A Friend of GCC Speaks Up
Tim Stevens has been the steady diet in a vulture-like feeding frenzy of Christians who see Granger Community Church (and others who tap pop culture as parable and platform to communicate Christ) as the antithesis of Christianity. Tim pointed to the string of posts and comments from his critics here. Ingrid is a frequent critic of GCC's philosophy of ministry, and wrote her own review of Tim's new book here. What's hilarious about her review is the incredible book promotion she provides her readers with links to his blog, his book website, and sites to buy his book. Thanks, Ingrid.
But, she's not the friend of GCC I'm referring to in this post's title. Among the many scathing comments about Tim's book and GCC, I read the following thoughtful rebuttal. Interestingly enough, this man doesn't attend GCC, but lives in our area. His comments not only speak to what Ingrid's and Old Truth's audience don't understand, but his comments encourage me as a pastor at GCC. I hope Tim was encouraged too.
This comment is lengthy, but worth the read.
Have you ever seen or heard another pastor you trust and respect (someone making great strides for the Kingdom of God) interviewed by secular media - did they really bring out all the truth as you know it? Do they always get the story 100% accurate? Have they ever misspelled something you know should be spelled differently? Do you realize how much is edited from the interview as the Church is simply something that doesn't get much news coverage?
Would you want your church to be featured in just a short amount of time and be judged by that one interview? I'm afraid my friends that many would be having a conversation about you and your philosophies in the same manner.
Matthew 28 simply states: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I need to clarify I do not attend Granger Community Church but I do reside in Granger, IN and I am quite aware of Granger Community Church and the impact that has been made on this community in the last 20 years and countless individuals lives that have been away from God and are serving him wholeheartedly.
Granger simply takes that verse quite literally -
Go into all the world (which they begin right here in this community). Did you hear about how they feed every family in the county and beyond that lives below poverty level? Did you hear about the lives of inner-city youth that are being turned around to serve God? Did you hear about the single mom struggling to survive trying to just make it who by attending a service turned her life over to God and all has changed? Did you hear about the executive who was cheating on his wife who met a friend who invited him to this very same church - who now has restored his relationship with his wife and now has a new relationship with Christ? Did you hear how they walked side by side with his wife during that restoration?
Granger continues in that verse by teaching all nations by simply using a parable that gets their attention . . . something like "Heroes" and teaches what it means to make a difference in someone else's life. Just because how they title a topic doesn't make them teaching something false? Don't you use something that tries to get people's attention? It is always a joy to find out what truth of scripture they are teaching behind the creative title that grabs people's attention. Did the news segment tell you the series called "the 10 commandments" was taught for 10 weeks - during a mid-week service to a packed house none the less? Did you ask the individual that came out of that series that struggle with this or that commandment who now has knowledge and revelation through just teaching from scripture on how to conquer that sin?
Did you ever have a professor while in school use a unique illustration to help explain the principle/or teaching so that you could understand it better?
My friends are we not like the Pharisees sitting around in group discussion about what is clean and what is unclean? Shouldn't we be about winning souls and teaching them to observe the things that Christ commanded rather than debating someone who is actually doing just that?
I would pray that you would open the door to anyone at Granger Community Church with your questions - I know I've asked and they've gladly opened the door to me. I encourage you to ask Tim Stevens (who is not even the senior pastor) or any of their pastoral staff. One of the Godliest group of leaders to be found.
My prayers and blessings are with you all.
