SBC Shea — Attraction in Scottsdale

SBC is one of the biggest churches in the area with many locations and very easily comes across as the best church to attend for locals and visitors. Our family has attended since last September since we relocated to Scottsdale. Unfortunately, we are coming to realize something is off with the leadership’s intentions. We have attended Timothy Keller’s Redeemer Church and several other churches in a few states in our lives. SBC is very unique and different in the sense that they are run more like a business than a Bible-based, Gospel-focused church.

The leadership has their agenda set to raise well over $30 million dollars. Yet, during their VBS this week, they refused to allow volunteers to receive snacks, saying it’s only for the children. They did not give out VBS t shirts to volunteers either. The volunteers had to go to michael’s and buy their own matching team colored shirts with their own money. In the above 100 degree weather, the children are told to wear XL t-shirts over their own clothes and return it each day back for collection. When they were raising the $30+ million budget over tithing for the valley, they used the VBS video to inspire people to give. One of my children volunteered and another went as an attendee. I am very shocked that the church chose not to treat volunteers with decent manners and decided go cheap on children’s VBS t-shirts by not letting them own it as a memory. If they are asking for $30+ million and used VBS video to motivate people to donate, why are they going cheap by not providing snacks and t-shirts? They have never attended a VBS with such an odd vibe. From the first day, the children were told to raise $1000 by the end of the week. I don’t understand why raising money is such a crucial part of the church’s ministry.

This church recently preached on “Why we are weird” series intending to teach how the believers are to be set apart and act differently according to Kingdom principles. They emphasized how wives are to forgive and work with counselors as they stay patient with husbands’ sins including affairs. Not once did they mention to the women how to protect themselves from physical abuse and sexual betrayals which the Lord clearly defines as a legitimate reason for divorce. They chose not to mention this biblical truth and never spoke to stand up for the countless women who are victims of domestic abuse. Do they know the statistical data of domestic abuse? Do they know Jesus would not stand for any abuse or sexual affairs? For women who are beaten and abused, not to mention the more serious issues in a marriage? Many were upset and stunned at the sermon, but the leadership doesn’t really respond well to any critical feedback.

The church’s leadership is definitely aware that the congregants are very well off financially and they seem to want to capitalize on that. They need to know just because they have the stage to preach, the congregants listening are neither ignorant nor dumb to discern what is not from the Holy Spirit. Most bible knowledgeable believers know right now is the end times and the rapture is imminent. The leaders do not have any urgency to preach on this urgent awakening that needs to happen. They are just asking for more offering to meet their agendas. It is quite disheartening to witness what’s...

We are snow birds and have been attending SBC when in town. Our last visit to SBC gave us an unsettling spirit. It began with walking into the remodeled "sanctuary" a pitch black theater, with black lights and other special effects illuminating the "theater". It reminded me of being at a 70's concert without the lazer light show and smell of marijuana. However, it wouldn't surprise me if they had lazer lights. A real entertainment extravaganza. It felt like a Joel Olsteen set up... What a display of opulence. And they give you a gift for stopping by the information/welcome booth. I'm not sure what the gift is, maybe a pastor autographed coffee mug? Or maybe a bible, imagine that. I can only imagine sitting on the mountain side listing to Christ preach his word, while Peter offers a gift as a marketing ploy to engage further with the individual.

The entertainment, black lights, special effect lighting, 50 piece orchestra, gifts, combined with a human swagger of confidence and success, left me looking for the nearest exit. I looked at my wife and said, wow, my Christian spidy sense (Holy Spirit) is tingling off the charts, let's get out of here. She tempered my total uneasiness and we stayed for the sermon. The professional pundits message hit it's mark, eventually, "washing of feet". The professional Pastor, his cavalier style, oozing with self confidence, been here done this a 1000 times swagger, while mixing in a few cool " dudes" jargon, just makes me super uneasy. The child like posture, humble, reverence for the honor of presenting Gods word was no where to be found (my opinion). Being preached at rather then a spirit of being taught or reminded for all, including the Pastor, should be the humble target. I'm know SCB is doing good things, and Pastor Jamie has a heart for Christ. Clearly, the Scottsdale cancer, market influence, has injected it's worldly influence on the church and it's leadership. I also feel the western church has lost it's way and SBC is feeding...

My wife and I have a passion for churches that carry a heart for missions and who preach from the Word of God and don't water down the truth that actually changes lives. There are way too many large churches now that wield un-grounded, worldly influence. This is not one of them. We drive all the way across town for this church, mainly because there are a lot of great ministries to get involved in outside the church and the preaching here is very insightful. Pastor Jamie should honestly be on TV instead of all the knuckleheads you see now basically preaching the American Dream and smiling pretty. Been to a lot of strong Bible teaching churches and my wife and I can't believe the hand of God over this place.

When you combine the depth of the teachings and small group classes, the children's ministries, the special needs ministries, the multi-option worship venue setup, and Winter Wonder in December, among SO many other things, Scottsdale Bible will adequately spoil you. But, since we're here to grow and serve, not get spoiled, it's really a big giant plus to an already great organization.

Congregation is naturally on the wealthy side, being that everyone in this part of town seems to make 5X the average guy as it is, but overall it's not too tough of a hurdle from our perspective. There is a lot of talent here too, which shows up in various places including the choir in the main auditorium.

One of the things I think is so admirable about SBC is the number of ministries that they've financially helped to launch. For every gift and blessing there is a way to use it for the glory of God and historically, that has been a really neat contribution they have continually made. You can trust the leaders here. To whom much is given, much...