Table of Contents

→   Church-Growth Movement Overview
→   Church-Growth Movement Roots
→   Church-Growth Movement Teachings
→   Initial Leaders and Pastors of the Church-Growth Movement
→   Popular Leaders or Groups of the Church-Growth Movement
→   For More Information on Church-Growth
→   More False Movements Within the Church

Church-Growth Movement Overview

The Church-Growth Movement, also known as the Seeker-Sensitive Movement, is more concerned with bringing large numbers of people into the church by any means necessary rather than with the true message of Christ. The pastors and elders of the church begin to take upon themselves a new role that looks more like a CEO of a business, rather than shepherds who feed God’s flock. Some churches in this movement poll the neighborhoods they are in to see what needs they can meet. In turn, the church is focused more on meeting the needs of the culture instead of preaching the Gospel of Christ.

Church-Growth Movement Roots

The Church-Growth Movement’s roots can be traced to the ministry philosophy of Professor Donald McGavran. He was the organizer of the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary in 1965.

Church-Growth Movement Teachings

The Church-Growth Movement (Seeker-Sensitive) has at least three unbiblical characteristics:

1. 
   
   1. Pragmatism (how ministry is done) – The bottom line for the “success” of a particular ministry or spiritual growth is – “Does it work?” By work, we mean, does it bring in people and not, is it the work of God i.e. is it faithful to Scripture. Because this pragmatism takes precedence, any means of doing ministry becomes valid. The problem is what are we appealing to in those who are unsaved, with some gimmick approach in an effort to grow in numbers. It is extremely easy to appeal to the sinful nature of a non-Christian – VERY EASY!!! The tactics will almost always seem successful. But, is it true Christ-like growth? No. Unholy gimmicks do not produce holy people. The reality is this mentality of church growth goes beyond the normal wise decisions, and employs whatever means necessary to gain outward results. Instead, the church should follow God’s example in Matthew 28:19 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”.

   
   

   2. Unbiblical Standards (how ministry is evaluated) – The pastor is more like a CEO of a business than a shepherd of God’s flock. Growth of the church is based upon business techniques and the perceived needs of the people. The members are no longer serving and worshiping the real Lord Jesus Christ. The church is now entertainment for the members who are treated as consumers. As Spurgeon said, “If we add to our Churches by becoming worldly, by taking in persons who have never been born again; if we add to our Churches by accommodating the life of the Christian to the life of the worldling, our increase is worth nothing at all; it is a loss rather than a gain! If we add to our Churches by excitement, by making appeals to the passions rather than by explaining the truth of God to the understanding; if we add to our churches otherwise than by the power of the Spirit of God making men new creatures in Christ Jesus, the increase is of no worth whatever.“

   
   

   3. Wordly Accommodations (ministry mixed with the world instead of separate from it) – The socialization of the church with the world takes on an illegitimate role. It negates the clear Scriptural commands to be salt and light into the culture and preach the gospel. For example, people like Bono can be invited to and speak at Willow Creek’s Annual Leadership Conference (summer of 2006). Should Christians be reaching out and learning about leadership from the world? This unbiblical shift has adopted the term “missional” as its catch-phrase.

   
   

   The end result of embracing the Church-Growth Movement is quite obvious:

   Worldliness, Delusion, Compromise and Ecumenism (denominations finding common ground at the expense of truth). Unfortunately, more and more churches are embracing the various aspects of the Church-Growth Movement and this spells disaster for true gospel growth.

   

Initial Leaders and Pastors of the Church-Growth Movement

• • C. Peter Wagner, Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Robert Schuller, The Crystal Cathedral
  • Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Church

Popular Leaders or Groups of the Church-Growth Movement

• • Rick Warren, Saddleback Church (Here’s a review of Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Purpose Introductory Video)
  • Bob Buford, Leadership Network

For More Information on Church-Growth

Should a Church be Seeker Sensitive? Got Questions

Church Growth – Success at What Price? By Os Guinness, Ligonier

Straight Talk About the Seeker Church Movement John MacArthur & Phil Johnson, Grace To You

