Consumeranity: A Subtle but Serious Dis-Ease that Infects the Church

 

Phil Miglioratti @ Reimagine.Network

A “What? SoWhat? NowWhat?” Overview

 

{Warning Label: Consumeranity is a Dangerous Infiltration of Consumerism With Christianity}

 

WHAT?

…is Consumeranity?

 

Consumeranity is an unholy partnership of Christianity and consumerism.

 

Christianity is the system of disciplines-rituals-practices of persons who identify as Christian.

 

Christianity is based on and built upon the Gospel of Jesus, but it is not the Gospel. It is more like a frame we use to enclose a precious painting or a briefcase we employ to carry indispensable documents.

 

The Gospel is Jesus: the appearance, the activity, the announcement, and the amazing grace achievement of Jesus. Incarnation. Good words. Good works. Good news of salvation by grace.

 

Christianity embodies the systems and structures of the  teaching and traditions of the beliefs of those who have faith In Jesus. These  doctrines and customs serve as “instructional {and institutional} scaffolding” -

 

“Instructional … scaffolding provides … support and guidance to students, allowing them to learn new concepts and skills

by gradually releasing responsibility as they become more independent,

essentially acting as a temporary structure to help them access learning that would be difficult without assistance;

this is often achieved by breaking down complex information into smaller chunks and providing targeted support based on their needs.” {AI description}

 

History is replete with examples of how doctrinal interpretations and practical applications of biblical teachings become so assimilated with cultural norms or ethnic customs or philosophical perceptions that dilute the meaning or deviate message of the Gospel.

  • Dilute: “to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance”
  • Deviate: “to stray especially from a standard, principle, or topic”

 

And that invariably leads to a spiritual infection in the Body of Christ, compromising individuals, congregations, even denominations. The infiltration of consumerism is one of those illnesses.

 

The emergence of capitalism in Western society “produces consumerism by inherently incentivizing businesses to constantly create demand for new products\

through marketing and planned obsolescence, thus encouraging people to continuously buy more goods to maintain economic growth,

which is seen as essential for a capitalist system to function effectively;

this creates a culture where people are encouraged to identify with their possessions and seek satisfaction through consumption rather than other means.” {AI description}

 

Consumeranity (a religious devotion to consumerism) has infiltrated Christianity which infects Christian ministry:

    • Church-shopping/hopping. Mega-star Pastors.
    • Church-growth philosophies that are driven by a sociological worldview.
    • Seeker-friendly priorities that foster Entertainment-Worship (“lights, camera, jumbotron!”).
    • Christmas-and-Easter Christians. Shopping-mall churches.
    • Drive-thru prayer (even funerals). Attending church in your PJs in a Lazy-Boy.

 

The consumer-lifestyle, historically only available to the wealthy class, has trickled down to the less affluent classes, resulting in a vast majority of the population attending church services with a “what’s in it for me” attitude that produces an addiction to “what feels good to me.”

 

We still give praise, recite doxologies, listen to sermons, attend study classes, donate time and money. But our focus on our Lord and Savior has competition. Our doctrinal statements may not have changed but our passions and pursuits are enculturated by a self-focused societal mindset driven toward self-fulfillment.

 

"God is not dead in our culture. Only his identity has changed.

The claim of autonomy for human reason has led to its own deification and the rejection of the importance of history,

the development of a spiritualized physics and a return to an ancient gnosticism--in short, a New Religious Synthesis.

The dominant god today is the cosmic spirit embodied in the self; a shift has come about … with important implications for navigating the religious currents of our day."

James W. Sire, author of The Universe Next Door

 

Consumeranity is not confined to economics and personal possessions. It is a mindset (some would say it is a religion) that has the power to reframe human identity and redirect motivation and objectives.

 

A reimagined mindset about the vulnerability of Christianity by leaders who serve-shape-steer church teaching and ministry planning is crucial.

    • com-"with, together with, jointly"
    • sume: “to take up”
    • consume: “to squander, use-up, devour, destroy, but also…
    • to engage fully: “engrossed, captivated”

 

We need to rethink discipleship from the ground-up, from the inside-out, so that we produce spiritual formation settings and experiences that equip members to distinguish between biblical truths and cultural influences or societal trends. Discipleship must become more than accumulating biblical facts. Learners must be capable of applying the biblical teachings of being-Christian, knowing-Scripture, doing-church into a Jesus-modeled lifestyle that is relevant to but not regulated by our preferences, our peers, our professions, or our politics.

 

Redesigning methodology must be preceded by rethinking how to present biblical information in ways that help believers to question the text for original intent and seek Spirit-led guidance of how best to incorporate each truth into a God-glorifying lifestyle. “In the world but not of the world” as my childhood pastor would say.

 

#ItSeemsToMe… we need to shift from “presents,” consuming the personal benefits/gifts of Christianity, to “presence,” living a worship-fueled life of gratitude as we experience the spiritual blessings of authentic Christianity; loving God and loving neighbors.

 

 

SO WHAT?

…is treacherous about this trend?

 

Consumeranity is a dis-ease that infects the Church, as Christ-followers are diverted to “self”motivations that become the take-away of teaching and preaching and even service in ministry.

  • Sermons become Bible-verse-and Bible-story based therapy lectures
  • Study group and seminar training aims on meeting the immediate needs and solving prevailing problems in relationships (marriage, single-hood, family)
  • Supplication in prayer becomes primarily petitioning for relief from personal problems

 

Our teachings must be relevant to these issues but not at the expense of our primary call of Christianity to be in Christ (Colossians 1:27) so that we  become like Christ (1:28).

