by Stan Mitchell

In an excellent article, professor Michael R. Weed observes that the goal of forming "successful" churches, where everyone finds his emotional needs met is an "unchallenged" tenet of church growth advocates, and gives rise to the phenomenon of "church shoppers." "A constant monitoring of trends, tastes, and fashions through questionnaires, surveys and polls now rivals the study and teaching of scripture as the sign of a church's devotion to ministry and zeal for evangelism" (Christian Studies, Vol. 19 Spring 2003, page 14).

His remarks raise some good questions. How do we define a "successful" church? And who defines success? If people tend to go "church shopping," doesn't that also lead to church hopping? Who should be forming the church's agenda, man or God? And are we aware of the difference between human wants and divine requirements?

Of course visitors to our congregation should expect a warm and loving welcome. Make no mistake, Jesus Christ meets man's deepest longings. But like a patient visiting a doctor, the newcomer to church only knows that he hurts; it's for the Great Physician to diagnose the illness! "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners'" (Mark 2:17).

"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 8:11). Humanity is indeed sick, and the illness is fatal. This is not a time for cosmetics and placebos. This is not a case of what the customer wants to hear, but of what God wants to say! If you want to go shopping, may I suggest the mall; if you want salvation, come to Jesus!