It used to be that a “confessing church” was a church known for its adherence to the great theological confessions from church history. Not any more. Kensington Community Church in Troy, Michigan is bringing a whole new meaning to “confessing church” by joining the bandwagon of churches who think it is long past time for the church to apologize to the culture for being the church. On Sunday, October 19, 2008 this church began a weekend message series titled, “Confessions of a Sinful Church.”
The very idea of a “sinful church” is oxymoronic. Christ gave Himself for the church so that He might cleanse it with the Word of God and present it to Himself a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). The marketing groups who come up with these creative catch-phrases should spend a little more time with their Bibles. You can bring your concepts into form, but if they go against Scripture, they’re not creative—they’re misleading.
It should be noted that this idea of begging the cultures’ pardon didn’t originate with Kensington Church. Google that phrase and you’ll be introduced to a dozen or more churches across the country that have discovered the latest fad sure to increase your worship attendance created by the psychologically driven church growth movement: be sorry – be very sorry – for preaching a gospel that rubs the culture the wrong way.
Just how HAS the church so offended the culture it warrants a public apology? Well, it seems there are a variation of seven or eight sins the church is guilty of, but never more than five are ever presented by any of the churches confessing them. Evidently the attention span of today’s seeker isn’t longer than five weekends on any one subject.
In February and March of this year Rolling Hills Community Church in Danville, CA confessed that the church has been self-righteous and hypocritical, supported racial segregation, mistreated homosexuals, fought bloody crusades, and argued that the earth is flat.
At the end of September, Tillman Road Church of God in Fort Wayne, Indiana began a series confessing the church’s sins of being hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, being anti-homosexual, being sheltered, being too political, and being judgmental.
As for Kensington, their five confessions focus on being sorry for being self-righteous hypocrites, for judging others, for despising homosexuality, and for caring only about converting people.
Whoever created this package of confessions missed the point that all of these so-called “sins” are nothing more than liberal media stereotypes of conservative, evangelical, gospel preaching churches whose real sin is offending the sensitivities of the culture by maintaining their faithfulness to the Word of God.
I’m not arguing that people who profess to be followers of Jesus have never been self-righteous, hypocritical, and judgmental. There may be pockets of such behavior and a minority of local churches who fit that description. But the media has taken these exceptions and made them the standard by which all churches are defined. Kensington, along with these other churches, is encouraging you and me to apologize for that stereotype.
The fact that “research says the majority of people now view Christianity as hypocritical, intolerant and even hateful,” only proves how effective mass media is in creating perceptions. Since when do we shape our ministries in response to the latest survey of pagans by Barna Research rather than by divine revelation as revealed in sacred Scripture?
Any church which takes a stand in defense of the unborn and for traditional marriage will be accused of being “too political.” Any church which classifies homosexuals with thieves, alcoholics, and adulterers (as the word of God does – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) will be accused of mistreating homosexuals. Any church that teaches a literal six-day creation and a young earth will be viewed as archaic and out of touch with the mainstream of scientific research (read: evolutionary theory).
And while I personally don’t know any Christians in any church who do not believe the slave trade was cruel and hideous, I feel no personal responsibility for it, though I am rightly ashamed of any part my ancestors may have played in propagating it. No amount of remorse on my part for their crimes against humanity will erase the history, no matter how politically correct an apology may be.
As for the church being focused on getting converts, I thought that was the whole point (see Matthew 28:19-20).
Truth be told, NONE of these “confessing” churches believe that they themselves are guilty of these sins. They believe YOUR church is guilty of these sins. This pre-packaged series of sermons is designed to help YOU and YOUR CHURCH see the error of YOUR WAYS while keeping THEIR CHURCH from ever being as offensive to sinners as YOUR CHURCH, because from the perspective of these churches, the one sin to be avoided at all costs is the failure to be liked by the culture. And the culture likes them a lot when they point out the speck of dust in your eye.
When the church IS the Church, living out her character and calling as mandated by God’s word rather than the whims of a secular culture, it will offend. The gospel we proclaim has its origin in divine revelation. It is foolishness to Gentiles. It is a stumbling block to Jews. The Founder of the Church, the Author and Finisher of our faith, warned that, because of Him, the world would persecute us (John 15:20-21) and hate us (John 15:18) because it hates Him.
