So….it’s Sunday. Time for church! What are you doing? Are you part of a church? Do you worship regularly? If so, on Sundays, are you a non-committed attender, or committed worshiper?
Some things to consider as you evaluate the question on your own behalf:
Church
Attenders tend to view church as primarily a Sunday morning get together for friends, fun, and entertainment. Though they may attend either regularly or sporadically, from their perspective it’s primarily about catching an encouraging pep-talk and mini-concert, doing some networking and socializing, and taking care of the once a week “God-thing.” They are less likely to be “members” of a church, and thus are more likely to be church hoppers, attending whatever church they believe has the most engaging speaker or band present on a given Sunday morning. If their Friday night or Saturday night activities wear them out, they don’t mind sleeping in. They might catch it on the podcast or online later if it isn’t inconvenient.
Worshipers view church as a body of believers through whom God speaks and works. When they attend church, they don’t want to be bored but aren’t seeking to be entertained, either. They are more likely to join a church than simply be a long-term visitor. And while they may visit other churches from time to time to hear another speaker, it’s not done frequently and when possible is done in addition to attending their own place of worship. Worshipers understand that God works supernaturally through committed, covenant community. And though worshipers sometimes find themselves wiped out and unable to attend church for different reasons, they don’t take it lightly. They genuinely miss church when they are absent.
Church Selection
Attenders choose church much like they choose a favorite sports team, coffee house, or lunch bunch. Are the people like me? Is the music what’s on my iPod? Are the messages all positive and centered around making me more successful in life? Attenders like to be a part of cool churches, with pastors on the conference circuit and worship leaders with record deals. Attenders are often attracted to The Show. Strobe lights, loud music, upbeat teaching, funny skits, with little emphasis on the pursuit of godliness unless it’s to ridicule and mislabel it as Legalism for Pharisees. They like to be able to continue in all of their personal lifestyle activities without their sexual morals being challenged. They like to feel they are a part of the popular church, just as they are a part of a popular club, popular sports team or popular music type. It’s largely about brand affinity for attenders. Theological alignment is not all that important, if it’s even considered at all. It’s mostly about the music and an entertaining speaker. Basic, simple messages are fine with attenders as long as they are funny and short. Attenders look for core values comparable to those of a business, rather than biblical ones, and thus do not typically seek out churches that practice holistic Christianity that includes nuisances such as discipleship, bible training or biblical discipline.
Worshipers are primarily concerned with the theology and Godward focus of a body of believers. They can worship even if the music isn’t their preferred type each and every song. They are grateful their pastor and worship leader’s talents are recognized nationally (if they are) but their ability to worship is not hindered if the backup teacher or unsigned worship leader is on stage. It’s not about the music; it’s about God. They want to be at a church where they can grow out of spiritual kindergarten and into spiritual adulthood. Worshipers are looking for core values consistent with the Bible and want to be led by godly elders/deacons who meet the biblical leadership requirements. They understand that just as their physical body requires rigorous workouts to be strong and able to withstand physical storms of life, their spiritual health likewise requires rigorous study and effort to be strong and able to withstand the trials and tribulations of life. And that means that the small groups and preaching should include some heavy lifting.
Commitment
Attenders tend to change churches frequently, which is one reason they tend not to join one in the first place. Who needs commitment, anyway? Since their primary selection mechanism is rooted in whatever is considered “in,” they have a deep need to be free to move if–make that when–the cool factor fades or moves to another church. And when they do start attending elsewhere, it’s usually because the cool people went elsewhere, the music is no longer their preference, or the speaker challenged them with a scary gospel call to holiness, grace, sacrifice and commitment. Or perhaps someone offended them.
Worshipers don’t like to change churches frequently. Maybe for some it’s because they don’t like change, but since most churches in today’s world change personalities somewhat frequently internally, it’s more likely due to an understanding that since the church is a holy institution created by God there should be a commitment made to it–much like there is a commitment to one’s earthly family. Changes are sometimes made, but they are made after much prayer and consideration, and usually rooted either a sense of calling to serve elsewhere with their spiritual gifting, or in response to their church’s slide into false gospels like progressive “Christianity.”
