Easter Lilies: A Cause for Celebration?
Mar 25th, 2008 by Nathan White
My friend Jim over at Oldtruth.com posted an interesting article the other day entitled: “The Number of Easter Salvations Was Exactly…” (UPDATE: Follow-up article here, and reference this page in your studies of this subject as well).
Essentially, Jim takes a quick look at some blogs where senior pastors are boasting of the decisions for Christ made over Easter weekend, and he kindly questions where this kind of thinking can be found in scripture. Like Jim, I am saddened by so many ministers rejoicing over, well, Easter lilies who make decisions, likely to wither as soon as the sun comes or the thorns choke. In fact, I’m not only saddened, but I’m shocked.
A few examples of this kind of boasting would be:
- Perry Noble at Newspring boasted that 120 prayed to receive Christ.
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Michael at Oak Leaf Church boasted in 60 conversions.
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Steven Furtick of Elevation Church boasted in 500!
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JR Lee at Freedom boasted in 10.
- Gary Lamb at Revolution Church boasted in 20 conversions.
The last two, Gary Lamb and JR Lee, I mention specifically because they are both close to my house, and I am somewhat familiar with their work. I wish I could give you a full overview/critique of their churches, but it will have to wait for another time. Without hesitation, however, I have serious concerns about how the Word of God is handled in these ministries, especially since they claim to believe the Bible. But for now I simply encourage you to listen to their sermons yourself if you would like to find out more. (I UPDATED and changed this comment due to previous ill-mannered statements that were too general and rash, and for this I apologize to Gary and JR. I made a mistake and failed to keep a close watch of my tongue.)
But regarding the easter decisions, let me first make something clear: I don’t seek to doubt anyone’s profession of Christ, but rather, I do wish to question the theology that lies behind this kind of thinking which feels the need to boast in numbers that are anything but objective.
A few observations in my part:
Boasting is an attempt to justify the means of ‘ministry’
First, it seems to me that boasting in numbers usually comes when a ministry has to justify doing things that are clearly contrary to what the Bible teaches. The logic goes: ‘We had 10,000 accept Jesus this year, so our ministry is surely a movement of God!‘ A close look at these churches will show that their methods of attracting people (gimmicks, prizes, pop-culture appeal, etc.) is not only contrary to church history, but is of course antithetical to the very gospel and the model of ministry given to us in scripture. In order to explain why they would disobey scripture to this extreme, they *must* provide numbers in an attempt to manipulate people into thinking that they are doing ‘God’s work’.
Here in Kennesaw/Acworth, GA, there was once of a ‘ministry‘ that held men’s bible study at the local Hooters restaurant. An old family friend who I grew up with was actually the creator and leader behind the whole thing. This type of ‘look at all the changed lives’ was used to justify this ministry as well. These churches, though not as blatant as bible study at Hooters, are doing the same kind of bait-n-switch work: manipulating crowds to come ‘hang out’ by offering them any and everything but the only thing that can save them: the gospel. And to keep the crowds they must up the ante of excitement each and every week, while filling their sermons with false promises and manipulation by claiming that God is doing/going to do something amazing. And just like they manipulate the crowds, they also manipulate outsiders into believing that pep-rally Christianity and conjured-up decisions are actually a movement from Almighty God –’proved’ by decisional numbers and large crowds.
Boasting fails to understand some of the most basic teachings of scripture
Don’t you wonder why Jesus never boasted in numbers, and Paul could care less? Paul couldn’t even remember how many he’d baptized, and yet so many now days put notches in their statistical legacies with each passing week! The thinking behind this boasting fails to understand even the most basic of scriptural truths, such as the Parable of the Sower. The seed, being the word of God, produces all types of temporary fruit, but most initial decisions are proven to be false –and how much more so when people now-days are so emotionally manipulated! In many instances with these churches, they’re not even using the ’seed’ in the parable (the scriptures)!
