Attention K-Mart Shoppers!
Random memory – my mom used to love the “blue light special” deals that would take place at Kmart. It was kinda funny because she would be looking at a specific item and filling up the cart with purchases when suddenly pandemonium would set in at the mention of 3 little words. “Blue Light Special”
I remember running behind my mom through a Kmart after hearing this phrase over the PA system. We were racing through the store at break neck speeds in order to get in on this amazing clearance special that would only last for a few short minutes.
Kmart had this ingenious idea – they would roll a cart up to any item that they were looking to clear out and flip the switch on the cart that in turn would light up a blue beacon, perched on the top of a 8 ‘ pole for all to see. They would then announce the location of the cart and the huge discount that could be found by the customers that could get there within the next 5 – 10 min.
My kidz tell me that I am not cool, ‘cause I don’t know all of the new and trendy phrases that circulate through the school hallways but I have heard a new phrase around the church that grates at me — “Church Shopping”
It is often overheard in parking lots and foyers of churches these days as consumers pursue their own blue light special of sorts throughout North America. The philosophy behind the term is that we are consumers looking for a product that will satisfy our needs and desires with the least amount of cost on our part possible.
I am concerned for those who are approaching the local church today with this consumer mindset that asks questions like: “what does this church offer me?” or “what programs are being offered to meet my needs?” and “Is the worship and preaching style conducive to my personality and my preferences?”
What would it look like if we asked different questions when searching for a church? Questions such as “what can I contribute to this church?” or “what programs could I initiate or help serve in to meet the needs of hurting people?” or even “Is my life a worship and am I preaching Jesus in my actions and attitude?”
Seems that there are too many people today running from one church to the next at break neck speeds looking to find that elusive “blue light special” that will be the deal they were looking for. The “product” that will make them feel good, and safe, at peace and well fed only to miss the call of Christ to service and sacrifice (Romans 12:1,2)
I wonder what church would look like if we left the shopping cart at home and brought along a towel and pail much like Jesus – serving (John 13:1-17)
Wes said,
September 26, 2010 at 9:25 am
Spot on.