Getting Their "Church Fix"
October 02, 2006
It's one of the sadder repercussions of living in a consumerism-soaked culture that has infiltrated the Church: the "church fix".
A "church fix" is what a growing number of people are looking for every 4-6 weeks or so. After coming off the high they got the last time they attended a worship gathering, they begin noticing
how things in their life aren't going so well. They may be worried about their future, concerned about their relationships, or just feeling guilty about the slipping condition of their spiritual life. But whatever the reasons, one thing becomes clear: it's time -- they need another "church fix".
As far as these poor, selfish souls are concerned, the "church fix" works great. The depression has lifted, the anxiety is gone, and they know that Jesus still loves them. They feel "fixed"! In fact, they feel SO good, that theyautomatically convince themselves they're "good-to-go" for at least another 4-6 weeks.
And so... the body of Christ gathered, the Eucharist offered, the Word proclaimed, the worship of Jesus experienced -- these are the commodities which are being "used", the holy things which are being "exploited" to provide people with their precious "church fix" (I may be exaggerating a bit here).
Selfish souls? Yes they are. Immature? Undoubtedly. But it's probably not entirely their fault.
I invite you to chime in with your thoughts as to:
- What other factors have contributed to this phenomenon?
- Why does it seem to be growing so rapidly?
- What should traditional churches, house churches, and other alt.churches be learning from this?
- How should the Church (in all its various expressions) lead the way in providing a corrective to our culture's runaway consumerism?
- What will it take to help people place a premium on the value of meeting more frequently and faithfully as the gathered body of Christ?
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image credit: © Marcel Pelletier, iStockphoto.com
There are two sides to this, I think. One is that at least there is a positive point of contact between the Church and folks who obviously need the Church. Most relationships start out with tow dysfunctional people that somehow connect and as one party grows the other is also forced to face their dysfunctionality. I think as churches we need to be aware that God is also calling us to maturity in a corporate sense.
The other side is a realization that we really need to do community well. Community is what can catch folks like that and begin to help them integrate into a more wholistic Christian experience.
Posted by: Frank Emanuel | October 02, 2006 at 06:56 AM
Frank,
Great thoughts. I especially liked how you said this:
"...we really need to do community well. Community is what can catch folks like that and begin to help them integrate into a more wholistic Christian experience."
Help us, Lord.
Blessings,
Chris
Posted by: Chris Monroe | October 02, 2006 at 09:05 AM
Chris,
not to be redundant, but I find my answer to your earlier thread -- is appropriate here as well. We were tasked with the Comission of making disciples and we've made Christians 'believers' instead of 'disciples'.
LYB
Seraphim
Posted by: Seraphim | October 02, 2006 at 10:33 AM
That's what I am doing right now. I was addicted to the drug called "Church" but not anymore. Well, I'm trying to get over it.
I wonder why we put so much emphasis on "Church?"
Jesus did not come here to build churches.
He came to build people.
Not to fill pews but to fill souls.
Not to start programs but to start a new way of life for people.
But we Americans screwed it all up. So I am detoxing from church.
I am detoxing from the thinking that I have to go to church to minister. I am detoxing from the politics and the hypocrisy that is "church" in America.
Where will I be when I am done?I don't know...hopefully better off....
PS...I still love God and desire to follow Christ....not just how American Christianity sees it...
Posted by: Mykel | October 03, 2006 at 12:11 PM
Makes me think of Willard in "Divine Conspiracy" on gospels of sin management. If that is what we are preaching, then when we feel we can no longer manage sin we go back to the building for our church fix. Very much goes along with Seraphim's pointing out Willard's take on converts vs disciples.
I think it's also about the kind of god we preach. One thing "Div. Consp." does is lead one to a larger view of God, who is Good, whose kindness toward us is limitless. Much more congruent with the "be church" idea rather than the "go to church" mentality. Much more conducive to partnering with God, as his renewed people (primarily corporately), in what he is up to with the world, rather than getting a church fix.
Dana
Posted by: Dana Ames | October 04, 2006 at 10:01 AM
What other factors have contributed to this phenomenon?