Seeker Friendly T. A. McMahon, The Berean Cal

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Word of Faith

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”

Table of Contents

→   Word of Faith Movement Overview
→   Word of Faith Movement Roots
→   Word of Faith Movement Teachings
→   Initial Leaders of the Word of Faith Movement
→   Recent Popular Leaders of the Word of Faith Movement
→   For More Information on the Word of Faith Movement
→   More False Movements in the Church

Word of Faith Movement Overview

The Word of Faith Movement, also known as the prosperity gospel, is an attempt to utilize God for personal benefit based upon supposed truths from the Bible. Followers of the Word of Faith Movement are taught they were created as little gods and are encouraged to speak their own desires out loud to God. In return, God is obligated to fulfill those desires, since their words literally manipulate the “faith-force.” In this movement, you may also hear things like “Name it and Claim it” or “Health and Wealth.”

Word of Faith Movement Roots

The Word of Faith Movement has its deepest roots in Pentecostalism, specifically both the Latter Rain Movement in Canada in 1948 (which greatly affected the Assemblies of God denomination) and the ministry/teachings of William Branham and E.W. Kenyon. In many ways, its basic philosophy is most easily defined as a “mind science” type cult. By “mind science” we mean it teaches there are universal laws which God has put into place. Those laws are useful to anyone who wishes to “tap” into them, and they are supposedly found in the teachings of the Bible. This allows the believer to “claim” the truths found in the Bible as their own and God is now obligated to carry them out. In one sense, through this belief, a person can place God in their debt because He is now subject to and committed to these supposed laws. But if the laws are not actually true and Biblical, then the person has actually committed idolatry!

Word of Faith Movement Teachings

Some of the specific false teachings in the Word-Faith Movement: Kingdom Now Theology, Manifest Sons of God, New Breed, Joel’s Army, Revelation Knowledge, Positive Confession, Name-It and Claim-It, Prosperity Theology, Adam as God Incarnate, and The Born-Again Jesus.

Initial Leaders of the Word of Faith Movement

William Branham, E.W. Kenyon, Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts

Recent Popular Leaders of the Word of Faith Movement

Morris Cerullo, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Paul & Jan Crouch, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, John Hagee, Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer, Mike Murdock, Frederick Price, R.W. Shambach

For More Information on the Word of Faith Movement

What is the Word of Faith movement? Is it biblical? Compelling Truth

Research: Word of Faith By Marsha West, Christian Research Network

Justin Peters: Clouds without water – False prophets Video

Spiritual Shipwreck of the Word-Faith Movement – Justin Peters Video

Exposing the Word of Faith Prosperity Gospel – Justin Peters Video

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Church Growth Movement

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”

Table of Contents

→   Spiritual Formations Overview
→   Spiritual Formations Roots
→   Spiritual Formations Teachings
→   Spiritual Formations Leadership
→   For More Information on Spiritual Formations
→   More False Movements in the Church

Spiritual Formations Overview

The term Spiritual Formation is used quite differently today than it was once intended for or the Scriptural use. Scriptural ideas such as sanctification, discipleship, prayer, and silence have taken on new meanings in many universities and seminaries under the heading of Spiritual Formations (also Spiritual Disciplines). Many churches and pastors have adopted the new meanings as well. They instead stress things such as: contemplative spirituality, contemplative prayer, centering prayer, visualization, cosmic christ, practicing the presence, sacred reading (lectio divina), entering the silence, prayer labyrinths, ancient wisdom, enneagrams, and automatic writing.

Spiritual Formations Roots

The beginnings of this modern day version of the movement actually started and grew with three popular authors:

• • Celebration of Discipline (1978) by Richard Foster
  • The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry (1981) by Henri Nouwen
  • The Spirit of the Disciplines: How God Changes Lives (1988) by Dallas Willard

Richard Foster is a Quaker and founded Renovare (renovare.org) in 1988. He studied at George Fox and Fuller Theological Seminary. Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was Professor of Philosophy at U.S.C. and a founding member of Renovare. Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Catholic priest and a prolific author. All of these men were ordained ministers and they each spoke widely at various universities, seminaries, churches, conferences.

