Serving or Being Served
Rejecting Consumer Christianity
In an age marked by rampant consumerism, even the church is not immune to its pervasive influence. A concerning trend has developed where many view the church not as a place of sacrifice and service but as a venue for personal satisfaction and comfort. This perspective transforms the church from a battleship, engaged in spiritual warfare and collective mission, into a cruise ship, designed for personal leisure and comfort. This article aims to dissect these conflicting paradigms, revealing the detrimental effects of the cruise ship mentality and extolling the biblical virtues of the battleship paradigm.
The Cruise Ship Paradigm: Consumer Christianity and Its Pitfalls
The Problem of Self-Centered Worship
The cruise ship mentality fosters a self-centered approach to worship, where the primary criteria for church services revolve around personal comfort and satisfaction. This mindset shifts the focus from God and community to individual preferences, undermining the very purpose of worship. James warns against such self-centered desires, stating, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" (James 4:5). This scripture highlights the danger of allowing personal desires to dominate our spiritual life.
Consumer Christianity: A Transactional Faith
In the cruise ship model, churchgoers often adopt a consumer mindset, viewing their involvement in church through the lens of personal gain rather than communal contribution. This approach reduces sacred worship to a transactional activity, where the primary question becomes "What can I gain?" instead of "How can I serve?" Acts reminds us of the blessedness of giving, quoting Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). By prioritizing personal gain, the church's mission of service and evangelism is gravely hindered.
The Erosion of Community and Mission
Fragmentation of Fellowship
When personal comfort and preferences dictate church engagement, the biblical model of fellowship suffers. Instead of a unified body of believers sharing burdens and serving together, the church risks fragmentation into cliques and groups, each pushing for their own preferences. Paul describes the church as a body with many parts, each integral to the whole: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). This metaphor underscores the necessity of unity and mutual service within the church.
Diversion from the Great Commission
The cruise ship mentality can lead to a church more focused on internal satisfaction than fulfilling its external mission. The Great Commission, to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), calls for a proactive, outward-facing approach, sharply contrasting with a church absorbed in catering to internal comforts.
The Battleship Paradigm: Engagement, Service, and Sacrifice
A Call to Active Service
The battleship paradigm recasts the church as an active, mission-oriented vessel engaged in spiritual warfare. This model calls for each member to serve actively, contributing to the church's mission rather than merely consuming its resources. This active participation is crucial, as Paul outlines the various roles within the church, emphasizing that "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27). Each member's active service is essential for the church's health and effectiveness.
Preparedness for Spiritual Warfare
Viewing the church as a battleship prepares believers for spiritual challenges, emphasizing the need for spiritual armor. Paul advises believers to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). This preparation is vital for withstanding the spiritual onslaughts that believers face, reinforcing the church's role as a fortified entity, not a haven of leisure.
Conclusion
The dichotomy between the cruise ship and battleship paradigms provides a profound insight into the nature of church life. The church, according to biblical standards, is not a place for personal gratification but a mission-oriented community dedicated to service and the spread of the gospel. Rejecting the cruise ship model in favor of the battleship model is essential for fostering a robust, dynamic, and mission-driven church. Believers are called to a life of sacrifice, service, and active engagement in God's work, fulfilling the mission Christ has set before us.