The church will more often than not find itself at odds with the prevailing culture on any number of issues. They can ignore the hard truth we preach by writing us off as judgmental, causing us to ask self-reflectively, “Who, after all, are we to judge?”
I’ll tell you who we are: we are the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. This church is defined not by the failure of some to live up to this high calling. We have been eternally defined by the infallible, inerrant, and perfect Word of God personified in the Word made flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our mandate is to preach the Word, not waste our time apologizing for it to a self-obsessed culture under the guise of “humble orthodoxy.”
Catlin,
I too was involved at Kensington for years.
One mid-week service a certain individual was speaking (all names omitted), before service in the green room, the speaker, others, and me were all talking over dinner. Someone said, where is that scripture at? The speaker asked if anyone had a bible handy, to my surprise, no one did. In fact, a couple laughed and joked that we didn’t need a bible, all was planned.
That was a sad day for me…
You might say, big deal, It was one service. Sadly what I realized was that even believers “perish for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
Not many weeks later I left. I realized in regards to seeker churches that sales & marketing with motto’s like, “Live, Lock, Love” brings people to Forever 21, Startbucks, Wallmart, AMC 30, Toco Bell, small groups, and even a church… but it will not build a fully devoted follower.
Gods unadulterated Word created all you see, and is the sole power of the universe.
You know what? I can handout lemonade on a hot day, for free, next to a shaded tree, and many will come for miles around. Sadly, there is no nutrition in lemonade. Most don’t want just plain old living water, they need sugar.
My God is no-sugar daddy.
Hi all, I have attended Kensington for eight years now, and I am now a college freshman. My Mum is on staff at Kensington, and I have always been involved. I respect everyone’s opinions here. However, Kensington is a rapidly growing Church, as we are opening a Campus in Orion, and one in Orlando, Florida in the next year. All I can say is, I LOVE Kensington so much. My faith has grown alot over the last few years, and the church itself has brought so many people to God. The reason why Kensington does such sermons as “Confessions of a Sinful Church” is because it is what the public thinks. Kensington is known for going out and interviewing people on what they think the church is, or there views on Christianity. Kensington is responding to that, and attempting to help people understand. Kensington states that the “Church” is not a building, but the community. Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. God created us in his image, so that we may love him and bring others to Jesus. Kensington is a seeker-friendly Church, and undenominational. We attempt to have a seeker friendly environment, that explains what we believe God’s message is. That is why we have no dress code, serve Starbucks, and show movie clips. The reasons for the new “Confessing Church” is because the Church itself has sinned! No one is perfect, not even the Church. Pastors, Fathers, and Priests are only human, and sin as often as its congregation. Christians have been accused of judging others, thinking that they are better than others, and being money greedy. Look around you, its all true! We as Christians have been so sinful and self-centered that we have disgusted others from getting to know Jesus. The Church should be apologizing to its people, and those who are investigating Christianity. We, as God’s children, should be a beacon of light in a world that is covered in darkness. Instead, we are lying, cheating, and becoming to wrapped up in what the media thinks is important. My friends, there is a moral tear in the universe, and God is trying desparately to fix it! God gave us all the gift of free will, and we are turning away from what really matters. God gives us so many chances of being there for someone else, and we ignore it for fear of what people may think, and of us being ashamed, or embarrassed. I don’t deny it, I am guilty as the next person, and I continually ask for forgiveness for my mistakes. Kensington is about offering God’s word in a contemporary environment that offers his word in understandable meanings, and how his word is needed in our daily lives. I know people who have been saved, and people who had not attended Church in over 40 years! God is at work in Kensington, and I am happy that I can be a part of it. Its nice to know that when you look around the auditorium, no one is sleeping! lol. God loves us all, and he wishes us to tolerate others beliefs, and love them no matter what. God says look at your similarites, not differences. I LOVE Kensington, and for some people, its not the church for them, but thats ok. We are all ONE, not just us as Christians, but us in the Universe. We are all connected by the Holy Spirit, and we are called to LOVE one another whole heartedly. I am only a 18 year old College freshman, so what do I know? My post may not sound as philosophical as others, with facts about history and such, but I am passionate about what I write. I have no bible verses to back up my claims, but I know that God knows what I am writing. At Kensington, we have a motto: “Love, Lock, & Live” This means, Love God and others, lock arms in the community, and live open handedly. That is what God calls us to do, and I attempt to live with this motto tatooed upon my heart, and constantly in my mind, just like I know God would want me too. God bless to all who read this,
your sister in Christ,
Caitlin
Sue,
I’m Sorry, that you’re Sorry about being Sorry. Where does this “Sorry” thing end? Where does the Seeker church bottom line come in?
