Confessions of an Ex Seeker-Driven Preacher | Costi Hinn & Anthony Wood

[@EEE-ds8bb]

I was a deacon in a seeker-friendly church. A real eye opener I had was when I received a call one Saturday night saying the pastor was going to do an altar call at the end of Sunday's sermon. I was asked to respond to the altar call and go forward just to kind of break the ice so that others would follow. I refused. I was shocked by the request! But I'm glad it happened as it really opened my eyes. The church had originally been really solid, but they decided to grow and sent delegations to Willow Creek to learn how they did things so we could copy. I ended up leaving that church and now attend a very solid protestant church that doesn't have bells and whistles, a coffee shop, cool music, etc., but it's reverent and the real deal and Bible believing.

[@lkae4]

Seeker-sensitive Christianity seems really to be helicopter parenting Christianity.

[@PoetiqueMs]

I suspected this was happening in the large church we once attended. It was later confirmed. It seemed deceitful to me.

[@ERomanchik]

“My job is to do obedience, He does the outcomes.” Love that, it’s a great perspective for biblical pastors.

[@carlosgardel4927]

And obedience is being seeker sensitive. That is the Holy Spirity who converts people has nothing to do with being seeker insensitive.

[@matthewalston1226]

​@@carlosgardel4927that makes absolutely no sense. The word has to be preached before the Holy Spirit does anything.

[@carlosgardel4927]

@@matthewalston1226 ha, you are saying it yourself: First, you have to share the word with the seeker, then the Spirit is who converts. What are you arguing about?

[@waylonsmart3989]

Definitely an improvement. The slick catchphrases (do church, do obedience, what does it look like, etc.) are super cringe, though. I feel like every young pastor is aping these same types of catchphrases, which comes off as disingenuous. Different topic though!

[@robindoyle2875]

I left this type of church about 3 years ago after having attended and served there nearly 11 years. I almost laid down my faith until I found an amazing Bible teaching church almost 2 years ago. So thankful things happened when they happened to open my eyes to what's true.

[@christincommon5496]

I, too, spent many years (12) as a false convert in a seeker friendly church. I agree with this pastor that most of the people are unconverted in the pews. By the grace of God and in spite of the church, I was finally born again after driving my life into a ditch and crying out to God and surrendering my life (not during a church service-at home alone.) It was like night and day. I actually felt new life enter me and I have been on fire for God since then (it’s been 14 years). I can actually say the sky was bluer and the grass greener. It was really quite remarkable. I immediately knew something was off at that church-it bothered me so much! Up until then, I was ok with the way they did things, etc. So happy for you that you left and found the truth!

[@paulmcwhorter]

Incredible video. I spent 20 years in a seeker sensitive church. It was great entertainment, but I was left hungry each week, wanting to hear of the power, glory and majesty of God, but never hearing it. The sermons were all about the things God could do for you, your marriage, your career and your family, but never the attributes of God, and His glory. Luckily along the way a Navigator came along side me and discipled me, and taught me, and helped me mature in my walk. I eventually repented of the time spent in that church. Now I live in East Africa and train indigenous pastors in the Bible, and how to properly preach. My time in the seeker sensitive church was not completely wasted, as it helps me to be keenly aware to the importance of equipping these pastor's in training to avoid falling into the seeker sensitive trap.

[@normmaclean375]

Best 38 minutes on KZbin. Every Pastor- every Christian- every Seeker needs to hear this simple but PROFOUND message. This is how Jesus is building His Church- salvation, discipleship and evangelism happen through the Word.

[@NarminMeghani7]

Its amazing that you want to make sure everybody talks about this church machinery, God bless you this day, amen.

[@janeewells3225]

I love how Costi confidently mentioned trying to play the role of the Holy Spirit. I needed to hear that! 💛

[@lesrambel]

At the worst time in my son's life, he went to a "seeker sensitive" church. He could have used Christians to lift him up during this time and he couldn't even make friends there and couldn't get the Pastor to give him the time of day. We go to a church now which is reformed Baptist and goes through the word of God in a useful and helpful way. The Pastor has taken an interest in supporting this families needs in a Godly way. We are praying for the other churches as we grow in the Lord.

[@k3of5ks]

I went to a seeker sensitive church for over 20 years. We were taught the Gospel of Grace along with Jesus plus nothing but I knew there was more. Sermons were always topical and worship was entertainment driven. Been saved out of this snare for 10+ years and I couldn’t be more thankful. Keep standing on the truth men of God!

[@Gizmodrums]

That “plus nothing” is chilling

[@k3of5ks]

@@Gizmodrums can you help me understand your comment?

[@Gizmodrums]

@@k3of5ks yes sure. How I read I understood what you said, is that all you were taught was the Gospel of Grace without anything else. With this understanding, it made me uncomfortable to think that this was all that your church taught. Did I leave with a misunderstanding of your initial comment?

