The American Church has done a lot of good here in the United States and even abroad by incorporating some of the best principles and practices we’ve learned from corporate America. As a matter of fact, I think the organizational and management strength of the American Church is probably what makes us unique around the world. We often lack real spirit and humility (take a trip to churches around the world to learn this), but are strong in other areas that are particularly capitalistic.
I see at least one problem though. Capitalism, at its very heart, is really about fierce competition and classic Darwinism-eque survival of the fittest. Businesses within a similar market see each other as enemies and competitors.
Employees of Coca-Cola are forbidden and often asked to sign agreements to never publicly use Pepsi products. Corporate execs at Wendy’s hate McDonald’s. Home Depot and Lowe’s are bitter enemies in the home improvement market.
Sadly, churches have taken on this model of intra-market competition and most often see each other as competitors and enemies instead of allies and partners. This is not biblical and misses the boat in a major way.
We are not competitors. We have the same boss. We are a part of the same body. Don’t get me wrong, we have competitors, but they aren’t other churches and pastors.
I have made a personal pledge to never view other pastors and churches as competition – even if they move right next door to where we’re doing ministry. I’ll admit that this takes effort, but, like any thing practiced over time, this becomes much easier the more you do it.
Here are a few signs you’ve let the wrong components of capitalism creep into your church:
- You get unnerved or irritated when people decide to start new churches close to your church.
- You think of the geographical area where you pastor as “your area” or “your backyard”.
- You try to avoid relationships with other pastors in your city/town because you privately view them as your enemy.
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I've experienced this worldly nonsense and it makes me sick.
We're all supposed to be working together to bring people into the KINGDOM, not into our own church.
Great post Shaun. I pray that God helps you always stay focused on not feeling like you're in competition with others!
Hey Shaun,
GREAT post! I have been very frustrated over the lack of love and friendliness from other pastors in our area. Whenever I attend a local gathering of pastors, it seems to me that there is a lot of mugging going on! They are always talking about HOW MANY people they have in their churches and it's often the first question they ask you. The pastors of the BIG churches always sit together like it's some kind of fraternity or something and feel very unapproachable to us little guys. I have stopped attending these gatherings because it really stifles the Spirit in me! From my perspective, I don't think they think of me / us as competition, but it feels like I am totally judged and looked down upon if my church isn't as populated as theirs. Thanks for bringing this to the front lines! Peace, Lin
Shaun, you are RIGHT on brother.
No one church will reach everyone. Pre-Christians see the infighting that goes on between churches and that only reinforces their desire to stay clear of all of it. They have enough struggles in their lives, they don't need more.
This was pounded home to me when I went to Tanzania last summer with our leadership team from church to conduct a Leadership Conference in Mwanza. The Bishop we work with there had gathered over 700 pastors and church leaders representing over 65 denominations from 7 countries. Everyone was there because of a common love for Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The "differences" were put aside. It was amazing to worship with brothers and sisters in Christ. That experience "ruined me for the ordinary".
Our cultural experiences and upbringing shape us and create in us unique "difference" that aren't always a matter of "right" or "wrong", just "different". We need to get over ourselves and work together to reach out to our communities in a cooperative effort, to be Jesus with skin on to a hurting world around us.
When I was pastoring my first church, I had a pastor from a nearby (and much larger) church in my denomination offer to take me out to lunch. When we went out, he told me that he wanted to take over the property at the church where I was serving and make it into a satellite location for his worship services and start another school for his church. At that point I was shocked, but I asked him if maybe he would consider helping us out, because admittedly, we were struggling. His answer was, "I don't feel like that's what God is calling us to do" He then went on to detail his plan that if we didn't join with him, he would start a satellite location in a storefront in our neighborhood. By the end of the conversation, I was physically shaking because I felt so threatened.
The church is not what we make it out to be. It is what our Father created it to be. LOVE…… and that settles it. Let us as brothers and sisters go beyond capitalism and embrace compassion for the world. It is sad but true, we are hurt from the people in the church and the world is looking at us for love and support. Unity in the body is not about you or me. It is about Jesus who unites you and me. Spread the love. Thanks Pastor Shaun for this posting this blog. God bless you all. Love never fails.
Thanks a ton Peter! Keep praying for us man!
I am sorry to hear this Linda! What city are you in? What types of gatherings are these?
Hey Randy!
Did you blog about your experience in Tanzania or have some pictures up online? Would love to see them.
Wow Jedidiah. I am so sorry that you had this tough experience. Be encouraged my friend. Don't let anyone else (including fellow pastors) get you bent out of shape. Hang in there!
-Shaun
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers Jeremiah!
Pastor Shaun,
Scotty Lucas and I were talking about you today. Always wise, insightful, and a man of principal. Your post was as usual to the point and telling a truth that needs to be told. Isn't it funny how some of us as Christians fall into that "church competition" trap. As usual, you and your family be blessed and keep on doing "yo thang" that God has called you to…vernon comer
ps, while we hope to be able to sew into your ministry in the not too distant future, what I can offer now in terms of volunteering (I saw the list) are my IT skills (desktop support assistance, pc builds, some network assistance) and my creative skills (voice-over and narration for multi-media stuff, acting, writing, etc.)…
Nice post. Completely agree with this. Especially with planting in your backyard. They can offer a communityand experience that maybe you just can’t. And if it’s for Jesus, don’t hate. I’m kind of learning this with my interactions with you Shaun. However, it’s not competitive as much as it is I just don’t like the way you think sometimes. Which is fine, but I probably should find a better way of
respectfully critiqueing/debating you instead of defaulting to being an ass.
Great Post! I have had a real passion about this very thing. That is why I started The Relevant Network. It has been a blessing in helping break down these very walls. Thanks for sharing your insight and your heart. You Rock Bro!
As a pastor who has worked with many pastors I know this to be true first hand. The problem is that many pastors for one reason or another do not have a kingdom driven mindset. While capitalism is driven by competition, the kingdom of God works in a different manner where each and every pastor is supposed to be called by God to a certain work and they are to be the most effective steward they possibly can over that work through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to seek first God's agenda and not our personal dreams of grandeur. As long as we align our will with the will of God we will be able to avoid disharmony and the spirit of competition because we know that each and every church has a slightly different assignment that is all tied in to the great commission given to us by Jesus Christ – whether you are a steward over a small group of believers or a super sized ministry that operates on an international scale. This takes mature pastors who are led by the Spirit and understand stewardship (meaning that this is not our ministry but it is God's ministry and we are supposed to carry our HIS orders for it because it is God's church not our church). A religious mindset sees other pastors as a threat or competition but when you have a KINGDOM mindset you view other pastors in your region as reinforcements sent by God that will assist you in breaking the strongholds in your assigned area(s) or region(s). The truth of the matter is that no one church congregation is going to win everyone – it will indeed take a unified and coordinated effort and when this is in full effect God's church will have a greater impact.
Thanks a ton Vernon! I hope you are doing really well man. We sure could use your expertise. I'll keep you posted!
No. You rock :-)
Hey George,
You have nailed it with this comment man. You added so many layers to what I was attempting to say. Thank you for this. I will strive to keep a Kingdom mindset and hope that we can spread the word. Hold it down bro!
Shaun
Hey Ryan,
Thank you so much for this comment. The truth is that you and I could focus on some of our differences and never get anything good done because of it. As we seek some common (Holy) ground, who knows what we could accomplish.
Take care,
Shaun
great post. I was revising a social media marketing presentation for businesses so that it would fit a church social media marketing workshop I was going to do-when I got to references regarding "competitors" I couldn't decide at first if I should leave them in or not. But then I realized, churches don't need to be competing with anyone other than Satan.