Consumer Christianity

There's an observation I keep coming back to. One of the characteristics of consumer Christianity is not a preference for small or large churches, but for churches that grow while asking very little of people personally.

What genuinely breaks my heart is that there are many churches that offer people the option of attending without belonging, consuming without committing. This plays perfectly into the instincts of a consumeristic and comfort-driven generation.

It takes courage to be a biblical church — a church that intentionally builds its systems, programmes, activities, and culture around devotion. Devotion to God's Word and prayer. Devotion to sacrificial love for brothers and sisters, and for those who do not yet believe. Devotion to the Holy Spirit in the secret place. Devotion to gospel-centred evangelism. Devotion expressed through generosity.

Instead, we often build churches and Sunday services around making sure people feel welcomed — and we stop there.

Hospitality may gather people, but only devotion will sustain and transform them into the image of Christ.