What Is Being Sold?

Nancy and I took a short respite in Branson, Missouri, and attended a few of the many shows which are constantly available. It is the first time I have ever been to Branson and both the beauty of the region and the commercialism of the area absolutely astounded me. Seldom have I seen an entire region so committed to 'family entertainment' - and so skilled at affording every person there the opportunity to part with every dollar they brought - and, seldom have I been in a place so overtly patriotic. Flags are everywhere and of the shows we attended, all celebrated 'being American' and the sacrifices of our country's many active and veteran soldiers and families.

The patriotic emphasis so prevalent in this area took me a while to ponder, though I am not sure why. Maybe it was because everywhere you go in Branson everything you see is for sale . . . so is patriotic pride being 'sold' to the consuming public? Is the mere appearance of being patriotic being marketed in such a way as to offer legitimation to a very public offering which seeks as many consumer dollars as possible? Or does it run deeper?

It got me to thinking about the Church and what it is that happens between 8:00 a.m. and Noon every Sunday, not including all of the other worship and fellowship hours and times. It got me to pondering about the many ways some local, but nearly all mega-churches are becoming 'one stop shopping places for the soul', with speciality coffees, bookstores, personalized Christian identity and self-help classes, educational classes for every age, one-on-one prayer groups complete with prayer warrior partners to see you through every crisis, and pastoral services of every ilk and persuasion to walk the battle-wearied warrior through the dark night of their soul to the Joy of the morning. It got me to thinking about what is for sale - and what is being sold.

The love of God in Christ is free, but how is it that, not only do we expect the local congregation to package it all up in palatable and affordable ways for every circumstance within the faith family, but many expect it to be marketed in a way which brings in greater numbers to the pews, reducing the fiduciary responsibility of the particular individual by the many who support the ministries together. Have we forgotten proclaiming the Gospel for the sake of the Gospel or has that, too, become collateral damage in pursuit of grandeur and success?

Whatever happened to entertainment for entertainment's sake and evangelism for evangelism's sake? Some would say it takes a bit of both, rolled up together and, maybe, they are right. The crowds waiting to be seated and entertained in Branson are beyond my wildest comprehension, making it difficult to believe there is any kind of financial crunch in our country and, concurrently, the number of growing televangelist ministries continues to grow and thrive, with the airwaves becoming saturated with each of their perspectives on the Truth they market. Can it be that, in the same way patriotism both sells and inspires, religiosity also sells and saves?

I'm not sure that I am ready to open my wallet to buy the picture of the cross superimposed over a picture of a waving flag, but I am proud to be a citizen in a country that has a rich religious heritage and deep commitment to freedom, for such are the basic tenants which allow the Gospel to be proclaimed and questions to be continually asked of all that we do.

I suppose Branson will have to seek the answers to the questions of motivation that are before them in the same way the Church will have to seek the answers to the questions of motivation that are before it, for God demands answers to all our behaviors. The key, always, is why do I do what I do, for in God's eyes, that is the crucial answer. I pray I and the Church together live for the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord and offer the same to all we meet. Anything less is just another sales pitch.

It is something to ponder in a culture where so much is for sale.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Don