Furthermore, regarding numbers, we have Jesus condemning the large crowds for showing up just for miracles, then speaking hard and offensive truths to them until He purposely scared them away, and in many cases, hiding from the crowds so that they could not find Him. Yeah– Jesus could’ve generated 1000 a decisions a day, but He could care less; according to Him, “He knew what was in the heart of man.” The boastings above makes it clear that these men are claiming to know man’s heart better than even Jesus Himself.
Boasting waters down the real power of God to save
The numbers above are a product of a culture that is continually numbers-drunk, and more so each year. In fact, it’s to the point where nobody really cares. “Oh, so 20 people were saved? That’s pretty good, but so-and-so had 100, and there’s many more out there to reach.” –goes the logic. How trivial and normal does Pentecost look through this lens! Luke tells us that 3000 were added to the church that day –a number that should absolutely astound us! But it seems like no big deal now-days given all the crusades and numbers that make this a fairly common event. You see, conversion is a true miracle, a miracle of the greatest proportions given the foolishness of the message preached. But when the message is dumbed down to a level in which it appeals to the sinful flesh of man, and manipulation is used as a means to boast in some kind of undefined ‘great work for God’, then this miracle becomes something rather ordinary. Myriads of people will accept an easy message, and this allows them to boast until the cows come home.
But, you may say, didn’t Luke boast in numbers when he gave the count of 3000? Of course not –and we this very clearly in the Acts account. First, Luke is giving a historical account, probably many years later, and so reflection and the Spirit of God aided him in making this claim. Secondly, he certainly wasn’t boasting in his works of the works of his ministry, for in Acts 2:39 Luke quotes Peter as affirming that God’s calling would determine just who believed that day –not their methods, not their ability to be innovative, but as many as God called. Next, Peter preached a message that indicted the people and called for radical repentance from sin, and the people responded in droves by acting out their profession of Christ: Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Luke provides a simple historical account that helps demonstrate the power of God that day –he was not boasting in numbers.
My friends, Pentecost was one of, if not the most unique and awesome displays of God’s power that this earth has ever seen. But the kind of boasting in ourselves that is taking place above, especially in a message that is fitted for the masses of the American culture, these men water down, shame, and indeed trample underfoot the real power of God in the radical conversion of sinners.
Conclusion
We serve a powerful God, and a God who delights to save sinners. But salvation comes from the preaching of God’s word alone. Gimmicks and pep-rallies might pack the auditorium, but at the end of the day, attracting them with anything but the gospel is doing harm for to their souls. I’m not lashing out at the men above for my own personal enjoyment, but I am announcing and bringing to attention that they clearly have no regard for the scriptures. They may claim to believe the Bible, but just as Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
For any of you who are basing your numbers, success, or even salvation in some decision or profession, I invite you to listen to scripture:
- And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Cor 2:1-5
- Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. – 1 Cor 15:1-2
- Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. – Heb 4:1
- Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:4-6
My friends, listen to the Word of God, and let that richly dwell in you. Don’t take my word for it, but look to the scriptures.
Excuse me, but do you know the inner workings of these churches? Do you know how they follow up with these individuals who made decisions for Christ? Are you involved as a volunteer or staff member there? No, hence you have no basis for calling a life that is saved simply an “Easter Lily”. That is rather harsh for someone to hear considering you are talking about a life, a person with a story. With their decision comes a backstory and who are you to say they were not genuine or to say that the churches and pastors don’t know what they are doing? You’re talking about men of God. Step down. No regard for scripture? I’d try looking in your Bible again. Remember how in one day the thousands were saved? Who are we not to believe that the God of the past, present, and future does not still move the same way in the hearts of His people? God was about the numbers…the number of lives saved and the number of lives with a new chapter to their story.
Hi Rachel,
My concern is not with internal workings or follow-ups –that doesn’t change things at all. In fact, if anything, the only thing we should expect from this kind of follow-up is an announcement when someone abandons the faith. The biblical process of Church Discipline found in Matthew 18 and other places do that very thing, but of course boasting in numbers is just that…boasting. And boasting would never announce things that show the ills of their particular ministry, or the rash assumptions made when counting up decisions.
