Rewarded ... or Forgiven?

I've blogged in the past about franchise churches --- the ones that bill themselves as "one church, multiple locations." If you've not read my prior blogs on the subject, I can sum it up for you by simply stating that I don't think it's Biblical. In fact, I can find much about it that seems to fly in the face of what the Bible teaches about New Testament churches.

That notwithstanding, I have been further processing my thinking on this subject. I have some new thinking on it too.

I was reading in 1 Timothy recently about false teachers. And it reminded me of another topic I've blogged on before ... that false teachers can be godly men and women who simply err or miss the mark. It doesn't make them evil. It certainly doesn't cost them their salvation. They can preach many good things that are not false. But sometimes they may slip up. I think the temptation has always been to define false teachers as once and always --- meaning that once you teach something that is not true, you are always labeled as a false teacher. This is clearly wrong. It is not how God sees things.

You see, it becomes evident that God forgives false teachers if the reason they've taught something false is because of a simple error on their part. If they generally teach what is true and right, I believe God forgives their error and moves on. To be sure, the Bible says teachers are accountable for what they teach. But they are also forgiven. That much is just as clear.

So let's bring this back to one church, multiple locations. While I think this is a manifestation of false teaching and false beliefs - I realize it is also something that God can forgive.

I consider the pastors and church leaders who buy into this model. The ones I know are good men and women. They are good teachers. They are obviously called by God, anointed by God and ordained for His service. I don't question that. I simply question their church model. In fact, I do more than question it. I doubt it. I challenge it. But that doesn't mean I don't love them and can't be on the same page with them.

It is the unity of Christ that allows all believers to be wrong. So when we are looking at whether something is okay to do or not, perhaps the better argument is not whether it is right or wrong.

Rather I think the question is whether or not this is something God will reward me for ... or is this something that God will forgive me for?

Satellite Churches

It happened again today. They opened another one. It seems to be the trend, as a joyous mega-church announces the "planting" of another church. They're very excited. There's lots of technology. The pastor's sermons will be video recorded and replayed at the new "church plant." It'll be wonderful!

But it leaves me cold. It leaves me wondering if this is how God wants His church to grow. I have poured through the New Testament several times and cannot find even one mention of "satellite churches." It seems to me that churches are supposed to be thriving, living organisms - capable of sustaining life on their own - not dependent on some "mother church" forever.

When did church planting cease to be about empowering and sending out new leaders whom called has called? When did it become about greater magnification of the great preacher and so-and-so mega-church? Does it really honor God to have one great preacher beamed by satellite to several locations? Wouldn't God be more honored - and the cause of New Testament churches be better served - if so-and-so mega-church would train other great preachers and send them out?

I'm impressed with churches that plant other churches. I'm impressed with churches that grow great leaders and send them out. But I have to confess, that I am deeply saddened by the current trend of famous preachers. They get a good thing going and it seems they don't know when to stop.

They get 5,000 people or even 25,000 people hearing this guy on Sunday. Somehow, in their infinite wisdom, they stand there and tell me that they are following God's lead - to video tape themselves and try to be virtual in several other communities. If you want to be on TV and get more people to watch you - then do so. But don't call it a church. I know what a New Testament church looks like. And it isn't about the preacher. It isn't about the "church model." It isn't even about the "exciting, relevant worship."

I have some questions for the senior pastors of these mega-churches with their satellites. Did God call you to be the senior pastor or the senior preacher? (There is a difference!) Does God call you to star - or does He call you to serve? How much fame do you need before you feel satisfied in your ministry? Does the number of satellite churches increase your book royalties all that much?

Okay, I know I'm sounding judgmental and condescending. On the other hand, perhaps I'm the voice of reason - in a world that seems to be deceiving itself about who God is. Pray for the church of today. And pray for its leaders. Lord, let them not be deceived by their own cleverness.