James 1:5 said, “If any of you lacks wisdom ask and it will be given…” In recent days I asked. And the response:
“Sales & Marketing” (teaser to get cynics) via “Bait & Switch” techniques, exempting “Non Essentials to Seekers” does not build a fully devoted follower, as one of the main founders of this movement (Bill Hybels / Willow Creek, Chicago, IL.) acknowledged.
Billy’s own words: “…spiritual growth doesn’t happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, Bible reading, and relationships.”
More to the point:
So Bill, you mean I will never become a Pro-Football player by being memorized at an NFL game? Osmosis will not occur? Transcendental, Telepathy won’t give me better sight of the end zone? You mean I have to practice hard and read the play book?
Sue, it is a very narrow road with 1 gate. An the gate himself asks you to die in order to get through. And your to stay dead also. Which is where “works” comes in (read James).
God’s word, Bottom Line:
Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (CHURCH) and lean not on your own understanding (CHURCH); 6.in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (CHURCH).
Your thoughts are very much welcome…
-Derek
On behalf of Kensington where I attend, I want to say, “I’m Sorry” about this mixed up message series. Many of of who believe the Bible thought it was really off base. The title was a teaser to get cynics to come to church and bash us. Unfortunately, they didn’t walk away with even a basic understanding of our beliefs. Opportunity lost!
I know I’m late to the game here, but let me get back to the topic.
As I am typing, I am listening to the sermon from last Sunday at Kensington. I could go on and on about the disgust I feel for what I am hearing, but what it is making me really realize is the shortage of solid biblical teaching we have in the church today. Are the folks in these watered down churches true Christians, or are they cultural Christians? I will leave that to God, but I certainly have some strong feelings about what those folks in the chairs are hearing.
I praise God that He is sovereign, lest we be lost in the despair we would all be filled with otherwise.
“…and that my friend is my prized talent (obedience)…or, ah gift.”
What a wonder of our Great God! While we are being changed…image to image…He also gives us the heart for obedience…While our carnal mind may not have the desire to do so…the Holy Spirit within us gently…for the most part…continues to urge us to repentance and obedience. I have on occasion had a harsher rebuke where the Spirit has called me up short…only because He loves jealously and with the protective heart of a Father.
Art,
Stick to what you just wrote, the beautifully balanced Gospel. For that in and of itself is the only blue print for salvation, and what our savior wants’ us to use (the intent of my rebuttal).
Furthermore, we are to be faithful to the word as you obviously know. We are called to lean on Christ’s written understanding, which you obviously know. And bear in mind: We have the truth, and we’re called to speak truth; our Advocate the Holy Spirit, in conjunction to the Law written in hearts, works about the change, as you obviously…know.
On a personal level, for too long I spent much time in rebuttal, using my own rational, attempting to turn individuals on to God as many culturally driven churches do today. But at present, as if one emerging from Plato’s cave, or in the parlance of our time an AA meeting, I say “I’m free,” and shout a heartily, “No more chains.”
I’m now fully convinced after many years of walking the road to recovery I have absolutely, and I say again, absolutely no ability in anything. I am powerless. All I truly poses is the ability to be obedient to whatever the master puts before me.
…and that my friend is my prized talent (obedience)…or, ah gift.
