Southeast Christian Church — Attraction in Middletown

There are a lot of good people who attend SE. My experience is mixed. I love the music and the sermons seem Biblically solid until it comes to money. I guess they're ok if you have an outgoing personality and want to plugin. I'm very shy so that doesn't work for me. You can come and go without ever being noticed and feel very lonely among the masses.

As for doctrine, I listen to SE ministers a lot on radio and what they teach is in line with what I have studied. But when I attended and Pastor Kyle taught on tithing some of it was just not in line with the Bible. He got it right that we're not under curses like Mal 3 says. He also said that tithing was Old Testament and that's sort of true but there is one mention of it in Matt 23:23. Jesus is addressing the Pharisees who were under Mosaic Law. Hebrews also makes a reference to Abraham's tithe from war spoils.

What I'd didn't like was Pastor Kyle didn't explain that the curses and blessings in Mal 3 were for the Israelites and their priests per Mal 1:1 and Mal 2:1. They have nothing to do with Christians because we don't live under the law, we live by faith. I also didn't care for Pastor Kyle's references to first fruits like they apply to Christians. 1st fruits were not tithes and tithed were never money, these were always food. I don't know why he couldn't just use 2Cor 9:7 and tell people that we don't have to give of necessity and we are to give as purposed in our hearts. And then explain 2Cor 9:6 that we reap as we sow. I always feel like the churches are running a scam to get into my pocketbook and that's not right when the pastors are making...

I attended SouthEast Christian expecting biblical teaching, but what I found was a well-oiled business model disguised as a church. Their sermons are carefully crafted, not to convict hearts, but to create financial obligation under the guise of generosity.

In a recent message, the pastor skillfully blended humor, camaraderie, and selective scripture to guilt people into giving money specifically to the church, framing it as the highest form of generosity. Instead of focusing on true biblical giving, helping the poor, the widow, and the orphan, this church subtly equates faithfulness with funding their institution.

The preacher reference Acts 4 to highlight the early church’s generosity but then quickly distance themselves from any actual communal giving, steering everything back to tithing to their church structure. The preacher invoked the story of Ananias and Sapphira not as a warning about lying to God, but as an implied warning about not giving enough or withholding from the church.

SouthEast Christian is not interested in true discipleship, true generosity, or true service. They are interested in sustaining and expanding their empire.

If you are looking for a church that preaches Christ over corporate interests, keep looking. If you want a church that equips you to serve people rather than fund a brand,...

About 6 months ago I saw a video on TBN "Not a Fan" by Pastor Kyle Idleman the truth video revealed made me cry for days afterwards made me hungry for more I have literary every day since watched at least 1 video teaching by Pastor Kyle When the church started broadcasting live Sunday mornings I attended every time. I could write several pages of how the messages have blessed me beyond description. Pastor Kyles's teachings are excellent. No matter if they are 5 years old or today. They are always what I needed to hear for that moment. Just one example few months ago got notices about lose my car and evicted was on verge of losing everything had no $ to pay my bills was up all night worrying experienced anxiety attack for first time in my life got on my bed prayed asked God to show me how to deal with anxiety half-hour later felt like even though needed to sleep to tune into scc live and the message was on anxiety. Several of things Pastor Kyle said was like he had talked to me on phone! Many times God answers my questions or similar the msg was just what needed to hear. Amazing church...