The overseas trips are just shameful - flying to a different continent to 'spread the word'? You would probably encounter more people in need of help and support by taking public transport to the airport. What honestly went through the mind of trustees and colleagues at SoulSurvivor (which I understand was a slightly scruffy warehouse site in Watford) when he shared his plans for those trips, wrote 'Mike away in Hawaii 17th-29th' on a calendar or submitted his expense claims? Did anyone have or raise any doubts about the ethics of or justification for these missions?
But the general tendency of evangelical Christianity towards 'growth' has always puzzled me. Why is it necessary, constantly getting bigger and bigger, planting churches here, there and everywhere? I know that there is a biblical basis for evangelism, but surely it would be more meaningful to actually reach out to those in real need in the local community around your existing church, those experiencing poverty, addiction or social problems. But perhaps it is simply easier to plant a good-looking young vicar and his wife in the next town and hoover up all the easy, low-hanging fruit in the form of students, young people, harrassed mums, retired couples and say 'Lo, look at our wonderful new church and the good work we are doing.'
To me it just reads like building a power base.