How the Church Growth Movement Infiltrated John Macarthur's Grace Community Church

In his January 2005 “State of the Church” sermon, John Macarthur stated regarding GCC: “It is not in particular danger from some infiltrating heresy…everything you can see on the surface looks to be good.” Was John Macarthur telling the truth in that sermon?

Several Christians living in the Los Angeles area are aware that the church growth movement has infiltrated GCC. They have seen the evidence. But these Christians are divided in opinion as to whether this infiltration has the approval of John Macarthur. Does John Macarthur approve of this infiltration? Or has his church just gotten too big for him to exercise proper pastoral oversight? (I was once told by John Macarthur’s secretary that his own church members couldn’t make an appointment to speak with him. He didn’t have the time.)

Has the church growth movement infiltrated GCC by “men who have crept in unawares?” Or has the CGM been brought in with the approval of one or more members of the GCC elder board?

GCC is governed by a board of elders. Mr. Rob Iverson is the Chairman of the GCC elder board. Not only is Mr. Iverson a Director of the church growth org, Leadership Resources International, but as of 3 years ago, Mr. Iverson was the elder who oversaw the Purpose Driven Foundry ministry and Mr. Iverson is currently the President and Chairman of the Board of TMAI. Furthermore, as already shown, Kurt Gebhards, The Foundry pastor, stated proudly in his online resume that on three occasions he had been asked by GCC leaders to enter ministries at GCC to be a vision casting "agent of change."

When the Foundry and Guild were exposed 3 years ago as being Purpose Driven, their websites were changed, but their pastors, Tom Patton and Kurt Gebhards, weren’t kicked out of the church. Instead, they have both been promoted.

Very often whoever pays the piper calls the tunes. The Believers Foundation finances church growth orgs (like Biblical Ministries Worldwide). In a recent calendar year, The Believers Foundation disbursed nearly $3,000,000 to ministries under the GCC umbrella. From 2002-2007, The Believers Foundation disbursed approximately $12,000,000 to ministries under the GCC umbrella. Two men who were officers of The Believers Foundation as of 2007, Ken Fuller and David Wismer, also sit on the board of TMAI. David Wismer is the treasurer of TMAI. (D Wismer is no longer an officer of the Believers Foundation.)

Pastors at GCC will emphasize that John Macarthur “has taken a strong stance against the church growth movement.” Is this true? John Macarthur has advocated the use of “ice-breakers” exercises. He has also advocated dialectic-type rules for Bible studies. This can be seen in his book, “Saved Without A Doubt.” On pp.155-157, under the heading “Personal and Group Study Guide,” ice-breaker exercises are advocated. As stated earlier, ice-breakers are to change ones thinking mode from facts-based to feelings-based in order to further the dialectic process. These ice-breaker exercises play into Satan's hand; as he wants Christians to approach a study of God’s Word with feelings.

It says on p. 156 of “Saved Without A Doubt”: “Pray for each group member, asking the Lord to help you create an open atmosphere where everyone will feel free to share with one another and you.” Advocating the creation of an open atmosphere is also a condition for the dialectic process. An open atmosphere, where everyone feels free to share, is not a component of a didactic Bible study. An open atmosphere implies one in which standards are set aside so that everyone will feel free to experience new things together.

In these group study guidelines, John Macarthur goes on to encourage the use of multiple Bible versions “for the purposes of comparison.” This is what Rick Warren and the PDC's also advocate. Multiple Bible versions tempt group members to compromise the Word of God. Are Christians to find the true meaning of God’s Word by comparing translations and reaching consensus? Or by comparing translations with the Greek Textus Receptus? John Macarthur also encourages everyone's involvement (necessary for TQM), “sharing oneself,” and “arranging chairs in a circle or semicircle” for “dynamic discussion.” These are required for dialectic sessions. In this book, John Macarthur has given rules for group Bible studies which resemble the rules for a group dialectic process.

John Macarthur preaches with Greg Laurie, a supporter of the Purpose Driven Movement

In November 2008, John Macarthur participated in a “Conference for Pastors and Leaders” at Greg Laurie’s church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Two former Presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), UN-NGO, also spoke at this conference.

John Macarthur’s host, Greg Laurie, who sits on the board of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, is a big supporter of the Purpose Driven movement. Greg Laurie believes the Purpose Driven movement is of God.  Click here to see a picture of Laurie sitting with Rick Warren at his Harvest Crusade.

In a May 2008 letter to pastors and leaders, Laurie talks about his upcoming crusade in New York City, stating, “God is on the move.” He then states, “this move is also seen in the formation of the New York City Leadership group. Under their direction, a community-wide 40 Days of Purpose campaign with Pastor Rick Warren has been launched, and the significant services of Bill Hybels' Leadership Summit conferences are also being organized to strengthen the local church.”112.

Greg Laurie is sponsoring, through financial support, The New York City Leadership Center’s Sept. 2008 “Launch Event.” Scroll down to the bottom of the page here and read the two listed “Event Sponsors.” On The New York City Leadership Center’s website, their “Leadership Team” members are listed. Among those listed are Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Bob Buford, Ken Blanchard and Frances Hesselbein, the Chairman of the Leader to Leader Institute (Warren’s name has recently been removed). These team members are church growth kingpins and yet Laurie states that the organization they lead, The New York City Leadership Center, has been formed as a “move of God,” and Laurie approves of the 40 Days of Purpose campaign which these leaders will direct.

How can John Macarthur’s pastors claim that he has taken a strong stance against the church growth movement when he preaches with and fellowships with and endorses those who advocate this movement? John Macarthur “has taken a strong stance against the CGM” as it enters GCC along with men from the Southern Baptist Convention (UN-NGO).

Chuck Smith also spoke with John Macarthur at Greg Laurie’s conference. A Calvary Chapel head pastor once told me that Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie’s pastor and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, considered Peter Drucker to be his good friend and a fellow Christian! This pastor told me that Smith met with Drucker to discuss matters concerning “the transitioning of his church.” I was able to confirm with Smith’s secretary that, indeed, Smith and Drucker had met for lunch. If he sought Drucker’s counsel, then Chuck Smith was seeking the counsel of an occultist, a humanist, and a globalist whose objective was to destroy Christianity.

A true Christian enters the straight gate and stays on the narrow path. Does God’s narrow path lead to communion with church growth advocates at Greg Laurie’s church? John Macarthur is on the wide ecumenical road that leads to destruction.