[@k3of5ks]

I was taught the gospel of grace and much more. His term, "Jesus plus nothing" was how he taught that our greatest need is Jesus. The messages were not always watered down but usually topical versus line by line study. I learned alot in my 20+ years there. Most right. Some wrong. I'm growing leaps and bounds more in the bjble church that I now attend. I hope this helps to clarify. @@Gizmodrums

[@Gizmodrums]

@@k3of5ks thank you for clarifying

[@mrs.p113]

I was very active in a seeker driven church, as Pastor Tony is describing, for 8 years. There was very little growth in my relationship with Christ and was still heavily living a life of “carnal Christianity”. Starving for the Word, my husband and I fell out of the church and a year later the Lord brought us to a true Bible teaching church. I didn’t find true repentance and trust in Christ until I was taught what the Word of God truly said. So thankful to find a Bible teaching church and community of believers who desire to grow in the Word together and reaching the lost.

[@blondy89]

This is my story as well! I'm also MrsP😊

[@brettmagnuson8318]

Thanks for sharing this! I think like you, most believers who are in seeker churches are experiencing extreme spiritual malnourishment. It's heartbreaking because many don't even realize this.

[@TheJpep2424]

Seeker churches deceive and manipulate unbelievers and immature believers that don't know the Bible.

[@Tommygun23455]

@@brettmagnuson8318 the great falling away

[@amyhenningsgard8618]

@JC-du6sn Why?

[@deborahcarter3453]

I'm so blessed to have never been involved in a seeker driven church. I do think that my age,65 has everything to do with that. I love my church. Thanks for the interview.

[@brettmagnuson8318]

Thank you for this interview! Anthony puts into words so well what many have struggled to put their finger on in seeker churches. The comment about how biblical churches gather to worship and scatter to evangelize vs seeker model of gathering to evangelize is absolutely hitting the nail on the head! Costi you did a great job asking questions. Praising the Lord for you both using your God given gifts to build up the church!

[@TheJpep2424]

Except the seeker church doesn't evangelize. They never preach the gospel.

[@brettmagnuson8318]

@@TheJpep2424 I think you are almost 100% correct (leaving room for possible exceptions that I am yet to be made aware of). The seeker model waters down the gospel and does not preach sin, judgement and God's wrath, all very important aspects of the full gospel.

[@lesliesmith719]

At the 17:45 mark he is addressing how the true church actually gathers to worship and scatters to witnessss. But he lost me on this is a crusade so everything we do here is evangelism when describing the seeker sensitive church. Please explain. Thanks.

[@brettmagnuson8318]

@@lesliesmith719 If I understand correctly he was describing the pit falls of seeker sensitive model where the focus of the gathering is the unbeliever (what he referred to as a crusade for the lost) rather than on worshiping God as a gathered people of God.

[@Purpose3714]

The Holy Spirit woke me up to this. Until then I had NO idea I was in a seeker sensitive church more than once.

[@SerenityNow22]

Wow what a powerful story 🙌🏻. Reformed theology & the doctrines of grace changed my entire faith as well. We were in a dry church (not necessarily seeker sensitive but the gospel was rarely preached) & we’ve now found a solid church. God is so good.

[@devinmiracle7680]

I enjoyed this video. The only pushback I’d offer is that I pastor a small Baptist church in rural East Tennessee and I have no “formal training”. I’ve had the opportunity to sit under preaching and preachers that have taught me much and I study my Bible, but seminary has never been anything I’ve felt led to take part of. I find that God, through His Word, is able to teach what we need to know. If I ever felt led to go to seminary, I’d sign up in a heartbeat. But I have never felt that in my life. And God has continued to bless our church even through someone uneducated like myself. But everything else these men were talking about I 100% agree. If you need more than the Gospel to see someone saved, you’re doing it wrong. I just preached a sermon this Sunday morning from Romans 1 and it emphasized that the Gospel is the only message we have, but thank God, it’s all we need. I appreciate these two sitting down and warning those who have sought out other ways of bringing folks in that are extrabiblical or unbiblical altogether. Stick to the message God gave us. The Gospel of Christ. It is still the power of God unto salvation to all who believe.

[@moniesincere5083]

A lot of these Seminaries have the hand of the devil! Stay away! The Holy Spirit reign supremely in your ministry!

[@Toneeeeee23]

Amen.

[@jay1871]

Hey man. I just wanna encourage and strengthen you in what you said. The calling of God is not at all dependent on seminary or anything like that. He does the equipping. I’m in a similar season and I’ve found that some of the most discouraging attacks come from fellow believers.

