The ambiance of some churches today is dark, filled with dazzling lights and dangerous superstar pastors
After WW2, churches departed from ornate design to simple architecture. It cost less and took faster to build. After all, the gilded age was associated with oppression. In the 1990s, Hillsong Music made concert halls the standard.
Churches today are often set in a dark AMBIANCE filled with dazzling lights.
Darkness descends on Christian churches
Churches that pack huge numbers are often set in a dark ambiance filled with dazzling lights. Some go overboard, and it’s almost like musical entertainment.
Gone is the “old world” of stained glass and artsy halls. Understandably, young people find those boring. Instead, more churches adopt a dark-themed ambiance.
To make it more appealing, they have preachers wearing signature clothes that match their huge homes. People are naturally drawn to this—well, “the world” is.
Church lights should remain open, especially during praise and worship, because we will worship God in heaven in broad daylight—not in darkness.
John 12:46
“I have come into the world as light so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
Church lights should remain open, especially during praise & worship.
False worship in dark churches
Today, we see more worship leaders push an emotional experience, a culture they grew up with when Hillsong effectively changed how we experience worship. We are moved by the melody, even if the lyrics are more about us than God.
In the USA, several of these “pitch-black worship” have false teachers who say little or none about repentance and sanctification. Some don’t even quote Bible verses. Instead, these superstar pastors preach “be yourself” rather than “die to self.”
We are moved by the melody, even if the lyrics are more about us than God.
HOW TO DISCERN A FALSE PREACHER?
The world has infected the church
John MacArthur, criticized for being old school, insists “the world” has infected the church and turned it “dark.” He said:
“Cut out the music. Turn on all the lights—normal lightbulbs, please. Have a man stand in front of them and preach the Word—Try and sell that.”
Have a man stand in front of them and preach the Word—Try and sell that.
Dark ambiance draws young crowds, but is it working to lead them to the true Jesus?
- Despite efforts to make worship appealing, church attendance declines in America.
- Woke churches and false preachers are gaining more followers than churches.
- Much of contemporary Christian music pays more attention to vocal affections and style than “worship substance.”
- Most Christian song lyrics today are about “blessings” than “worship.”
- Satan has infiltrated music.
Demonic spirits during worship?
I was a youth worship leader and have been to many “worship nights.” During a music retreat, I discerned a strong demonic manifestation. The person beside me saw visions of snakes crawling during the “high worship.” Most of those who attended were devoted Christians. Yet how can demonic entities be present?
Truth not feelings
As I grew in the faith, I began to see an “emotional setup” in many praises and worship events. Some people I knew would raise their hands, shouting Jesus!, but it seems to me it’s all feelings. Although they knew and sang praises to God, their repentance was not real because they still lived in sin.
The church is not for entertainment
Many love to sing praises to God because of what He gives them—not for who He is. Feelings have nothing to do with worship; the heart is deceitful.
We can have modern worship and equip the church with good sound and light technology, but the reason should have nothing to do with expanding members; the church is not meant to entertain. The church will grow when God’s people are faithful.
An “emotional setup” rather than true worship.
A higher form of worship
In 2008, a worship leader had cancer. He composed a song about how God would heal him, and his performances packed the church. However, it was all a show. He later confessed he faked his cancer to cover his struggle with porn.
The point is God calls us to a higher form of worship which has nothing to do with the ambiance or how excellent or emotional our praise and worship are. Remember, music is Lucifer’s turf. He uses it to draw young people to cheap grace and turn them into lukewarm Christians.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Amen! So very true! Churches have become theaters and concert hall without worship! May God have mercy on those who have turned worship into stardom!
You lost me on the demon nonsense.