Ladies and Gentlemen - Buckhead Church Opener

[Danybella]

Music was CREATED by God, but perverted by the devil for HIS purposes! Whatever God is a part of is HOLY! 'The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." Let the HOLY SPIRIT do his work...

[Ronroark]

How sad the body of Christ has become. Everyone so sure that their way of doing things is the only way that can possible honor God. "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick...." God can use anything he chooses to get the job done. "If these hold their peace the rocks will cry out." If he can use a rock, the jaw bone of an ass or Balaam's donkey, why not this willing group of people.

[mortitio]

The Church is THE BODY OF CHRIST. I'm very disappointed as it seems the Music performance is so much more exciting than the word and teachings of Christ. Does it take this kind of spectacle to get people in Church nowadays? Sad. Very sad.

[lithium3fun]

LOVE. I hope we can do something like this at our church.

Oh and I like the little cart that runs back and forth. Camera equipment?

[tommytomtomism]

After reading some of the posts below, I'm curious as to what SPECIFICALLY is anti-God, anti-church, or anti-religion about this performance? The volume? The lights? Are there specific instruments that God finds offensive? Is His name being used in vain in the lyrics? Were there scantily clad women dancing on stage that I can't see? Is there a cross being desecrated somewhere?

Cause if the answers to the questions above are NO, then what is the problem other than you just don't care for it?

[OffspringFTW65]

I LOVE YOU BUCKHEAD CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!! 5 months ago i was reintroduced to Jesus and God through you and my life has been better ever since then. Your music brings tears to my eyes and then when we have shows like this is amazin

[RevolutionzTV]

That ain't church! It's all about the band and not God

[wakeup6935]

This place has a great venue and production to accomplish their magnificent job of brainwashing. I used to go here when I was a Christian. No one there has ever objectively researched the history of christianity. If they did, this place would be out of business in a week! They would find it is completely man made BS like other religions: Judiasm, Islam etc. I still to this day can't believe very well educated people actually believe this crap. People of BHC use your brains!

[crimsonblood07]

@MatthewOzburn it is not my place to say if this is right or wrong, but the performance was awesome. keep in mind that the church is not a house of anything but it is the people inside the building, take away all lights and sound and building and there is the church. style of worship is not biblical as well, some people like old hymns some like new stuff. if you will remove all pride from yourself and take note u will find that all churches have right and wrong things in them.

[boristheconstable]

Notice how everyone laughs when he says "Welcome to church"? Each attender should read Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy to get a feeling of how God feels about people doing whatever they want when they're in His house. They shouldn't be laughing, but this guy shouldn't be joking.

[captivateddawn]

@boristheconstable actually the old testament was written to ready the people of God for the birth of Christ and was used to keep people on the very straight and narrow. Jesus Christ himself spoke about fellowship. How can you say there shouldn't be laughing? They were laughing not at the "welcome to church" part, but if you look at the context they were laughing because it was a huge way to open the service..its like Will Smith in Independence Day.."welcome to earth"..its called comic relief

[SteveO1029]

I like it when a church tries so hard to embrace pop music culture and values. It makes me have hope that they won't mind my smoking chronic and knocking it out with my girlfriend, either.

Do you think they would mind?

[circleoftwo]

This is the most awesome church opener I have ever seen. Awesome.

[trenelled]

I am proud to be a member Buckhead Church!!!!! Lord you are incredible

[RevolutionzTV]

@trenelled That aint church!

[ephs09]

keep doing what you do Buckhead church, a long with the other Northpoint campuses around ATL. God bless your ministry

[ephs09]

the church is called to be culturally relevant, while remaining doctrinally pure. The church now has to deal with the MTV culture of today. We just need to get them in the doors using any biblical way possible. I go to a similar church about 30 miles from this church. It is great to see the ministry they are doing in a very lost part of Atlanta.

[colinpetersofficial]

so awesome!

it's great seeing churches be able to get people in the door to convey the message of jesus christ in a relevant way!

[EquinoxVisual]

Greatest church opener. Ever.

Oh, what I wouldn't give to be apart of something like that.

