[NYer]

Televangelist and best-selling author, Joel Osteen, right, and his wife, Victoria, left, celebrate the grand opening of the new home for the Lakewood Church, formerly the Compaq Center, Saturday, July 16, 2005, in Houston. The arena that basketball fans once packed to see the NBA's Houston Rockets is taking on a new role, home to the largest congregation in the nation. It took more than 15 months and $75 million to convert the arena into the new home of the largest and fastest growing congregation in the nation.(AP Photo/Jessica Kourkounis)

[NYer]

He'd prefer his fellow evangelicals join in the recitation of the Apostles Creed or extend a handshake of peace to a pew-mate.

“The liturgy understands that humans need to actively participate and not be spectators,” Smith said.

The above statement caught my eye. He is, of course, absolutely right.

[sweet_diane]

Our PCA church was slipping into the ‘mega church’ state of mind a few years back... I’ll have to check out Smith’s book.

[AnAmericanMother]

“Jesus is my boyfriend” songs

LOL! That's what our music director calls them!

Quick, the antidote:

O Sing Joyfully (Batten)

Listen for "blow up the trumpet in the new moon, e'en in the time appointed". A brilliant musical phrase. It almost takes your breath away.

[Lee N. Field]

Sounds like a golden age for the evangelical church, right?

Wrong, says Warren Cole Smith,

In his new book Smith argues that many, if not most, evangelical churches have lost their way. Instead of sticking with core biblical principles, rich traditions and church-as-community, he says, they promote feel-goodism, technological fads and church-as-entertainment.

He's not the only one. There's a whole genre of books lately along the same line, by insiders.

Those I've read, published within the last year or two include Michael Horton, Christless Christianity, Julia Duin Quitting Church and David Wells, The Courage to be Protestant.

[Jemian]

AMEN!

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Christianity is a religion that requires study and mental discipline. Paul in 1 Timothy commands diligence in Bible study. But that often does not play well in the anti-intellectual TV age. Too many would rather like to go with the flow, let a preacher do their thinking for them and hope for some message from God while maximizing the emotion and avoiding the mental.

[Huber]

Warren is a good friend. He and I used to attend an Episcopal Church together back when that was possible.

[since1868]

I agree with a few points. One thing i disagree is the music,
if we are to get young people into the church we must play the music they like.It does not need to be crude there are some great CCM artists out there.

[FourPeas]

they promote feel-goodism, technological fads and church-as-entertainment.

Ugh, I've attended one of these. I knew I was in the wrong place when at the end of the sermon I'd not heard the name of Jesus mentioned. There *was* lots of entertaining music, though. A *good* stage band. Drama. Professional lighting. A nice-looking, "contemporary" pastor in casual clothes. Attractive worship singers. Wireless network access. Different sorts of coffee. Multiple camera views on big screens. Lots of "God-speak" about being all you could be. The only thing missing was.....Christ.

[bdeaner]

When evangelical churches sing spiritually shallow “Jesus is my boyfriend” songs, Smith said, they are following the lead of today's Christian radio listeners, rather than the theologically astute composers of old.

[HarleyD]

It took more than 15 months and $75 million to convert the arena

It took a little doing but it's nice to know he converted something. ;O)

[allmendream]

Seven rules?

And here I thought there were TEN.

[truthandlife]

This article is right on target!!!

[xzins]

Went to a seminar led by a disciple making educator, and Osteeen came up. Bill said, “Osteen....he doesn’t say ANYthing!”

[SWAMPSNIPER]

“Twittering”?

[marron]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et9I11JCqgE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO_Phl9XCHg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQAPMRpNoe8&feature=related

Just thought I’d round out the thread with a couple of examples of what everyone seems to agree that they hate.

Except, evidently, me. I like it.

[B-Chan]

Dear Evangelical Brothers and Sisters:
HE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

Great post, NYer. There's hope for our separated brethren yet.

[Lee N. Field]

Warren Cole Smith

The Lutheran program Issues, etc. has interviewed Mr. Smith today. Just pulled it down in down in my podcast feed, haven't listened to it yet. I don't see a direct link at their site yet. It's about a half hour, and if it's to their usual standards it won't be fluff.