Commerce and Church

In the last sixty years, the trend in commerce and the trend of the church in the United States can be tracked on a similar path. From sustainable stores in every community to Amazon. From viable congregations of multiple denominations in every town to thousands of congregations closing annually. In the words of the American troubadour, Bob Dylan, “The times they are a changin'.”

We can trace the changes in our past. It is difficult to predict the changes yet to come. Once thriving business centers in small towns now stand desolate. Even though some still have a post office most do not have a grocery store. Dollar General stores sprout up to fill a need in rural areas. They are mini-WalMarts offering everything from milk to tools. Those who once owned and operated the businesses on Main Street blame the ubiquitous presence of the real WalMarts for killing off their stores.

Larger towns saw the development of malls with national brand “anchor stores.” Malls were once bustling arenas for shopping and cross-cultural engagement. For decades stores like Sears, Macy’s, and J.C. Penney were stable brands. Over the last few years, these behemoths have disappeared from the malls and have gone the way of the mom and pop stores of previous eras. Now, the malls are struggling to survive. What do they do with these massive empty shells? Are they to be turned into casinos and indoor playgrounds? Can they be turned into multi-resident facilities?

Of course, the malls and the once major brand stores blame the rise of Amazon for their demise. One can stay home wearing their PJs and order about anything one can imagine and have it delivered within two days by UPS, Fed-Ex or the USPS. What will be the next innovation in “shopping” which will be the stressor which jeopardizes the future of Amazon?

The above three paragraphs are illustrative of the decline of the situation the Church in Europe and the United States in the last sixty years. Once flourishing congregations in towns, country and cities are mere shadows of their former being. Depending on whose statistics one reads, between 5,000 and 10,000 congregations close annually. Congregations, mid-councils, and denominations search for reasons, methods for “turn-around,” and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars maintaining facilities hoping to one day get butts in the pews and bucks in the offering plates which were once there.

The “church of what’s happening now” down the street appears to be bursting at the seems of their metal buildings with a non-descript front door. Worship is criticized as being more entertainment than with which traditionalists are comfortable. Preachers are accused of delivering sermons which are pablum and re-enforcing of what attendees already believe.

Some “non-traditional” congregations have grown into “mega-congregations” which seat hundreds in theatre style worship areas. Multi-campus congregations gather under the name of the spawning congregation with local worship leaders and sermons live-streamed from the “mothership.” Will these congregations eventually go the way of the once vibrant malls?

We can count on one truth, the future of commerce and church
will be different than it is today.