Pastor Josh Hauerton Faces Criticism for Using Stairways in Sermon on Christian Life

Pastor Josh Hauerton, senior pastor of Lakepoint Church in Rockwall, Texas, recently faced online criticism for using two large stairways as an illustration during a sermon on Christian life. The incident, referred to as #LadderGate2026, occurred during the September 20 sermon in the series “Strike the Magnificent Struggle.” Hauerton referenced 2 Timothy 3, which speaks of “hard times” and the increasing wickedness of people in recent days, to highlight the moral challenges faced by Christians in a corrupt world.

In his message, Hauerton emphasized the call for believers to choose between serving God and serving the world. He stood on two large stairs to illustrate the impossibility of serving two masters, drawing a parallel between the “ladder of Christ” and the “ladder of the world.” He described a new Christian who commits to following Jesus and taking “small steps” in their spiritual journey, contrasting this with someone who takes the first step up a ladder that is close enough to the world’s ladder to stand on both at the same time.

The sermon took place shortly after several hundred people had committed to Christ and were considering baptism in the following week. Hauerton encouraged new believers to make a clear choice, referencing Joshua’s instruction to “choose for yourselves now who you will serve.” His use of the stairway illustration sparked a significant amount of discussion and criticism on social media platforms.

The illustration was part of a broader message on the challenges of Christian living in a world that often opposes the values of the faith. Hauerton’s approach aimed to emphasize the importance of commitment and the difficulty of maintaining integrity in a corrupt environment. The sermon was part of a series exploring the themes of perseverance and moral character in the face of adversity, as outlined in 2 Timothy 3.

The incident has raised questions about the appropriateness of such visual metaphors in preaching and the potential for misinterpretation. While some saw the illustration as a powerful way to convey the message of commitment and choice, others found it controversial or inappropriate. The discussion highlights the ongoing debate about the role of symbolism and imagery in religious teachings and the impact of such choices on congregational engagement and perception.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)