John Macarthur's The Master's Academy International (TMAI) Leader's Transformational Language
I’ve taken a close look at the TMAI leadership and their church growth backgrounds and connections. TMAI has 16 training centers. They are all in foreign countries. I was able to
attend a small group session at the Guild and experience an ice-breaker exercise at the Foundry. I’m unable to attend a TMAI training center. Nevertheless, the presence of the church growth movement can be detected by its transformational language.
Because the GCC membership is more biblically savvy than, let’s say, the Saddleback membership, Satan’s agents (change agents) working within the GCC walls must, therefore, be more subtle in their use of transformational language. For example, Grace Church change agents probably can’t, at this time, use terms like “facilitator” or “paradigm shift” or other terms that might be common at Saddleback or at other church growth orgs. Language employed at the
Center for Church Based Training or at World Partners USA couldn’t be used at TMAI. Language used at Leadership Resources International or TOPIC can’t be used at TMAI; for to
use this more blatant language now would risk waking up the sleeping Grace Church congregation. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD
God had made.” Genesis 3:1.
TMAI has 16 centers worldwide dedicated to the training of local church pastor/leaders. In the TMAI “Overview” under the headline, “The Right Vision,” is the statement, “Training Indigenous Church Leaders.” The TMAI centers are staffed by graduates of The Master’s Seminary. The centers have established partnerships with local churches that send some of their congregants to the local TMAI center for training. The centers have also established partnerships with churches in the US. These US churches have also sent their leaders to TMAI centers to assist with the local pastoral training.
In the TMAI “Overview” under the headline, “The Right Strategy,” TMAI explains the urgent need to train church leaders: “Presently among the nations approximately 4,000 new churches are born each week. That number is projected to reach 12,000 per week, within three years. Well trained leaders are drastically needed in order to establish these new churches in the Word of God.” (I have seen similar projections on other church growth sites).
John Macarthur preaches the sovereignty of God with regard to the salvation of the elect. Yet, in putting forth church growth statistics to justify the urgent need for worldwide leadership training programs, the TMAI leadership is clearly embracing an unbiblical, Arminian theology as must all church growth leaders. For if God is sovereign, as John Macarthur preaches, and if men come to Christ only by God’s sovereign will, as John Macarthur preaches, then how could the TMAI leadership possibly project that God will quicken enough dead men 3 years from now at a rate sufficient to fill 12,000 churches per week? “For who hath known the mind of the Lord?” Romans 11: 34
TMAI projects that within 3 years (perhaps by 2010) there will be a drastic increase in the number of new churches “born” each week with the implication that these new churches will be filled with new Christian converts. But their church growth vision is clearly refuted by the Bible which states that in the last days, and preceding the coming of Christ and the rise of anti-Christ, there will be a “falling away” or apostasy (2 Thess. 2:3). In fact, the explosion of church growth orgs and the infiltration of their subversive transformational leadership into nearly all the churches in the last 20 years is solid proof of the “falling away” foretold in Bible prophecy.
Church growth leaders have cast their transformational visions which project the need for a drastic increase in church plants. Why? Planting churches is the “P” in R Warren’s global PEACE plan. According to the plan, the poor can’t be aided, nor can the sick be healed, nor can water wells be dug, nor can educational goals and business interests be met without first planting churches.
It could be true that in 3 years, 12,000 churches will be planted worldwide per week. And these churches may have many members. But how many in their membership will be true converts? How many of their membership will have ever even heard the true gospel? If the churches planted are all in the process of becoming “healthy” with their membership all participating in facilitated small groups and teams, then any true convert, being resistant to this PEACE plan process will either leave or will be kicked out. As time goes on, these “healthy” church plants will have no true Christians in their membership.
One way to know if the transformation process has infiltrated an organization is if its leadership is using transformational language. Is there more evidence that the TMAI leadership is employing this transformational language? In the TMAI literature there is little, if any, mention of the need for repentance, forgiveness of sins, picking up your cross, etc., but many references to the need for transformation and change. Allow me to give, in no particular order, some examples of this language from their website.
