Sensationalism Without Substance
The last few days, I taught about the danger of building churches and ministries on gifts and charisma rather than on God’s heart, His wisdom, and sound biblical truths. This was a serious flaw in the most recent national revivals, the Charismatic and Jesus People movements. Today, I want to address another mistake made in those revivals. As I have said previously, I’m doing so that we might guard against repeating these mistakes in the coming awakening. The weakness I’m addressing today is building churches and ministries on hype, sensationalism, innovation, etc., rather than on God’s presence, Word, power, and anointing.
Revelation 3:1&2 says of the church at Sardis, “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die.”
This church had obviously been alive and well at one point. And to the average observer, it continued to have the reputation of being alive. God, however, looked into the heart of the church and saw its true condition. The fact that Sardis was still considered spiritually healthy tells us that they continued to do all the right things. People were impressed. Jesus, however, said Sardis was dead. Yes, their presentation was polished, their methods seemingly effective, but it was all outward show. Inwardly, they had serious heart issues.
This problem in the church comes from attempting to build, not on the anointing of Holy Spirit, but on formulas, hype, sensationalism, big names, miracles, the gifts of the Spirit, innovation—anything that breeds excitement. It usually takes place because it is quicker and easier to build this way.
Innovation is prioritized over the anointing. Man-made ideas are implemented to achieve growth. In our generation, there is no shortage of creative ways to produce a movement. Just as King David attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel on his “new cart,” we have produced thousands of “new carts” in our efforts to restore God’s glory in the church. These “carts” come disguised in many forms, from church growth seminars to the most innovative and technologically brilliant schemes imaginable. E.M. Bounds said it well, “We are constantly on a stretch, if not a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel.”(1)
I sometimes hear promotions of mighty services only to find hype and sensationalism when I arrive. A few years back, I heard of one well-known evangelistic team’s “great crusade” where more than 2,000 young people were supposedly won to Christ in a single week. A few months later, I checked the results and was told that only one of the “converts” had become a true follower of Christ. Great crusade? I don’t think so. I wasn’t surprised—their entire approach was hype and entertainment.
This approach to generate growth leads to what I call “placebo Christianity.” The outside looks real, but the inside lacks substance. It looks alive, but is dead. Perhaps most alarming is that it standardizes mediocrity. The church of America has done this.
The Samson Effect
Those who read my books and these Give Him 15 posts know I want the body of Christ to see a resurgence of the miraculous. But an overemphasis on power, miracles, and especially emotional stirrings leads to sensationalism and, ultimately, a decrease in power. Like the church at Sardis, the power and anointing can die, while the church’s reputation lives on. As with Samson, this can happen without our even realizing it. After having lost his power, he said, “‘I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him” (Judges 16:20).
Sensationalism ultimately leads to cynicism in the world and disillusionment in the body of Christ. I have watched several churches and ministries built using these methods. There was great initial excitement, Christians transferred from other, less exciting churches, and these congregations became the latest “fastest-growing, cutting-edge, overnight sensations.” The interviewers came, articles were written, television shows were produced, and money was made. Many of the churches are now dead or mortally wounded. Others still have a name that they’re alive, but are basically dead. Heaven weeps…while someone goes and repeats the process somewhere else, creating another overnight sensation, playing the Kingdom success game, striving for greatness.
What has been the fruit of this approach to church growth? Our cities and nation were not changed—no, that's not actually true. They grew worse! Christians grew more disillusioned, the world more cynical.
Genuine Greatness
I don’t think the average American–believer or unbeliever–understands greatness these days. Most Christians will be totally confused at the awards ceremony in heaven. I can assure you that it won’t look like ours. I do know some truly great people, but you’ve not heard of most of them. They are not “gifted” enough. They’re simply great moms and dads…hard workers…faithful servants.
My grandfather, Bill Henkel, lived to be 90. He didn’t leave his family any money; it wasn’t there to leave. He lived in the same small house for 60 years, in a small town. Grandpa never preached a sermon, but his life continues to preach. So does his offspring. Known for his integrity, my grandfather’s handshake and his word were enough for anyone who knew him, including his bank. My brother Tim once saw him get a loan at the bank without even a signature! “We’ll do the paperwork later, Bill. Your word is enough for now,” the banker said. He was a humble man. When Grandpa was saved, he was so convicted that he crawled to the altar. He was in church every Sunday, most Wednesdays, and served in various capacities. He tithed, gave offerings, and helped many needy people, though he had to work three and sometimes four jobs to survive. Grandpa only had an elementary school education.
But while Grandpa didn’t leave his family any money, he left a great legacy. His children love God; his grandchildren preach the gospel. Bill Henkel was a great man! Heaven celebrated his arrival. When he moved there, I wept and rejoiced at the legacy he left me, worth far more than money.
The world around us is looking for true greatness, not sensationalism. Understanding sensation and hype far better than we in the church do, they are unimpressed with ours. We will never reach unbelievers using their own methods. They need substance from us. Truth. Depth. A proud, be-number-one, claw-your-way-to-the-top generation will be defenseless against genuine humility, servanthood, agape love, and genuine power.
Let’s show them what this looks like.
Pray with me:
Father, sometimes we deceive others, we even at times deceive ourselves, but we cannot deceive You. You look straight into the heart, not at the outward flare and flash. You did so for the church at Sardis and told them they were flatlining, that they had to wake up and strengthen the good that remained. In their weak state Your heart was not to condemn them, but to awaken them from their slumber.
We know You have come to the church in America to do the same. You have challenged us to wake up and strengthen the good within us. We believe that many believers have done so - not all, but many. And You have always been willing to use a remnant to repent, intercede, and prepare the way for others. We have done so, and will continue to do so. We ask You to enable us to fully awaken the American church and impact our nation.
We ask You for signs, wonders, and great power, but not so we can grow our churches and promote our ministries. We want to make Jesus known, not ourselves. We want those who are hurting to be touched by Your power so they can be free from oppression and suffering, not so that we can be famous. Show us any hidden areas of our lives where the need for self-promotion hides. Cleanse us from any and all pride. Get us ready to be used for the great outpouring of Your Spirit that is building. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our decree:
We declare that we will not yield to sensationalism and self promotion, but will walk in humility and glorify God with our lives.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977), p. 5.