In a post yesterday about former Planetshaker's Michael Guglielmucci (who wrote many of the band's songs) and his admission that he had been lying for two years about having cancer to cover his addiction to porn, I threw out this question: "Are we bowing at the altar of the megachurch, rather than the foot of the cross, because it's 'culturally relevant?'"
Someone commented that Guglielmucci's deception wasn't necessarily an indictment on his church, and he was right. That question shouldn't have necessarily been part of that post. It's just that those two questions seem intricately linked in my mind.
So today, let me separate the question from the Michael Guglielmucci issue and open that up for discussion.
Are we bowing at the altar of the megachurch, rather than the foot of the cross, because it's "culturally relevant?" Where is the line between church and commercial product?
I went to a big church in my city recently. I had visited once before, on the first weekend they were having services in their new, state of the art building. The building seats 1,200 people (and they have two services each weekend), and has more technological equipment than the Starship Enterprise. Three large screens, full lights and sound, stadium seating. I felt like someone should have taken my concert ticket at the door instead of handing me a program.
But the message was good, and I forgave all of the techno-hoopla.
That weekend, anyway.
On my most recent visit, there was a guest pastor. I didn't realze he was the guest pastor at first, because he was leading worship - or, in this case, fronting the pre-message concert performed by the massive praise team.
Halfway through the opening music, which included three songs, at least 25 chorus repetitions over 20 minutes and a full light show, the guest pastor took a minute to let us know that we could pick up his new CD in the church store, just off the lobby.
Uh ... you're kidding, right?
The commerce at this church was undeniable. Hawking CDs from the stage? For your "convenience" there are giving kiosks in the lobby that allow you to electronically transfer your money to the church? I felt like I was in a bad VeggieTales parody.
I wondered how long it would be before this particular praise team released their own CD.
Understand that I'm not necessarily knocking a church that creates a CD for it's congregation, or worship leaders who write worship songs that go on to become hits. Talking to some worship leaders they tell me that no one sets out to write a hit. They just write for their home church and God takes it from there.
But I wonder if that's changing.
I'm uncomfortable with the trend lately to commercialize church. As music consumers, you may not see all of the CDs put out by church praise teams, but I get a lot of them in for review consideration. Lately, they're coming more frequently.
I don't know. It all seems ... icky ... to me.
Sure, people are blessed by the music, and a group that releases a CD can help that music reach people around the world.
But where is the line between ministry and commerce? At what point does all of the fawning over worship artists become idolatry?
It's something that's been on my mind a lot lately, and I'd love to know what you think.
RELATED POST
(former) Planetshakers' Michael Guglielmucci admits porn addiction, faking cancer
My interview with Paul Baloche busts the myth of the millionaire musician
A musing, a confession, and the last word (this week) on Christian music
Michael Guglielmucci talks about worshipping God and dealing with "cancer" on Hillsong DVD
Chris Tomlin on being consumed rather than being a consumer
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To all of my readers:
There have been a lot of comments about the Michael Guglielmucci story on several posts, as well as on a post I did about the commerce of church. I just wanted to share all of those links in case you missed anything. I'm also adding a link to today's post, which isn't really about the Guglielmucci story but relevent nonetheless.
Joanne
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/a-musing-a-confession-and-the.html
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/guglielmuccis-confession-on-au.html
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/michael-guglielmucci-talks-abo.html
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/planetshakers-michael-guglielm.html
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/the-commerce-of-church-when-do.html
http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/08/my-interview-with-paul-baloche.html
It seems to me that we are mistaken when we think "one size fits all". Clearly I am not alone in finding mega-churches impersonal and off-putting. For me they are much too big and getting that big is part of their theology, but there are those who find great fulfillment in worshipping with so many others. It seems hard to some that the church that appeals to them doesn't appeal to everyone. Buying CDs and lobby kiosks don't appeal to me but if they do to another that's great just leave me alone to my small house church.
I attend a mega-church. Where I live is an overwhelmingly Catholic place where most of the Catholic churches are closing down and/or merging, and a lot of Catholics have decided to go to the two giant, suburban Protestant mega-churches in my city's northern suburbs. I go to the one mega-church because it's near my house, the pastor is an excellent teacher of The Word, and the people there seem to want to be at church rather than being there out of mere obligation. I don't love the idea of corporate feeling mega-churches, but I also recognize that the mom and pop stores went out of business because of Wal-mart, and a lot of little churches are seeing the same fate as the megas take over. Whether we like mega-churches or not, they exist, and we try and make the best of them.
Who are we to judge? Are souls being saved?
People will always disappoint us in one form or another. I'm so grateful that Jesus is perfect. When we go to worship, He knows the intentions and desires of our hearts. I hope that regardless of what church we attend, big or small, Christian, Buddhist..etc...we are going because we want to give praise and glory to our Creator. It's imperative we find HIS truth amidst the confussion of commerce, politics and religion. That's the bottom line.
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