A "Sign" of the Times

One of the hardest parts of pastoring in prosperous America today is this: the average churchgoer in America is consumer-orientated.  We (consumers) have grow accustom to "having it our way" (almost) all the time.  Now a days we do not even have to purchase an entire album.  We can simply pick the songs that we like and put those tunes on our I-Pod.  When consumers come to church they often expect to hear the music style (and songs) they like.  If they don't like the song they don't "worship;" (some would say they can't worship).

Church leaders today feel this pressure: Give the customers what they want or they will shop elsewhere.  

The seeker-driven movement decided to adopt a pragmatic (marketplace) philosophy of ministry in order to attract and/or keep large crowds.   Many churches now offer traditional services and contemporary services so that people won't have to defer to others in love concerning a preferential issue like musical styles.  Others offer Saturday evening and Monday evening church for those who are too busy working, fishing, or playing on the Lord's day... And the list goes on and on (drive-through church services; worship from home via e-services; etc, etc).

 Sadly, this consumer-driven philosophy has greatly hindered the Church's maturation in Christ.  May the Lord reform His Church according to His Word (Revelation 2-3).

P.S. I am grateful to pastor a loving congregation that wants to be governed by the priorities and precepts of the Word.