The Message
Attenders like speakers to present messages that are positive, upbeat, and non-judgmental. They want to hear talks that are guaranteed to help felt needs but have little interest in messages oriented towards addressing their real needs, which may or may not be felt—just as not all cancers induce immediate discomfort. Messages that expose real needs tend to be unpopular. The attender is primarily all about personal development, not spiritual growth.
The worshiper also enjoys positive messages but understands that before there can be rejoicing in Jesus, there has to be a deep awareness of one’s own deep sin–a topic that is necessary and unpopular. Like attenders, they want practical applicational teaching that helps in day to day living; but unlike attenders, they understand and sense deep inside that knowing and loving God is the most beneficial applicational teaching of all. Worshipers enjoy messages about God that an attender might find useless, because a worshiper is there to worship God—not himself or herself.
Salvation
Attenders tend towards functional universalism (a belief that perhaps God really will save everyone and therefore judgment preaching has no real value), social activism (“I give money to social justice causes and am not really all that bad–God understands”), or decisional regeneration (“I prayed a prayer and meant it, so therefore I am saved even though my heart and lifestyle have never changed permanently.”). All three views are unbiblical and reinforce a self-worshiping religion that masquerades as Christianity.
Worshipers have come to a point in their lives where they sense and believe in both their heads and hearts that they deserve hell. They also have responded to God’s call to repentance and have trusted in Jesus, experiencing a heart change that has redirected their affections and values. It is probable they prayed a prayer to verbalize their commitment and heart change, but they don’t point to a prayer and brush off any discussion of spiritual fruit, or redefine it to fit into today’s progressive scene. Nor do they subscribe to universalism or focus only on politically popular social justice causes everyone wants to be all-in on. They know there is a judgement day coming and are grateful for the gift of salvation, and they want others to come to know Jesus. And because Jesus commanded his followers to care for the orphans, the homeless and the widows, they are active in all justice causes regardless of political winds or popularity. Not because it makes them feel good, but because it’s what Christians do. And they’ll still be doing it five years from now when the attenders have moved on to another popular endeavor.
Affections
Attenders affections are little different from anyone outside of the faith community. They like Sunday morning to be basically a G-rated version of whatever they enjoy doing on Saturday night. Their affections are on things of this world, and they are attracted to a church that presents a version of Christianity that looks like everything and everyone else they like. This can take many forms—pagan pop culture, a particular political party, style of music, style of church, or brand of denomination.
Worshipers have experienced a significant transformation in their affections, such that they find themselves less drawn to materialism, pop culture, and self-promotion. They find their motivations in scripture, not television. And their desire is to increasingly like what God likes, and to hate what God hates rather than convince themselves that God likes what they like and hates what they hate. The more they mature, the less they want Sunday morning to be like Saturday night.
Punctuality
Attenders are sometimes not terribly punctual. Since their primary goal may be to hear a band or speaker, they don’t mind if they miss part of the beginning or end as long as they can hear the tunes or majority of the message, and still meet friends for lunch at the El Trendo Cafe.
Worshipers despise being late to worship, and although there will be times when they are late due to kids or other circumstances beyond their control, their desire is to be early, seated, and prepared for worship before the service begins. Not because they are obsessed with being on time or want a great seat–but because they understand that Sunday morning is a time to worship God with other believers; not simply a quick pit stop on the way to something else.
Attire
Attenders care a lot about what people think and are likely to put a lot of thought into what to wear. Perhaps they will dress up in case they find themselves introduced to someone who they might do a business deal with. Or maybe they will make it a point to wear the ragged jeans and untucked shirt to fit in with the young worship band. Whatever their choice, it’s usually rooted in what will make them more likely to sense their desired audience has accepted them.
Worshipers are more concerned with their heart and their service. If they are serving kids or working the parking lot, they’ll dress down regardless of who they might run into. Or perhaps they will dress up because in their heart they feel like this is part of bringing their best to God on Sunday morning. Or perhaps they will dress down due to a lingering sense that if they are dressed up they are still in “office-mode” and less likely to be able to focus on God and make it a day of rest. Their decision is rooted primarily in how their attire will influence their worship and heart, not their networking or image.
