Last Sunday was my first time attending this church, finally.
It's the mecca of many gospel singers, charismatic pride, etc.
There's one song (only one) which I will post next week, that I liked. Can't remember the title, can't get it for now.
They have free 1-week delayed webcast online of their Sunday Services.
One can see qualitative effort has been put into the choir, more than most other huge charismatic choir groups.
Pastor Jim Cymbala, the senior/founding pastor, preaches most of the times. It would appear that his family (daughter & granddaughter) has special seating in the music box to my left. One would think that this is privilege too much. He also mentioned he bought a bunch of houses in his sermons. One would think that he's really rich. I don't usually jump to conclusion on this until I listen to their sermons.
This is not the extreme charismatic church where you hear speaking of tongues everywhere. It's the typical traditional black-Gospel type of church with much diversity in ethnicity. Well decorated interior design. Compared to this, the Time Square Church (another charismatic church) appears more gloomy in their grand theatrical opera house style. In BT, there are three big screen TVs which show close up of the stage during service and subtitles during lots of their gospel singing. Before the service, the TVs show some promotion either of the church, ministries or occasional non-church commercials. Everyone danced, clapped, cheered during their sermon & worship songs. These are all fine with me.
Now, on the sermon, Pastor Cymbala began his sermon (there were no scriptural reading) with David vs. Hanun from 2 Samuel 10. And moved on to his topic: The wisdom in taking advice. Then he went on and on about how fools do not take advice. He was smart enough to included himself as such fool at some point, where the congregation had some fun with him. In the end, he spoke of a time when some pastor invited him and thanked him to preach at their church. Later Cymbala was asked by this pastor to comment on their church. After a few criticism (music leader can't sing, make singing shorter, etc.) he was blasted by that pastor. He was also smart enough to keep a balance and note that "we do not just take anyone's advice" with no elaboration on it even though he made it seem like he explained it (he could easily have return to the biblical passage he began with on this - Hanun's advisers). So, bottom line, he just wanted to focus on attacking those who do not listen to any advice, instead of how to take good advice. In fact, the way he clever put that last testimony about the pastor who couldn't take his advice, made me wonder if he's "preaching" on this as a result of that hurt.
Obviously, the "crowd" loved his sermon. Puritanboard had mentioned that Cymbala hates Calvinists. I wonder, how much of a "teachable heart" he would have in theology...or is he only "teachable" in areas of real estates or rocket science?
I don't mind returning to this church, because of their choir. My wife mentioned that one of their song: Victory is Mine, is problematic, for Victory is only God's. 1John 5:4 would probably be their go to defense. Though, my wife has a point. A lot of charismatic church problem is this: Self-centered faith rather than God centered one. Every thing they praise about God is actually a praise to themselves in disguise: God is so good to me! I am so blessed! Every prayer of mine answered! Faith works!
Comparison:
Reformed 5 solas response: understatements! God is always good to me for He is merciful, I must therefore fear the Lord and kiss the Son! Glory be to God almighty!
Looking at the numbers, the congregants around, I would imagine Pastor Cymbala is a kind hearted person, despite his critical lack of theology and perhaps some attitude problem. I do admire him when he told someone off in the front rows during his sermon: "Put that away, this is a church now". It seemed that someone was taking a photo? I highly doubt that a church with this kind of worship style would ban people from using Bible on their electronic devices. Nevertheless, the congregants at BT are like great herd of sheep without a shepherd. This is the feeling I come away with.