He’s a radio receiver
Tuned to factories and farms
He’s a writer and ranger and a young boy bearing arms
He’s got a problem with his powers
His weapons on patrol
He’s got to walk a fine line
And keep his self control

As the New World Man in this song was very informed about the culture and society where he lived. Keeping up with trends, society, and culture is a key ingredient in the survival of the Church growth pastor. The emphasis shifts from reaching the hearts of the people to reaching the beat that causes the culture to dance and the heat that ignites the passion that runs the machine of culture. Are we culturally relevant has replaced the adage of a Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. As the Scriptures answered the question of dealing with human nature through the dying to ourself daily and via the being crucified with Christ, the church growth pastors have answered the question of dealing with human nature with human nature via watering down the Gospel for acceptance, diversity, and tolerance.

However, the power the church growth pastor obtained causes a intense paranoia within him as he views disagreement, change, and factions he has no control of as the enemy. Because there is a losing of control going on, the viewpoint is that there is a war not in the heavenlies, but within the midst of his own congregation as the attempt to reestablish control in the church actually reveals the continuous losing of the pastor’s own self control that is happening inside of him. There is always a war because to not have a war is equated to not doing anything for Christ. What he perceives as the enemy that comes against the madness, chaos, and confusion is actually the thing that will rescue him and restore him back to where he once was if he will discard technique for testament, programs for power, animosity for anointing, commerce for covenant, tolerance for tenets, relevance for revival, and sensitivity for sanctification.

He’s got to make his own mistakes
and learn to mend the mess he makes
He’s old enough to know what’s right
and young enough not to choose it
He’s noble enough to win the world
but weak enough to lose it

He’s not concerned with yesterday
He know’s constant change is here today
He’s noble enough to know what’s right
But weak enough not to choose it
He’s wise enough to win the world
But fool enough to lose it

Yes, the church growth pastor knows what is the ‘right thing’ to do. However, like the commercial pragmatism that shifts the focus from “Is it Right?” to “Does it work and make money?”, the spiritual pragmatist has asked the same questions in the form of “Is it Biblical?” to “Does this bring me money, fame, power, and influence?”

While they claim their past in the name of ‘heritage’, there is an immense amount of doublespeak when the past is disdaned because the past is now equated to legalism, obsolence, and ‘paradigm’.
Yes the church growth pastor knows that he has the capabilities to win the world for Christ via Christ but is capabible via the selling of his soul to trends that he may eventually lose the anointing God gave him.

Related Posts

1. Spiritual Growth or Cultural Adaptation
2. Reality Show Spirituality To A Unreal Christian World
3. Vote Him Champ, The World Will Be Saved
4. Are “Church Covenant Contracts” Scriptural?
5. Paying People To Attend Church

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