There’s an old question that asks a very simple but very pointed question: “If your church disappeared today in its entirety, would your community notice?”
When you go to the grocery store does anyone greet you at the door? Do you get what you came in for? Is the experience set up so your needs are met and you can leave with what you need for the week? Is the parking convenient? Do you like the music they play? How is the messaging while you’re there? Do you use the app?
Now, re-read that and ask it of your church.
The corporation that runs your local grocery store provides all those things to you to create a good experience for the consumer. There is psychology behind their process, and a plan to keep the customer returning over and over again. They sculpt their process with marketing teams, statistics and patterns learned from loyalty cards.
The most you have to do is find what you want when you want, and then maybe ring yourself up at the end. Or maybe even have it delivered to you at the curb or at your front door.
Again, what do people expect of their church here in the west today?
Our life in Christ is meant to be a life of service to others, not a focus on how we’re being served through niche programming.
The gathering of the saints is meant to be focused on glorifying God, the One who is worthy of all praise.
The community of faith is meant to take Christ into their community, not to retreat into their buildings and leave again making no local impression.
Disciples change their world.
Disciples love their neighbor.
Disciples take Jesus & the Gospel with them wherever they go – work, school, wherever.
They are changed by Him, focused on Him, submissive and obedient to Him.
Jesus flows out through His people.
And His people dwell in His Word, and in The Spirit, seeking the Father’s will.
Consumers?
They are focused on convenience, not sacrifice.
They seek entertainment & emotional experiences, not growth and maturity.
They seek what boosts their self-image.
They seek what keeps them friendly with the culture around them.
They are biblically illiterate, and fall to false teachings due to lack of wisdom and discernment.
They are the ones who will cry out “Lord, Lord,” but be unknown to Him.
Their patterns look like church life to many, but the fruit of their life? It doesn’t reveal Christ.
Attendance alone isn’t discipleship.
Presence alone isn’t discipleship.
Involvement alone isn’t discipleship.
Study alone isn’t discipleship.
Prayer alone isn’t discipleship.
Experiences aren’t discipleship either.
Passivity doesn’t breed devotion.
Entertainment won’t grow people to maturity.
Chasing trends is an endless circle that lacks focus and distracts from Christ’s commands.
For the individual: Ask what your faith asks of you, and how the church family you gather with encourages a life of service, sacrifice and devotion. Put it to the test.
For church leaders and pastors: Ask how much fruit your efforts are producing. Are new leaders, pastors, missionaries and servants being raised up? Are new churches being planted? Does your community know you are there by your service & love shown through the Gospel? If any answers are in the negative, just ask why.
