ARE WE CONSUMER CHRISTIANS?

I have a confession to make. I struggle with jealousy and envy of other churches. I covet their facilities, their programs, their staff and their popularity. I am not saying these churches are doing something wrong, I am saying there is something wrong in me. I have a deep dissatisfaction in my own heart that needs the grace of the cross. I have to go to the cross daily for that grace and trust that whatever my God ordains is right. I must be reminded Jesus is sovereign over his church, and Grace Church belongs to Christ. 

But the pastor does not face this danger alone. Church members and visitors can also fall into dissatisfaction and disappointment as well. There are great dangers that come along with it. One particular danger is we become arrogant and easily conclude the successful, popular church in town is this way because it has abandoned the truth. This may or may not be true, we just assume this because they appear successful. But this exposes the danger I want to focus on. Our jealousy or envy reveals WE have already sold out, we just don't realize that we have. Even if we have a smug attitude towards them, privately, we want to be like them. This is even more evident when we feel we need to compete. It is at this juncture we often give ourselves over to consumerism without realizing it. 

At first this seems to make sense, but ultimately, consumerism leads to dissatisfaction and disappointment, or more of it at least. (As I said, my dissatisfaction is evidence that I am already thinking like a consumer). This is one sign you are approaching the church as a consumer. What are some other signs?

Dave Dorr, pastor of Passage Church in Ohio lists four signs we are relating to the church as consumers. 

1. Consistently dwelling on the thought, “Is this church the right fit for me?”
2. Having an attitude that says, “If the leadership would just do ______________ better, then I would be happier.”
3. Comparing the offerings of your church to another church.
4. Seeing things that need to be improved in your church but taking no responsibility to do anything about them yourself. 

Dave Dorr goes on to say we ought to approach the church like family rather than like a consumer-business relationship. He also points out that the humility of Christ is the mindset we should have. He did not approach us with the mindset of a consumer, but with the mindset of a servant. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26–28, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Christ's mindset is contrasted with the mindset of a consumer who says, I am here to be served.  When we come with a "serve me" attitude, we end up feeling disappointed and disconnected. Peter writes: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Jesus' words and Peter's instructions encourage us to ask ourselves: Am I in the church to serve or to be served? Am I contributing to the life of the church or just on the receiving end? If the latter, then you are a consumer, and that is a worldly attitude to have. It has no place in the church. 

Peter is clear: we are to serve "in order that in everything God may be glorified". The end goal of consumerism is not the glory of God, but the glory of man. We want to be proud that we attend a successful church. We want to be proud that our church is successful. But its hard to think like this when we stand before the cross. Jesus looked like a failure on the cross. His enemies gloated over him and his obvious weakness. He saved others but couldn't save himself. (Matt. 27:42) This is why the cross must always be before us to keep us from becoming disappointed and dissatisfied with our church. Are there areas that need to change? Is there a place to give input or voice concerns? Absolutely! The issue is HOW we are relating to the church and its flaws: as customers or as family? What are we seeking: the glory of God or our own glory? We should seek the kingdom of God first, always, not our own little kingdom. At the end of the day, consumerism is about me and my demands, not about the demands of Jesus who died for the church.  So are you a consumer or a servant? Which should you be? 

-- Pastor Dave