[@1dutchess68]

This interview just confirms what I’ve been feeling for years going to these churches. I just recently left my seeker sensitive church and my daughter is still going there -she’s 22-please pray that Jesus will reveal to her What her next steps should be

[@nykka3]

🙏🏾

[@susancolonna9491]

EXCELLENT video and I’m excited to share it widely. Can you please comment below with the names of those books that were mentioned in the video? Thank you and my God bless your ministry!

[@kidbrosteve]

Pray for the Pastor would be much better. Your daughter may be there for a reason. Pray for a change in the leadership, not run from the church

[@christincommon5496]

@@kidbrostevewhere does it say in the Bible to stick around and entertain false teachers? Pray for them-yes. Stay? No.

[@christincommon5496]

Consider sending her this video. It is so hard to see clearly until you come out from under the influence there.

[@DeepDiveDiscipleship]

As a young pastor-in-training, this was a needed conversation. NEEDED!

[@KenCunningham-fq4uy]

Preach Jesus Jesus Jesus crucified, the cross

[@carlosgardel4927]

Be biblical and you will be seeker-sensitive as Jesus and Paul. Avoid this sensationalism. (I appreciate Costy Hinn but he comes from the charismatic movement and obviously has no history with the seeker-sensitive movement so in this one, he is playing by ear and the guy he is interviewing obviously has a very fragmented knowledge of what he is talking about too.)

[@DeepDiveDiscipleship]

@@carlosgardel4927 You're kidding, right?

[@immanuelcan3310]

There's a second problem: one-man ministry, the one head "pastor" who supercedes all elders and all other authorities in profile and authority, is more popular than anyone, and who dispenses all the teaching. He's a lightning-rod for the Enemy to take down...and with him, everybody who admires and follows him. The lone figurehead is nothing but a target. That's also the story of Bell, Hybels and all the rest...and it will continue, so long as we keep making these "pastor-hero-leaders." Human nature simply cannot be trusted...not in anyone. It's all too corruptible.

[@JustinMasayda]

Yep!

[@Ephesians-rz7zp]

This was amazing so grateful people are waking up. I’m in Anaheim and just found a Reformed Church after leaving a more seeker sensitive church.

[@marifelix397]

My husband and I pastored a church for 14years and we watched American Gospel and it led us to a whole new eye opener. It opened our eyes to what we were actually preaching and we started to question everything we were taught and preaching. And now it’s been almost 2 1/2 years since we closed our doors and we’ve been looking for a church that teaches the true gospel. We live in Fresno Ca and I would like to know if you guys know of any churches in our area? It would be much appreciated.

[@forthegospelmin]

Hi Mari! We would recommend checking out Grace Church of the Valley! You can find more info about them at graceofthevalley.org !

[@rpvideos4118]

That's good news! Out of curiosity, have you changed your views on females being pastors and elders?

[@anonymike8280]

I'm no help. I belong to a mainstream Protestant church. When I get burnout, I go to a large evangelical church in North Fresno. I like megachurches. Four megachurches in Fresno are People's Church, the Well, Cross City and NorthPointe.

[@sariahnilau4288]

Praise God ! Continue to serve Him with humility.

[@lindseywalker6925]

Seek out; A. W. Pinks sermon on staying home and reading your Bible is better than going to church. But, you need to hear that whole message.

[@lauradoe4435]

Love this!! I pray my old church will be converted.

[@misfitstranger]

This was just awesome to hear someone so lovingly lay out what a true church should look like. One of the greatest things I love so much about the Reformed Church is that it seeks, above all else, to glorify and honor God by recognizing his sovereignty in every area of our lives and in this world. I grew up in seeker sensitive churches before they were even called that. I thought that was what everybody understood as “church”. My whole family (mother and 3 siblings) are still in these kinds of churches. The difference in the conversations of Arminians vs. solidly Reformed people is stunning. Not saying that many Arminians aren’t truly saved, it’s just the watered-down, pick and choose, man-centered theology is so unfulfilling and just keeps one searching for the lasting peace and joy of knowing that God is the One in control, not me and my supposed free will. Knowing that God is in absolute control of all things at all times is, next to salvation itself, the most liberating knowledge one can possess.

[@linakins4572]

I attended a seeker focused in my 30's but thank the Lord I was already saved. I got involved in volunteering in different ministries. I used to write to the pastor and almost beg him to teach out of any book of the Bible verse by verse, but that never happened. I was tired of sermons about "us" all of the time. He would always preach on a topic and pull verses out of context to make it fit his message. We left and found a wonderful Bible teaching church and after being a believer for a very long time, I'm once again learning God's word. We never grow out of being teachable. thank you for listening to the Lord's direction!

[@linakins4572]

thank you. I will do that @JC-du6sn

[@wiscobuckeye]

You know who else gave topical teachings almost exclusively? Jesus.

[@linakins4572]

Trust me the topics I heard were not even close to the topics Jesus taught.@@wiscobuckeye

[@christincommon5496]

@@wiscobuckeye Jesus taught from the law and the prophets-not exclusively topical. What do you think He was doing in the synagogues?

