Consumerism in the Institutional Church
Before we get too far into this, let’s clarify some of the words in the title.
consumerism: the propensity to consume and keep consuming (from investopedia.com); within the context of the podcast-the idea that the church has become a business-like entity with the sole purpose of providing “goods” to its congregants and likewise the congregants have become consumers in that they are looking to gain something by attending
institutional church: the organized, structured, membership-oriented congregations (our definition) This is in contrast to the Body of Christ which is all believers and followers of Christ.
The 3 Types of Consumer-Minded Churches
1. Large Discount Store or Shopping Mall
This your “mega” churches with dozens of ministries to fit the attendees desires. These dozens of ministries and departments all have pastors, leaders, and workers in each one. Think managers, assistant managers, and cashiers. The shelves are stocked with several different options so you can choose exactly what YOU are looking for. Congregants can pick and choose what they want to be a part of and it is hardly noticed if they don’t show up for a few weeks or months. The variety store churches want to make sure they offer something for everyone to be more enticing to the general public.
2. Dollar Stores
These businesses are there to be a convenient stop for shoppers who only need the essentials. This is like your mid-range churches who would like more “business” but also know they rely on their regulars. There’s a few extra programs, but only if there’s demand for it.
3. Small Local Specialty Shop
This would be like a small country or rural church, or possibly just one with a small amount of members. In the shopping world, this would be a boutique that only offers one type of product. Locals are the regulars. The owners are perfectly happy to only serve the people they know and get along with. Churches in this category will typically be very introverted and only desire to serve those that are in their “circle.”
Bottom line: The Church, the Body of Christ, the Ekklesia was sent OUT by Christ. He commanded his disciples to go out and spread the Gospel, not sit in the four walls of a building or organization and hope to bring people in with great marketing tools and enticing “products and/or services” or to only invite our friends to our exclusive club. When we gather as believers it should be as Jesus instructed Peter saying, “Feed my sheep.” Feeding the sheep is further described by Paul when writing to the Ephesians: “….he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers: for the perfecting (complete furnishing, equipping) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.” Much like building a physical body, building the body of Christ will be challenging and not a patty-cake, once a week, comfortable task. Well-fed sheep reproduce. Reproduction is NOT taking sheep from another field. Reproduction = multiplication.
Conclusion
Looking back at the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, the institutional church has been wandering for far too long. We have become somewhat comfortable here, settling in to the routine of “having church.” God wants more for us. We’ve been delivered from sin (Egypt), but let’s not stop there. The Promised Land is just over the Jordan.
The Promised Land of life more abundant.
The Promised Land of victory over the enemy of our souls.
The Promised Land of furthering the Kingdom of God.