[ThePopeOfPentecost]

Any member care to answer this question. I notice that all the campuses are pretty much all along GA 400 which if you live in Atlanta, you know that spells afluence. How come no church on the South Side (below 20) yet? Or are there plans to make a campus down there where majority of crime is in Atlanta. They need this type of ministry down there too (or have you given them all over to Creflo Dollar??)

[markvking]

Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy

[jtaylor14955]

Do a youtube search for "Top 10 Ways For 'Worship Leaders' to Hinder the Church " by Doug Eaton

[patty7beth]

Buckhead Church gets the gospel to people who normally avoid church and engages young Christians. It's supported by its local body and Northpoint Community Church which supports local charities, and mission trips overseas. It's not for everyone but many people come to Buckhead who'd never darken the door of a traditional church. The "holy" music's irrelevant if no one comes inside the doors.

Instead of slamming other Christians, find a worship community for you.

God will judge, not you.

[hc3gkale714]

I believe that if the church feels they can afford to give money to the community and support a concert like this it is up to them. BuckHead was made specifically for stuff like this because it was meant for college and high school students. North Point (the main campus) gives massive amounts of money and time to the community. I promise. They have plenty of money influx to be able to do this.

[Rockstarlighting]

What happened to churches using the money they received to help the community not to do a concert with a bigger rig than some tours have.

[halyellow]

How do you know what they give to the community? You are insinuating they don't give, but you have no evidence of this. Sure they put a lot of money into production, but I'm sure they give as well.

Amazing that people believe the Church can't have cool stuff. When you look at scripture you see that it's God, the ultimate creator, that uses all types of art to communicate His message.

Now go tell the entertainment industry to take their money and give to the poor and not use lights.

[Rockstarlighting]

It just seems weird to me I guess. I worked at a church for two years that was going in this direction. They aren't nearly as elaborate is this one. To me when you go to church you are there to pray not shout and cheer like you are at a rock concert.

[hc3gkale714]

And you are the reason I play church like North Point and not a church that looks down upon people who are actually so excited about Christ and his love that they get up and shout and cheer. Because I love to shout and cheer about Jesus and I see no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to or looked down upon because I do. Some people just have different preferences and I've been to Buckhead and NorthPoint and I live in the area around those churches and trust me...They give!!!

[Rockstarlighting]

Thats great that you like to scream and shout at church. Do you have any idea how much money it costs to put on a show of this caliber? I feel like it's misleading to the rest of a congregation to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on entertainment gear. Do churches need all of this equipment to get people into their church? I am not hating on anyone specifically I just would like to hear your answers.

[joshuaianclark]

Rockstar.....What figure would you place on getting people into the church? Is it worth $10, $1000, $100,000$ What is Salvation worth in dollars?

[Rockstarlighting]

This is the problem. Churches are buying peoples attention so that they will go to their church. For example, look at Las Vegas. Casinos/hotels do everything they can to have the latest and greatest shows, restaurants and rooms. Mega churches are doing the same thing. It's the whole keeping up with the Jones's mentality. Our sound system is the best, our church venue is the best. Our lighting system cost 1 million. Churches put on a show every Sunday and then they ask for money. It's business.

[joshuaianclark]

You are generalizing that every church with a progressive mentality is the same. Who determined that hymns and organs were how church's were to administer worship? If the church is spreading the Gospel then they are fully within their realm to have as extravagant of an arena as they want. Why criticize them without knowing their heart?

[BenderismyDog]

It costs about ZERO Dollars (to do the PRODUCTION for this). 99% of the Staff is made up of Volunteers, Actually, not counting the Band---JUST PRODUCTION Staff---has about 15-20 people on any given Sunday (more now because of NorthpointOnline-) only 1-2 are "Paid Staff" the rest made up of DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS who do this to Glorify God. Remember, Jesus is not found in Church walls, Jesus is found in your HEART. He's found in your SPIRIT. Your Daily Walk.

[jprarick]

So True

[kreagor7]

Most Churches compensate their musicians, because you get what you pay for first of all. Having over 10,000 people every Sunday had that stage equipment paid for the day that they bought it.

[cutehai]

This performance is really great - but is even better because it was made to praise the Lord *-*

[tybolini2]

suck it jesus

[bighebrewbear]

GREAT Performance. The lighting guys are A+.

