Is That Legal?

I think this quote says it all:

or at least everyone but the Spanish-speaking farm workers who lived in the town's original square mile

And the march rolls on of suburban sprawl, ignoring the poor around them, and making sure to balm the wounds of the consumerist society they have constructed. One can say what you will about the hard lined evangelical churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and other such denominations, but at the least, they're promising salvation in the here-after, as wrong headed as it is. These new mega churches don't even do that, but merely soothe and ease the conscience of consumerist suburbanites. Meh.

"Even the baptism pool is seductive: Radiant keeps the water at 101 degrees. ''We've had people say, 'No, leave me under,' '' McFarland says. ''It's like taking a dip in a spa.''

did anyone tell these nice folks that baptism is supposed represent dying to your life and being raised to new life in Christ?

That's just....wow.

....this Church of Christ without Christ."

All you found is that the NYT is without Christ.

A quick visit to Radiant Church's website reveals:

The beliefs of Radiant Church are identical to those found in the Assemblies of God "Statement of Fundamental Truths".

The link to the AG website leads to an extensive statement that begins:

This "Statement of Fundamental Truths" contains the 16 doctrines of the Assemblies of God. These are non-negotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. Four of these, Salvation, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Second Coming of Christ are considered Cardinal Doctrines which are essential to the church's core mission of reaching the world for Christ.

Maybe you wanted to find a Christian church that does not include Christ, but you haven't. Maybe you need more than wishful thinking to do so.

MY FAMILY AND I HAVE FOUND RADIANT CHURCH IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND VERY GOOD AT REACHING AND TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT GOD. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BLESSED SINCE JOINING THE CHURCH AND THIS HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH THE "EXTRAS" (THOUGH THEY ARE VERY MUCH ENJOYED AND APPRECIATED) BUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE CONGREGATION, STAFF AND PASTOR LEE'S SERMONS! I AM MOSTLY CONFUSED ABOUT THE COMMENT "WITHOUT CHRIST". THIS COULD ONLY COME FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT ATTENDED A SERVICE THERE. I WONDER WHY SOMEONE WOULD POST A NEGATIVE UNFOUNDED STATEMENT ABOUT A CHURCH THAT THEY NEVER ATTENDED??

My family and I have been attending Radiant church in Surprise since we moved here from Los Angeles. Radiant church delivers on everything that is missing in most of today's "mainstream" or traditional churches. Radiant challenges its member to think about the bible on a daily basis, and incorporate its teachings into every aspect of life. The sermons completely revolve around the bible, and how we must understand the bible as the truth. We are not in control - we must let go and let God take control of our life. This is when we can have a true relationship with God. Radiant isn't about pacifying consumerism or serving up a “one-size-fits-all” religion to the masses. If you had attended last week’s sermon (on the second commandment) you would have witnessed God’s ultimatum – you either accept God as the ONLY truth, or you don’t. You do NOT get to mix and match belief systems and perceptions until you get something that feels right to you. Pastor Lee would never preach of any such “tolerances” that contradict God’s word.

Also, you would have to know Pastor Lee. He is an amazingly humble man who knows how to connect with people, and has a sincere relationship with Christ. He HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR, and he knows how to use humor in his preaching. In fact, every sermon he is guaranteed to deliver at least one joke! What? Do you think that God doesn’t have a sense of humor, or smiles?

Radiant may be an Assemblies of God denomination church, but you would never know it if you attended. Radiant is definitely Christian in experience, and you don’t feel like anyone is blindly judging you (as my wife and I have experienced in the past at other churches). Pastor Lee has a way of telling you God’s word so that you listen to what the bible is saying, and how you can change your life with it.

After recently moving to Surprise Arizona from another part of the valley, my wife and I, along with our children decided to return to Church, but being raised in a Catholic church...and moving on to Episcopal teachings, I was "lost" without knowing where to turn. We looked at various churches in the area through multiple means of media, and lo and behold, there was a magnetic "pull" that came from within Radiant. My wife and I attended our first service as a married couple at Radiant, and have never felt better about who we are as a couple, and as individuals for God. We felt very welcomed, without being identified, nor having the care of possibly sitting in someones seat...(If you've been in a Catholic mass.....you just laughed at that comment, as it's probably happened to you). The principals of God are taught in a manner that modern day people can absorb it 100%, and yes....humor and doughnuts help too. I remember as a kid having to sit through church for 90 miuntes starving, as we were not permitted to eat until after communion, so my Sundays were usually met with resistance, as I didn't want to wait until noon for something to eat. Of course this preoccupied my thoughts of watch glancing....not hearing much of the sermon, not to mention the lesson being taught.

