MEGA-CHURCHES AND THE CHURCH GROWTH MOVEMENT The mindset of pastors was transformed from seminaries on down through Bible colleges, denominations, and then to organizations. The whole definition of success with the Church Growth Movement has nothing to do with spiritual growth because that only comes from preaching the whole Word of God. The last thing Jesus said was not, “Add a bunch of believers so you can crank the numbers for a big sanctuary?” Instead, He said to go into the world and make “discipled leaners” (in the Greek) of God’s Word. So the #1 focus is supposed to be on the spiritual growth of Christians, which is preaching the entire Word of God. That will make tons of evangelizers. Instead, the Church Growth Movement’s mantra for 25 years has been, “It’s all about numbers.” Frankly, I think it’s aiding in apostate behavior. They pursue successful growth at the cost of avoiding Bible prophecy, the wrath of God, backsliding, and Hell? Those are all in the Bible. Pursuing the numbers is preaching fluff and avoiding discipleship, which is God’s truth. Bible prophecy warns us that this will happen. Paul said this in Timothy: The Church in the last days will gather teachers around themselves, who will "tickle their ears” so that the Church turns away from truth and aside to “myths." In the Greek those mean "pleasant things" and "stories made up." That’s the the Church Growth Movement model. And maybe it’s because they’re not equipped, but we can't leave it there. We should respectfully request that our shepherds teach all of the Bible. If your pastor refuses to teach the whole counsel of God, you need to fire him and get a shepherd who truly loves you. A shepherd is supposed to feed the flock all of God’s Word. “It takes a whole Bible to make a whole Christian (Magee)"