So I too generally disagree with Furtick's premise about following Jesus not changing a person. Luke 19 tells the story of Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector, but when Jesus called him down from the tree and proclaimed that he would stay at his home that night, Zaccheus immediately changed his heart, gave away half of his possessions, and promised to pay back four times the amount taken if he'd cheated anyone. I'd say that's a noticeable transformation of character.

Jesus also recruits Simon Peter by telling him, "Come, and I will make you fishers of men." There is a very literal transformation here (in terms of lifestyle changes), as well as a figurative one. Simon immediately confesses to Jesus that he's a sinner and implies that he's not worthy to be in Jesus's presence (Luke 5 8-9). Well that sinner goes on to become Saint Peter who would go on to hold the keys to heaven (Matthew 16:19). As a reminder of the frailty and humanity of even those who walked in Jesus's presence, please note that this is the same Peter who denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows (John 18:13-27). Jesus knows that we are human and fallible. We are all going to slip, stumble, and fail. Jesus knows all that and still loves us, because he knows that he can still work with that. Jesus isn’t asking us to be perfect. He repeatedly just asks us to be humble.

So yes, while I disagree with Furtick's initial premise, I more vehemently disagree with the rabid lynch-mob who is self-righteously vilifying him. Perhaps one of Jesus's most important messages is in Matthew 9:13 when he says "I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."