Market-Place Churches, User-friendly Elderships, and Generic Preachers

    In an article entitled: "Market-Place Churches, User-friendly Elderships, and Generic Preachers," Hugh Fulford summarized the state of a good many churches in our modern, fast-pace society. The "market-place" approach to Christianity is the philosophy of the modern supermarket where all its many different products are displayed in such a way as to solicit desire by the public. It's the approach of providing a pharmacy, a bakery, a florist, banking facilities, fast-food services, along with a host of other services, all under one roof.  It's the philosophy that says the customer is always right, and must get what he wants.

            While this is a practical approach from a secular business viewpoint, it is not the approach that should be characteristic of the church that is truly "of Christ" (cf. Romans 16:16).  The "market-place" philosophy is a good worldly philosophy, but Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).

            Many are trying to restructure the church and its worship services to make it more appealing to the general public. Often, before a new "church" is started, a survey is taken in the area asking people what they would like in a "church."  The church is then structured according to the people's desires (with little or no attention given to God's demands), resulting in overnight success of the "church."  An aura of entertainment now prevails in many churches with the use of special music, drama, Christmas and Easter pageants, etc. Women are being asked to take leadership roles. Little emphasis is given to in-depth Bible Study. The emphasis is on social issues. "Twelve-Step" programs, weight loss programs, child rearing classes, and financial seminars are all popular. While all these can serve a useful purpose in today's society, they do not address the real needs of humanity, nor are they the work which God has given His church to do.

            The "market-place," user-friendly, generic" approach to Christianity assumes that the Lord's church is just a "toy" of society to be used in whatever way man may choose to use it.  Such an attitude is a blasphemous insult to the One who accepted a Roman spear into His side, shed His blood and died on the Cross to purchase the church (Acts 20:28).

            Jesus never promised His true followers a "user-friendly" way of life. In fact, He said, "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you...If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:18 & 20).  Many preachers have become wealthy beyond description simply because they preach, and write books, telling the public what they want to hear. They say things like, "God calls everyone His child, and God will save His children, therefore, everyone will be saved!"  However, Jesus says, "Only those who do the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother, sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50;  Mark 3:35;  Luke 8:21).  Shall we believe these "ministers of Satan" who have "transformed themselves into ministers of righteousness" (2Corinthians 11:13-15), or shall we believe Jesus? 

            The public's general ignorance of the Scriptures makes them easy targets for the "spiritual host of wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).  God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Study your Bible and see that these things are so (Acts 17:11).

                                                                                                                                                           

--Toby Miller