Spiritual Formation Teachings

Spiritual growth and the sanctification of the saint according to the Scriptures is a real thing to be sought after. However, spiritual formation (under a broad category of “spiritual disciplines”) is quite different even though it might use Scriptural language (spiritual, discipleship, Biblical, prayer, silence, etc.) to convey its ideas. Our radar of precaution should be working when we see some of the following teachings in any setting: contemplative spirituality, contemplative prayer, centering prayer, visualization, cosmic christ, practicing the presence, sacred reading (lectio divina), entering the silence, prayer labyrinths, ancient wisdom, enneagrams, automatic writing, and other such practices. We should also take special note when the following teachers or books are brought before us:

• Ignatius of Loyola (Co-Founder of the Jesuits, leader in the counter-reformation), The Cloud of Unknowing, Madame Guyon (Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ), St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis DeSales, the desert fathers (catholicism), Thomas a Kempis, Bernard of Clairvaux, and others.

Spiritual Formations Leadership

Thomas Merton, Ruth Haley Barton, Eugene Peterson, John Ortberg, Larry Crabb, Brennan Manning, Sue Monk Kidd and others.

The promoters of spiritual formations are wide-spread. Universities and seminaries have institutionalized “spiritual formations” within their particular setting. And denominations, church pastors, and teachers have embraced for themselves and taught the spiritual formation ideas found in the books within their own setting as well. Unfortunately, it is very subtle and many teach spiritual formations without wanting you to know who they are or what they are doing.

For More Information on Spiritual Formations (Infiltration)

What is the Spiritual Formation Movement? Got Questions

The Dangers of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Disciplines – A Critique of Dallas Willard and The Spirit of the Disciplines By Bob DeWaay

Roots of the Spiritual Formation Movement By Gary Gilley Think on These Things Ministries

Solitude and Silence By Gary Gilley Think on These Things Ministries

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Church Growth Movement

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”

Table of Contents

→   Emergent Church Movement Overview
→   Emergent Church Movement Roots
→   Emergent Church Movement Teachings
→   Initial Leaders of the Emergent Church Movement
→   Recent Popular Leaders of the Emergent Church Movement
→   For More Information on the Emergent Church Movement
→   More False Movements in the Church

Emergent Church Movement Overview

The Emergent Church Movement gets its name from the idea that a new church should appear on the scene for a world that is “searching” and changing. The primary goal is to be relevant and sensitive to the culture, always engaged and listening. This results in an emphasis on subjective feelings rather than objective truth. “Absolute truths” are evidently the unpardonable sins in this movement. The Emergent Church is “missional” in its approach to ministry and at its out-set would probably have much rather had a small group meeting on a porch somewhere than find itself in a formal church setting.

Emergent Church Movement Roots

The Emergent Church Movement gets its name from the idea that a new church should emerge on the scene to address the needs of a world that is “searching.” The primary goal is to be relevant to that culture. It is somewhat diverse and, in some ways, a reaction to the techniques of the Church-Growth Movement. It is missional in its approach to ministry and at its out-set would probably have much rather had a small group meeting on a porch somewhere than find itself in a formal church setting.

The Emergent (Emerging) Church Movement started as a response to the church establishing the mentality of whatever works (pragmatism) and implementing it in their services. It was fairly quickly exposed, by those outside of it, as a new kind of post-modern liberalism – complete with a faulty emphasis on a kind of liberation/kingdom theology as advanced by men like Brian McLaren in “The Secret Message of Jesus.” The lack of influence has not slowed it’s popularity, even though it has purposely failed to “define” itself internally. Lack of definition, for the emergent, is a badge of honor. Clarity is, evidently, the unpardonable sin.

(It should be noted that “Emergent” is actually, also, an organization.)

