When our worship services moved exclusively online during the pandemic, I struggled with the transition. Having already preached the message to a camera, I found the weekend broadcasts difficult, often second-guessing my delivery and clarity. More than anything, I missed the physical presence of our congregation.
Our online broadcasting platform includes a chat function that facilitates meaningful engagement. It has led to incredible conversations, with hosts providing prayer and encouragement to those in need. We have even witnessed individuals praying to receive Christ through these digital interactions, which is truly amazing.
However, the chat can also reveal a consumer mentality. While I am unsure if the platform creates this mindset or simply exposes it, monitoring the comments early in the pandemic proved taxing. Some feedback felt like a product evaluation rather than joyous participation with the people of God. These experiences led me to reflect deeply on the nature of our gatherings, focusing on how we can truly experience God’s grace. Here are three thoughts on countering the gospel of consumerism and leading a non-consumer church culture.
“Oh, I love it when this person sings this song.”
“Someone needs to tell that person to smile more.”
“Why are we filming this here?”
“I am so glad we are filming this here.”
“That story is not effective.”
Some of the comments during church online felt like the evaluation of a product, not the joyous participation with God’s people. During the months when we were not gathering physically, I thought a lot about church and gatherings as a church. Here are three thoughts about consuming, community and the better way to view church.
1. Consuming His Word Changes Us.
I am not against church consumption. At times there has been too much talk from people like me challenging people to not be church consumers. There is such a thing as holy consumption. We must consume his Word, the teaching, reminders of his grace offered through worship and communion to remember his death. Consuming his truth changes us. If we are miserable, cruel and apathetic at the end of a worship service, it is not his grace that we have consumed. Letting the Word of Christ dwell richly in us results in gratitude, joy, singing and encouraging one another (Col. 3:16–17).
2. Church Is Not a Product to Evaluate; It Is a Community to Participate In.
Consuming his truth and grace with a hungry and humble posture is very different than consuming a religious service with the posture of a customer. Church is a family, the body of Christ and a community of called out ones. It is much more glorious than any product; therefore, attending church services should not be like leaving product reviews on Amazon, but rather enjoying the grace and goodness of God with God’s people.
3. Participation Is Much Greater Than Association.
When we read the Scripture, we see the vision of the church as not one of mere association with a church or a pastor, but glorious participation in the gospel. The word often translated “fellowship” is koinonia in the original language. The word carries the connotation of deep participation. In Acts 2:42, believers devoted themselves to the koinonia/participation. In Philippians 1:5, Paul thanked the believers at Philippi for their koinonia/partnership in the gospel. I know many are not comfortable with large gatherings at this time, and churches should do all they can to serve people where they are. But that also includes calling people to participate with the church, not merely associate with the church. It means helping people get into some type of community where they are nurtured and cared for by others.
May our consumption of his grace drive us to participate in community—not merely evaluate or associate with community.
This article originally appeared on EricGeiger.com and is reposted here by permission.