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A new variety of church-growth movement is squarely upon us.\u00a0 It decisively attempts to illegitimize any attempt at \u201cdoctrinal wall-building\u201d for fear of excluding those frankly, who are unwilling to believe.\u00a0 This sentiment has found itself at home in an increasing number of churches in recent years; being a boon to church growth (numerically) by removing those pesky doctrinal encumbrances which often cause people to seek membership elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur very survival is at stake,\u201d we are told.\u00a0 The church, it is suggested, is to be about \u201ctearing down walls\u201d rather than building them; having entered into a \u201cnew\u201d church-age whereby we focus attention copiously on harmony with others rather than differences.\u00a0 Commonalities draw us together.\u00a0 Differences divide us.\u00a0 The church is to be a place of unity, fellowship and cohesion.\u00a0 Anything that combats such a state of unanimity is quickly expelled as discordant, contentious and sinful. \u00a0(Sadly, about the only \u201csin\u201d that can be agreed upon in our modern user-friendly church culture is that of being disruptive to the alliance of \u201cgroup sentiment.\u201d)\u00a0 Such division, of course, is seen as a direct path to the most horrific sin of all: exclusivism<\/em>.<\/p>\n This line of thinking has ultimately led to a tremendous lapse in the teaching of doctrine in the modern church.\u00a0 We are now growing a generation of<\/em> pastors <\/em>that are utterly incapable of a biblical gospel presentation, yet they have devised a 10 point strategy to improve one\u2019s financial security according to purportedly \u201cbiblical principles.\u201d\u00a0 Such unbalanced teaching is avowed to be a gateway which \u201cgets people in the door of the church\u201d for the gospel presentation he is downright unqualified to proclaim and which will never be attempted.<\/p>\n While this infusion of worldly ideology into the church is frustrating enough, insult has now officially been added to injury by the taking of the next logical step in this spiral of doctrinal decay.\u00a0 It seems now that the teaching of theology is to be understood as somehow counterproductive<\/em> to the work of the church.\u00a0 The discord which is produced by the teaching of sound doctrine splinters the church and allegedly renders it ineffective in its task of making disciples.\u00a0 Thus, the tasks<\/em> of the church are being allowed to trump the teachings <\/em>of the church in terms of importance.\u00a0 In the end assessment, according to this movement, it is not important that we believe properly, but that we act<\/em> properly.\u00a0 It is more important to do the things<\/em> that Jesus did than to believe the words<\/em> Jesus spoke.\u00a0 Whereas there has always existed a synergy between faith and the action which it produces, there is now a discrediting of faith altogether in favor of \u201cproper action\u201d by whatever means necessary.<\/p>\n This is a counter-biblical mentality, focusing God\u2019s favor toward the works of one\u2019s hands and having utter disregard for the cognition and faith of the truth which sets one free by grace.\u00a0 It is most certainly a works-oriented gospel<\/em> of fruitful labor rather than a grace-based gospel to those who believe.\u00a0\u00a0The denial of the necessity of proper belief\u00a0proposes an impossible circumstance for one to be saved regardless<\/em> of one\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n Romans 10:14 (ESV) <\/strong> Can one even call one\u2019s work a \u201cgospel ministry\u201d if doctrines<\/em> are not preached?<\/em> Is not the gospel itself a doctrinal truth to be heard, believed and received?<\/p>\n Yet, this movement, in an effort to distinguish its non-dogmatic stance from the traditional \u201cdivisive\u201d methodology of preaching doctrines with scriptural clarity has coined a phrase which summarizes its position on the matter.\u00a0 This phrase is a sort of battle cry against the propagation of those abrasive, provoking and divisive standards that other less cutting-edge church groups are so intent on upholding.\u00a0 The phrase sums up the attitude of clean, unadulterated devotion and service to Christ (or deity of your choice \u2013 we\u2019re not doctrinal here) without any encumbrance of doctrinal assent required.<\/p>\n The phrase states simply: \u201cDeeds, not Creeds.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Work it into a sentence of your choice:\u00a0such as, \u201cGod is interested in deeds, not creeds,\u201d or \u201cour church is all about deeds, not creeds.\u00a0 Dude.\u201d<\/p>\n As one who has expended a great deal of time and energy studying the nuances of this unorthodox movement, I\u2019ll admit that I am a bit more sensitive than are some to the finer hints of the presence of this anti-doctrinal doctrine.\u00a0 The \u201cdeeds, not creeds\u201d phrase, of course, eliminates the requirement of one having a developed sense of \u00a0discernment.\u00a0 Typically, when that phrase is touted, it is done so as an outright challenge to those of us \u201cBible thumpers\u201d who\u00a0must defend ourselves for having the nerve to own up to a doctrinal position.\u00a0 The phrase is pre-fabricated to defend one\u2019s lack of biblical clarity on doctrinal issues.\u00a0 Sadly, it is touted as a more spiritual position to be in than to actually know, believe and preach the scriptures with clarity.<\/p>\n With this background in place, try to imagine my surprise last night when I walked into a break-out session at a denominational event in which the \u201cdeeds not creeds\u201d doctrine was attempted to be spoon fed to my very unwilling mouth in the context of a session entitled, \u201cHow Healthy is Your Church?\u201d<\/p>\n The session was being led, not surprisingly, by two men who referred to themselves as \u201cchurch growth consultants.\u201d\u00a0 They had a projection screen setup and were clearly going to take us through a presentation entitled something to the effect of \u201cHindrances to Church Growth.\u201d\u00a0 Well, this wasn\u2019t the same subject matter begged by the title of the class, but I was here- so I may as well listen & learn, right?\u00a0 What I learned could be the content of another post altogether.\u00a0 It lacked any biblical direction whatsoever, but was a compilation of human argument & traditional wisdom.\u00a0 In my line of thinking, \u201cchurch growth consultants\u201d would be the men you might call after you\u2019ve done everything the apostles said, but still needed some help.\u00a0 Perhaps such an official might be able to help one find some things in the scripture that were inadvertently missed on one\u2019s pastoral journey.\u00a0 In this case, however, I got a completely different response from that expectation altogether.<\/p>\n I happen to be one who thinks that the scripture is utterly sufficient to provide the church with her needs.\u00a0 As a pastor, I turn to the scriptures for guidance and direction continually.\u00a0 I learn what the purposes of my church are from the scriptures.\u00a0 I learn the skillset which the Holy Spirit imputes into the congregation to accomplish these purposes from the scriptures.\u00a0 I have learned \u2013 and taught \u2013 exclusively doctrines from the scriptures<\/em> which have shaped the nature and vision of our church.\u00a0 I do not think that we need to turn to industry, government or secular educational wisdom in order to know the needs of the church, nor do I think these worldly institutions could begin to provide such counsel.\u00a0 And, I do not apologize for that approach.\u00a0 I trust wholly<\/em> that the scripture is sufficient on the subject.<\/p>\n
\n14 <\/sup>How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?<\/em><\/p>\n