Again, I’m not trying to be harsh by questioning anyone’s profession. Rather, I am questioning the theology behind these leaders who actually believe that these numbers are anywhere close to reality. Please, I do not wish to offend, but only to voice what seems to be crystal-clear in the scriptures.
Regarding the comment about no regard for scripture: I listen to the sermons of some of these men, and clearly, their talks are full of ‘I believe this’ and ‘I believe this’, and come with little if any divine authority of scripture. Whatever comes from the pulpit is a clear indication of what is in a man’s heart, for he is going to say whatever he believes deep down will produce a result.
One question for you: what is it that determines whether someone is a ‘man of God’ or not? You stated that these men were, so would you be so kind as to share what make them different than just normal guys?
Oh, and Rachel, regarding your comment “Remember how in one day the thousands were saved?”, I addressed this very thing in the latter half of my post. I would encourage you to give it a full reading so that you do not come to any rash opinions on my thesis.
Thanks Nathan. You, Jim, Chad and others always seem to help me when my convictions get swayed by smooth talkers. I guess I try to be humble and sometimes wonder why so many Christians get it wrong and then start thinking, what if we are wrong? But then , by the Word of God, you guys always bring to mind the Word of God and then my soul is at peace. Man is so prone to think on his own, apart from the Word of God and/or use the Word to justify his own thinking. That is what I saw taking place on Jim’s blog.
Thanks again and this is to let youknow that God is using you on these blogs. To Him be the Glory alone.
I think the idea of boasting about how many were cut from the church roles as a disciplinary action for non-attendance has great merit. I can see the head-lines now. “Church Expells Two Thirds of Its Disciples on Easter.” Or, “Roll Call Taken Church Practices Communicant Passover For Non-Attendance.” “Matthew Eighteen Practiced Sunday, Come One, Come All.”
Recently the SBC that I had been attending was awarded the “Baptism Prize” for their Seven-Hundred percent increase in baptisms. They had seven last year compared to none the year before. Can I get a Praise the Lord?
I think that baptisms should be performed on Easter and the Cross boasted on. With all the occassional visitors present to witness the separation, it might just trim down the numbers of applicants, no?
Hi Nathan,
I’m just curious to as why you chose to rebuke, specifically J R Lee and Gary Lamb in a blog? Wouldn’t the biblical way to handle this matter would have been to approach these two pastors, you singled out, separately, or together and upheld Matthew 18; 15-20 and shown him, or them through scripture of their sin? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” I too, know J R, and I do believe he loves Jesus Christ with all his heart, mind and soul. Gary Lamb, I can’t speak for, but only He knows are hearts, and yes, we do need to examine it often.
Craig, that is a good question. A question that several people have asked me privately.
First, I’m not accusing anybody of loving or not loving Jesus Christ. That is beside the point. I hope we can agree that we are all accountable to the Word of God no matter who we are or what we’ve done in the past.
Secondly, my post is specifically aimed at their theology, and not them personally. I did mention JR and Gary specially, particularly because I am familiar with what they teach, and also because they are based in my area. But my post is concerned with their theology, not them personally. (I did retract and apologize for one statement I made about them, and I did so not because I don’t believe the statement, but because I provided no evidence to support it).
Next, regarding Matt 18, the text is referring to a brother who sins, presumably in private and/or to you personally. I’m not accusing anyone of blatant sin, first of all (just wrong theology/methodology), and secondly, their announcement on their blogs is completely public. They announced something in public, and yet I’m to approach privately with an opinion that differs? I hope you can see that Matt 18 is not dealing with this situation. Public words have already been ‘told to the church’, which is the last step of Matt 18. We see many examples in scripture of the apostle Paul publicly rebuking someone whose actions and or doctrine was already known to all.