[@wiscobuckeye]

@@christincommon5496 Agreed. That's why I said, "almost." lol. The vast majority of his teaching recorded in the four gospels is topical. All the parables for example. When he taught in the synagogues he probably taught from the law and prophets, but I think it's safe to assume the religious leaders did not let him teach in the synagogues very often. That's probably part of the reason we see the crowds listening to his teaching in the countryside. Either way, my point remains the same. Jesus chose to teach topically.

[@lestaricham8614]

Coming out of a seeker sensitive church myself and was active in leadership, this was definitely on point and very clear! Thank you gents for al that you do.

[@melissab7777]

I really appreciate this interview. I came out of a seeker attractional modeled church in Las Vegas Nevada called Verve. So much of what was shared in this interview struck a cord with me. I wondered how playing Metallica during worship, or the Pastor getting a tattoo while "preaching" a "sermon" honored God. By the grace of God I was listening to Pastor John MacArthur very early on during my first year and all the way through, so I knew what sound biblical teaching was and man did I crave it. My family stayed far too long but praise God we did leave and found an excellent biblical church under Pastor Billy Crone. Recently I went through one of the Verve Sermons that was based on Spider-man and filtered the entire thing through the word of God. It took me about 8 hours. After watching I just broke down for all the people sitting under this type of "sermon" and thinking this is christianity and that they are "saved" because they are nice people. I emailed it to a friend of mine who is still there. She didn't care about what the bible actually says. Her response was that she is loyal to the Pastor. So sad. I had tried to talk to the Pastor once (emailed him a Justin Peters video) and he responded by saying "I would not want to be under this guy, he's so legalistic." How sad that someone who wants to honor God's holy word is considered to be doing church "wrong".

[@valeriehancock1724]

I love listening to Billy Crone. His teaching on the history of Pentecostal churches sure helped me with my twisted scriptures, along with listening to Justin Peters ministries, John MacArthur, Fighting for the Faith, etc. praise the Lord for the scales being lifted off my eyes, and I still have lots to learn.

[@lightabounds77]

When I first got saved, I was at a foursquare church in Las Vegas for 10 years. God definitely used it, but I only grew to a certain point. Then I was at encounter in Las Vegas for a while. I actually moved to a conservative area in the south with a lot of solid churches, and that’s where God woke me up.

[@gratia3658]

I grew up in a traditional Presbyterian church, in my college years I started attending a seeker friendly church up until my late 20s and then the pandemic hit and I was introduced to R.C Sproul’s ministry called Ligonier. My mind was blown and I was humbled of how little I knew scripture and my understanding of who God is and His attributes. I’m so thankful for FTG 🙏🏽

[@carlosgardel4927]

The pastor getting a tattoo while preaching had nothing to do with the seeker-sensitive ethos It was just him being an idiot.

[@Freebird805]

Drives me nuts when the term “legalistic” is thrown around just for someone standing on the Word of God and wanting others to do so also! My walk has been similar in a seeker church yet all these years been also steadily listening to MacArthur. Scales have been lifted but my husband is not open to leaving the church yet. I’m waiting on the Lord and continuing to pray! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@mercyp7151]

Wow! Really appreciate this. God bless you both, your families, churches.

[@christinac5391]

We need holiness back in the church!

[@thesourcerer6504]

Wonderful!!! God is SO good and faithful in answering prayer and saving people like yourself from the seeker sensitive movement and to challenge those still in this movement to a real saving faith in Jesus Christ. God bless to you both.

[@patiheller]

For those of us who saw the problem with seeker sensitives from the very beginning, it is good to see ministers leaving this structure. It is truly an answer to our prayers. Thank you for sharing.

[@KevinRodriguez-mc8lc]

Stop calling it seeker sensitive...those are made up terms, just call it emotionalism

[@DrDoerk]

​@@KevinRodriguez-mc8lcemotionalism is a made up word....

[@LouisaWatt]

This guy has obviously matured in the Lord and his wisdom from mistakes is edifying

[@shadowboxcat]

Thank you for this video. Grateful to God for men like you who walk in obedience to the Gospel.

[@givermarketingnetwork]

Much of this is good, important to remember that the pulpit is a place to teach and inspire, but the pulpit is NOT the church

[@MasterRahl221]

This was an incredible interview. Thank you for sharing your story and pointing out the dangers of seeker sensitive churches.

[@brettmagnuson8318]

I agree. So helpful!

[@lydiahacklerlopez3297]

Eye opening. Shared this multiple times as I know me as well as others need to hear this and do a course correction.

[@davidpate6095]

"Is this God or is this me." Powerful. I needed that. Thank you. 19:42

[@PhotogPhotog-sk4ip]

A+. Thanks for a great video. I attended a seeker sensitive church for 20 years. I love them, but I’ve been starved of teaching for 20 years and I’m at a new church now. This video was timely and much needed.