TMAI publishes a small, 4 page long, monthly newsletter. The headline of the TMAI newsletter (3/07) reads, “Transforming Africa.” The first sentence asks, “How do you transform a continent?”
The TMAI newsletter (7/06) says that Pastor Len Crowley went to speak at the first-ever TMAI Croatian Pastor’s Conference. The first 3 sentences of the article: “Courage. What does it produce in the life of the believer? What kinds of transformation can it bring to a church?” During his speech Pastor Crowley said, “We want to train expositors so that we can see a transformation in the pulpits of Croatia.” The article goes on to say, “This isn’t just transformation for transformation sake, either. By making an impact on the pulpits, Crowley and the rest of the TBA team are looking to transform congregations.”
The TMAI newsletter (9/06) talks about the Impact Bible Conference in New Zealand. The first sentence states, “What can you say about the 2006 Impact Bible Conference that isn’t summed up by the phrase printed across the front of its guide booklet? It reads, ‘Transforming Lives with Truth,’ and that’s precisely what took place last month.”
In the TMAI newsletter (9/05), the first sentence of the opening article reads, “For 4 days in August, the neighborhood that serves as home to the Shepherd’s Bible College was transformed as church leaders from across New Zealand and parts of Australia flocked to the 2005 Impact Bible Conference.” All the TMAI centers have pastors’ conferences at least annually as does GCC. These conferences are interdenominational. They give diversity an opportunity to come together, build relationships, and unify. Men can be transformed as they learn to set aside their differences, find common ground and reach consensus.
Regarding these TMAI conferences, the TMAI newsletter (5/07) states, “In essence, the conferences generate momentum. They build relationships and lay the groundwork for a broader scope and a new level of cooperation. They glorify God by bearing powerful witness to the power of His Word to transform churches…and to transform lives.” Are churches and lives being transformed by the “power of His Word”, or are churches and lives being transformed by the wiles of change agents facilitating “relationship building” and “new levels of cooperation?”
The first TMAI newsletter (4/05) under the title, “The Right Results,” is the subtitle, “Transformed Lives and Churches.” In the article under the subtitle it states, “Consider the results in the life of a transformed individual.” The article goes on to explained how a woman has been “transformed by the Lord.” One pastor in the TMAI Samara (Russia) said that “the training…has completely transformed me as a preacher.” (7/05) “…they believe in the power of Scripture to transform lives and save souls.” (9/05) And “to know God’s transforming Grace.”
Mr. Jay Letey, the Executive Director of TMAI until Jan 2008, often talked about change. He wrote a very brief article for each newsletter. The following are several quotes he’s made. “Together, we’re fostering the kinds of deep changes that reshape families and communities for generations. We’re helping create changes that extend into eternity.” (9/06) “Your sacrifices are shaping churches and changing communities around the world.” (8/06) “[Numbers] are a yardstick we use to measure our steps toward our ultimate goal, which is to see God change lives.” (9/06) “[After your pastor says something that really pierces your heart] Slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) you begin to change. Like clay on the potter’s wheel, you take on a new shape.” (9/06) “Those kinds of changes are our goal.” “Thanks to friends like you, we’re changing lives.” (9/06) “They are prepared to Shepherd God’s flock—to lead believing men and women toward the kind of change we all crave when we go to church.” (9/06) “And that’s what we’re after—changed lives by exposure to sound systematic Bible teaching.” (9/06) “…turning that support into powerful, life changing ministry…” (7/05) “We (at TMAI) know that the only avenue to true change in people’s lives is to expose them to solid biblical teaching.” (9/06) (Notice that solid biblical teaching doesn’t result in saved souls or repentance, but “true change.”)
