I am hearing quite a bit of conversation surrounding the à la carte mindset found in churches today. It is easy to treat church as just another option on the menu of life, picking and choosing elements that suit our personal preferences. The problem with this approach is that it can lead us away from the true essence of worship and community.
I encourage my pastor friends who are struggling to provide a ministry option to meet everyone’s preference, to be steadfast in your commitment to God’s calling by staying the course, providing ministry opportunities that help people come to know Jesus and mature in their faith, while not chasing after the latest and greatest options for the sole purpose of retaining or gaining attendees.
As believers, we are called to be faithful stewards of the message and mission entrusted to us. This means diving deep into our local church community, contributing our time, talents, and resources, and not merely seeking what feels comfortable or convenient. True spiritual growth and community impact happen when we commit wholeheartedly to where God has placed us, embracing the challenges and opportunities for growth.
The church is not a consumer good, but a divine institution designed for worship, fellowship, and service. As leaders and attendees alike, let’s commit to faithfulness over preference, building up the body of Christ for a greater purpose than ourselves.
Matthew 4:19