Who or what do you consume? If you are anything like me then you consumed a cup or two of coffee this morning. Maybe you recently consumed a movie in the theater or in the comforts of your own home. How about a nice dinner out, where there is no need to cook or clean and you can simply enjoy the food and company. I could go on and on regarding the things that we consume on a regular basis, the things which, we often pay for out of a want or desire not a need. So, can church fit into the consuming category? Unfortunately, I am afraid it can.
There is a tendency (notice I said tendency and did not use an all inclusive term here, although others might, I do not) within Christian evangelicalism to approach church as a competition where we seek to offer newer and better programs and events so that we may attract more visitors. As a result, those who are attracted to the church view it as a "vendor of religious goods and services" where programs and messages are communicated and consumed just like a cup of coffee, a dinner out and a movie. Consumerism is the ultimate manifestation of the "self" or "individual" pursuing only those products that are beneficial to the self. "Consumerism is individualism on steroids. It is the logical end-product of living for self. Consumerism paves the way of worship of self, and self worship leaves us alone with the object of our devotion." When taken to it's ultimate form consumerism leads to complete isolation, away from community and fellowship.
I don't know about you but, I don't want to voyage through life and this world all alone. The pure thought of it makes me sick. I long to be in community with those around me, just as God designed me. Our longing and pursuit of community comes from the communal and relational God who created us. When we say that God is a communal and relational God, we are simply stating that He is not an isolated God but that He is in a reciprocal relationship within the Godhead as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
With this in mind, let us long and join in community with those around us instead of isolating ourselves on an island. Let us be consumed by God and the divine love, which flows from above (Romans 5:5). If we allow ourselves to be consumed (instead of consuming) we will be open to God's transformational work in our lives as we study His word in community with those around us. In his book, Transforming Church, Kevin Ford highlights the differences between consumerism and community. Here is what he has to say:
It is my prayer that we who are Christ followers join together in community as we seek to be consumed by God's love. Let us lay aside our individual desires for the betterment of those around us living a life consumed by God's divine love.There is a tendency (notice I said tendency and did not use an all inclusive term here, although others might, I do not) within Christian evangelicalism to approach church as a competition where we seek to offer newer and better programs and events so that we may attract more visitors. As a result, those who are attracted to the church view it as a "vendor of religious goods and services" where programs and messages are communicated and consumed just like a cup of coffee, a dinner out and a movie. Consumerism is the ultimate manifestation of the "self" or "individual" pursuing only those products that are beneficial to the self. "Consumerism is individualism on steroids. It is the logical end-product of living for self. Consumerism paves the way of worship of self, and self worship leaves us alone with the object of our devotion." When taken to it's ultimate form consumerism leads to complete isolation, away from community and fellowship.
I don't know about you but, I don't want to voyage through life and this world all alone. The pure thought of it makes me sick. I long to be in community with those around me, just as God designed me. Our longing and pursuit of community comes from the communal and relational God who created us. When we say that God is a communal and relational God, we are simply stating that He is not an isolated God but that He is in a reciprocal relationship within the Godhead as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
With this in mind, let us long and join in community with those around us instead of isolating ourselves on an island. Let us be consumed by God and the divine love, which flows from above (Romans 5:5). If we allow ourselves to be consumed (instead of consuming) we will be open to God's transformational work in our lives as we study His word in community with those around us. In his book, Transforming Church, Kevin Ford highlights the differences between consumerism and community. Here is what he has to say:
- Community requires being missional; consumerism demands internal satiation.
- Community shares responsibilities greater then self; consumerism demands entitlements.
- Community expresses itself in service; consumerism feeds and endless hunger.
- Community leads to a shared freedom; consumerism leads to singular addiction.
- Community actively creates; consumerism passively devours.
Introduction
Lesson #1: Above all else
Lesson #2: The church as the body and family
Lesson #3: People or programs
Lesson #4: To consume or to be consumed
Lesson #5: For mine or yours
Lesson #6: Peter Pan & leadership
Lesson #7: Rainbow vs. pot of gold
1 comments:
I'm going to use those highlights from Kevin Ford's book in a paper I am writing on consumerism! Thanks!
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