Justin Wise recently shared an interesting segment from Skye Jethani's The Divine Commodity:
These pastors, representative of so many contemporary Christians, believe that God changes lives through the commodification and consumption of experiences. If our worship gatherings are energetic, stimulating, and exciting enough then people will attend, receive what’s being communicated, and be spiritually transformed. The justification for this approach is simple–people won’t come to a church that’s boring. And what qualifies as boring is defined by our consumer/experience economy. But the moment we believe transformation occurs via external experiences, the emphasis of ministry must adjust accordingly. Manufacturing experiences and meticulously controlling staged environments become the means for advancing Christ’s mission. And the role of the pastor, once imagined as a shepherd tending a flock, now conjures images of a circus ringmaster shouting, “Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth!” In Consumer Christianity, the shepherd becomes a showman. (p.75)
Go to Justin's Blog to see a little more context to this quote.
Obviously Skye is arguing against external experiences as a means for transformation. Others would & do disagree. What do you think? Does investing in & manufacturing strategic worship experiences help transform people, or does it just create more lifeless attendees? Or both? Or neither?
What is your opinion on strategic worship experiences? How do they fit into your strategy?
If all the experience is just experience then yes it is fatalistic in its approach. The problem is that people need an approach to God. Worship fuels this approach and ignites the soul for transformation. The Word is best engaged as we are engaged in the presence of God.
I see every Christian walk kind of like a car. Worship is the engine that moves the vehicle. Without fuel, most people spend their life pushing the car around never knowing that they can turn the key and ignite the fire that sparks the engine to life. Engaging Christ requires sparks and a willingness to turn the key.
The rest of the car moves on 4 good tires (fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and outreach - where have I heard that before?). When a tire goes flat, you tend to it.
Anyway that how I see it.
Comment by David Grace - Jan 08, 2010 @ 12:01 PM
wow, that’s a very complete, practical and clear understanding. thank you, David.
Comment by Jesse Phillips - Jan 08, 2010 @ 02:45 PM
It’s hard to argue with Skye Jethani’s opinion. He makes a compelling argument and backs it up with some excellent points (through the rest of the book of course…). However, having read a bit of his book, I think there is an interesting contradiction. In his book he tells a great story about Van Gogh and specifically his painting of “Starry Night.” He says Van Gogh was an intensely spiritual person, constantly seeking after God and trying to find a successful interaction. But Van Gogh was highly opposed to the church. He believed the church wasn’t active enough in the community and didn’t really serve God’s purpose. In his painting, there is light coming from every building except the lofty church. Van Gogh believed God was out there and could be found, but not in the church.
What’s interesting to me is how Jethani uses this story to support the fact that God is out there, but hard to find in these over-sized, commercialized, consumer-friendly churches. I don’t believe Jethani would say God isn’t present in what he believes to be ‘circus style’ churches because He definitely is. But I believe this exciting style of worship is the light shining from the church that Van Gogh failed to paint. This style of worship is exciting and interesting to an extremely wide variety of people. It’s not about lights, camera and action it’s about guiding people to Christ and if this style of worship is the light bringing people in then so be it. Praise God for the wonderful blessing of talented musicians, media teams and worshippers.
Comment by Aaron Springer - Jan 09, 2010 @ 11:09 AM
Younger believers in our church love the high energy worship gatherings, longer term believers long for something more contemplative. I was raised in a “praise and worship” style church and discovered liturgy in my 20s and LOVED it. Water for a thirsty soul
I now lead a church that holds upbeat worship even though my preference is for liturgical, reflective style. But I can’t argue with the fact that the unchurched people who adamantly wouldn’t step foot in a church LOVE our church and have opened their soul to Christ in our church.
Honestly, I think we just get bored with what we’re familiar with and yearn for a different expression, but with all the talk on style, the fact remains that God inhabits the praises of his people. Any praises, any people who praise. I think I understand what Skye is suggesting, but a blanket statement is problematic, I think.
Three nights ago I went to a Hillsong United Worship Concert. They rocked, it was a full blown light and sound extravaganza. Not my first choice, but I worshipped and I trust God inhabited the event.
so what exactly is Skye challenging here?
Comment by Steve Cuss - Jan 09, 2010 @ 11:14 PM
I agree with Tony that churches should be both attractional and missional.
The church I pastor is one that would be labeled attractional yet we are serving our community. In fact, just tonight at one of our Saturday services, I met a new couple who just started attending. When asked how they found us she said they came to check us out because they had seen how we were serving our community.
I have a son who is a “missionary” working with an organization that would be labeled missional. They’re doing some awesome things and making a difference in people’s lives and for the Kingdom.
I just wonder why we feel we need to attack one another and different methods of ministry . . . attractional . . . missional . . . emerging . . . whatever. Can’t we figure out that we don’t have to put God in a box . . . that we are on the same team . . . and that He can and does use lots of different methods . . . personalities . . . teaching styles . . . music preferences . . . sizes of churches . . . etc . . to advance His purposes.
I say if you are helping people find Jesus and making a difference in their eternal destiny . . . go for it and more of God’s power to you.
Comment by George - Jan 09, 2010 @ 11:53 PM
George,
I agree with what you have said. We serve a God who loves to be praised a variety of ways. I believe Skye is challenging extravagantly produced worship experiences, perhaps like the one Steve experienced at the Hillsong Concert. It would seem as if he believes they are catering to people rather than catering to God… which may very well be a valid point. Worship really isn’t about you and me and what type of music we prefer, it’s about humbling ourselves and magnifying the God we came to praise. Fast, slow, loud, quite, old, new… Steve is right, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Rather than a them versus us argument, I believe Jethani is challenging our hearts of worship. He might ask, “If our hearts were really in it, would we need the show? Wouldn’t God simply bless the fact that we are seeking after him without the extravagance?” Definitely challenging questions… but I submit to my original entry. I believe the exciting style of worship is the light to the world bring in people who would never set foot in a church otherwise.
Whatever your stance on worship is, I pray God bless it all!
Comment by Aaron Springer - Jan 10, 2010 @ 09:12 AM
More often than not it gets in the way. A lot of times when I’m at a church that tries to do all kinds of fancy stuff with worship it’s hard to stay focused on what I’m there for, worshiping God.
Comment by Todd Lowans - Jan 10, 2010 @ 07:00 PM
Skye uses an attractional approach on his blog to advertise himself. We learn about his denominational background, education, and even how many people attend his denomination. I assume this is to make people interested in reading more about him, take an interest in his blog, reflect on his comments, and perhaps find some transformation in the way they approach various aspects of their faith.
Why is it ok to be attractional on a spiritual blog, but not in a gathered worship experience?
I have not seen inside the book, however the cover is very attractive, it makes me want to see what’s inside. Perhaps I will find there a forward commending the book, and using an attractional approach getting me to explore, reflect, and perhaps be changed. This divine commodity will of course cost me money to experience.
Why is it ok to be attractional with a spiritual book, but not in a gathered worship experience?
Comment by David Ravell - Jan 10, 2010 @ 07:54 PM
I know what you mean! It is hard to focus on God when someone is up there giving a sing and dance routine. It can be distracting during a time that should be to focus on God and His glory. It can be off putting.
I think it’s boring when you cant engage in worship and your stuck watching a show. I guess you cant please everyone! But we can work to please God, right! :)
Comment by Joy - Jan 12, 2010 @ 05:15 PM
Shouldn’t any book titled “The Divine Commodity” at least be available as a free download?
Comment by Lonnie Licklap - Jan 15, 2010 @ 05:48 PM