John MacArthur is American evangelicalism’s elder statesman. Still pastoring Grace Community Church in liberal California after over half a century, he is also chancellor of The Master’s Seminary on the church’s campus and The Master’s University on a campus nearby. Millions listen monthly around the world to his sermons through radio broadcasts or the Grace to You website. Known for his expository teaching, MacArthur ‘unleashes God’s truth, one verse at a time.’ ET caught up with him at the annual Shepherd’s Conference for church leaders at his church, attended by 3500 men.
PS: What could today’s believers learn from the church of your youth?
JM: The church of my youth was more dominantly part of people’s life. The modern era is chaotic. Everyone’s moving at a high speed. Life is complicated. The church of my youth was my life. We met Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and had a youth meeting Sunday afternoon. More of life revolved around the church.
That has disappeared. Most churches have one hour a week. So even well-intentioned Christians tend to develop their Christian growth in isolation instead of being part of the fabric of a fellowship of people where there is give and take and fellowship and love and ministry.
That fuels and feeds the individuality that is so much a part of our culture. Now you can create your own religion on the internet, worship at whatever shrine you want, listen to whoever you want. You may not have one person who is the shepherd of your soul. I could wish that this generation could experience what it is to live life as part of a body of believers.
PS: In terms of ‘progressive’ values, California has more in common with the UK than many other US states. How can a Christian best stand and thrive in such a culture?
