"You can have a 'successful' church without loving God or People." - Francis Chan
"Successful" meaning large, growing and popular.
Is this true? If so, how so? If not, how not?
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Of course it’s possible. Well, depending on how you look at it. I attended (and was involved) in a large church they loved people but the loving of people was inward focused. Other Christians not non-believers. One of the reasons we left.
Comment by PPL - Jun 25, 2009 @ 09:02 AM
In general I believe the heart of what he is saying. Obviously you can’t have a successful church without loving God or people, unless you define success in some way that isn’t Biblical. I think that’s what Francis is getting at.
I also don’t think he’s talking about the complete absence of love in a successful church. He’s talking about a few of the ways in which love is lived out, that are absent.
Comment by Nick Blevins - Jun 25, 2009 @ 04:28 PM
It’s true. Anyone can get people to go anywhere with some charisma and flare. What’s important is what the heart is focused on when it comes to people going to churches. If it’s not glorifying to the Lord or if it does not honor the Lord, then it’s useless.
Comment by Alex - Jun 29, 2009 @ 08:19 PM