PRAGMATISM AMONG CHARISMATICS AND INDEPENDENT BAPTISTS
(Friday Church News Notes, December 11, 2009, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
An anonymous writer in Australia has been critiquing Hillsong Church, the largest church in the country, in a series of blogs. In the latest one he says, “Nothing frustrates a church-building pastor more than conflict of purpose or multiple agenda amongst their church members. Where there is divergence of opinion, or lengthy debate over a proposed course of action, pro-active pastors get understandably impatient. … Pursuit of the vision is top priority, and so all other concerns are subordinated to the common drive to ‘build the church.’
… This seems reasonable; after all, why get caught up with minor issues and neglect the bigger picture? But this reasoning sets up a false choice. Why is it assumed that we must decide between either the big picture, or minor issues? … if we agree that there are at least ‘lesser concerns,’ why must these be ignored in favour of the bigger picture?
… Let us consider a hypothetical situation. Imagine an active church member who faithfully serves each weekend; someone who might be described as ‘committed to the house.’ After several weekends of questionable doctrine being preached, he decides to approach a pastor, to whom he outlines his concern: why does Brian [Houston, Hillsong’s senior pastor] teach one thing, when the Bible teaches quite the opposite? … the pastor makes it clear that Brian’s preaching is building the church, and that the man’s ‘theologizing’ only serves to distract from the bigger picture.
Perhaps, the pastor suggests, the man should decide whether he is ‘committed to the house,’ or should consider a different church.
… This is how the ‘unquestioning’ element of Hillsong’s culture is perpetuated. From a church-growth perspective, it’s very effective. People who disagree don’t last long enough to have their concerns properly heard and acted upon” (http://tttdiscussionforum.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default).
COMMENT BY BROTHER CLOUD: This same philosophy is rampant among independent Baptists. I saw it at Highland Park Baptist Church and Tennessee Temple in the 1970s, and it characterized Jack Hyles’ ministry. This is why the students at Hyles-Anderson and other places cannot criticize “the man of God” or the institution. (While I don’t believe in a critical spirit, I do believe in proving all things by God’s Word and I do not believe that any man or church is beyond this.) Nothing must get in the way of the “program” of building the church and winning souls. This is why so many IB pastors consider my ministry “divisive.” In their minds it gets in the way of the things are “truly important.” If they loved the whole Word of God, they would delight in the preaching of the whole Word of God, let the chips fall where they will (Psalm 119:128), but they are pragmatists. Paul taught Timothy to respect even the spots of doctrine and practice commanded in the Bible (1 Timothy 6:13-14).
http://wayoflife.org/files/5c878fbd2be474d83d917b2fe1c62a59-476.html
“Why is it assumed that we must decide between either the big picture, or minor issues?”…..
I find it interesting that the author of this article seemed to have the opinion that the doctrinal errors were a minor issue. They are an issue all right – the Big issue. Doctrine is the foundation and hence the Biggest issue of all – everything else is Secondary to what they teach and believe about the Word.