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They ripped out the pews. Put in comfy chairs. Threw out the hymnals and replaced that with a wide screen and ONLY contemporary "worship" songs. The louder the better. The simpler - the more popular - same shallow line sung over and over again.

Neuro-linguistic programming

(I'm sure that's all in the Bible somewhere, right? Maybe in the Ur-Apocrypha? Or the "Wet Sea Scrolls" :)

Offhand, I'd say that the "Milton model" looks creepily similar to what's going on in these takeovers.

And check out the "Principles of NLP" (under "Aphorisms" heading) -- tell me if you could find these things out of place in a Warrenite assembly. (And note how it's described as "a technique rather than an organised religion"!)

I will have to read through this, Neuro-linguistic programming.

It's strange there. I asked someone who years ago, was in my membership class, what she thought of the changes ... she said like you, I didn't like them ... as she is saying this her face is full of disdain, then she continues, but NOW, I love it! It's as though a light bulb went off. As I mention how uneasy I am about all this, it's as though someone turned off the light bulb and she got red faced, cut me off and hurriedly excused herself.

It was weird. Another one who had been there as a Sunday School teacher hadn't bothered to become a member. They'd go to ad adult service then teach Sunday School. They'd been doing this for about 20 years. In the service they attended they were told that ONLY official members, would have access to financial statements. Non members would not have access to this. Boy, were they RIGHTFULLY offended. Last I heard they're still there ... .

It's such a strange "club" mentality. A few years ago, I missed church for about two months. I was at another church, checking out their tone because I wanted to send my daughter to their preschool and also find about more about the PreK - 8th grade program. Since it was church connected I thought it would be prudent to check the church out thoroughly.

Instead of getting a phone call like, "hey where've you been", "we've missed you" or "is anything wrong" etc. I received a letter that if I didn't show up in two weeks my membership to this church would be revoked. THAT really angered me. I didn't show up so it was revoked. Even after that I still attended until I just couldn't stand the lack of reverence, meat in sermons and the entertainment atmosphere. By this time Rick Warren's approach had taken over a Biblical based and driven church. It just wasn't church anymore for me. I had to get out for good!