Initial Leaders and Popular Teachers of the Emergent Church Movement

A list of those involved or associated with those in this movement either currently or historically would include:

N.T. Wright, Henri Nouwen, Erwin McManus (Mosaic Church), Donald Miller, Phyllis Tickle, Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren, Shane Clairborne, Tony Jones, Diana Butler Bass, Alan Jones, Carl McColman, Doug Pagitt, Jay Bakker, Richard Rohr, Leonard Sweet, Jim Wallis, Rob Bell, Dan Kimball, Spencer Burke

For More Information on the Emergent Church Movement

What is the Emerging/Emergent Church Movement? Got Questions

What’s So Dangerous About the Emerging Church? Phil Johnson and John Macarthur, Grace To You

Emergent Delusion: A Critique of Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy – By Bob DeWaay – Critical Issues Commentary

Hazards Unfolded by Emerging Church Leaders – Berean Beacon

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Church Growth Movement

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”

Table of Contents

→   New Apostolic Reformation Overview
→   New Apostolic Reformation Roots
→   New Apostolic Reformation Teachings
→   Initial Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation
→   Recent Popular Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation
→   For More Information on the New Apostolic Reformation
→   More False Movements in the Church

New Apostolic Reformation Overview

The main distinction of the New Apostolic Reformation is in the use and exaltation of those who supposedly receive new revelations from God. These “new apostles and prophets” supposedly have a fresh authority from God that they believe is Biblical. Those in the New Apostolic Reformation overemphasize spiritual warfare as well as have an inaccurate view that Christians are to establish dominion over society.

New Apostolic Reformation Roots

Peter Wagner, a common name in the Church-Growth Movement (CGM) and the Signs & Wonders Movement (S&W), was the initial leader of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Much of the bad theology and extra-biblical methodology of the CGM and S&W movements is present in the NAR. It has several elements of the Word-Faith Movement as well, especially in reference to the teachings on spiritual warfare. It emphasizes the authority of new apostles and prophets by establishing the “Kingdom of God” here on earth. By that we mean the “taking over” of all areas of life in this fallen evil world through various spiritual techniques – dominion theology.

The idea in dominion theology is that Christians are to take back dominion over the earth from the devil (with God’s help of course.) There are seven spheres of influence that are to be controlled in dominion theology: Education, Religion, Family, Business, Government/Military, Arts/Entertainment, and the Media.

But the Kingdom of God is neither a technique nor a “changing of the guard” mandate. It is a person, Jesus Christ the King, who has brought salvation to His people and will bring His Kingdom when He comes on the clouds of heaven at the end of this present evil age. The Kingdom of God is His present and personal reign over the lives of His own. His own believe Him and obey Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ is now the Sovereign Lord, at the right hand of God The Father. He is never any more or less in charge!

As for the church, it should obey Scriptural commands in relation to the spheres of influence. But there is no Biblical mandate to “take over” these spheres in their entirety in the fallen world. The church is to pray about all situations and maintain a clear conscience and witness in this evil age. This will be different for all situations. Humility, prayer, and steadfastness with a true and faithful witness to Jesus Christ is found when you seek God in prayer and in the Scripture!

Until His return, we preach the gospel, make disciples, and bear good fruits in accordance with the gospel. There are no overt apostolic commands in the Word like those in the dominion theology thinking found in the NAR. There is no mandate that says “the church has embraced this agenda and reached its appointed goal when these outward spheres of influence have been ‘conquered’ (so to speak) and we can safely say we have done our kingdom duty.”

Because this movement will impose itself upon churches and institutions, we can expect to experience its influence whether we like it or not. It can be quite militant.

Initial Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation

• • Peter Wagner
  • Chuck Pierce
  • Bob Jones
  • Cindy Jacobs
  • Mike Bickle
  • Rick Joyner
  • Lou Engle

Popular Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation

• • Bill Johnson
  • Brian Houston

For More on the New Apostolic Reformation

New Apostolic Reformation 101 Chris Rosebrough’s podcast interviewing Holly Pivec

-The book mentioned in this interview is A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement By R. Douglas Geivett & Holly Pivec

The New Apostolic Reformation: A Second Pentecost? By Orrel Steinkamp

The Six Hallmarks of a NAR Church Pirate Christian

What is the New Apostolic Reformation? Michelle Lesley

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Church Growth Movement

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”

