In a world increasingly seduced by the allure of modernity and comfort, Prestonwood Baptist Church’s recent multi-million-dollar renovation epitomizes a troubling trend in contemporary Christianity—a shift from substance to spectacle, from doctrine to dazzle. This lavish expenditure on aesthetics and technology, while impressive in scale, raises serious questions about the church’s commitment to the core tenets of the gospel.

The entire campus, inside and out, has been renovated to mimic something more akin to Vatican-style opulence than anything remotely related to the humbleness of the bride of Christ. The project was completed by Paragon 360, and you won’t believe until you see the pictures below just how far this church has gone to please the eyes and ears of its pew-sitters.

Charles Spurgeon famously cautioned against “entertaining the goats” rather than “feeding the sheep.” This project, with its grandiose focus on LED walls, custom-designed stages, and high-end lighting systems, seems to stray alarmingly close to Spurgeon’s warning. The essence of his message was simple yet profound: the church’s primary role is not to entertain but to proclaim the unvarnished truth of the gospel. Yet, in the pursuit of sensory appeal and audience comfort, are we not risking the very soul of the church?

At Prestonwood, the gospel has been overshadowed by a palatable, lukewarm approach to worship and preaching. Of course, Prestonwood has never been known for its solid, unwavering commitment to biblical truth, especially at the expense of its reputation. But this phenomenon is not isolated but indicative of a broader, dangerous precedent within the modern Church. An increasing number of congregations are tilting towards a model that prioritizes entertainment over edification, comfort over conviction. In this model, the hard truths of Scripture are often glossed over in favor of messages that soothe rather than challenge, that entertain rather than enlighten.

However, the Bible calls us to a different standard. It speaks of sound teaching, equipping the saints for ministry, evangelism, and faithful Christian living. The Church’s role is not to conform to the world but to transform it through the power of the gospel. As believers, we must resist the temptation to reduce our worship to mere performance or our gatherings to social clubs. Instead, we must recommit to the foundational principles of our faith—teaching that is grounded in Scripture, worship that exalts God above all else, and a community that encourages growth in Christian maturity.