My hats off to Pastor Lee McFarland, and his welcoming staff and family of people that meet weekly to learn about God, and how he does in fact touch our lives. We're not a "one size fits all" population, but in my experience of feeling involved, here is where my family and I "fit", and celebrate weekly what new doors have opened in our lives.

I've known Pastor Lee McFarland and his wife Sandi since before he became a full-time pastor. He used to work for a "mega" computer company and was quite successful. He is a very smart man. His faith was always evident, even as a lay person. He is the "real deal."

What a shame. Only those with no idea about Radiant Church could offer such a narrow minded and judgemental opinion. It saddens me to think that someone could actually say that we reach out to those except the poor around us. The mission of Radiant church is to reach out to the community and most of all to those who are less fortunate; hence, the compassions department. These loving people reach out to the poor, the spanishe speaking (which has their own service), and those who are hurting on a daily basis. To say that salvation isn't offered at Radiant is simply an untrue and ignorant statement. There is never a sermon that is preached without the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as your savior. And to those who believe that the baptismal water has to be freezing in order to complete the act of shedding your old life for one in Christ, I say you have too much time on your hands. I don't recall any scripture that states that baptisms must be done in cold water in order for them to be real. So, to the person to actually took the time to respond with such a petty and unfounded response, all I can say is, "show me." As far as the music that is so reminicent of a teenage song, for you I say read your Bible. I can guarantee that the lyrics of all of the songs sang at Radiant Church come from scripture. In fact, almost all Christian music comes straight from the Bible. For those who don't understand Radiant church, Pastor Lee, or the foundation in which the church was bulit, I invite you to check it out for yourself. You will never step into a more Christ centered and loving atmosphere. Radiant church has a motto: "Real help for Real people." When you step outside of the box to reach out to those in the community, critics will be at your door. In fact, Acts is a book in the Bible devoted to the growth and persecution of the church. Radiant church welcomes and expects critisism. In this, we grow and more people are led to Jesus. The people that that have taken the time to write hurtful things about this church are a case in point. One can only pray that they will be so interested in understanding what is really going on at Radiant, that they will actually set foot inside this "oversized ski resort" to really see what it is all about. It will be in that moment that the critisism will be worth it because they will have experienced what God is doing in Surprise, Arizona and maybe even come to realize that God is their creator, father, and friend. Thank you Pastor Lee and all of the staff and members of Radiant. You have followed God's calling and in doing so, you have touched the lives of the hurt and unsaved. God bless you and your families and you are a great testament to what God can do with a willing and faithful heart.

Is anybody else surprised at the fact that the church is 18,000,000 in the hole? Shouldn't we be paying off the debt we have before we attempt to raise an additionl 10,000,000 for a children's play room? Why do we need a rock climbing wall or plasma tv's for kids. I cannot agree to this fund raiser. I am very disappointed that Pastor Lee has champagne taste and no pocket money.

I am disappointed that you are so quick to judge. Things don't always work like you plan. Everything Pastor Lee does has a central purpose. That purpose is bringing people to know Jesus Christ. I hope you attended the business meeting and are more aware of what the actual state of the church is. Radiant Church is doing amazing things in peoples lives and for that we should be less concerned about things such as champagne taste.

All I have to say is doesn't my church rock! I love pastor lee and everyone that attends you guys all rock and thanks so much for this church thats not like all the rest!

Seth

I recently moved back to Colorado from Surprise Az. and I feel lost in my home state. I have not found a church here that made me feel so welcomed and alive as the Radiant Church in Surprise did. After I found Radiant I finally was brought back to Christ. I had been lost in my faith for so many years and Pastor Lee's way of presenting the gospel has renewed my faith and fellowship. I wish Pastor Lee and his flock the best and God Bless you all. I hope there is a Purpose Driven Church in Denver. Sincerely Terry Schurr

Radiant does offer a lot of extras that help make church feel more welcoming and perhaps even enticing. I strongly recommend that you check this church out for yourself, and see what it is really about before rushing to a negative opinion of this church. Go in with an open mind, and you will find Jesus there!