It’s been a while since I’ve written anything (sorry about that), but this morning I was reading an article that wasn’t filled with new insightful ideas, yet gave a perspective that I think we all struggle with in our day. Let’s face it we live in a culture that is driven by statements like, “what’s in it for us,” “what we like,” and “what we prefer.” Some of us prefer pizza over hamburgers, while others, given the choice, would brave almost any kind of weather to be outside rather than stay home and play video games.
We’re consumers – plain and simple. We live and breathe the “acquisition of more and better.” Wikipedia has defined Consumerism as “a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts.” How does it make you feel to know that many organizations exist to create, in you and your family, the desire for more? Big business is very interested in what we prefer and will go to great lengths to provide us with what we want – for a price. Of course without the creation of this desire within our society we would be in a significant economic turmoil. We really do live and breathe in a consumer culture.
When this kind of thinking is all around us we can’t help but bring it into the arena of how we feel about gathering as the Body of Christ on Sunday (or whenever you gather). Take a moment to think about why you attend a Sunday Worship Service (or why you don’t)? Are the items on your list filled with preferences that satisfy your needs?
Cathy Little, in an brief article, First Church of the Consumer, asks us why we go to church? It’s a good question. Again, it’s not a new question. Christian Leaders within North America have been trying to address this issue for decades – perhaps centuries. Although I recognize that as the People of God (His Church) we wish to create an atmosphere where people desire Him, I’m concerned that this is often not the primary reason many attend a worship service these days.
Read the article, First Church of the Consumer (full article here), and let me know what you think. I especially like her insight that our worship services are meant to be a place where we offer ourselves to Him.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name (Heb. 13:15).
Blessings,
Pastor Bruce.
Bruce Archer
Bernd Heyde
