Comments on: Consumer Christianity http://panesofglass.org/christianity/consumer-christianity/ Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:51:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0-beta2-14526 By: Houstonmom http://panesofglass.org/christianity/consumer-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-4821 Houstonmom Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:24:36 +0000 http://panesofglass.org/christianity/consumer-christianity/#comment-4821 I agree. I think we're consumers in at least two ways: material and spiritual. We like the material comforts that this time and place in the world has provided. I love having an a/c church with electricity, pews, piano, etc. I think a bigger danger to the church is that we've become spiritual consumers versus worshipers. That is why churches have different services with different styles. This has resulted in a huge generation gap between different ages of Christians and is far away from the Bible's standard. Because we want to consume worship in our comfortable way, we have a fragmented American church. We even have segregated Sunday School classes. Many people who attend Houston churches do not find meaningful relationships (within the church) with folks outside their ages/marital status. I'm concerned the American church will have to undergo severe persecution before we return to a Biblical model. I agree. I think we’re consumers in at least two ways: material and spiritual. We like the material comforts that this time and place in the world has provided. I love having an a/c church with electricity, pews, piano, etc.

I think a bigger danger to the church is that we’ve become spiritual consumers versus worshipers. That is why churches have different services with different styles. This has resulted in a huge generation gap between different ages of Christians and is far away from the Bible’s standard. Because we want to consume worship in our comfortable way, we have a fragmented American church. We even have segregated Sunday School classes. Many people who attend Houston churches do not find meaningful relationships (within the church) with folks outside their ages/marital status. I’m concerned the American church will have to undergo severe persecution before we return to a Biblical model.

]]> By: Julie Riley http://panesofglass.org/christianity/consumer-christianity/comment-page-1/#comment-4820 Julie Riley Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:51:48 +0000 http://panesofglass.org/christianity/consumer-christianity/#comment-4820 Excellent point, Ryan. I, too, fail to see the Gospel in myself and oftentimes resort to my comfort zone of routine, forgetting the amazing GIFT He is to me. Wiersbe's point of not living to get, but living to give is so simple, yet comfort-zone-shattering. I would also offer that churchs are representative of the church-goers' heart. I know my prayer life can oftentimes be considered 'consumer-minded'. Coming to Him for what I want, need, or desire, versus coming to Him to just be with Him, striving to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2: 9-16). If we focus on getting our own hearts right with Him, the church will come back to being the Church. Excellent point, Ryan. I, too, fail to see the Gospel in myself and oftentimes resort to my comfort zone of routine, forgetting the amazing GIFT He is to me. Wiersbe’s point of not living to get, but living to give is so simple, yet comfort-zone-shattering.

I would also offer that churchs are representative of the church-goers’ heart. I know my prayer life can oftentimes be considered ‘consumer-minded’. Coming to Him for what I want, need, or desire, versus coming to Him to just be with Him, striving to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2: 9-16). If we focus on getting our own hearts right with Him, the church will come back to being the Church.

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