 

While responding to our felt needs, Christianity must remind us “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10) and challenge us to hear the Spirit calling  us to “offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him” … so that t…we will be “transformed .. .. by the renewing our minds.” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

Christians should expect guidance with personal and social issues but as a means of becoming better equipped to love our neighbors. Righteousness that pursues justice. Blessing and challenging culture. This is the context for learning how to apply the Scriptures. Self-fulfillment is achieved as we grow in spiritual obedience.

 

“Consumption is a serious issue. Consumption is a lifestyle, a culture that is bred into us here in the western world. It is about more than simply materialism–it is about how we see life. We as Christians are supposed to live by certain principles of self-sacrifice and sharing. Jesus calls us to ‘love our neighbor as ourself.’ America, and American Christians continue to consume materials and finances in astounding proportions.” Seth Barnes

 

Consumeranity poisons biblical faith, morphing it into a religion about Christ rather than a relationship with Christ.

 

  • Salvation is limited to a free-pass forgiveness of our sin.
  • Discipleship becomes a remedial consumption of information-based education.
  • Worship is singing and hearing about God more than signing and talking to God.
  • Evangelism is often satisfied with proclamation without demonstration. A call to conversion before conversation. An invitation to a Sunday service rather than a service performed for (and sometimes with) those in need of the Gospel.
  • Stewardship is how much we can spare as we collect possessions and assets for a safety-net for a secure future. Generosity is sacrificial.

 

Much like a physical infection during a pandemic, consumeranity is not present in every person or place at all times. It may not take-over completely but it can compromise the purity of desire and motivation. Unlike many illnesses, no pill or injection exists that can eliminate the symptoms of this dis-ease.

 

 

NOW WHAT?

…action must be taken?

 

We need reimagineers, courageous men and women, who lead us to transition

from being “consumers of” to becoming “consumed by.”  {“absorbed, fascinated., crazy-over.”}

 

Leaders who reimagine disciplemaking as:

  • Exalting Worship
    • Focus on the glory of God; as much praise (reciting who God is) as petition (requesting what we want)
    • From audience to participants: in silence or celebration; stillness or movement
    • Music + Poetry + Art + Drama
    • Extended time devoted to the Lord’s Supper, guided meditation and prayer
    • Are we, as a church, a presence-based church, or are we more focused on what we need to do or can get from God?” Terry Tekyl
    • The Presence Based Church
  • Edifying Fellowship
    • Focus on the biblical “One-Another’s”
    • Equip and empower small groups to function as biblical churches (“Where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”Matthew 18:20) shepherded by mature servant leadership.
    • “So encourage each other and give each other strength.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  • Engaging Discipleship
    • Reshape the context for learning biblical content from classroom models to spiritual formation experiences that are  worship-bred (birthed in praise), Spirit-led (listening prayer), and Scripture-fed (reading, researching, re-viewing with others)
    • Provide micro (individual), mezzo (small group) and macro (congregational; conference) formats
    • Describe discipleship as a prayer-care-share lifestyle
    • Shift the goal of maturity from ever-increasing knowledge to skilled in application of scripture and in pursuit of one’s ministry calling
  • Extravagant Stewardship
    • Church activities model generosity locally and beyond by funding members’ vision for neighbors-neighborhoods -nations. The Great Commission is a command to pursue diversity and be unhindered by distance. √ this out
    • Leaders model generosity in their personal lives; service and sacrifice not merely salary and security
    • Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20
    • Dynamis Ministries: Growing Generosity Potential
  • Excelling Leadership
    • Revise training by the  servant leadership Jesus modeled and cast a vision of how every member of the Body of Christ has leadership potential at home-work-school-play.
    • Ask often, and at every small group gathering: “What are you hearing from God’s Word (biblical input) and God’s Spirit (prayer) about your ministry goals and objectives for God’s work through you?
    • Coach/counsel believers to seek their unique calling-in-Christ and equip them to build a ministry or partner with an existing ministry team
    • Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong.” Ephesians 4:11-12 CEV

 

May Jesus, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, challenge us and change us to rethink our identity from customers who consume to satisfy our spiritual appetites to disciples consumed with Christ and the Body of Christ.

 

“My love for you has my heart on fire!

My passion for your house consumes me!

Nothing will turn me away, even though I endure all the insults of those who insult you.” 

Psalms 69:9 TPT

 

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BONUS ~ HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M A CONSUMER?

1. Do you go to church to be served or do you go to serve? When did you last get involved with the welcome, kid’s work, washing up or hoovering?

2. Do you financially give to your church?

3. Do you turn up to church feeling like you are entitled to be led in the worship songs or hymns you prefer? Or are you grateful for having a place to worship?

4. Did you join your church because it made you feel good about yourself? Or did it make you feel more grateful for Jesus?

5. Do you ask yourself how you can support the church leadership in order to accomplish the churches goal or do you look at them critically thinking you know how it should be really done?

6. Do you focus on your personal preferences or on what are other people’s preferences and needs might be?

7. Do you focus on what you will gain coming to this church rather than counting the cost of following Jesus at this church for others?

8. Do you arrive at the church as the service starts and leave at the end or do you arrive early, help make drinks and hoover up at the end?

9. Do you arrive and wonder why no one welcomed you or do you ask who needs welcoming?

10. Do you go to a church where there are lots of people like you?

 

CONSUMERISM: THE ENEMY OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP AND COMMUNITY by CRIS ROGERS

https://www.wearemakingdisciples.com/blog.aspx?action=view&id=51

 

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  • "Tocqueville recognized that democracy’s inherent tendency to foster individualism, materialism, and democratic despotism requires the restraining moral impulses of Christian morality."

    Dr Jim Denison

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