When pastors become CEOs, evangelism becomes “marketing” and disciples become consumers, collapse is inevitable. The recent implosion of Willow Creek Church and Harvest Bible Chapel has confirmed to me that the mega-church model is not (and has never been) sustainable.
Once you have an auditorium that seats multiple thousands and a staff of hundreds, the emphasis shifts from authentic ministry to getting and keeping butts in the pews. Worship must, by necessity, become customer service and must focus on the desires and preferences of the worshipper rather than the praise of the One who alone is worthy.
Over the past 50 years, the church has increasing turned to Madison Avenue for direction and has adopted the structures and philosophies of corporate America. We have bought into the beliefs that “Bigger is better” and that growth is equal to health. We have studied community demographics and have tailored our methods and our message to reach our selected target audience. We have aspired to “success” and evaluated ourselves using the formulas of business—market share and financial gain.
We have substituted what is right with what works. We have replaced following Jesus’ teachings with following a charismatic leader. We have preached comfort without a cross. We have buried Jesus beneath layers of satin and silk. We have fed the flock junk food in slick packaging. The Church has gained the world, but has lost its core values in the process.
If the church (of any size) is going to remain faithful to its calling, we must resist the temptation of spectacle (jumping from the steeple?) and gaining prominence via Satan’s machinations. Instead, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, our true example. By corporate standards, Jesus was an absolute failure, choosing the wrong target demographic (solidarity with blue collar workers and social outcasts is not a wise financially plan), the wrong strategy (you don’t offend just about everybody that could potentially support your ministry), the wrong methods (why would anyone make participation in the mission so costly that no one will want to join?), and the wrong message (“the last shall be first and the first last” is suicide if you want to reach the 1%).
By becoming an extension of Madison Avenue, the church has departed from Jesus’ Way and gotten lost. Now, the church is being sifted and shifted—a work of the Spirit, I believe. God is showing us it is time for repentance and a return to the narrow way of Jesus’ mission—announce good news to the poor, free the captive, release the oppressed, open the eyes of the blind, heal the injured. The Church may not gain the appearance of “success”, but it will certainly be stronger and healthier.
Tongue on Fire 