Help reaching friends stuck in an emergent church

[Wishing4]

Last fall I left a church that I believed was heading the wrong way. I'm still friends with the pastor's wife (mostly on Facebook) and kind of keep tabs on what they are doing. One thing the church is doing is helping other small churches to grow. No problem with that other than at the bottom of the page the pastor lists books he highly recommends. The first one is Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren. This pastor has admitted to me that he knows McLaren is clearly emergent.

Right now they are doing a sermon series called "Permission to Enjoy". The message two Sunday's ago focused on Deut 14:22-26. I listened to about 8 min of the sermon before I just had to shut it off. I believe he totally got some things wrong. To me those verses are saying that if you cannot carry everything you are going to tithe, then trade it for silver so that when you get to the city that God has chosen you can buy what you need to tithe. It also talked about eating at that place, too. Which I took to mean, that you are to partake of some of your tithes as a way of worship and thankfulness to God. He took it and said to buy whatever you want and have a party. "Ever wonder what a $200 bottle of wine tasted like?" (quote from the sermon) I turned it off pretty much after that. I don't know if I should listen to the rest.

I still have friends at this church and want to draw their attention to what is going on. I don't feel like I misunderstood these verses. The only verses I can think of to counter this is our storing up treasures in heaven and denying ourselves and following Jesus. What do you say to people who say, "God wants us to enjoy life." ? Is it Biblical?

ETA: I listened to the rest. He talked about acknowledging Jesus in everything you do. (Col 3:17, 1:20) "God is with me so I have the freedom to enjoy it." Take a walk, a nap, go out in your boat, read a book...in Jesus' name. He uses the phrase "speak into it" (which I'm not sure what that means). He did talk about not sinning, but doing things God would approve of "in Jesus' name." And being thankful for what God has given us.

[billiefan2000]

introduce them to some good christian radio shows that speak out on the emergent church


http://www.fightingforthefaith.com



http://www.olivetreeviews.org/radio/historical-archives



http://standupforthetruth.com/about-the-show/


also for u friends also





I got friends trapped in emergent and willow creek association churches, so I can sympathize

[Wishing4]

What makes me sad too is that there was a perfect opportunity towards the end of the sermon to share the gospel message and he didn't do it.

I will check out those links you posted.

I pray for my friends and I pray for that pastor. I will continue to do so.

[Lynn]

Wishing, I am so sorry that your friends are still involved in that church. It is hard to sit idly by while people we truly care about are being led in the wrong direction to which they are totally oblivious. I agree with your sentiments about the parts of the sermon that you quoted in OP. Definitely sounds emergent to me. Perhaps, after viewing the web sites linked by Billie, you might consider sending those links to your friends, if you think they would pay attention and see the connection. So often, people just want to 'stay' where they are rather than having to change
their lives.

[Wishing4]

thanks Lynn. I sent a link to one friend of a book review for that book the pastor is highly recommending. She responded that she didn't know much about the emergent church and wants more information.

[Lynn]

. . . I sent a link to one friend of a book review for that book the pastor is highly recommending. She responded that she didn't know much about the emergent church and wants more information.

Well, that sounds hopeful. I was discussing with DH how there is a 'yearning' inside each of us for our loved ones/dear friends (and ourselves, too, of course) to grow in Christ and to be more discerning. Sometimes, when the people don't want to listen or don't seem to care, the yearning can actually become quite painful. I'm sure you know what I mean. Your friends are blessed to have you praying for/assisting them in developing greater discernment. God bless you.

[Wishing4]

Well, that sounds hopeful. I was discussing with DH how there is a 'yearning' inside each of us for our loved ones/dear friends (and ourselves, too, of course) to grow in Christ and to be more discerning. Sometimes, when the people don't want to listen or don't seem to care, the yearning can actually become quite painful. I'm sure you know what I mean. Your friends are blessed to have you praying for/assisting them in developing greater discernment. God bless you.

Yes, I know what you mean. (I also have a friend with two small children and a Muslim husband who I yearn for them to come to Christ) I talked to this lady back in January, so she knows some of my concerns. She said as a child their family did a lot of church hopping and some was not good. I think she's nervous of leaving where she's comfortable. She also teaches Sunday School which she loves and is very much a part of that church.