The following are random quotes taken from the TMAI website regarding some of their references to change. “How long does it take to change a person’s life? An hour? A day? How long to change 300 lives? If what happened in May at the Pastors’ Conference in Ukraine is any indication, even sweeping change like that can happen in an instant.” (7/06) (If those attending this conference were already Christian pastors, then how did they change “in an instant?”) “…and that attention is planting the seeds of change in both nations.” (6/06) (Not planting the gospel, but “seeds of change.”) “That’s the power of the right message—the power to shape churches and change lives.” (7/06) “If you want to change Africa, change the pulpits.” (11/05) (Get the true preachers out and the transformational preachers in?) “But the schools impact is anything but small. Measured by changed lives, its impact is immeasurable.” (11/05) “But one thing is certain. Lives will be changed and communities will be bolstered in Krasnodar because churches will grow there.” (4/06) “The results are palpable. You can see it in the changed lives of the people in the churches.” (12/05). “You’re giving us the ultimate gift by helping us change lives.” (12/05) “3-day conference in Samara changes lives, ministries.” (8/05) “…listen to the heart of a ‘changed pastor.’” (4/05) “You can see it in the changed lives of the people.” (12/05) “Your year-end gift can change lives.” (12/05) “A team from Coast Community Church in So. Cal….there to change lives.” (12/06) “My life was totally changed.” (3/07) “each one demonstrating the life changing power of God’s work.” (3/07) “in churches…lives are being changed for the glory of God.” (10/07)
From these quotes listed above, one can see that the TMAI leaders want to transform or change the following: lives, pastors, pulpits, families, ministries, congregations, communities, nations and continents.
Do TMAI leaders also have transformational visions and are they casting visions? The following quotes are from Mr. Letey: “I saw church leaders catch the Master’s Academy vision.” (3/06) “To me, little is as exciting as when a church body here in the US catches our vision for God’s church around the world.” (8/06) “The conference…provided us with a platform to share our vision with hundreds of pastors and church leaders.” (3/06) “The country’s Baptist Union is enthusiastic to promote the same vision as we are trying to accomplish…” (10/06) “We want you to make one of these training centers an extension of your church’s missions outreach. That is our vision.” (3/06)
Are other leaders at TMAI using this language? The first headline of the first TMAI newsletter, April 2005, is “The Right Vision.” The article under the subtitle, “Historic Gathering,” states, “For the first time in TMAI history…representatives from all the training centers gathered…for 2 days of meetings...exciting reports were given by each training center as they shared their approach to fulfilling the common vision of training church leaders…” The first TMAI newsletter has a headline which reads, “Your vision and strategy—participating in training church leaders worldwide.” “We think locally, then expand that vision around the globe.” (2/06) “Central Baptist Church (TMAI partner), has helped spearhead the institute’s vision country wide.” (1/06) A pastor who visited a TMAI center to teach reflected on his experience: “It definitely renewed and deepened a vision for me…” (4/06) Regarding one TMAI team, “Their vision, meanwhile, remains the greatest source of encouragement to everyone who hears it…” (6/06) “They reflect the academic and theological unity he has always envisioned for Academy [TMAI] sponsored schools.” (6/06) The leaders of the German TMAI center “are fulfilling a vision for their homeland.” “The Pastoral Training Institute (PTI) of Pune, India is the fulfillment of Pastor Chris Williams’ vision.” “PTI’s vision is to strengthen the church in India by equipping hundreds of men who are committed to ministry as pastors and church planters.” “…the dream and vision for the founding of the TBA (TMAI Croatia) in our territory became an historical reality…” Regarding the TMAI training process, “In order to fulfill our vision…the training must be reproducible in others.” “…it is our prayer and vision.” “Christian’s (the last name of a leader in TMAI Germany) vision for Europe, her pastors, and her people was exemplary.” “The hunger for the word is growing tremendously here,” Andreson says. “The vision is for the extension to last…” (11/07) “They have a real vision for reaching the German speaking people.” (1/07) “…it also helps…create a world-wide vision back home.” (1/07) “Biedebach’s (missionary partnering with TMAI-South Africa) vision is to settle in the Malawi capitol…” (6/07) TMAI missionaries “after spending a week overseas as a guest teacher, return with a deeper vision and a greater sense of worldwide outreach.” (10/07)
Is John Macarthur also using this language? On Feb. 27, 2006, representatives from all the TMAI centers gathered in a room for a symposium at GCC. John Macarthur addressed the group: “To see this expand is a great thing,” Macarthur said. “To see you reproducing (the biblical model for the church) for another generation is a great thing…I want to make sure we continue to be committed to this vision you’re living out for us, and that it grows and flourishes and expands.” Macarthur is using the church growth terms “vision” and “reproducing.” It looks like the person who wrote this newsletter account edited Macarthur’s speech by qualifying “reproducing” as “the biblical model for the church.” If Macarthur had said “the biblical model for the church,” then it wouldn’t have been placed in parentheses.
