I once asked a question of the congregation that I was leading, “What has been the biggest change in North American Christianity in the past 50 years?”
Of course, I got the usual blank stares, because nobody expects to be tested on their Christian history knowledge during a sermon and I expected that it would be a question that would not be answered anyways. Because I had fallen into the trap that most pastors do and had an answer already prepared.
But if I were to ask you, “What has been the biggest change in North American Christianity in the past 50 years? I am sure that I would receive a number of answers. Such as, the amount of English translations of the Bible that have been produced (NIV in particular), or perhaps the growth of the evangelical movement, or the amazing amount of biblical teaching that is reaching the masses, through radio, television, internet, and print media. If you have more thoughts, I would like to hear or read them actually.
But if I were to be asked, I believe the biggest change in North American Christianity in the past 50 years is that the churches have become businesses. Churches and North American Christianity has adapted to the culture of the people and churches now act in the same manner as businesses, not any different than Wal-Mart or 7-11. The structure and policies of the Non Profit Corporations Act and the By-laws of the organization may in fact be the real leader of your church rather than the Father/Jesus/Spirit.
Here is a simple test to determine if your church is just a business:
- Does your church have an incorporated board, or is it an incorporated body?
- Does it have a Mission and Vision statement?
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Does it have a constitution, bylaws, and policy manual?
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Has the pastor been hired by a committee?
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If pastor has not been hired by committee, did he/she create the church and the incorporated body?
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Does your church have a membership list?
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Do tithes and offerings pay someone’s salary and/or pay ministry bills?
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Do you get a receipt for the money you give to the church?
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Does your church evangelize as a means to get more people into the church?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is a sad realization, but your church is just a business and thus operates in a business-like manner. You can expect cold calculated business moves to be made and don’t be too dismayed when you here the statement, “Nothing personal, its just business”. Businesses don’t look at individual cases, they only do what is good for the business. May God help you when you are in real need, because the business won’t unless it’s in their own best intere$t.
