"The problem is not consuming to live, but rather living to consume."
"We assign value to ourselves and others based on the goods we purchase. One’s identity is now constructed by the clothes you wear, the vehicle you drive, and the music on your iPod. In short, you are what you consume."
"This explains why shopping is the number one leisure activity of Americans. It occupies a role in society that once belonged only to religion—the power to give meaning and construct identity."
"When we approach Christianity as consumers rather than seeing it as a comprehensive way of life, an interpretive set of beliefs and values, Christianity becomes just one more brand we consume along with Gap, Apple, and Starbucks to express identity. And the demotion of Jesus Christ from Lord to label means to live as a Christian no longer carries an expectation of obedience and good works, but rather the perpetual consumption of Christian merchandise and experiences—music, books, t-shirts, conferences, and jewelry."
"ministry in the U.S. is modeled primarily on capitalism with pastors functioning as a church’s sales force, and evangelism as its marketing strategy."
"As a result, choosing a church today isn’t merely about finding a community to learn and live out the Christian faith. It’s about “church shopping” to find the congregation that best expresses my identity. This drives Christian leaders to differentiate their church by providing more of the features and services people want. After all, in a consumer culture the customer, not Christ, is king."
3 comments:
Why is it that we're so intent on complicating life? The church of Acts 2:42-47 is the ultimate portrait of what our Christianity should look like...simple, transparent, living for Jesus and each other.
OUCH!!!! that is harsh, but true to most people.
Why is it we spend so much time talking about things??
The problem is identified, so now lets fix it.
Thats what TSM is about, right?
"Be the revolution you want to see"
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