Entertainment-style Christianity
Today, in a majority of churches, we see the result of the seeker-friendly, "purpose-driven", church growth, Third Wave, New Apostolic Reformation methods and teachings and their product I am calling "Entertainment-style Christianity" (ESC). But ESC churches are not only missing out on the cutting edge of true Christianity, but are heading down the road to apostasy.
True biblical Christianity is "interactive". Those in ESC are taught to be spectators at mega-church entertainment events. They are not taught the Bible but rather to be enamored with the oratorical skills of the preacher, and to not dare question anything that is shoved down the throats of the "laity" by the ruling "anointed" elite. They are treated to a circus atmosphere including wild CCM music with people flailing around and acting like they are on drugs, to preachers who tell endless stories about themselves and joke about everything while actually making profundity mundane, to hula dancing, to banners and marching in the church and around it, to the blowing of shofars, to slain in the spirit and wild manifestations. Theirs ears are tickled by guest speakers who make up sermons out of their own imaginations instead of the written Word. They are entertained with gold dust, gold fillings, "angel" feathers, "angel" footprints, drunk in the spirit antics, and during these displays they can go out and get a latte and a snack at the church snack bar. They come into these mega churches and leave without being personally challenged other than with tired worldly psychology, and without anyone being able to find out what they are doing in their private lives. A small percentage attend "cell groups" where they are diapraxed into consensus instead of challenged to be Bereans and think and act for themselves. They live like the world during the week, then come to church where the world is not only welcomed but accommodated.
In contrast to the ESC are the ISC "Interactive-style Christianity" churches. These are the churches that are following the Apostolic model, not the New Apostolic model! (Acts 2:42). ISC is a Christianity where people are challenged with real exegetical Bible teaching, with leading a holy life (1 Thes. 4:7) of study (2 Tim. 2:15) and prayer (1 Thes. 5;17), of being priests unto the Lord (1 Pet. 2:5,9) and witnessing to others (Matt. 28:19), not simply inviting people to more ESC events. They are taught discernment (Prov. 3:21) and how to know the difference between right and wrong (Heb. 5:14), knowing that God expects us to judge those inside the Church (1 Cor. 5:12) because eventually we will judge the nations and the angels (1 Cor. 6:2-3). They display self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) and discernment in their lives and have not lost their saltiness (Matt. 5:13). They don't declare things to God but wait upon His will (Ps. 38:15, Matt. 6:9-13) and His timing in all things (Ecc. 3:1). ISC teachers are humble (Eph. 4:2) and don't spend all their time telling stories (2 Pet. 2:3) about themselves and bragging about how many converts they made lately, but rather focus on correct interpretation of the written Word (2 Tim. 2:15) and how to communicate it in a way that motivates their listeners (not laity) to put those things into practice (Jam. 1:22). They also realize they have a responsibility to teach sound doctrine (Titus 1:9, 2:1), to build people up to maturity in Christ (Eph. 4:11-16) and to help them stand firm in the Faith till the end (2 Thes. 2:15, Heb. 3:14).
ESC churches are bursting at the seams with "Christians" who no longer want to attend ISC churches. ISC churches actually check up on how their people are doing and expect to see growth to maturity, so consequently ESC churches are growing and ISC churches are shrinking. This is because ESC churches have dumbed down or removed the Gospel so there is nothing left to "offend" people (Gal. 5:11). But ESC churches are not obeying the Lord or following the teachings and Apostolic model. The ESC model is the Laodecian church (Rev. 3:14-22). The ISC is the Philadelphian church (Rev. 3:7-13).
Choose this day Whom you will follow (Jos. 24:15) and what kind of church will bring you closer to your chosen Master!