We are needy people! Believers need one another if they are to successfully live out the Christian life. Christianity is impossible to live out in a singular, individualistic fashion. There are many reasons why that is true, such as the need for sharing spiritual gifts with one another (1 Cor. 12), the need to spur one another on to show love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24), the need for exhortation and admonishment (Col. 3:16), and the need to be part of a body that gives you fellowship and support (Ephesians 4:12-13). You simply cannot live out the Christian life without other people. Therefore, if you forsake meeting and gathering with your church, then you are denying your spiritual life a basic need that should be present. Some deny this need and suffer spiritually for it. Malnourished Christians are those who do not meet regularly with other believers for prayer, support, encouragement, and admonishment in the Word of God.
We all have a decision to make concerning church. In the last few decades, church in America has somewhat become another business competing for clients. This is not the fault of the church entirely. The church membership is equally at fault. Why? Because some families see church very similar to a McDonald's restaurant. You go when you want to or you go when you can. You go as long as the family is happy with the choice and the play land keeps the kids happy. If there is a sports event, Saturday late night activity, gymnastics, or hunting trip, then "McJesus" can wait. If everyone else in the neighborhood decides to go to Burger King, then your family may as well join them. No need to commit to anything at "McJesus." After all, it is just a business. The problem with this new trend in Christianity is that it is not Christian at all. Church is the body of Christ, not the place for bodily consumption. Therefore, we have a decision to make as believers. What attitude are we going to adopt, that of the culture or that of the Scripture?
Every family is going to have to tackle some hard questions on this issue at some point. For example: Are we going to turn this national church trend around by committing to one another and to one church? Do we see the value of our family going to the same church and not various churches due to another church offering a new "toy?" What are we teaching our children about church when we adopt a consumer mentality? How can they grow up to respect a "McJesus" anyway? Are we contributing to consumer church or are we teaching our family that we must be accountable to others?
The point is that we need one another for spiritual nourishment of our souls. You will not get the good Biblical nutrition needed if you turn church into a fast food outlet of consumerism. We need one another. I pray we all set our priorities in line and come together for church. It really is not optional if we are to grow up in the faith.
By Mark Livingston, First Baptist Keltys, Lufkin, TX
1 comment:
Mark,
Great post, it looks like you've been reading a little "Above All Earthly Powers" or some other David Wells books. I have a question what suggestions would you give to people who are in churches that pander to the consumer mentality of the culture? In other words, let's say Susie joined a church for the wrong reasons (say they had a Fire Engine for a Baptistry and thought her kids would get a kick out of being dunked in the Fire Engine) but now she realizes that her church is shallow and has completely sold out to the world. What does one do in that situation?
Post a Comment