*For all intents and purposes, this post is part-rant/part-challenge.What happens when leaders of the church begin to look and/or act like the guy above?
What happens when people begin to ask questions regarding the investments of the church or "decisions in the BEST interest of the church and its congregants?"
What happens when you aren't believed to be following in God's spirit and direction?
(Que the trademarked phrase...)
"You're FIRED!" (or substitute which applies more: excommunicated/forced-out/asked to leave/services no longer necessary/we're heading in a different direction/God told us...)It's true that many of today's churches (those of the "Supersized"nature) have become more like businesses and run by a CEO instead of a Senior Pastor. Even the congregants/attenders are no longer referred to as that, but as "customers" or "consumers."
And that's what has brought the church into it's most present battle: Consumerism.
The "McChurch", (if you take the Supersized tag through the rest of this post), has fallen into the packaging, re-packaging, and the convenience factor in providing teachings, Christian Education, and family-ministries to it's consumers. It's become the cycle of needing catchier titles, flashier packaging, and more capital to expand the product. This, my friends, can take the form of anything from smooth, colored bulletins to "Extreme Makeovers" and building expansions. If it's not "new" or doesn't look new, then people begin to shop, and the capital runs out. Thus, the vicious cycle continues.
If one "employee" does not complete their expected assignment, they are warned. An in-service on the "Vision" may be held to remind them of their place in the "Corporate Family" (but always reminded that papers can be signed to "disown" the member). If violations of the "non-written policy" are breached by that employee, a hearing is held to determine repercussions before a leadership/administrative board (usually made up of three). This "team" of leaders, with two of them possibly being related (thus leading to a "conflict of interest"), essentially determines the fate of the "adopted family member." Often times, this decision is made while completely disregarding consumer approval ratings, positive returns, and capital growth. If the "vision" of the CEO is not upheld...
"You're FIRED." A new employee is then hired to replace the "defunct" member, and business continues as usual. Memos are sent out. The entire work force may be in-serviced again on the "Vision" of the Corporation. The CEO may also provide answers to questions provided by other employees, but only in a manner that will reinforce the Corporate Vision and maintain employee morale.
And the cycle repeats and repeats and repeats until eventually, the business goes bankrupt (both fiscally and morally) as its once "faithful" consumers no longer recognize the product in which they purchased religiously for years.
So there it is...The Church is in a Recession of it's own.
And it doesn't look good.
In a year filled with the latest on Ponzi schemes, bailouts, stimulus plans, corrupt CEO's, self-designated raises (shame on you AIG!), and falling stocks, all of these troubles have found their way into "McChurch."
SO what do you do?
Someone needs to be the watchdog. Someone needs to oversee the actions of McChurch. Someone needs to see that the failure to do so could prove catastrophic to those who have come to find an understanding of salvation by way of the Gospel, but who became fixated then upon the product of Christianity brought to you by "McChurch" (TM) as it fattens and destroys your health.
As I have pondered and weighed on events that have transpired over the past three years this though came to my mind.
Pastors without strict spiritual accountability are the self-proclaimed prophets of their congregation.Truly, who can argue or question the leader of a church who has been ordained to be "God's minister?" God reveals plans to them, and only (as they would claim), and no one else. (Funny. Didn't God put his "light in our hearts to shine"? (-2 Cor. 4:5-7)).
So who can be accountable to Pastors/Leaders of the Church?How about the one's who ordained that pastor?
What about the governing body of the denomination?
What about someone who is advanced in years both in age and/or service to the Church?
Seriously, how difficult is it to do that!?!
I've lost respect for a lot of churches and denominations because of their failure to do this and has resulted in more "family members" being disowned and disavowed because of slight irreconcilable differences.
So unless someone is going to step-to-the-plate, we're just going to see more Donald's with their "fake"-hair, scintillating, yet obstinate personas, and "conflicted" administrations attempting to grab your attention and gain your consumer endorsement.
My advice... don't become an apprentice. Pursue your entrepreneurial skills instead.
This is a conversation I wish we would never had to have.
Simply ridiculous.
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*"McChurch is by no means a Trademarked phrase, but one used and coined to make a point in this blog.*The names of actual churches (denominations) have not been used in order to protect their identities. Their characteristics and "business" practices, however, are real.
