Worldliness in the evangelical churches

According to the Barna report, members of evangelical churches live just as immorally as the rest of the world. In some cases, e.g. divorce rates, the church is actually worse.  Why is it that the world does not listen to the church? The church has no message - the world despises the church as a bunch of hypocrites, and justifiably so. The church behaves just like the world. These 'Christians' are worse because they have seen the light and are supposed to be the salt of the earth. Yet their lives bring shame instead of glory to Jesus Christ.

When Constantine claimed to become a Christian, his decision open the flood gates for the pagan world to enter the church. And they did, bringing in all their pagan idols into the church. The worship of the queen of heaven was converted into the worship of Mary. The worship of other deities became the worship of saints. These gross idolatry practices are still alive in the largest denomination in the world - the Roman Catholic church.
This was the beginning of the state sanctioned institutional church - it is not a church but a human organisation with a Christian label.  Along with their idols, worldly practices were introduced.

But has the evangelical churches fared any better? Do they practise idolatry?

Look at the churches resistance against homosexuality. Which Protestant denomination rallies against such ungodliness? There is a deafening silence from the Protestant camp. Only the Roman Catholics publicly speaks against it. Good on them. But every time they do, the socialist controlled media puts out an article about paedophiles. Have you noticed that? Every time some cardinal speaks out against homosexuality or abortion, there will be an article in the papers about some wicked acts by priest. If you look at some of the dates of the incidents, the media will bring out news from 10 years ago just to put their propaganda in front of its readers.  Whether the case has been closed or the ex-priests has been jailed 10 years ago is not important, what is important is to remind the public about how wicked Christians are. What I'm saying here is that evangelicals should get off their high horse and open their eyes to see that their so-called faithful church is not any better than a church that practises open idolatry.

So what are some of the worldly values and practices in evangelical churches?

• Worship of money and career. The average church goer places this high on its agenda. Talk about money, and the room is filled.  Why is the prosperity preacher so successful? He gives them what they want to hear. Might as well fleece them at the same time.   Talk about how to study the bible, and you'll find the same handful of people.  Listen to what the average church goer talks about after the church service - movies, food, outings, social activities and almost any topic you care to name except what the bible teaches. The mouth speaks what the heart treasures.
• Fashion and accessories.  Look at all the brand names being flaunted every week - designer handbags, designer clothes, designer shoes, designer belts, designer watches, fat cars. These are the things which are important to the world. They are just as important to many Christians.
• Obsession with success. Career progression, promotions, fat jobs, seniority, power - these are the goals of the world - and Christians too. Christians are more interested in these, than the kingdom of God. Sadly, this also exist in the church, pastors aiming for worldly success - large congregations, large ministry, comfortable paycheck, national recognition, TV and Radio programs, seniority, staff under him, etc. The career Minister is no different from the career professional - they both go after power, ego, and pride. 
• Gadgets and toys. You must always have the latest version of the iPhone or iPad, even though the previous version is sufficient. The marketers know this, and create the demand. The little lemmings follow. It is not limited to gadgets, but big boys toys too. The latest golf clubs, the latest 4 wheel drive, the latest home theatre, etc. The toys are not the issue, but when they become an idol, they become a snare for the Christian.
• Obsession with movies and TV. How much time does an average Christian watch TV per week compared to reading the bible?  If you're an addict, pray that God will remove the desire from you. He did for me and the interest just disappeared.
• Downloading illegal music, movies and software.  This is very prevalent among church goers. It is just idolatry in a different form - to want something bad enough to steal. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right. Just because the music industry is charging lots of money doesn't justify stealing from them. If you can't afford it, don't listen to it.
• Obsession with sex.  This monster is fed by what is shown on TV and the movies.  The more garbage you feed your mind, the more you begin to behave accordingly.  Programs like 'Sex in the city' brain washes the audience to think that such behaviour is 'normal' and everyone is doing it. They've also been tricked into thinking that there is no harm in it especially among two consenting adults. This is Satan's lie. Judging from the amount of immorality in the church, this lie has been very successful.  This lie has also been reinforced by the fashion industry especially among young women. The success of a fashion is determined predominantly by how much sex appeal is generated - the designers know that sex sells. This has certainly infiltrated the church.
• Adoption of worldviews that are unbiblical. This is specially true now due to the socialists who have taken over the education institutions and media, and dare I say, many bible colleges too. Bible ethics have been taken over by situation ethics. Post modernism has taken over some churches - truth is relative, don't be too dogmatic.  The war against sin has been replaced with the war against global warming, social injustice, etc. The devil doesn't mind zealous Christians, as long as they are zealous for the wrong things.
• Worldly inspired music.  The focus on the beat and tempo to popularise a song is more important than the lyrics of the song. Many of the words are superficial and reflects humanistic world views. (Having said these, there has been some incredible great songs that have come our recently too).
• The transition of the worship service into a performance. The song leaders behave like they are rock artists, walking up and down the platform like an entertainer. The band plays like a soft rock band, except it has some Christian lyrics thrown in.  Some call these worship, but I have my reservations. The focus of the worship has become entertainment - the average church person comes to church, watch the musicians perform, watch the preacher perform, then go home. These churches have form but not life.
• Pride and egos in its leadership. They want to be honored an respected as elders and pastors but the idea of serving and washing of feet is foreign to these people.  This is how the world behaves, the boss is king and his employees serve the boss. Church leaders do the same in the church - bullying and ostracising church members to get their way.  Ask yourself, 'has the pastoral staff or elders spent time with each member of the church to discuss his spiritual welfare in the last 12 months'?  If not, how about the last 24 months? How do you pastor the sheep without bothering to invest time to spend with them?  These are false shepherds pretending to be shepherds while the sheep starve.    
• The church pot luck replacing fellowship. Social gatherings are not Christian fellowship. Fellowship is serving one others, encouraging one another, supporting one another, and sharing each others burdens. The church has substituted this with the pot luck meal. There is not difference between this and the dinner at the Rotary club.
• Youth meetings turning into dating meetings. The meetings have become places to look for boyfriends and girlfriends. This is just another social gathering.
• The church business meeting has become just a business meeting. There is no discussion of any plans to make disciples of the world out there. Just talk about money, building, and programs. And the arguments in the business meeting put some private organisations to shame.   

Are the evangelical churches any better than the Roman Catholic churches in their worldliness?  I'm afraid to say the answer is no.

Worldliness has come in and it is here to stay.  Has the pastor said a single thing about these?  If your pastor has, consider yourself blessed.


“I was looking for the church and I found it in the world.
I was looking for the world and I found it in the church!”
- Leonard Ravenhill