Nevertheless, JR is a great guy from what I know, but please don’t miss that it’s not him I’m attacking. I make no qualms about the fact that I believe their theology, from what they have spoken, is dangerous to the Body of Christ. I spent too many years (15 to be exact) under the delusion that I was saved because I had made a decision for Christ….God-forbid I am silent regarding what kept me deceived for so many years.
But while we’re on Matthew 18, I think it would be just as beneficial for you to approach JR and/or Gary and ask them if they plan to obey Matthew 18 if any of these decisions this past Sunday ever deny the faith and/or continue in sin. That’s probably a little bit more on topic. Just a thought.
Thanks for your kind words. I welcome and appreciate sensible, kind, and yes, constructive feedback. We all stumble in many ways…
I myself am a pastor’s daughter and have seen and experienced first had what it is to have a calling on your life to be a pastor, an anointed man of God. There are some whose gifts from God are to lead and teach and the men you have mentioned have been called to that. I know for a fact that several of them (I attend one of the churches you mention) have set up boundaries around themselves and accountability with other pastors to keep them on the straight and narrow. I know that they set aside hours during the week to be uninterrupted so that they may do their job – seek out the Lord and His word that He would have shared.
I would also add that your mentioning that these men “water down” the word of God and bring “shame” to it is utterly disrespectful. We are in times of change and if we are going to reach a dying generation, we need to come at them in ways they understand. Hymn books won’t get them to church (not that the old hymns are not worthy or useful, they are wonderful!), dusty hard pews will not, bold, in your face, culturally relevant teaching with plausible applications will. We cannot bombard these generations with “thee” and “thou”. The “I believes” you hear in the sermons of these pastors come along with “I believe that…God wants to bless you, has a plan for you…” God wasn’t a timid God. He was bold. It’s time the church was bold. We’ve been too timid for too long, causing people to look at us like hypocrites because of our scandals, and now we need to set out to infiltrate our cities with His love in a bold, new way.
I realize we aren’t necessarily going to agree on “how to do church”, which is a fundamental part of where we are disagreeing here, but regardless of that, if lives are being changed, if God is moving in the hearts of those who already believe in these churches, isn’t God’s hand of love, compassion, and blessing on them? If one of these men were at fault, what they have spent so long building would crumble before them, correct? I believe these churches are in the middle of incredible moves of God and His hand is on them. I also believe that if there were a crisis or moment of weakness or loss of integrity in one of those men that in an instant, it would all come crashing down. However, from the vision they have received from the Lord to the vision they have pased down to their congregations, God is moving mightily and all of the numbers and “boasting” of the new lives in Christ…it all goes back to Him! Praise be to Him who has saved.
Rachel,
Thanks for sharing and offering your points. You made some statements that many of us have used in the past including myself that just don’t hold water. Again, I have made these statements before so I’m taking blame as well.
You made this statement ” We are in times of change and if we are going to reach this dying generation we need to come at them with ways they understand “. First, what authority do you and I have to come at them with our ways to reach them besides the modeled ways in Scripture? What authority ??? Also, we are not in times of change as you mentioned. I hear this statement from Pastors and I myself am a senior pastor so I know the lingo. The Bible teaches on both of these issues: 1. ” ways they understand ” : 1 Cor 1: 18-31 refutes your statement. 2. ” Times of Change” : Romans 3:9-18 refutes your statement because man has never changed in his total depravity of heart.
Let me give another example of what Nathan is pointing out: How and where does JR Lee get the example of in Scripture of where he knows he had 10 decesions for Christ when we have no example(Not one) in Scripture that show men praying specific “Sinner prayers” to be converted. I’m not saying that men do not need to call upon the Lord to save them but where do we as Pastors and laity get the authority to look at people in the face and say since you prayed this prayer then you are saved and then the famous saying ” Don’t you ever doubt it” however, this is a false statement according to Scripture based on 2 Peter 1: 10 . Also, when we as Pastors announce we had ____ decesions today for Christ we may not admit it but we do mean this : We had 10 people saved today at Easter. How do we truly know this ?? According to Scripture James 2 :14-26 says that if these decesions don’t have works that follow then there has not been any saving faith. 1 John 2: 3-29 gives us examples of true saving faith.