[edoocemedia]

It is a great day when the church can step into the realm of excellence, but so discouraging when fellow believers of Christ want to pull it down. i am sure there were more than 1 person who this element drew them into a church that they had seen as irrelevant... thanks guys!

[porkpieadam]

It's a sad day when a christian asking other christians whether something is glorifying to Jesus is 'discouraging.'

Again, that question wasn't addressed. 'Excellence' and 'relevance' (stylistically) seem to trump the priority of the exaltation of Jesus Christ.

Define a church being 'relevant.' I would hope it has something to do with theology.

[kphill01]

So hastily we judge! I understand how critics have an easy time pouncing, but you should dig deeper. You would have a greater challenge in applying such criticism after seeing the full context of this church and its messages. While this song was great for its purpose, there are many more performances that are as beautiful and moving that as this one is raging and non-traditional. Criticizing from a distance is easy, but see if it holds up close. Contact me, I'd be happy to bring you one Sunday.

[ToHimBeAllGlory]

Agreed; however, you still need to understand the basis on which you will judge what you unearth in your digging. So, how do you "judge" worship? If worship is for man, then I suppose anything that is "beautiful and moving" is OK. However, if worship is for God...to please Him, glorify Him, honor Him, then you'll have a different motivation in determining "good worship". If a worship song (what is that anyways?) doesn't glorify Christ, then it doesn't matter how "moving" it is.

[kphill01]

You have assumed that my description of "moving and beautiful" is to the exclusion of glorifying God. Conversely, my description of those performances as "moving and beautiful" is in large part because they do glorify God.

On a seperate thought: Is our obligation and charge to worship Jesus or to lead others to him? According to the Bible, the mission of the Christian church is to do both. That should be the basis on which to judge what you unearth in your digging.

[ToHimBeAllGlory]

Actually, I make no assumption to that affect whatsoever. I merely point out that the purpose of worship is to glorify God, not to please man.

And NO, the purpose of man is to worship Jesus. One of the ways we do this certainly is by leading others to him....however, when we put the cart before the horse by putting evangelism before worshipping and glorifying Jesus, then we can very easily begin to compromise glorifying Him at the altar of doing whatever it takes to "win" someone to Christ.

[kphill01]

Interesting, though I have counterpoints, I had no intention of getting into a debate or prolonged discussion here...this simply isn't the fourm for it.

Many people will never agree with our approach. That is understood and accepted. However, few would sustain such critical rhetoric up close. Hate it or want to try to prove me wrong? The invitation is open. I'll even help get you here.

[ToHimBeAllGlory]

No, actually, I don't want to debate either, and I'm as firmly established in my church as you are in yours. I'm actually not saying I think your approach is wrong, but I am encouraging you and others to think about why we do what we do. If the core motivating purpose is not to put a smile on the face of God and to display His glory among the nations, then its probably not worth doing.

May the Lord bless you Brother, as you glorify Him in your life.

[kphill01]

Thank you.

And that invitation, challenge and even the help getting here is intended for any who feel the urge to condemn from afar.

[porkpieadam]

You are mostly correct. Both are the obligation of the church. The problem arises when the definition of 'church' becomes fuzzy. Church programs were never meant to do the job of believers. This is a relatively new phenomenon. The early church, puritans, and believers up until about the 1980's understood this. Jesus commanded believers (not programs) to make disciples. Worship is not evangelistic. It's the same reason most people never share their faith but they'll invite someone to church.

[porkpieadam]

Nobody's judging or pouncing. I've been to the church many times. In response to your comment, I would ask, "what was the purpose of a song like that?" Don't get hung up on style either...that's not the point. The point is, "what brings glory to Jesus?" Everything else is a dirty rag. The world gives people that stuff everyday. All we have to offer is God.

[porkpieadam]

The question must be asked (just like everything else at church), "How does this bring glory to Jesus?" If it doesn't, it has no place in a 'worship' service where the worship is directed at Jesus. If it is entertainment, the question must be asked, "Is this the best use of people's time when their eternity is on the line and you have their attention for one hour?"

[NewBranchCC]

amen porkpieadam! :)

[BIGSNOW11]

ummmmm.... I think this rules and I LOVE buckhead church!!!!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO GROW UP AND CHILL OUT!!!!!!!!