Many jobs require rotating weekend shifts, especially if you're "low" on the totem pole.
Some people (including my husband) have health problems that sometimes interfere with weekend plans.
I'm not saying that everyone who attends a church sporadically has chronic health problems or a wonky work schedule...but some do.
Posted by: Lydia | October 04, 2006 at 10:54 AM
Jesus did not come here to build churches. .
I find this statement, hmm, well interesting. Jesus did come to build the Church of whom He is the Head. He didn't come to write a Book.
I will say He didn't come to build buildings. But He did come to build His Church.
Seraphim
Posted by: Seraphim | October 04, 2006 at 12:50 PM
I can only speak of my background of many years in the charismatic movement in Nothern Ireland
Many charismatics were sustained and nourished by the buzz/hype/excitement of the lastest move of the Spirit but there has not been anything since the Toronto blessing 10 years ago - they do not cope well with the humdrum routine of ordinary life or the spiritual journey!
Rodney
Posted by: rodney neill | October 04, 2006 at 01:47 PM
Seraphim,
Back in the 70's, the church was quite aware that a difference existed among those who professed faith in Christ. The difference was commonly described as those for whom Jesus was Savior, and those for whom He was Lord. Although this sort of reductionism had its liabilities, the phenomenon -- the difference -- that people recognized and were trying to articulate was a valid one. Human nature being what it is, I guess some things never change.
"Lord, forgive us, and help us not only to live as your disciples, but to lead others into the same."
Blessings,
Chris
Posted by: Chris Monroe | October 04, 2006 at 05:23 PM
Mykel,
Thanks for being open about your need to "detox" from the Americanized, institutionalized Church. You are certainly not alone.What concerns me is indeed part of the "americanization" (perhaps) of Christianity -- a faith whose value system has undergone significant mutation. It's a value system that many -- not only INSIDE the institutional Church, but OUTSIDE the institutional Church -- live by. It's a value system that reeks of individualism, consumerism, materialism, and entertainment-addiction. When professing followers of Christ value their own wants and desires as more important than those of their community of faith (i.e. local expression of Christ's body) and live accordingly, it grieves me deeply. Some, I suppose, need their butts kicked (in love). Others need the loving and consistent modeling that others can provide. Bottom line? We all need to learn how to lay down "our thing" for the greater good of the body. As a generalization, American Christians have a LOT more to detox from than the institutional church, and yet we remain so dumbfoundedly blind to it.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- Chris
Posted by: Chris Monroe | October 04, 2006 at 05:41 PM
Dana,
Great thoughts, and great tie-in with Willard.
You pointed out the all-important difference between going "to" church and "being" the church - this is critical. And what prevents this from happening more than anything -- I believe -- is that generally, people in our culture are more interested in "being" selfish, than in "being" church. And until they get over themselves, and start valuing the body of Christ over their pet-projects, hobbies, and entertainment interests, we'll probably see precious few "disciples" out there making a difference.
This is not solely an "IC" phenomenon. My house-church buddies are seeing the same thing. Our culture is sick. Our souls are sick. And until we take ownership instead of entirely blameshifting our woes onto the IC, we're not going to get any better.
Thinking out loud,
Chris
Posted by: Chris Monroe | October 04, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Lydia,
I'm glad you pointed this out. It's important. Our congregation has a number of folks in this category. We count it a blessing to go to where they are in order to encourage them, pray for them, or whatever. We also have lots of people with totally crazy work schedules (between our military bases and railroad business, this is expected), and regularly look for creative ways to help people stay connected (for our good AND theirs!). There are other "exceptions" I am sure. I remain, however, concerned about those who just don't make their brothers and sisters in Christ a priority. I can't see into their heart, and it's not my place to stand in judgement. It troubles me deeply, however, when I see the values of our culture taking over people's lives, and displacing the importance of community, corporate worship, etc.The pull of individualism, consumerism, materialism, and the like is powerful. Thankfully, God is far more powerful.
Blessings to you,
Chris
Posted by: Chris Monroe | October 04, 2006 at 06:02 PM