Paul VanderKlay's Podcast The Discipleship dilemma of Metagelical America, the CRC and Beyond
Nov 25, 2025
Tripp, a commentator with firsthand experience from the Mars Hill era, discusses the triumphs and shortcomings of evangelical movements. James Wellman Jr., an expert on megachurches, explores their sociological impacts and the risks of celebrity culture. Cale, alongside his mother, reflects on the transformative effects of Vatican II on Catholic liturgy and moral teachings. The conversation delves into discipleship challenges, the pitfalls of seeker-sensitive models, and how both Protestant and Catholic traditions are adapting in an ever-changing societal landscape.
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Church Failure Is Inevitable
- The church necessarily fails at multiple levels: individual, communal, and institutional, producing ongoing tension for believers.
- Paul Vanderklay argues this inevitability shapes how we interpret the church as evidence of Christ in Babylon.
Seeker Model Prioritizes Attraction Over Formation
- Willow Creek reshaped modern evangelical worship with a seeker-sensitive, media-driven model that prioritized attraction.
- Julie Roys highlights that the model excelled at outreach but failed at producing deep discipleship.
Conversion Via Production Has Limits
- Willow Creek assumed conversion through appealing production and practical wisdom would produce disciple-like behavior.
- Lance Ford and Paul Vanderklay note that this often left external practices unchanged while promising internal heart change.