Pastors use lingo that our congregations pick up on and we never really explain what we mean and it causes alot of confusion and people hold views on things that they can’t support in Scripture. Example: Dr. Johnny Hunt who I was on his staff at one time use to say this alot and it totally is wrong based on Scripture but I do believe he meant well and I certaintly say things at times I wish I had clarified better from the pulpit. Pastor Hunt said this alot: ” I may not be the smartest guy blessed God but( This is where he would jump up and down and the veins would bulge in his neck) and then the crowd would start cheering or whistle and he would say ” I would rather be ignorance on fire than be some suppose know it all(My words) . He liked to say this to slam Calvinist but his statement is so unbiblical because the Scripture says that the pastor is to : 1 Tim 1:3, 1 Tim 3:2 (The pastor must be apt to teach which requires Biblical knowledge, 1 Tim 4:13( Give attention to reading of Scripture and to exhortation, and doctrine) which means that the Pastor can’t afford to be ignorance on fire . So, JR means well and I’m sure he loves Christ and wants to be a faithful pastor but how does he really know that he had 10 conversions when he has had no time to see any evidence . This is where our churches all full of people that don’t read their Bibles, share the gospel, have the Bible at center in our homes, marriages that are dying, and etc… because we have aloud pastors and churches to say and practice things that have no example of scripture and we turn some tradiitons into ” Thus saith the Lord”. BTW, I really believe Dr. Hunt loves Christ and the church he pastors and is seeking to follow Christ but his theology has led him and his church to say and do things that are not correct and I have been guility myself and I pray I will not lead my church into error in the future. JR probably is seeing and doing what he saw in Pastor Hunt do however, JR has learned alot of great things from Pastor Hunt that glorify the Lord and build His church .
I absolutely agree, praying doesn’t save you, Jesus saves you and only He can know your heart. However, if these people truly decided to give their life to Christ, it is the responsibility of these churches to follow up with them, disciple them, give them truths from the Bible to chew on so that they may grow in their relationship with Christ. I know that these churches have systems in place to follow up with those who gave their life through connection cards, communication cards, etc. and that they follow up thoroughly with them, getting them into small groups, groups specifically for new believers. Aside from this, a pastor’s job is NOT to follow up with all those who made new decisions. His job is to seek the Lord and seek the Lord’s heart. That is why he has an able staff and volunteers who understand the importance of following up to “see the evidence” of a conversion and to lead that person into a deeper relationship with the Lord.
As for Dr. Hunt, how are you sure that JR ever met him? I agree that his statement about ignorance on fire is wrong. I would hope none of these men would make that comment but that instead it is the gospel truths of the Lord burning to get out of them from a word that the Lord gave them. To be honest here, you can’t really see or know a pastor’s heart until you’ve experienced them for yourself and I’ve seen/heard several of these men. I firmly believe that they received a calling from the Lord (I’ve heard accounts of their caling from several people who know them and would not deny their calling). And again, I agree you’re right, people still have a deprived heart that need the truth spoken to them. I would say that these men do not diminish the power of the word of the Lord in the Bible, but instead that they take the gospel truth and apply it to our lives today. It’s hard for me to say that coming from a conservative, sit in the pews quietly every Sunday church where my dad spoke, however, but in all the churches I’ve seen, pastors I’ve heard, etc. What is the church doing to reach these people? There are so many lost souls out there who aren’t being reached because we act high and mighty (though we might not mean to appear so), we have our “lingo”, and they just don’t feel they will “understand” or be understood, taken just as they are to be shepherded into the kingdom of God. We HAVE to work to change that perspective. Without doing so, this is why we continue to see a decrease in church attendance. Shame on us for not doing all we can to reach these people.
