Raising Christians in a Consumer world

One of the greatest deceptions of our enemy satan is to convince the church that it is a part of the market place in a consumer driven world . Just one more billboard among thousands with an advertisement and a catchy phrase, hoping to appeal to the wandering eye of an active consumer. If, as Christians, we come to believe that the objective of the church is to create a religious product that will attract the most consumers, by default we move from discipling to salesmen. Once we believe we are pitching a product, we feel compelled to adapt to the most successful models for gaining new consumers. We ramp up marketing visibility, adapt a market place business model, word smith the message (Gospel) to make it more acceptable for a broader audience.

Attracting and keeping consumers is exhausting, expensive, but worst of all it requires appeasement and people pleasing that drains the very soul of the church while redirecting her mission. Let’s face it, the message of Christianity is not one that fits well into popular culture. The Gospel rebukes pride and requires consumers to exchange everything they hold dear for a cross. To a culture that values individual choice with no negative outcome, rights without responsibility, and values self care above sacrifice, the gospel is a reality slap in the face they are not ready to receive. It seems impossible that any consumer might respond to the gospel and yet they do. By the millions they have over centuries and it continues even in our days that hungry souls find help and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do in fact, exchange the things they hold dear for the cross of Christ.

“Consumers are always susceptible to deception. The reason for this is a consumer is positioned to be sold something. ”

I want to shift gears here and speak primarily to parents. I also want to include the role of the Church in coming alongside the family. The question for parents is how do we raise Christians in such a consumer driven world? How do we teach our children not to be consumers? Consumers are always susceptible to deception. The reason for this is a consumer is positioned to be sold something. The better the salesman the more consumers will buy into the pitch. Salesmen are not tasked with marketing the TRUTH, they are tasked with selling the product.

“If we cater to their resistance to go to Sunday school or youth group, or service we communicate to them that the church is not meeting their needs. We put felt needs above response to the gospel. ”

If we teach our children that the church is a product for consumption, they will focus their attention upon what they don’t get when they go to church, that they may get when they go somewhere else. As parents we must first break the hold of consumerism in our lives so that we may effectively show our children what it means to live a Christian life. If we cater to their resistance to go to Sunday school or youth group, or service, we communicate to them that the church is not meeting their needs. We put felt needs above response to the gospel. When we teach them that the church should make them happy we train them to be consumers who will likely grow up to be young adults who see no value in going to church.

As parents when we say things like “I wish church services were shorter”, “Did you have fun in class today”? We may be communicating a consumer message to our children. Signaling our children that a good church will meet all our needs. The problem with thinking like a consumer is that we neglect the obligation of serving others. If our attention is on our own needs and wants we can miss the very real opportunity to serve others using the gifts God has given to us.

We are the beneficiaries of the Grace of God through the work of Jesus Christ. His death, His burial, His resurrection remain our only hope for eternal life. Gratitude and humility are key ingredients in helping break the hold of consumerism. We can break the hold of consumerism in our lives and in our families by teaching the values of sacrifice, service, gratitude and humility.

As a church we are family. No one should be ignored or left alone. We stand with parents and children encouraging one another to walk the walk not just talk the talk. As we serve together we strengthen the bonds of our relationship with one another. It is not easy to stay out of the consumerism trap. We live in that kind of world all day and it rubs off on us. Billboards, commercials call to us to get in the game, make a new purchase, get happiness from materialism. We must practice a disciplined life.

“ Church is not a franchise of a business, we are not competing with one another for customers, your pastor is not a salesman”

Church is not a franchise of a business, we are not competing with one another for customers, your pastor is not a salesman. Scripturally speaking, your pastor is is a farmer. He spreads seeds of the gospel and it is God working in us that prepares the soil of our hearts to receive those seeds into good ground so they can grow. The (C)hurch big C is not a building it is a people who belong to only ONE TRUE GOD! They are not Bible owners they are Bible believers who put into obedient practice God’s Word daily.

The Church is not in trouble or losing members or out of step with culture. The Church is thriving, expanding the Kingdom of God and pushing back the darkness. If you measure the Church by local church weekly attendance, popularity in culture or power in politics you won’t see it at all. The Church is global, its message is the gospel, its impact is visible to the spiritualy living, its works are eternal and glorify God alone. It appeals to the broken who admit they are broken, to the seeker who has exhausted all attempts to dismiss God, to the thirsty who have tasted life and still thirst, to men, women, children, to the confused, the conquered, the lonely.

Consumers have heard the message of the advertisers but they have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Separated from their creator by their own sin, without hope in this world, ever searching but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. If you ARE the Church you hold the TRUTH within your heart. Share it. Let’s kill consumerism in the church for the sake of the gospel.