Derek, thanks for the rebuke, but I have tried to stick with the issues at hand and invariably the retort focused on perceived personality issues. But back to the issue in question…
The issue at hand is whether or not what was coming from the pulpit at Kensington was what SHOULD be proclaimed from a pulpit. The Gospel is not accomodation with the world, it is not a social welfare plan, it is not am ecumenical creed. It is the power of God to salvation. It is a declaration of man as utterly sinful and without hope, until that hope came in the form of the God-man, who lived a perfect, sinless life and died on a cross to make propitiation for His elect sheep. Those sheep are saved through grace by faith in Christ, a faith that in and of itself is not inherent in man but is a gift from God. Salvation is all about God, He does it all from predestination to regeneration. All the sinner provides is the sin. That is the message, that is the Good News, that in spite of our sin and while we still hated God, that He loveed us so much that He sent His Son to die in the place of His sheep. Aplogizing for perceived slights done centuries ago has no business in a pulpit and will accomplish nothing to advance the Kingdom. It is only the Word of God accompanied by the regenerating Spirit that changes the hearts of men. Kensington should repent, not for wrongs of the past, but for “another gospel” being preached.
Hmmm…(p55. & 56)
It’s easy to view how one seems objective with hues of Biblical presence in one post, and quickly steer towards self-righteousness in another; leading to potentially forfeit what we previously stated.
Remember, all too often we become the dragon when ironically fighting a/the dragon (Nietzsche). So, stick to what is noble and true. And I admit, ironically by stating this, I too have stepped into the realm of self righteous and now help proliferate the problem with apologist’s.
Oh’ what a dammed and wretched mess man is. Who shall deliver me? Who shall release me from this body and mind of death? Thanks be to God for sending Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord.
I think it is more that they are filled with a self-righteous sense of persecution.
Arthur, since both Jeff and b/bo have decided they will no longer comment for our enjoyment/education…is this kinda like when your husband/wife is in the same room, but is mad so they pretend they can’t hear you even when you know they can?
Jeff I suspect that anyone that disagrees strongly with you and says so falls into the category of being disrespectful. This isn’t a discussion about sports or even politics but the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no room for compromise, there is no room for agreeing to disagree, there is no room for fluffy discussion about matters of eternal life or eternal death. Your and b/bo concentrate on attacking personalities instead of addressing the core issues. I at least recognize that I am a sinner, and yes some of that sin nature is maifested in being feisty to the point of being combatitive. But if the sum total of your arguments is that Calvinism (or any other issue) is wrong because of perceived personal slights against you, you are frankly being intellectually dishonest. If that strikes you as harsh, I apologize but as I stated previously there is too much at stake here to concentrate on petty personality assaults while ignoring the argument.
Culturally correct or Biblically correct…ah! That is the real question.
Paul,
I will save you the trouble, I will refrain from posting here for a while. I am appauled to be threatened once again, after the past few months of contribution to this blog. Have fun patting each other on the backs.
BTW, I never once used foul language on this blog, believe it or not I respect you too much to do that. I also never called anyone names, I classified someone as an extreme fundamentalist for actually being one. At the time I thought this was acceptable as it was something being done to me by calling me a “left wing propagandist”. Whatever, maybe I will be back (if Paul allows), maybe not.
Matt,
It isn’t the church that’s in the way of atheists and unbelievers. It’s their own spiritual blindness.
If the church has sinned, it isn’t the world we owe the apology to. We owe an apology to the One who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
This is a pre-packaged message series being preached in five week segments by churches all over the country. It wasn’t originated by Kensington, therefore how sincere can they be in their “apology.”
This is nothing more than the latest church growth fad: make ungodly people feel more godly than even the church and maybe they will attend one of our weekend services and buy our coffee. It is illustrative of the psychotherapeutic frenzy that has replaced the gospel.
I have listened to the first message and it is the farthest thing from gospel proclaimation I have ever heard. In this latest obsession to “relate” to sinners, the speaker lost all moral authority and credibility when he spent a significant part of the message detailing his struggle with pornography and his dishonest relationship with his wife. Granted everyone who proclaims the gospel is a sinner. But we aren’t called to proclaim our sin. We are called to proclaim our Savior.
It isn’t being “judgmental” or “condemning” to point these things out. It’s called “discernment,” something the church seems to have lost its will to do.