Rachael,
Thanks for your thoughts. I have one thought that I would like to ask you and others that say; “Shame on us for not doing all we can to reach these people.”
Do you evangelise everyone that you come in contact with in your personal life? Co workers, friends, family, aquaintances? I ask this because, why do we think that if we do not do this in our own lives, which is the command (go YOU into all the world), that we then expect the church institution to do this, which is really not the command? Instead of the church appealing to the masses through Easter Egg drops, concerts, etc, why are we not appealing to our personal world by telling them the good news and then inviting them to church to meet Christ instead of having fun? Can you see the hypocrisy in saying we need to do all we can to reach people but then sit back and believe that the primary mode of doing that is the church? Why then does not the church appeal to the masses by saying, “come this Sunday and meet the Savior” instead of an Easter Egg Drop? What do they come to church to see? What do they expect to see?
Maybe you do all these things in your personal life, but my experience is that those that say we need to do everything we can to evangelise do none in their own private world.
This might help to see it is more than just getting them there to see and hear, but what they see and hear and the accountabiliity we must require of them for having seen and heard.
I have contended for a long time that the “conservative” church gave rise to the Emergent Movement by offering Easteregg Hunt type activities; a Finneyesque approach where the use of the right means to convert as opposed the the right use of the means given in Scripture, is what it takes to get a confession. That is, when we go about to make the Gospel or the church look attractive, it is the same thing that the Revivalists did by making it an attractive terror, (it becomes an emotional attraction, an infatuation, an entertainment). And we start to go down that path that eventually ends up in a form of “liberalism” which either changes the language or the content of it and thereby eviscerates the Gospel.
I believe the two go hand in hand – ask and invite and share your faith with others on a personal level but also once they are there at church, we (the church, it’s members, etc.) need to do all we can to make sure they meet the Savior and that He is up close and personal to them, all hinderances and distractions aside.
I agree Rachael. We invite them to Christ and ask them to come to church. Unbelievers do not come to church and if they do , it is because of one of two things. The Holy Spirit has worked on them and humbled them so that they seek Christ out, not entertainment, or because they were drawn by artificial means such as marketing, events etc. That is the whole point. And then after marketing these vaudeville entertainment activities we want to count salvations?
People do not seek the true God. They seek god but one that they create in their own minds. There are none that seek me , no not one. The only ones that seek God are those that the Father has given the Son. They hear and know His voice. Inticing with “hinderances and distractions” only calls the goats in. The true called ones will come without that. They come by God’s voice , the Word to us, and the Spirits quickening. The rest is fluff and if anything, bringing in the goats.
The church is not a circus and a mall of choices. It is a place of prayer and devotion. The rest belongs out in the world and after the prayer and devotion. The emphasis must be there, not on community outreach. Service is important , but that is not the main function of the church itself. That is the function of the believer out in the world. Can you not see that by doing this we are isolating the church from the very thing you claim not to want to do? We are becoming a world of ourselves , complete with our own music, our own entertainment, though it is really the same as the worlds, just with Jesus added. There is no distinction other than a few words and maybe a little morality. Even the unsaved have that. Look at Oprah.
Thanks Nathan. Another really fine article from one of my favorite bloggers.
I get so, so tired of the argument, “Have you personally contacted these men in private?”
Answer: Oh, you mean, in the same manner that you just rebuked me in public without calling first? I must’ve missed all your charitable attempts to come to me privately.
And this one, “What right do you have to touch God’s anointed?”
Answer: Oh, you mean, like the right you apparently have to decide they’re more anointed than I am, so I’m fair game for your public rebuke? Nice.
Rachel,
I don’t believe you actually answered Fred’s question. He asked:
Do you evangelise everyone that you come in contact with in your personal life? Co workers, friends, family, aquaintances?
Can you enlighten both Fred and I on this?
As Fred pointed out…most people who are very vocal about defending their church’s outreach events wouldn’t hand a tract out, speak with someone on the street, or Street-preach if their life depended on it.
I’m just curious, is all.