Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Church Consumerism


How are/do we as worship leaders, on Sunday mornings or at other times add to, encourage, challenge, break down the kind of consumer mentality that my pastor is talking about Here with his "Ed & Edith" posts?

Nate

2 comments:

Steve said...

How many Eds and Ediths does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one, but they have to want to change, AND the Power has to be on. ....I don't know of any other way to "break down" a consumerism mentality short of strong but loving leadership that doesn't cater to taste-testing, and an ongoing (ongoing, ongoing) Biblical exhortation on the upside-down aspects of being a Kingdom kid (humility, servanthood, daily cross-bearing, and it's-not-all-about-me). You model, you teach, you intercede, and pray that the Holy Spirit's power will illumine the dark consumerism heart--which sounds harsh, but really, it's about selfishness at its root, isn't it?

Truth be told, we are all (or have been) in need of illuminating in this area. The worldview influence is barraging us at every turn. Gah.

Sure sounds like your church, Nate, is on the right course here. Your pastor's words are real encouragement.

Steve

CFHusband said...

It is about selfishness, and every last one of us is guilty of it. The funny thing is, churches do need to be consumer oriented...but the consumers we should be concerned about are not found inside the walls of the church.