I know a Christian who attended Grace Church for years. He told me, though he could be wrong, that he has never heard Macarthur use terms like “vision” and “reproducing” from his pulpit. Does Macarthur employ traditional, biblical language when preaching to his congregation and then use transformational language when talking to the TMAI leaders? Are the TMAI leaders obeying Jesus Christ or are they “living out” the GCC leader’s “vision” as Macarthur said?
An excerpt from John Macarthur’s book, “The Truth War,” does show that Macarthur uses “health” language as well: “…we need to notice carefully that a polemic defense of the faith by no means guarantees a healthy church, much less a healthy individual Christian.” Quoting further from this 3 paragraph excerpt: “Churches have a clear duty to guard the faith against false teachers who infiltrate,” says John Macarthur.
The excerpt goes on to say, “Truth is under heavy attack, and there are too few courageous warriors who are willing to fight. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, believers from this generation will not be able to justify their apathy by complaining that the strife of conflict over truth just seemed ‘too negative’ for the kind of culture we lived in—or that the issues were ‘merely doctrinal’ and therefore not worth the effort.” I fully agree. I’ve experienced the “strife of conflict” for attempting to tell the truth to Macarthur’s pastors at GCC.
Macarthur also said, “Remember, Christ rebuked the churches in Rev 2-3 who had tolerated false teachers in their midst (2:14; 20-23). He expressly commended the Ephesian church for examining the claims of certain false apostles and exposing them as liars.” Macarthur’s truthful statement here shows that he will be rebuked by Christ for tolerating several false teachers in his church. I know from experience that one will be called a liar by Macarthur’s pastors if one dares expose truths that they would rather have kept hidden.
John Macarthur offers a 4-part series called “The Character of a Healthy Church” which has been taken from his sermons. He states in this series that “a healthy church will be healthy internally and healthy in regard to its witness.” Christians “are to be healthy in faith.” “…so a healthy church with healthy Christians is going to have a witness in the world.” I’m not saying this series is biblical or unbiblical. What I find concerning is his use and promotion of “health” language.
Not long ago, John Macarthur wrote a book titled “The Book on Leadership” (2004). Today, the world (change agents, facilitators, Marxists, Fascists, Communitarians, church growth leaders) is busy talking about leaders and leadership. And if the church is supposed to be set apart from the world, then why is John Macarthur also talking about leadership?
In the 12/06 TMAI newsletter, Jay Letey said, “By helping establish churches that are committed to proclaiming God’s Word, we are carrying on the mission Christ gave us when he said, ‘Make disciples of all nations.’” There is some dispute as to whether Jesus Christ said “make disciples of all nations” (NASB) or “teach all nations” (KJV). Nevertheless, church growth orgs love this verse in the modern versions because it allows them to justify “discipleship making” which means “leadership development.” Church growth churches are also called “disciplemaking churches.” The commission in modern Bible versions “to make disciples” allows church growth leaders to justify all their church plants and their training and mentoring programs. Here’s an example from TMAI: “Pray for the National Expositors Conference on Jan. 8-12, 2007 sponsored by the Pastoral Training Institute (TMAI India). The theme of the conference is “The Pastor as Disciple Maker. (2 Tim 2:2).”
I’ve shown numerous quotes from TMAI leaders related to change, transformation, and visions. Is there evidence of more transformational language in the TMAI literature? Regarding TMAI’s efforts in Mexico to create partnerships, the TMAI newsletter says, “According to Rob Iverson, President of The Master’s Academy, synergy is the key.” (11/05)
Synergy is a word used in TQM and in church growth. One of Saddleback Church’s pastors is Eric Rees. He wrote an article called “Seven Principles of Transformational Leadership—Creating a Synergy of Energy.” In that article posted on R Warren’s website, Rees claims that Peter Drucker in “The Age of Transformation” called for a critical mass of transformational leaders who will commit to creating a “synergy of energy.”
