Friday, April 24, 2009
Ah, Sarcasm
Milt Stanley recently linked to this:
So here is the question - if consumerism is dying, and we have a consumerism based church, does the religious identity survey reflect changes in religion or consumer habit? And if so, what does that say about the "religious" commitment of those that are no longer identifying?
There is a great deal of value in learning from other sources, but there are limits. There is a uniqueness to what the church does that cannot be fully handled in any other way.
I also wonder about the stewardship aspects of spending so many resources in pursuit of strategies that do not produce the results desired. Think about how much has been poured into building churches on this consumeristic model over the last couple of decades, only to have the "results" disappear in the whisper of an economic downturn. Is that really the best use of the time and treasure God has given us?
Most of us, I think, recognize the pattern and the inherent sarcasm. But it raises interesting questions. Consumerism appears to be, at least temporarily, on the wane. (I would argue gross consumerism may be, but not general consumerism, but that is an argument for a different post.) The recent religious identity survey says fewer Americans are identifying religiously.So. You want me in your church. Here’s how to get me.
Parking....
Nice Building....
Proper HVAC....
Comfy chairs....
Be punctual....
You’ve got an hour....
Music...
Announcements....
Offering....
Sermon....
Final song....
Benediction segue....
And then the band amps back up....
Like I said. I’m a consumer. Oh. And a sort of a Christian. If you build this, I will come.
So here is the question - if consumerism is dying, and we have a consumerism based church, does the religious identity survey reflect changes in religion or consumer habit? And if so, what does that say about the "religious" commitment of those that are no longer identifying?
There is a great deal of value in learning from other sources, but there are limits. There is a uniqueness to what the church does that cannot be fully handled in any other way.
I also wonder about the stewardship aspects of spending so many resources in pursuit of strategies that do not produce the results desired. Think about how much has been poured into building churches on this consumeristic model over the last couple of decades, only to have the "results" disappear in the whisper of an economic downturn. Is that really the best use of the time and treasure God has given us?
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