Consumer Christianity

I was in a Leadership Conference today and the speaker made a profound statement: "Our churches have been captured by our culture." How sad, yet how true this statement is. We live in a "me" generation. We have the "Self Help" section in the book stores, and we want "self help" sermons. We live in an instant world, microwave ovens, drive through windows, overnight mail, you name it. We want, what we want and when we want it! Right Now! And unfortunately our churches have used this culture philosophy as a tool to lure people into church for the purpose of seeing them saved. But does the end justify the means? Is the bait and switch biblical? Don't think so. Not only is it not biblical, it's not eternal. Because if entertainment lures them, then it requires entertainment to keep them; or as the old preacher in Florida said, "If you win them with a hot-dog, you've got to keep 'em with a hotdog." Now don't get me wrong. We still do outreach ministry. But there is a line churches are crossing today; in fact that line is mighty blurred these days. And it's not just the mega churches. Often we blame them for this consumer Christianity mentality. But small traditional churches are just as guilty. In fact there's probably more small "me" churches than there are large "me" churches. Smaller churches become "me" churches when they become "country clubs" catering only to its members with "me" projects. So, tell me what you think. Weigh in on this one. Have our churches been captured by our culture? Let me know. And for a humorous look at this go to this web site:
www.ignitermedia.com/mechurch.asp
click on the "Me Church" video and enjoy. And, it's all just for you..........