When I was freshman in college, U2 came out with a great album: All That You Can’t Leave Behind. I bought the album at the store, because back in 2000, people still went out and bought physical copies of albums. I liked the album, and U2, so much that I bought a ticket to go see U2 live in concert at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. The concert was a part of a tour that U2 was putting on in support of the All That You Can’t Leave Behind album, but that wasn’t the name of the tour. The name of the tour was the same as the name of one of the popular the singles released from the album: Elevation.

Been there. Done that. Bought the T-shirt.

And I’m not the only one. Millions of people bought that album and went to the Elevation concerts. Another big fan of U2’s work was a young man named Steven Furtick. In 2006, Steven Furtick moved to Charlotte, Noth Carolina and founded a church. So impressed was Steven with U2’s work that he named his church “Elevation Church”. That was his first bit of marketing savvy, but it wasn’t his last. Elevation Church has grown to 19 campuses and boasts a weekly attendance of 26,000. Like its namesake, Elevation has seen massive success in the music industry. Songs from Elevation Worship are among the most popular praise and worship music in the world…and no Christian should ever listen to another Elevation Song again. No Christian should ever attend a service at an Elevation campus again.

It’s not that Steven Furtick and Elevation are all sizzle and no substance. To be sure they have both. The problem is that substance. It’s self-centered. Steven Furtick is dangerously heretical. Flee from him as fast as you can. You may have once experienced acceptance and an emotional high at Elevation but don’t get stuck in a moment you can’t get out of. You may find purpose in serving at Elevation but you need to walk on.

If you yourself attend Elevation or have friends and family who do, please listen to these reviews with an open mind. The spritual life of you and your family is at stake. What could be more important? As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and someone who has lived in Cartersville for over two decades, my heart is truly troubled by the expansive growth of Elevation. If, after listening to the sermon reviews, you’d like to talk to me more about Elevation, please reach out to me on our contact page. If you’re local to Cartersville, I would love to meet you for lunch and discuss “Why Elevation” with you.