Confessions of an Ex Seeker-Driven Preacher | Costi Hinn & Anthony Wood

MUST SEE INTERVIEW: Anthony Wood honestly unpacks his time leading a seeker-focused ministry in the thousands, sharing the tactics he used to make hundreds “come forward” each week, and the doubts he faced wondering, “Is this God or me?”. In this interview by Costi Hinn, the two also walk through how the Lord graciously used His Word to transform Mission Bible Church from confusion to an unwavering commitment to the truth of Scripture.

Carve out time to listen. It’s well worth it.

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[paulmcwhorter]

Incredible video. I spent 20 years in a seeker sensitive church. It was great entertainment, but I was left hungry each week, wanting to hear of the power, glory and majesty of God, but never hearing it. The sermons were all about the things God could do for you, your marriage, your career and your family, but never the attributes of God, and His glory. Luckily along the way a Navigator came along side me and discipled me, and taught me, and helped me mature in my walk. I eventually repented of the time spent in that church. Now I live in East Africa and train indigenous pastors in the Bible, and how to properly preach. My time in the seeker sensitive church was not completely wasted, as it helps me to be keenly aware to the importance of equipping these pastor's in training to avoid falling into the seeker sensitive trap.

[EEE-dsbb]

I was a deacon in a seeker-friendly church. A real eye opener I had was when I received a call one Saturday night saying the pastor was going to do an altar call at the end of Sunday's sermon. I was asked to respond to the altar call and go forward just to kind of break the ice so that others would follow. I refused. I was shocked by the request! But I'm glad it happened as it really opened my eyes. The church had originally been really solid, but they decided to grow and sent delegations to Willow Creek to learn how they did things so we could copy. I ended up leaving that church and now attend a very solid protestant church that doesn't have bells and whistles, a coffee shop, cool music, etc., but it's reverent and the real deal and Bible believing.

[ERomanchik]

“My job is to do obedience, He does the outcomes.” Love that, it’s a great perspective for biblical pastors.

[normmaclean]

Best 38 minutes on YouTube. Every Pastor- every Christian- every Seeker needs to hear this simple but PROFOUND message. This is how Jesus is building His Church- salvation, discipleship and evangelism happen through the Word.

[robindoyle]

I left this type of church about 3 years ago after having attended and served there nearly 11 years. I almost laid down my faith until I found an amazing Bible teaching church almost 2 years ago. So thankful things happened when they happened to open my eyes to what's true.

[janeewells]

I love how Costi confidently mentioned trying to play the role of the Holy Spirit. I needed to hear that! 💛

[TruthAboveAll]

Excellent and honest interview. With so many deceiving spirits diverting so much of the church today, this discussion adds needed truth and perspective.

Thank you both!

[deborahcarter]

I'm so blessed to have never been involved in a seeker driven church. I do think that my age, 65 has everything to do with that. I love my church. Thanks for the interview.

[lesrambel]

At the worst time in my son's life, he went to a "seeker sensitive" church. He could have used Christians to lift him up during this time and he couldn't even make friends there and couldn't get the Pastor to give him the time of day. We go to a church now which is reformed Baptist and goes through the word of God in a useful and helpful way. The Pastor has taken an interest in supporting this families needs in a Godly way. We are praying for the other churches as we grow in the Lord.

[kofks]

I went to a seeker sensitive church for over 20 years. We were taught the Gospel of Grace along with Jesus plus nothing but I knew there was more. Sermons were always topical and worship was entertainment driven. Been saved out of this snare for 10+ years and I couldn’t be more thankful. Keep standing on the truth men of God!

[SerenityNow]

Wow what a powerful story 🙌🏻. Reformed theology & the doctrines of grace changed my entire faith as well. We were in a dry church (not necessarily seeker sensitive but the gospel was rarely preached) & we’ve now found a solid church. God is so good.

[Ephesians-rzzp]

This was amazing so grateful people are waking up. I’m in Anaheim and just found a Reformed Church after leaving a more seeker sensitive church.

[DeepDiveDiscipleship]

As a young pastor-in-training, this was a needed conversation. NEEDED!

[brettmagnuson]

Thank you for this interview! Anthony puts into words so well what many have struggled to put their finger on in seeker churches. The comment about how biblical churches gather to worship and scatter to evangelize vs seeker model of gathering to evangelize is absolutely hitting the nail on the head!

Costi you did a great job asking questions. Praising the Lord for you both using your God given gifts to build up the church!

[Purpose]

The Holy Spirit woke me up to this. Until then I had NO idea I was in a seeker sensitive church more than once.

[mrs.p]

I was very active in a seeker driven church, as Pastor Tony is describing, for 8 years. There was very little growth in my relationship with Christ and was still heavily living a life of “carnal Christianity”. Starving for the Word, my husband and I fell out of the church and a year later the Lord brought us to a true Bible teaching church. I didn’t find true repentance and trust in Christ until I was taught what the Word of God truly said. So thankful to find a Bible teaching church and community of believers who desire to grow in the Word together and reaching the lost.

[lestaricham]

Coming out of a seeker sensitive church myself and was active in leadership, this was definitely on point and very clear! Thank you gents for al that you do.

[misfitstranger]

This was just awesome to hear someone so lovingly lay out what a true church should look like. One of the greatest things I love so much about the Reformed Church is that it seeks, above all else, to glorify and honor God by recognizing his sovereignty in every area of our lives and in this world. I grew up in seeker sensitive churches before they were even called that. I thought that was what everybody understood as “church”.
My whole family (mother and 3 siblings) are still in these kinds of churches. The difference in the conversations of Arminians vs. solidly Reformed people is stunning. Not saying that many Arminians aren’t truly saved, it’s just the watered-down, pick and choose, man-centered theology is so unfulfilling and just keeps one searching for the lasting peace and joy of knowing that God is the One in control, not me and my supposed free will. Knowing that God is in absolute control of all things at all times is, next to salvation itself, the most liberating knowledge one can possess.

[thesourcerer]

Wonderful!!! God is SO good and faithful in answering prayer and saving people like yourself from the seeker sensitive movement and to challenge those still in this movement to a real saving faith in Jesus Christ. God bless to you both.

[PhotogPhotog-skip]

A+. Thanks for a great video. I attended a seeker sensitive church for 20 years. I love them, but I’ve been starved of teaching for 20 years and I’m at a new church now. This video was timely and much needed.