Why I Left Seeker-Sensitive Churches

I visited a Protestant church for the first time when I was 23. Having been reared by a fiercely devout Catholic mother, I could not attend religious activities unaffiliated with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). But in college, a friend invited me to an on-campus ministry that introduced me to the Protestant faith. This ministry led me to believe the gospel, become a Christian, and leave the Roman Catholic Church.

One of my first challenges in leaving the RCC was choosing a new denomination. I quickly learned of the many Protestant denominations and didn’t know how to pick the right one. I tried looking up the differences between these denominations, but it involved words and doctrines I did not understand.

Since I had no one to advise me, I continued researching online and discovered non-denominational churches. These churches are not part of mainstream denominations and seemed a perfect fit for me. So, I visited many non-denominational churches to find a new home church. I was unaware that these types of churches are typically seeker-sensitive.

Seeker-sensitive churches are specifically designed to attract unbelievers exploring the faith. Their chief aim is to create a welcoming and non-intimidating environment so that these seekers can attend church and become Christians.

The seeker-sensitive church movement traces its roots back to Bill Hybels in 1945. Hybels surveyed his neighbors to understand why they didn’t attend church and used the feedback to start Willow Creek Church. It eventually became one of the largest churches in America.

Thrilled by Hybel’s success, many pastors adopted Hybels’s tactics, with Rick Warren being the most prominent. Warren also conducted a similar survey and founded Saddleback Church from the results. Then he wrote Purpose Driven Church, explaining this church planting method. Many pastors worldwide have read and applied it.

I attended this type of church for four years. I had some disagreements with them, but I couldn’t tell if these were against the Bible or just matters of personal taste because I didn’t know my Bible well enough. But as I grew in my knowledge of Scripture, I realized that seeker churches are indeed unbiblical. And here are seven reasons I left them.

Seeker-sensitive churches focus on pleasing men instead of God. After all, they came into existence by asking men their preferences. This is not the right way to design a church. The local church exists to glorify God, not gratify the desires of men. Therefore, pastors and leaders should not survey men but search the Scriptures to learn God’s design for His church. Every element of the church service, from the preaching to our fellowship, is centered on one truth: God’s glory. Unfortunately, seeker-sensitive churches compromise these elements in a vain effort to please men.

Preaching was my most significant frustration during my stay in seeker-sensitive churches. That is because sermons in these churches are usually feel-good, man-centered, motivational messages. Scripture is a topping, not the base ingredient of the sermon. And half of the time, the Scriptures don’t fit and must be twisted so the minister can make them about us. This is a significant problem because, though the Bible was written for us, it is not about us. It is about Christ Jesus, and all sermons should point to Him (John 5:35). A minister’s job is to preach Christ and preach Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2).

Sermons in seeker-sensitive churches almost always come in topical series, bringing forth two problems. First, the sermons are not expository; they do not expose the text’s full meaning. Second, the pastors only preach a tiny percentage of the Bible, usually the feel-good passages of Scripture. Ministers must declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). They must not shrink from addressing unpopular topics such as sin, repentance, hell, and God’s wrath. And when they preach God’s Word, they must expound its truth verse by verse, line by line, and precept by precept.

Seeker-sensitive churches don’t have worship services; they have a worship experience. Boring old worship service is fit for grandma, but a worship experience is hip, fun, and relevant. In a worship service, you participate, but in a worship experience, you feel. The singing portion of worship is when this distinction stands out the most.

The music in seeker-sensitive churches often features contemporary songs with weak theology and narcissistic lyrics. The song selection primarily comes from artists like Hillsong, Bethel Music, and Elevation Worship. And these artists are well known for crafting music that appeals to our emotions and disengages the mind (1 Cor 14:15).

Moreover, the singing happens in what I can only characterize as a mini-concert. There are dimmed lights, loud music, multiple singers, and an excited crowd jumping up and down with hands held high. The church shouldn’t use music to make the worship service sensational and emotional for the congregation. We sing to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name and to worship Him in the splendor of His holiness (Ps. 29:2)

Seeker-sensitive churches don’t believe God’s Word suffices to draw the lost. They falsely assume that seekers—though Scripture says no one seeks God (Rom 3:11)—will only come to church if we make a spectacle out of it. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). We hear Jesus’s voice through His Word; hence, God’s Word is enough to call His sheep. Turning the local church into a show with concerts, skits, and sensual sermons will only attract and entertain the goats.

Seeker-sensitive churches believe the church should cater to unbelievers. Rick Warren said, “You need to understand upfront that this church was not designed for you. It is geared toward reaching the unchurched who do not attend anywhere.” But as I have said in this article “Who is the Church For” the church exists to worship and glorify God. It is for those who can understand and apply Scripture, fellowship with God and His children, partake of the Lord’s Supper, and pray according to God’s will. The local church is for believers.

Most seeker-sensitive churches also teach unbiblical doctrines. The most common ones are the prosperity gospel, word of faith, and hearing God’s voice outside of Scripture. And if the pastors are not false teachers, they partner with them against the Scriptural command (2 John 10). Furthermore, seeker-sensitive churches go against Scripture by permitting women to preach.

The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing—than hinting to the Church that part of her mission is to provide entertainment for the people with a view to winning them into her ranks. The evil nature which lies in every heart, has risen to catch the bait. Here, now, is an opportunity of gratifying the flesh—and yet retaining a comfortable conscience. We can now please ourselves, in order to do good to others. The rough old cross can be exchanged for a “costume,” and the exchange can be made with the benevolent purpose of elevating the people. All this is terribly sad, and the more so because truly gracious souls are being led away by the specious pretext, that amusements are a form of Christian work.

Archibald G. Brown.

In conclusion, I left Seeker-sensitive churches because they are unbiblical. God graciously allowed me to see the truth about them and walk away.