There is an Islamic website that is entitled: “Leadership in Perspective—What I Understand about Leadership Principles in the Light of Islam.” The title of the opening article on the website is “Seven Principles of Transformational Leadership.” Under this title is the subtitle, “Creating a Synergy of Energy.” The article has a section called “Principles of facilitation” in which they discuss “transformational leaders.” In the section, “Principles of Preparation,” Rick Warren is quoted: “Leaders are learners.” The first sentence of the first part, “Principle of Simplification,” states, “Successful leadership begins with a vision.” The article mentions a “visionary leader among Da’is” named Khurram Murad. The article talks about unified team members “impacting their local mosque, their community, their nation and the world.” In another section of the website they discuss the need for “modeling,” a new paradigm, transformational term frequently used in church growth. But who is their model? Jesus Christ? A local pastor? No, it is Muhammad, “who was commanded by Allah to lead by example.” This website says that “synergy means 2+2=5. Together you can accomplish great things.” The website mentions Islamics by name who “must establish common ground.” The website says, “Retreats, seminars, conferences are great for sharing common experiences and discovering more about people under your leadership.” The Islamic leader must also be “transparent and accountable.” AbuBakr Korolia wrote an article about leadership which asks, “What constitutes a leader in Islam?” And the answer: “Leadership involves individual and collective transformation.” He further states, “The process of individual transformation…has potential for leadership quality when an individual gains knowledge of the Qur’an and lives according to the way of the prophet of Islam.” According to this site, Muslims are also lacking in leadership and they are praying to Allah to fill these leadership positions. This site also quotes from John Maxwell who has written a “Leadership Study Bible.”
Just as Saddleback and other church growth orgs are Communitarianism in Christian garb, this website is Communitarianism in Islamic garb. Just replace “church” with “mosque;” and replace “Christ” with “Muhammad;” and tell the Muslims that they need transformational leadership, visions, training and they need to be in small groups for relationship building, etc. All organizations and religions must be transformed into their proper place within the New World Order.
TMAI is about equipping leaders/pastors. Though references to equipping leaders are too numerous to list, I will mention just some examples from the TMAI literature. John Macarthur took part in the “2005 Mexico Leadership Conference” (TMAI Mexico). Notice that this isn’t called a “Christian conference.” At the Albanian Shepherd’s Conference, “70 Albanian church leaders and their wives gathered for Bible teaching, leadership training, encouragement…” (5/06) Regarding a trip TMAI New Zealand leaders made to TMAI South Africa, “They saw firsthand how another training center is preparing men for leadership.” “The new wing will also provide more space for leadership conferences.” “…a church committed to biblical exposition and leadership development.” “Equipping national leaders for local churches.” “Our primary focus is on training national church leadership.” “…training center is preparing men for leadership.” Regarding TMAI Brazil, “At that time, Baptista may become a full time missionary in this church planting/leadership training enterprise.”
TMAI Mexico sent a team to San Salvador to hold a pastors’ conference called “Leadership Basics.” Regarding the 2006 TMAI New Zealand Conference, Jerry Wragg, a leader at the conference, stated, “Churches are bringing groups (to the conference), whole leadership teams.” Just like GCC’s Foundry ministry, church growth orgs have “leadership teams.” Mr. Wragg has given a sermon one can download on his church’s website (Grace Immanuel Bible Church) called “Training Leaders: the mandate of the church.”
Grace Church puts out a weekly publication called Grace Today that sometimes highlights a missionary family on one of its pages. The issue I’m now looking at highlights the Glass Family in France with the heading above their picture: “Church Planting and Leadership Development.” Each issue lists “Other Grace Church missionaries Involved in Church Planting and Leadership Development.” This is the “P” and first “E” (equipping leaders) of R Warren’s PEACE plan, which is an acronym. (In 2007, R Warren changed the meaning of the “P” in his PEACE plan from “planting churches” to “promoting reconciliation.”)