[reds2468]

A friend called Northpoint Community Chruch "a mile wide and an inch deep".

[nickylouse2]

I have nothing against my fellow christians being in the world as long as they are not of the world. If this show had been played the first time I went to church, I would have concluded that I could get as much truth from the world. Don't get me wrong... I don't think we have to be so bent on tradition that unbelievers cannot relate to us, but we are called to be set apart. What we need in the church is a reverent realness that reaches out to the unsaved AND at the same time honors God.

[Jitpring]

Nicky, yes, this is totally sold out to the world. This is neo-paganism disguised as Christianity. As a species of Oprahism, it's all about feeling good. As for what our relation to the world is to be, see Jn. 12:25; 1 Jn. 2:15, 4:5; James 4:4; Ro. 12:2; Col. 3:2; 2 Pet. 1:4....

[KarenFurg]

Hey, Buckhead Church! Post a link to the sermon here. Let people who think this song was sacrilegious or inappropriate for a worship service hear the message. Even if they don't see the point, the message could touch people's lives. I see nothing wrong with using modern-style artistic methods (music, videos, humor, etc) to reach people with God's word, as long as the Biblical message is never sacrificed. For those who like this kind of stuff, search "NLCC" on youtube. Rock on, Buckhead!

[zizzybb]

I understand how folks who are more used to traditional worship would find this over the top. Please understand that Buckhead Church (along with Northpoint Church) try to relate God's timeless message to today.

Go to buckheadchurch dot org / messages and select the Illusions sermon.

[zizzybb]

Oops. Correct URL. Youtube does not allow URLs to be posted so convert (dot) to . and remove the spaces around the /

buckheadchurch dot org / site / messages

[DonnainDunwoody]

I can see how it might seem an odd song for a church but this song was a perfect fit for the sermon that day. It was about how many of us put on a show for the people around us (perfect dad, perfect wife, perfect boss, etc.) and how we just need to be who we are and stop the "show". It was one of the most amazing talks we have had at Buckhead.

[cdwitmer]

It might almost be demonic if it wasn't so banal

[Jitpring]

Good point, cdwitmer. I think you're wrong, though. I think this is indeed evil. There's been much talk about the banality of evil; it's time to speak of the evil of banality. Such is the Brave New World, its dictatorship of relativism, its Oprahism, and all the rest of it.

[joshclark1600]

Just want to say I think Buckhead is an awesome example of what Christ life was like. He was NOTHING like the "church" and yet he saved the world. Not knocking the negative posters, but their thought process is what nailed Jesus to the cross. Hey Buckhead, keep saving souls, that what we were called to do.

[jerryfoster77]

Jitpring, you got it. Well, almost. I'm not sure you have to become Catholic to recognize the deceit, but I would concede that much of this is result of Protestantism combined with an individualized, Western mindset.

The Saliva video for this song glorifies the flesh. What place does it have in church? I've been trying to figure it out, but it's not coming to me. No worries, I'm sure someone here will enlighten me on my lack of evangelistic fervor.

We make our church fathers proud.

[Jitpring]

Yes, the Church Fathers would recognize this as the paganism that it is. Such "churches" are completely sold out to the dominant culture and its dictatorship of relativism.

[Jitpring]

Critics, I'm with you. This is a complete perversion. But please understand: this nonsense is what the anarchy of Protestantism's private judgment breeds. This is the bottom of Protestantism's slippery slope. Get serious. Become Catholic.

[gtjdhunter]

goodness you are annoying

[drizzlenumba1]

buckhead? georgia? where is this church cuz if its bickhead GA il be there this sunday lol

[lukepools]

it wouldn't have been the same without Jayce and Slug

[heyheyitsluke]

thank you so much for posting this! i've been looking for a video of this since sunday!

[Matthebat1233]

Here's Browns Bridge Xtreme monitors, CG, pro, "director" and etc man.

totally ridiculous. Jayce is just about the man

[EDP07]

Here's a shout out from the Brown's Bridge Xtreme light guy, I'm officially jealous. I have to see this place.

[OdinYgg]

I love our church.

Best part: when Jayce really kicks in the bass around 3:00 in.