The Secularization of Church

 

…The components responsible for creating this (sub) culture, are very much secular in nature; its based on entrapuneral elements that are secular in nature; the importance of a business ‘plan’, the obsession with goals, the need for ‘producers’ (or closers) who can meet and achieve sales like targets, professionalism (Looking professional and acting professional at all times!) Striving for perfectionism and excellence, (this is especially true with platform performers), the abhorrence of any ‘visable’weakness, creating the perception of having it all together, the need to reduce everything to simple bite size truths, the obsession with programs, the focus and adoration of ‘individuals’ who can bring this stuff all together, and the god like worship of those who can, the emergence of a new breed of ‘pseudo superstar’ and the need to keep on creating them.

It is essentially a ‘performance based model’. It creates an environment where people ‘aspire’ to be ‘superstars’ and super (hyper) spiritual, then nurturing people who can take up these roles. This is called ministry, but  it is depended almost exclusively on ‘personality’. These chacteristics depend on the strength of the individual, this could be described as a sort of ‘practical atheism’ all of the above could be described as an obsession with ‘measurable outcomes’.

Go to some of the large pastor’s conference and the question on most pastors minds (subtly is always recommended here) is; ‘how big is yours’. For some Pastors Mega Church is a type of ‘phallic symbol’. A flow chart that points up, growth, the obsession with statistics (that can be used for a desired end!), increase, the emphasis on more giving, large flowing budgets, the latest range of company cars, supporting enough boutique ministries to create a good impression, plush offices, the latest latté’ machine, slick business suits that reek of success, (Pentecostals love suits!) comfy expensive lounges, personal secretaries, plush salaries, with lots of fringe benefits to go, this soul saving & growing business, makes for a very good living. Big boardroom meetings where the product is not ‘stocks and bonds’ but the profitable business of growing the Church and getting the common man to make this all happen (try to make an appointment with one of these pastors they are always in meetings).

When the focus is primarily on ‘outcomes’ prayer will become a token gesture, why? it doesn’t really require any internal interrogation and, we don’t need God to do what we can ourselves. Sure we will spout the token gesture prayers ‘lord we can’t do anything without you’ (well, we managed to build this Church mostly by ourselves, so that’s not true!) these sort of prayers are all about God blessing our efforts our programs and endorsing our mindset and schedule, it turns into a big ‘bless us’ club.