Small Groups
Attenders sometimes prefer to be lone rangers, though they will get involved in a social-oriented small group with their tribe that does not require much of a formal commitment. And they aren’t interested in being in groups with anyone other than people in their tribal echo chamber, at their station in life or those who are well connected and can help their careers, businesses, or reputations. They aren’t interested in getting into groups with duds, losers, down and outers, or anyone that reeks of old-school tradition or understands systematic theology.
Worshipers seek small groups with likable people too, and understand that there is nothing wrong with seeking a close circle of friends they can relate to; people who are not leeches, drainers and time sucks. But they also understand that God has called us to love everyone, especially those that are looked down on by others—not just the rich ones who can help us and who are more fun to be around. They know that for every person they look at and feel in their hearts a measure of superiority over, there are at least two other people looking at them with the same level of subtle, sub-conscious contempt. They don’t limit invitations to only those who have something valuable to offer them or who can expand their influence or platform.
Tithing
Attenders don’t like messages on money and generally don’t tithe. If they like the music or speaker on a given Sunday they may throw a “cover charge” equivalent into the plate. Or others might “plant a seed” with a creepy television character in hopes of scoring a big high-dollar “harvest” since it’s a lot easier than working hard, cutting spending and saving for 40 years.
Worshipers are generous givers. They give to their church and to other ministries led by godly, accountable boards, and to individuals they know truly in need regardless of tax deductibility. They don’t, however, support extravagant lifestyles of rich and famous celebrity or television evangelists or pastors. They give to organizations they know will steward the money well. They are more interested in eternal dividends than upgrading their standard of living.
Theology
Most attenders don’t much care for theology. They are more interested in meology…the study of me rather than the study of God. They find doctrine divisive, and rarely expend energy reading anything deep. They don’t know what comprises essential Christian doctrine and what is outright heresy, or what is debatable in the Christian community as secondary issues and which are not. As a result, their spiritual condition is similar to that of an overweight and out of shape adult…perfectly happy and content until they have to climb that (spiritual) mountain in life. They are influenced more by new agy, positive thinking “spiritual” bloggers than Christian theologians across the centuries and more easily swayed by heretical teaching. Their discernment skills are often lacking and they typically believe whatever theology is best-selling.
Worshipers study theology and value it. They are more likely to know what soteriology, eschatology and ecclesiology is and have informed opinions in those areas that influences their decision making, but they can fellowship with other believers who share different views in these non-essentials without developing a strong sense of superiority. They may have strong views that lead them to a particular theological tradition, church or denomination but they don’t put personal preference over faithfulness. They’d rather be a part of a body of believers in a different denomination who love Jesus than join those in the same denomination who don’t follow Jesus faithfully. At the same time they are less likely to compromise regarding biblical sexual ethics or adopt progressive perspectives.
Worship Music
It really is about the music for attenders. If it’s not their preferred style, or is led by folks who look like bankers, they’re out of there.
Worshipers like music that is a style they are familiar with, but it doesn’t have to be their own style all of the time. Though they don’t nitpick to the nth degree, they understand that the words of a Christian worship song are important. If the songs are theologically grounded and led with respect, awe, reverence and admiration of a holy God, it doesn’t matter much whether it’s a full rock band or a classical piano providing the accompaniment. Worshipers understand that worship is a way of life, not just a subset of Christian music.
Marriage
Attenders struggle with marriage to greater levels of dissatisfaction. They tend to think “God wants me to be happy” and likely do not understand the strong connection between the marriage of a man and woman and the relationship between God and His bride, the church. As a result they are more likely to choose to divorce their spouse and move to another church too big and too shallow to ask too many questions.
Worshipers struggle with marriage as well. But they are more likely to understand that God’s design for marriage goes beyond merely being “happy” and are more likely to work harder and longer to make it work. Plus they have too many relationships in their church they’d still have to face if they left their spouse. They view marriage as an act of worship with permanence, just as God’s commitment to His Bride is permanent. Not convenience.
It’s easy to be an attender. I get it. Been there, done that. But God calls us to worship. So…let’s commit to a church where the Bible is authoritatively preached and revered…and worship.
(c) 2016