[@ivanasimic2072]

God bless you both. I hope and pray for the Church In Croatia to come to common sense. I came from wof "church", its worst and worst. Please, pray for us over here. Blessings from Croatia

[@alomax92]

Lord you know your body in Croatia. You know the sheep, the goats, and the wolves. Please provide shepherds for the sheep, convert the goats, and keep out the wolves. In Jesus name, Amen.

[@ivanasimic2072]

Amen Thanks

[@GabrielMartinez-su8di]

This was great to watch. Very encouraging. Thank God for both of your ministries and for what God has done in you both. SoliDeoGloria

[@DipsyDoodleDaisy]

I love this so much. Thank you, Brothers.

[@bernardcolin]

Wow! So good. Thanks for this guys.

[@derrelleggert5953]

Thank you both for your transparency. You guys answer a lot of questions we all have! God bless you

[@BirdDogey1]

The Christian life is a daily grind of faithful perseverance.

[@charitywashington3164]

This brought tears of joy. I enjoyed this.

[@LT-R828]

Recently discovered Costi Hinn on Dialed In Ministries. Everything he shared was spot on! Then saw this episode in my feed. Only 10 minutes in and I discerned quickly that Anthony is 100% on point. Pastors like him and Costi are answers to prayer. Myself and so so many friends have discussed the struggle of finding a church that is not secret-service or these days...woke. It's so refreshing to see pastors like these men who are not afraid to share non-watered down gospel. Every pastor but especially mega church pastors need to watch this and learn from these two. I've been praying for years that the lord would wake up church leaders to stop "playing" church. So many people have walked away from the church or don't attend church like they used to because the messages are all about catering to the flesh. Those of us who are hungry for truth want (and need) hard truths that is led by the Holy Spirit. Praise God for Anthony's and Costi's ministries. I love what Anthony said about Topical Nonsense sermons! Seriously, I have been sharing struggles with my husband and close friends about this issue that we have experienced. Our church pastor's messages are so elementary in content that you feel like you're back in kid's bible class. There is one or two pastor who are not afraid to bring the truth. I wish Costi Hinn had a church in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area because I would 100% attend. I've been praying and seeking the lord for years since moving to AZ for a church like Shepherds House Bible Church in our area. I will continue to believe for this. If anyone lives in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and know of a non-secret sensitive church, please share.

[@wcctexas]

Praise God I was saved at a church that teaches verse by verse teaching. That is all I've ever known. The Holy Spirit and the Word did the work to bring me to Jesus, not human means. The bible is active and living, it transforms us, not the church or the preacher speaking. Praise the Lord this pastor's eyes were open to all the fluff the enemy uses to distract us from Jesus and a relationship with him.

[@SherStacks]

Awesome story! Thank you for sharing what God did in your lives and church!

[@rafbgarcia]

So encouraging! The Lord is doing a mighty work thank you for sharing

[@jordenkraaijeveld569]

I really felt the power of praying and trusting God through the testimony of the elder and his wife. How God can make a situation so beautiful. He is lovely. True gospel changes the heart. God is lovingly pulling us to his heart with love ❤️

[@jordenkraaijeveld569]

By the way, the Holy Spirit just called me to study theology. The message i hear really confirms this decision. Im looking forward to preaching the love of Jesus in the context and truth of the Bible.

[@johnnypacificnorthwest9544]

I used to go to Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill, then Judah Smiths City Church after that while at the same time following Bethel and Hillsong before I was saved out of that and discovered Steve Lawson, John MacArthur, Paul Washer, etc. I niw attend Redemption Hill Bible Church pastored by a Masters Seminary guy and the church is super sound! This interview is so great, I got so much out of hearing this since I was a part of so much if this deception!

[@carlosgardel4927]

In a few years, you will also mature from this and realize that Lawson, MacArthur and Washer have a very fragile ecclesiology and make the synthesis of both approaches> We need to be seeker-sensitive while being biblical.

[@brb1050]

@@carlosgardel4927Precisely. Mark Driscoll is one of the few very bold pastors preaching what the Holy Bible actually says. Sounds like there is a need to read 1 & 2 Corinthians & Galatians. Seek the lost, as Jesus commanded, go into all the world. John 3:16 is a great place to start. God’s gift of grace is extended to all.

[@brb1050]

@@carlosgardel4927an example is how poor JMac defends his heretical position in opposition the Revelations 14. He claimed that a person could repent of taking the mark of the beast. Sorry, that’s just not biblical.

[@christincommon5496]

@@carlosgardel4927where in the Bible does it say we “need to be seeker sensitive”? On the contrary, Jesus Himself commonly said very difficult things that sent people packing and that didn’t seem to bother Him-He just moved along with the truth.

