Carl Trueman, professor of historical theology and church history at Westminster Theological Seminary, recently explored the impact of consumerism on our society and the church. In society, Trueman finds that consumerism leads to
- the infantilisation of society;
- huge levels of personal debt; and
- notions of truth and ethics that are as malleable as the market place.
The larger culture of consumerism is now impacting the church in a number of ways. According to Trueman this influence has led to
the obsession with youth culture; a model of ministry that judges success in terms of numbers, not faithfulness; a culture which disregards the past; a dislike of anything approaching discipline, as the church is there for my needs, to scratch where I am itching. When church is just one more product to buy or leave on the shelf, then marketing, not theology, become the driving forces in her life.
So What?
People living with the American culture of consumerism often bring that perspective into other areas of life, including the life of faith. Church leaders must not assume that participants in their ministries are able to recognize their approach as being consumer oriented nor should leaders assume that such persons will be open to a critique of that perspective.
- In what ways does the dominant culture of consumerism influence how people “shop” for a new church home when relocating to a new city?
- In what ways has the dominant culture of consumerism impacted the list or menu of religious goods and services your local congregation provides?