As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  ‘Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.  They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.  Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22 New International Version

Consumerist Christianity is spreading widely in almost every part of the world. Its effects on church life and mission are painfully visible where believers become consumers and churches become profit-making enterprises. This is most obvious when being a Christian is more likely a church goer than a follower of Christ.

If your idea of worship is just about bright lights and loud music, good lyrics and great melodies, then you have no idea what worship is anymore. If your idea of preaching is just motivational speeches and emotional eloquence, then you have no idea what preaching is anymore. If your idea of community is just about people meeting your needs and expectations, then you have no idea what community is anymore. If your idea of service is just about doing something in church, then you have no idea what service is anymore.

Jesus calls us to follow Him.

That call involves us to radically live lives worthy of that calling in a world that is increasingly dominated by forces of personal indulgence and self-contentment. This genuine expression of faith frees us to be generous with our time, talents and treasure. Generosity breaks the hold of a consumer-oriented culture over our church life and mission. By turning your eyes from yourself to others is one great way to give God the glory.

Christianity is never meant to be a brand where people pick to fit their felt needs. And when a church commodifies faith and merchandises it, it is contributing to the urban myth that God exists for our individual glory and consumption. Instead of conforming our faith experience to suit a narcissistic culture of entitlements and individualism—we are to be transforming the world around us with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christianity is the vital encounter with the living God in Christ and a personal relationship with Him. This relationship is not to use God. It is to have a life with God that flourishes and grows into all that God intends for us. Then our worship, preaching, community and service are not performances to manipulate God in a way that makes Him do our bidding.

When our relationship is deeply grounded and fully connected to His life-giving presence and power in us, our worship, preaching, community and service becomes authentic responses of beloved sons and daughters towards a loving Father.