[@radioface3306]

This should be required viewing for every seminarian…

[@glennmariacher4525]

I'm so glad for the two of you finding out and speaking out.

[@bradrob2863]

Costi i was a chipndale in Europe amd vegas never heard the gospel until i was 27 me and mybtwin bro got saved at the same time in deffremt states ..i attended grace church for a while until God moved me to west virginia to start my own roofing business and ddint even know how to roof ..I HAVE SEEN AND STILL SEE THE ABSOLUTE POWER AND CALL OF THE GOSPEL AS I DID IN NOV 2014 WHEN HE CHOSE FOR ME TO HEAR HIS WORD AND REMOVED MY SHAME.

[@ApologiaBros]

Thank you Pastors for doing this!

[@zurielofficial7770]

Love this!

[@127fit9]

This is gold, thank you!

[@Odelot-p2j]

One of the most informative video in years , thank you , Jesus is lord over all

[@billievm5236]

The seeker sensitivity church I attended for 17 years always made me feel broken and like a victim, and then they used the motivational speeches and words of affirmation to tell me how “amazing” I am. 🙄 This never helped me. It was my discovery of Reformed theology that finally made all the difference in my life!

[@cryslaw100]

Yes same here. 15 years and coming out of deception and seeker sensitive church

[@rinihogewoning6528]

To top it off, we're not sinners but victims with wounds and scars that are so called "worthy" of God's mercy. Thank you God for removing the blinders on my faith and theology.

[@john6626]

I was a young Christian 30 years ago at a baptist church. I got right with God recently and started attending churches and saw so many of the things you described. I am an engineer and engineering manager could not help but see the human mechanics of what was happening, from the use of music launching the sermon leading to eventual altar calls. It was painful to watch and I seemed to be the only one who saw it for what it was. I ended up going in the conservative, gospel-based but liturgical direction with ACNA. Thank you for talking about this, I felt like I was being gaslit into thinking the stuff I was seeing was our almighty creator and not just competitive human behavior.

[@atticuscarr6905]

Great message, God be glorified, Christ be praised, Spirit be not grieved!

[@irenicrose]

I moved states and had to find a new church. I recently have felt off about the teaching, especially since teaching has shifted to using verses out of context and focusing on "saving souls" rather than discipling people in the church. I pray that God leads me to find another church home that will help me grow as a believer/

[@forthegospelmin]

Thank you for sharing! Two online resources we recommend checking out are the TMS (The Master’s Seminary) Church Finder (tms.edu/find-a-church/) & the 9 Marks Church Search (www.9marks.org/church-search/). Please know that we do not know what every church will be like in person, but that should get you started in the right direction!

[@dynnlopez5606]

I'm glad you have visited our country. I hope you can come back here again. There are some seeker-driven churches here in the Philippines, and these types of churches are big businesses. This one church I was a member of is very popular here and in other parts of Asia. They primarily aim at young people, especially on campuses. I don't have to say much but these churches are not healthy for a believer. I hope you can do missions here in our country and help us expose these types of organizations.

[@pj2r596]

I love his story. Wish my old pastor would have done the same.

[@R2J23]

What you win them with is what you win them to.

[@ThePlagueGameing]

Father God, have mercy on those who have led thousands astray. Thank you in Jesus name, amen. Thank you Father God that this brother has repented. ❤❤❤

[@ThePlagueGameing]

Gods sovereignty is hard to comprehend isn't it. No one can come to the Father unless the SPIRIT draws them. Pray the Spirit draws millions before the end of the age amen?. AMEN!!. 🙏❤️🙏

[@lightabounds77]

This was such a wonderful conversation. I have been saved for 23 years. God used Chuck Smith on the radio to do it. I was in these type of churches up until the pandemic. God definitely used these churches and the people in them but I only grew to a certain point. Matter of fact for a period of five or so years I got caught up in Bethel teachings which severely hurt me and my oldest son :( Please pray for him! But God used John MacArthur when he said “go home” to Beth Moore. That got me digging and searching and now we have been in a true Bible teaching church for two years. Praise God I never fell away!! Like I said I was born again 23 years ago so I held on. ❤

[@wenmoonson]

Praise God! I went through 14 years of running from Him after a period of growth because of self-centered theology but He never let me go. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27‭-‬30

[@526Elaine]

Praise God for His mercy. We experienced this on a very small scale. We are learning and this past Sunday's service was on the doctrine of election. Thank you for this very transparent interview. God bless.

[@molliebella618]

this is such an amazing amazing video im so greatful God has opened my eyes

[@emilyronning2208]

My seeker sensitive church told me if i want more theology to go to home groups. I just really feel like this convo validated why that didn' t sit right with me.

