The Consumer Church: Are We Buying Faith, Not Living It?
The Consumer Church: Are We Buying Faith, Not Living It? We live in a consumer-driven world. It's woven into the fabric of our culture, shaping how we approach everything, even our faith. In North America, this "consumer mindset" has infiltrated the church, often without us even realizing it. The "Come and Hear" Approach: Think about it. We're bombarded with invitations: "Invite your friends next week," "Easter and Christmas are perfect for first-timers!" Pastors are strategizing, saying things like, "We need to give them what they want so we can give them what they need," or "Anything short of sin, we'll risk to bring people closer to Jesus." This echoes a marketing approach, as seen in books like "Connect: How To Grow Your Church In 28-Days Guaranteed." The focus shifts to attracting people through "reach events" – chili cook-offs, carnivals, even Disney movie nights. While well-intentioned,...