Waynesboro Church Of Christ
Welcomes You!
A pasted message from Matthew!
Past Message From Matthew
Posted Date: September 5, 2006
The culture has changed in America. Most people are educated consumers. People have highly developed likes such as certain coffee, communication styles, friendships, music, and leisure activities. People know what they like and dislike.
Consumerism is spread throughout the church. Some people prefer traditional services, others enjoy contemporary worship, while others like preaching that quotes numerous verses, but the next person likes more stories in the sermon. So people explore various churches seeking the perfect church that will meet their preference. Some megachurches knowing this mindset are able to provide all the various attractions for the informed church consumer. But the small congregations do not have the resources not the man power to please everyone. If one looks at the church through a marketing paradigm, the marketing expects would advise meeting the needs of a niche group. This advice seems shallow and against Biblical teaching. One is hard pressed to think that Jesus was willing to reach out to only one segment of society.
So what does the small church do? Does the small church run frantically to attempt to meet the needs of everyone? Does the leadership try to do everything and nothing well? Obviously these are not solutions to the iChurch atmosphere.
There is only one response to the iChurch world. The iChurch world is where I come before church. People must be taught that they make choices based on Jesus and not I. The qualities of unity, self-denial, love, and forsaking self must be instilled in the church culture. Instead of looking for church to meet my tastes, I look for a church to allow me to serve. Jesus said “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).