[@breannawilliamson9787]

I am not a Calvinist and I believe in going though The Word and not manipulating people. I go to a Calvary Chapel church and we put The Word first, the worship is low-key, we are very picky about what is brought into our church and we preach The Gospel every week. I felt like that needed to be said. It’s weird how Calvinists act like being a Calvinist is the mark of being biblical and not being seeker friendly. 🙃

[@HomeSearchJacksonvilleNC5317]

Most seeker friendly churches don't preach a true gospel message

[@c.a.g.3130]

You act like preaching "The Gospel" is the mark of being biblical. Well, it is. And "Calvinism" is just a synonym for preaching "The Gospel."

[@HomeSearchJacksonvilleNC5317]

Calvinism is a summary of what the Bible teaches on the relationship between God and Man and how God has planned from the foundation of the world to glorify His name through the salvation of the elect.

[@jimh1741]

Bingo! That's the biggest issue in this video. These guys need to grow past the false dichotomy of "Calvinism vs Arminianism". They way they used this language was disappointing - shows me they're still reading the Scriptures through the lenses of man made theories, instead of assessing man made theories and systems BY the Scriptures

[@jimh1741]

​@@HomeSearchJacksonvilleNC5317one of the many problems with Calvinism is that most "Calvinists" define "Calvinism" differently! I'd encourage you brother to honestly check and see if you are interpreting the scriptures through the lenses of man made theories, or assessing these theories and constructs ( "Calvinism" "Arminianism") BY the Scriptures. Spoken in love 🙂

[@1rgam3r]

Interesting. I’ve never heard the term “seeker sensitive”. Having grown up in a Lutheran church and began to understand who the Holy Spirit is as a young adult I found this very puzzling. I’m very thankful the Lord was faithful in your lives. He is Good. :)

[@hatfidd5]

29:45 This was a great explination of most sermons. But you can go "verse by verse" and do the same thing. You can tie every verse back to the 7 messages you want to preach.

[@kennethfraire8152]

I love how he referred to the seeker sensitive (and possibly other types of) church as a “circus”. It may sound harsh but it’s totally true. It’s such a clown show these days, and people are just wanting to be “woo’d” and feel good and hear NOTHING about their sin, the need to repent of said sin, and more importantly their savior and all He has done for us! Instead, it’s like a circus game show, where they deceptively guilt-tithe you into financial chains and turn your whole walk with God into a works-based fail bomb. It’s terrible what happens in todays churches, it’s literally a clown show.

[@justinperez1972]

So true Kenneth! I think he was also referring to the fact that some of these seeker sensitive “churches” actually have a live circus on their stage to attract people. It sounds unbelievable but unfortunately, it’s true. Look up Church by the Glades circus and you’ll see what he is taking about.

[@williewiner4161]

What a beautiful testament of the power of Our Lord Jesus. God bless you both.

[@ardbegthequestion]

Yes, a beautiful testimony as to how “god” continues to allow his organization to be an utter mess and confused and that it’s one main cohesive feature is that any given congregation/denomination/flavor of Christianity is right and most others are not even in the fold.

[@spiromlb]

Robert Schuller ministries of 1980s...you are a nice person and let God take the driver's seat. As a non-Christian, I was hearing that I just needed an "oil and grease change". In the 30 plus sermons, he never spoke of my terminal disease, constant Sin. He never used the word, "sin" once. Prove me wrong. He ended up being another pop psychologist to me. But God still worked!

[@thesinghsongrose]

Definitely wish I'd of found this a year ago, but so grateful it is here. So blessed by this.

[@natalienelson8681]

If it’s not in the Bible, we don’t do it. Exactly what I look for when looking for a church.

[@trinidad2450]

In our little group, our lay leader has teaching from the book of John for over a year now, we’re now in Chapter 13. We’re the Spanish Ministry of an English-Speaking church. We are a core group of about 30 people. Does the Lord want our little group to grow, maybe yes, maybe no. It’s up to Him.

[@Cristina_Pavel]

Thank you for this honest talk!

[@dawnbrown9898]

Wow, so thankful for what GOD is doing!!❤

[@kuzivaj.z]

Praise God for His faithfulness!!

[@hcharton5722]

Being a seeker is what lead me to Jesus Christ. Please don’t give seeking God through Christ a bad name. Seeking the truth is a very good thing.

[@markrogers7546]

They're not talking about you being a seeker brother. That's a good thing! What these two guys are saying is that designing church around the "marketing principle" is deadly for the True Church. That's not how the Church was designed by the Lord. A truly Gospel-focused and God's glory-driven Church is founded on Scripture.

[@ardbegthequestion]

Yeah, what they’re saying is, because I changed my mind on what church is, I need to convince you that you need to too. Laughably ironic and blind to seeing that he’s still just doing the same thing.

