that church say, “the Bible got it wrong.” They also do not believe in what they call “decision theology”—people responding to altar calls and making a conscious decision for Christ; they believe people are saved because of their church attendance.
The pastor of another ELCA church resigned due to pressure to perform gay marriages.
A fellowship here that is aligned with Bill Johnson’s Bethel Church has grown into a church, and it is growing each Sunday.
A church here has started a Yoga class. I sent her [the teacher] the booklet on “Christian Yoga” along with a letter. No response, and the class continues.
I am saying all this to say that if anyone would have told me I would see this in my town ten years ago, I would have not believed it; now I find myself at a loss for words when I watch the falling away before my eyes.
It is lonely here when you seek to walk in truth. Words fail me as I see that the church is not a safe place. Also, I see that people are not checking if what is being preached is God’s Word, man’s word, feelings, or just plain dangerous to their faith. As Christ said to Peter, I pray that your faith fail not.
Thank you for your contending for the Faith.
Blessings to you all.
M.D.
