Yesterday I suggested that many pastors and other church leaders are complicit in creating a culture of consumerism in their communities. What is the end result of this culture?
It seems to me that the end result is a community that is stuck in ineffectiveness. If people are trained to expect to always be spoon fed the milk of the Word, their walk is based on someone else’s convictions. Sure, they may have embraced those convictions, but they do not understand them and certainly cannot defend them.
A consumer expects to receive, they do not give, and they are not even able to do so. If the goods are not on the shelf, they are at a loss. Their only recourse is to try another source.
When the community needs to grow, a consumer expects the leadership to provide that growth. However, if the leadership moves in a direction that changes the consumer’s experience, the consumer will not respond positively and will more than likely communicate their displeasure in a number of ways; up to and including leaving. The consumer’s primary motivation is to get what they want when they want it.
What do you think about this? Am I on track here or am I missing something?
A consumer expects to receive, they do not give, and they are not even able to do so. If the goods are not on the shelf, they are at a loss. Their only recourse is to try another source.
When the community needs to grow, a consumer expects the leadership to provide that growth. However, if the leadership moves in a direction that changes the consumer’s experience, the consumer will not respond positively and will more than likely communicate their displeasure in a number of ways; up to and including leaving. The consumer’s primary motivation is to get what they want when they want it.
What do you think about this? Am I on track here or am I missing something?
In many cases there are churches filled with unbelievers who have absolutely no interest in the Word of God and pastors failing to uphold their responsibility to preach the whole counsel of the Word of God. A church with a Life Coach telling interesting stories/funny jokes trying hard keep to the consumer masses entertained and coming back will never impact the world for Christ. We would be better served if Pastors would just follow Paul’s charge to Timothy (2 Tim 4:2) and simply/constantly preach the Word which includes reading /explaining/applying. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s the Word of God that leads sinners to Christ and directs the life of the believer. (…and yes v.3 warns in advance that MANY will not endure sound teaching and will leave…but those who are saved/remain will be well fed.)
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the need for leaders to preach the Word. That does not seem to be the only thing Jesus or Paul did. I know of many churches where the Word is faithfully preached and yet consumerism thrives. In some cases it is the faithful preaching of the Word the consumers crave.
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