[@hcharton5722]

thank you, I wish we did a little more encouraging, and a little less judging. I can find faults with every single church, preacher or philosophy I have ever studied. But I choose to focus more upon the positive common similarities. Some of of are looking for converts, others are looking for heretics. @@markrogers7546

[@hcharton5722]

some of us are looking for converts, others are hunting heretics@@ardbegthequestion

[@christincommon5496]

@@ardbegthequestiondid you miss the part where he said the church is full of false converts (unconverted people)? Why? Because they don’t preach the Word.

[@Curlygirl93564]

Nothing wrong with preaching on a specific topic every once in a while. Not making it your ordinary thing and definitely not just picking and choosing 1 or 2 scriptures and taking them out of context to have an interesting, seeker sensitive “sermon”. We are currently on a series at our church on living a life of faith but we are breaking down Hebrews 11 and 12 over several weeks. Our pastor does an amazing job on “topical preaching” every once in a while. It always points back to the gospel and Jesus and a call to repentance every Sunday

[@nathanpoole9661]

This is really amazing/eye opening. But immaturity does not mean your not saved. Ignorance doesnt mean your not saved. This is pretty amazing though. Would love to listen/read a book on this by Costi and ex seeker friendly leaders!

[@scottgonzalez7574]

Wow this is soooo helpful. Thanks for doing this interview.

[@missymurphy9996]

I’m not a Calvinist, and I enjoyed this!

[@williamrenno1264]

Wonderful! Love the table too!

[@mariodebeer]

The Lord saved me out of a charismatic seeker friendly "church"The big problem with those places is that they feel they need to save a soul so bad but they do it at a cost of the gospel.The love for the people is bigger than the love for Christ

[@JorethaPhotos]

Thank you for this interview. Very encouraging.

[@rebekahkoch3888]

This was excellent gentleman. Thank you!

[@Healedhomehealedsociety]

Thank you for sharing this! I feel some Internal healing happening. Praise God for this humble interview

[@MediocreMillennial]

Man, this is dope. Similar to Anthony, I was trained by and pastored in a relatively attractional context. Thanks to a steady drip of Reformed content over the years--and some patient friends/mentors--I came to be convicted of Reformed ecclesiology & soteriology. Tossing out pragmatics is an upside-down approach to ministry, and it grates against our flesh.

[@SteeVane]

This is such a well put together conversation. Thank you!

[@adriennelittlejohn2224]

Wow! I have GREAT concerns that my church is slowly eroding into a seeker-sensitive church. I choose to believe it is out of ignorance & not intentional. 😢

[@matthewcullen4536]

A little late to the party but what a powerful video…. Currently struggling with our church. Problem is my wife is a staff member and I’ve tried for over a year to come alongside our leadership. It’s fallen on deaf ears and I feel I’m only delaying the inevitable. I feel the Lord is calling my family and I away

[@jameswilson9361]

I feel for you man. My father and family were raised seeker Pentecostal. I questioned alot growing up in different churches. Now i know why i questioned it, because it didn't line up with the Bible. I still disagree with family and people i know. Stay in the Word, pray and seek God to lead you to lead your family. Its a hard road when your church is that way, ive left mine. Definitely find a good church!

[@matthewcullen4536]

My goodness your words mean more than you could imagine…. Grateful for them. Thank you God for my brothers and sisters in Christ

[@jameswilson9361]

@@matthewcullen4536 God bless you brother!

[@natalienelson8681]

Trust your gut, Aka, the Holy Spirit. You know. He will support you through the difficult task of leaving. Godspeed, sir!

[@scotthinton8697]

@@jameswilson9361 Only God "can ho))d ano

[@Wall2000x]

The Gospel is not about control. It is about freedom in Christ.

[@ThorfinnSkullsplitter-fz7ff]

Thanks guys. One of these times when I'm in AZ I'll make it a point to check out Costi's church. Cheers!

[@jillcolvin4196]

Costa Mesa, CA. Your journey sounds familiar. Christ Church Sierra Madre, CA (formerly Sierra Madre Congregational) made a similar shift back in 1967 and I as well as my whole family came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ because a Gid-fearing pastor dared to preach the Gospel then teach verse by verse through the scripture. Generations have Been impacted for God's glory. Praise God for your faithfulness!!!

[@rickeguitar9086]

Spot on, Anthony! Your testimony shows the disciples everywhere that people can start with the circus act churches and somehow make the transformation into becoming a true disciple of the Messiah. I do want to encourage you in your new path to take time to understand the richer context of the story of the Gospel and the epistles. A couple of great resources that helped me was the Bible Project, Michael Heiser and the First Fruits of Zion. They taught me how rich the Bible is when you do as God intended in reading the entire text from Genesis to Revelation as one epic narrative. While doing this, you will also find that the arguments held among Christians throughout history do not have any value as they are contrived as the result of post Hebraic worldviews reinterpreting a Hebraic text into a European worldview and model.

[@marlenereimchen9141]

Great interview thanks guys. God is so good and faithful. ❤