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TEMPE, Ariz. — A group in Arizona that identifies itself as being under the banner of Reformed Christianity recently raised funds for a church plant in Hawaii by offering tattoos and hosting a Bible conference featuring a beer flight. Apologia Studios, led by Marcus Pittman, which is a part of Apologia Church, led by Jeff…
I saw the above noted article on one of my Facebook feeds. I read through the entire article and was quite honestly not shocked at the content. While this group identifies themselves as Reformed Christians, I think they are not exactly practicing sound Christian doctrine. They use tattoos and beer flights as a means to add to their attendance roles rather than preach the true message of the Gospel. They are, what I would call, a ‘feel good church.’
They message does not prepare the body for what is to come but rather it is a message of ‘everything is fine, kumbaya and thanks for coming.’ It’s quite sad, really. There are more and more pastors who are afraid to preach the message of the Gospel and, more importantly, the Book of Revelation. Jesus said it best when He spoke of the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-17 (KJV):
“I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayes, I am rich, and increased with good, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked.”
What better way to get the young people interested in a church and, more importantly, giving them their money than by offering tattoos and beer flights? I think if I wasn’t as discerning as I am now, I would probably be keen on something like this. Wow, I can go to church, get a tattoo and drink booze?! Where do I sign?!
If, as a pastor, you could preach a message that only spoke of how wonderful the world is and how wonderful God is (don’t get me wrong; God is awesome!), you could pack the seats every Sunday. Look at the churches of Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and Jesse Duplantis. They are filling places the size of football stadiums. They are preaching the ‘Name it and Claim it’ gospel. Unfortunately, I don’t see that anywhere in the Bible.
If the pastor of your church preaches this gospel, then run away and find a church that is teaching the lessons that are found in the Bible, especially in the letters and epistles written by Paul as well as the Book of Revelation.
There are dark times ahead and the church needs to be prepared. If pastors are not teaching us how to be spiritually prepared, then who will?
Source: Tattoos for Jesus? Group Raises Funds for ‘Church Plant’ by Tattooing Members, Sampling Booze