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.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a pastor or church that saw you as competition?  Is this a personal problem for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.