Table of Contents

→   Signs & Wonders Movement Overview
→   Signs & Wonders Movement Roots
→   Signs & Wonders Movement Teachings
→   Initial Leaders of the Signs & Wonders Movement
→   Recent Popular Leaders of the Signs & Wonders Movement
→   For More Information on the Signs & Wonders Movement
→   More False Movements in the Church

Signs & Wonders Movement Overview

The Signs & Wonders Movement is also called the Third Wave Movement (meaning the Third Wave of the Holy Spirit). In this movement, it is all about the phenomena in what is called “power evangelism.” The emphasis is on miracles, healings, prophecies, and speaking in tongues rather than the message of the gospel. They teach that God speaks new prophecies apart from Scripture.

Signs & Wonders Movement Roots

The term “signs and wonders” has been used by a plethora of charismatic groups. But that which is labeled as the “Movement” (also called “The Third Wave of the Spirit”) was initiated by John Wimber, and C. Peter Wagner, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. John Wimber, ordained as a Quaker, was initially involved in the Calvary Chapel movement, but left for the Vineyard Churches. He was asked to teach at Fuller by C. Peter Wagner, Founding Director of the Department of Church Growth at Fuller. The class, MC510, “Signs and Wonders and Church Growth” was taught by them from 1982-1985. Wimber did world-wide seminars on the subject matter during the 80’s and 90’s. (I happened to attend one of his seminars in Columbus, Ohio and that is the reason I can confidently report below what they emphasized.) Wimber died in 1997 and C. Peter Wagner died in 2016.

Most people who have been born since 1980 probably don’t realize the lasting effect that the movement has had upon many churches and denominations. Some of the theology of the movement was addressed by many leaders within the church at the time and that theology was outwardly rejected by many. But it would seem many have changed course and even now embrace methodologies and emphases that were prominent in the movement.

Wimber embraced “inner-healing” type of teaching and prayers with an emphasis on the laying on of hands for physical healings. The worship and desire for God to “move” provided the basis of the “signs and wonders” so it was very much a phenomenon and experience-based movement. The keyboards, drums and guitar were very much a part of the experience of worship and “bringing” God into the present situation. Wimber was very much a seeker of signs and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and he set the stage for what we now see in many, many churches in terms of worship and “power” evangelism and “power” ministry/presence. Jack Deere became the leading theologian of the movement and still teaches his charismatic theology. It is probably no longer useful to call this a movement and yet its teachings, methodologies, and emphases continue to bear their influence in modern day evangelicalism. This is especially true in relation to gifts of the Spirit, the “presence” of the Spirit, and much modern worship.

Signs & Wonders Movement Teachings

There are three key things to look for in the Signs & Wonders Movement:

1. A shift of emphasis from believing and obeying God’s Word to experience-based phenomena.
2. A shift of emphasis from simply knowing God is present to a “power encounter” for healings and miracles.
3. A shift of emphasis from the sufficiency of the Word preached to “new and fresh prophecies.”

Initial Leaders of the Signs & Wonders Movement

• • C. Peter Wagner
  • John Wimber
  • Jack Deere

Popular Leaders of the Signs & Wonders Movement

The Signs and Wonders movement was institutionalized in Vineyard Churches, yet many other churches embraced it’s teachings and methodologies very quickly. With the death of John Wimber in 1997 and C. Peter Wagner turning his attention to the New Apostolic Reformation, the movement simply became ingrained, into a multitude of churches without the Signs & Wonders moniker.

For More Information on the Signs & Wonders Movement

What is the Third Wave Movement? Got Questions

The Third Wave By John MacArthur, Grace to You

The Vineyard Movement Part 1 By Gary Gilley, Think on These Things

The Vineyard Movement Part 2 By Gary Gilley, Think on These Things

Prophecy Redefined (A Response to John Piper) By John MacArthur

Also consider studying Wimber/Vineyards associations with the Kansas City Prophets

More False Movements in the Church

→ Overview of each of the following false movements

→ Church Growth Movement

→ Signs & Wonders Movement

→ New Apostolic Reformation

→ Emergent Church

→ Spiritual Formations “Infiltration”