The current Grace Today advertises a Chapel Electives course at GCC called “God’s vision for the world.” The issue I have has a headline called “Recognizing Our Servant Leaders.” The same issue advertises a Chapel Elective called “Lessons on Leadership: Learning from a Layman.” Who was scheduled to teach? Joe Weller, retired Chairman of Nestle. Rob Iverson, the 30 year Nestle VP, taught another day. The title of Mr. Iverson’s talk was “How to Survive and Thrive in All Circumstances.” Are Christians called to “survive and thrive?” “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” The last “lesson on leadership” was by the managing partner of Vintage Sotheby’s International Reality. Why are corporate leaders speaking at Grace Church? The global Communitarian system into which the church is being now transitioned must include the business sector.
This same Grace Today issue contains an article about the Grace Special Ministries for the disabled. This ministry is run by Rick Mclean. Within this ministry is “Grace Club.” This meets every Tuesday night. Regarding Grace Club, the article states, “More than 140 staff and club members come to participate in sports activities in the gymnasium followed by a chapel time and small group interaction.” According to this Grace Today issue, even the disabled have now been placed in small groups at GCC for “interaction.” If these Grace Club “small group interactions” are leader-led dialectic sessions, then Rick Mclean, who runs this ministry, is another change agent within GCC.
From the TMAI literature, Mr. Letey stated, “The ministry model we follow basically sells itself.” He also said, “This is what we want to foster—a sense of community is one of the things that helps TMAI work so well.” “The need is extremely great; the readiness to learn is high and your participation in the process is vital.” “Everything is already in place for them to grow exponentially.” Rob Iverson said, “Certainly, the scope of our outreach has grown exponentially…” “The Academy… sponsors annual FOCUS conferences.” Regarding TMAI Samara Conference, “The weekend offered everyone in attendance the unique opportunity to bond with fellow pastors…” “SETS (TMAI Albania) was able to present its program and ministerial emphasis to local and national church leaders in what its leaders deemed ‘a strategic marketing event.’”
Carey Hardy, the then Senior Executive Pastor at GCC, visited TMAI South Africa. He said, “One of the things you’re impressed with when you go to a culture so diverse from your own is that biblical truth doesn’t change. The needs of the human heart are the same around the world, throughout time.” I didn’t know Christians were called to meet the “needs of the human heart.”
Christ Seminary (TMAI South Africa) “realizes our students needs for ‘living models.” “the training must be reproducible in others.” “…praise for God’s grace and leading in the whole process.” “We…in equipping others who are capable of repeating the process.” Steve Lawson said, “I believe what needs to take place in Germany is nothing short of a new reformation.”
Jay Letey said, “EBTC Zurich is following the very successful model of EBTC Germany.” But are either of them following Jesus Christ? Modeling is a transformational tool used by the church growth movement. “…a local church all over the globe.” (2/06) “Praise for God’s grace and leading in the whole process.” (Zurich) “This church-based training provides an important
laboratory.”
Mr. Letey said, “I saw men brim with emotion as they described the impact their training center is having in their community.” “How do we impact a continent as large as Africa?” (4/07) “How do we transform a continent?” (3/07)
True Christian missionaries have spent years in African countries engaged in zealous preaching and prayer before they could convert a single soul. But in a time when all African nations are embracing Communitarianism and when many African nations have a Muslim majority (there are more than 400 million African Muslims representing 45% of the total African population), TMAI wants to “impact” and “transform” the entire African continent. Impact it how and transform it for whom?
GCC is about a half hour drive from downtown Los Angeles. One would be hard-pressed to find a biblical church anywhere near downtown Los Angeles. I would say that GCC has made essentially zero “impact” in Los Angeles, a city of 10 million people ½ hour away. Yet, GCC, through TMAI, expects to somehow impact a largely Muslim, Communitarian continent? Impact it how?
By “modeling” their role in the global Communitarian system?
