As a pastor this contrast of worshiper or consumer is often a topic of discussion and thought. We are in such a consumer driven culture that even church has become a consumer product. We change churches because we like the music better over there or the preacher is "really good" at this church, but we forget that we are not in church for us. We are there, as the family of God, to worship HIM. Church is about HIM, not us.
We are even consumers as we watch a sunset. "Isn't that beautiful?" "What amazing colors!" It's as if the sunset was meant for our entertainment. In that moment we miss the main intent of a beautiful sunset- it's meant to inspire worship of God. Yes, we are to enjoy the beauty of the site, but the goal of that amazing sight is worship. God, you are so amazing! Thank you for this beautiful sunset. Thank you for what you have made!
One of the problems with being a consumer is that we are never satisfied. We have been programed to be dissatisfied and always wanting more. A beautiful sunset for a consumer would generate this response, "Yeah, that was good, but you should have seen it yesterday...that was amazing!" Consumers see everything in light of themselves. It's all about me. If a consumer comes to church the church is less for the experience. The consumer will be focused on what he or she wants and needs. They are not there to worship God, but to be entertained...to be fed...to have their needs met.
But what a different experience a worshiper has at sunset and at church. Their response is directed towards God. "Thank you, God, for your amazing creation. Thank you for letting me see this amazing thing you have made!" In church the response is similar. Whether hymns or contemporary music they are focused on God and not on what they want or like. They are there to worship God! The style of music doesn't bother them....it's all a way for them to praise and worship God. Worshipers are as happy with hymns as they are with praise choruses.
The contrasts continue with preaching, building style, how nice the people are and a hundred other issues that define us as either consumers or worshipers. The challenge for us, in a consumer rich culture, is to live our lives as worshipers with our eyes on heaven and not on ourselves. No church can rise above who the people worship. If we worship ourselves...if it's all about us...the church is doomed. If we worship God there will be amazing things happen among us.
So which are you- a consumer or a worshiper?
6 comments:
So many things to talk about...
First of all, I'm not sure that making a value judgment about a sunset makes me a consumer. So, for example, if yesterday's was "more beautiful" than Tuesday's, that's simply an observation from my point of view. It has nothing to do with whether or not I appreciated both (and I'd disagree that the main intent of a sunset is to worship--but that's simply an aside).
Secondly, the idea that consumers see everything in light of themselves isn't necessarily accurate. For example, if I go to a retail store to pick out a ring for my wife and leave without purchasing one, it might be that they simply didn't have what I was looking for in this particular instance. So, I'm not making a judgment about the retail store overall, but simply that they didn't provide the service that was needed in my instance...but they could be providing HUNDREDS of others what they want.
This idea plays out in American suburban churches as well. If you're a family with 8 kids, a children's ministry is important to you. If you're an empty nester, you're looking for something different (most likely). It isn't that the family is looking to "be entertained" it's that they're looking for a "fit." And a great number of people choose a church because of this idea of "fit."
Now, part of that "fit" may be whether or not hymns are played or contemporary music is used or whether or not a youth ministry is offered or 100 other things. But that doesn't mean a person is a consumer vs. worshiper. It simply means one congregation "fits" a person/family better than another. And the American church allows for that.
And lastly, on the "hundred other issues" that "define us as either consumers or worshipers" has two sides to it. See, each church defines itself by worship style, preaching/teaching style, building style, etc. For example, we designed our current facility based on what we valued at the time. Phases like "functional box as a tool for ministry" was used a great deal. We told the world that steeples and stained glass weren't our style. Basketball goals and stackable chairs told them that our auditorium would be used for play as well as Sunday Services. Our cafe and massive foyer tells the world that sitting and having a chat over coffee is highly valued. Our video screens were choices made that say we'll use all sorts of means for communication. Our classrooms are designed for a "master teacher" format--lecture driven (granted they can be rearranged and multi-function, but design was given to lecture).
CBC told the world that if you're into steeples and stained glass and high-liturgy, you're probably not going to be happy there...without saying a word. But if you desire an informal environment where people feel free to joyfully fellowship and study His word together, stick around...without saying a word.
I say all this to say that, while I agree that some people are consumers in that they are selfish, I'm pretty sure that choosing a church based on "fit" can actually be the most loving and unselfish thing someone can do...
...especially since each local congregation sets forth their values as what makes them distinct and why someone might want to be a part of them.
I understand what you're saying, Mike. Brent made valid points, but you were addressing a specific heart issue.
Joy, my point is that Mike set forth the question in the last line of his entry to define where one stood...when, in my opinion, the standards he set forth in the body of the text to define that weren't so clear cut.
Granted, he highlighted the heart issue, however, reading the entry sets forth a specific mindset with which to do that...and that's what I was reacting to. The reality that if I choose to worship in a certain type of building with a certain type of music and a certain type of preaching, well, that doesn't mean I'm a consumer. Inherently, every church sets forth a set of values--both written and through architecture/doctrine/worship style/etc.--allowing any local believer to choose freely the one they happen to be most comfortable with.
It was Mike's statement that a worshiper is just as happy with hymns, or preaching, or building design is what sets the dichotomy...one in which I was highlighting isn't necessarily accurate as an either/or in this instance.
Ultimately, we're on the same page regarding the heart issue of the individual...but it was the question at the end of the entry combined with examples that I felt warranted another viewpoint. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered. I think it's an important distinction.
Sorry, Mike. I agree with Brent on this one. I do agree that heart attitude is part of the issue in worshiping, but feeling like something is a "fit" is not being a consumer. It's why we have so many options in churches and worship. It's also why (in my opinion) we should be less critical and more loving of others who choose differently than we do in how they worship. I may enjoy hymns for example and my neighbor may enjoy a guitar and candlelight. Neither is correct or wrong - just choices. The church (again in my opinion) should be part of building up each other and spurring each other on to maturity. If that isn't happening, then why would it be consumerism to find a place where that is happening? Again, just a fit thing. Not right or wrong.
Just my humble opinion. Nothing is going to be perfect, but there are some things for each of us that are non-negotiables.
And I should have clarified that worship is more than music. It could also be that someone is looking for a particular style of teaching - exegetical, topical, high-tech...and then there's the theological issues that each of us much choose what we believe.
So much to consider.
And as far as the sunsets over the past week, I often look at them and comment that I can't believe God would paint such beautiful skies for our pleasure. He didn't have to make them so vivid. I guess that's worshiping for me. But maybe I am a bit of a consumer because I do prefer the sunsets of Texas to the sunsets of some other places I've lived.
Thanks, Lori, that's why I write this stuff...to work out what I'm thinking and to challenge others to think as well. If this post did that for anyone then it served its purpose. Thanks for your comments.
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