The McChurching of America

The McChurching of America . . .

I haven't read the whole book, but I've had discussions with those who have, and I've read excerpts and followed online discussions of George Ritzer's The McDonaldization of Society.  McDonaldization is "the process by which  the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to  dominate more and more sectors of American society and the rest of the world."  Just do a Google search on the word "McDonaldization" and you'll find all kinds of information about what it is, but the short version is it creates a process that is efficient, calculable, predictable and is easily controlled and then franchises that process.  The key thing is that it is a predictable process which gives predictable results - you can always count on getting the same thing with the same taste at any McDonald's you go to.

With this in mind, Kyle at PureText and John at Rabe Ramblings are talking about Willow Creek's new satellite churches.  Both say "yuck" at the whole thing, with John at Rabe Ramblings calling this McChurch.

While I am uncomfortable with the whole idea I am reticent to go too overboard in my criticism of them lest I who am with great sin be guilty of throwing stones.

I have written a little bit about McDonaldization as it relates to modernization here.  While I'm no fan of McDonaldization it has its benefits and is not all bad. 

The fact is that almost all of our churches are McDonaldized to some degree.  Remember, McDonaldization creates a process and franchises it, demands the process be followed, offers predictable results and controls the process tightly.  The question here is one of degree.

The 40 Days of Purpose Campaign is an example of McDonaldization, the Alpha Course is an example of McDonaldization, Evangelism Explosion (which we use in my church) is an example of McDonaldization, the 50 Day Adventure is an example of McDonaldization, even the Embers to a Flame Conference is an example of some degree of McDonaldization.

John Maxwell is famous for saying that if you do the right things the right way you will get the right results.  This is a textbook McDonaldist message.  All of us who go to a conference or buy a book which tells us how to do something and guarantees particular results are acting like McDonald's customers.

When missionaries go to a foreign country and insist that those they minister adopt western modes of dress and western styles of worship they are acting in a McDonaldist fashion.

I'm saying all of that to illustrate that McDonaldization or McChurching goes far deeper than we think.  It's a matter of degree and before we throw stones at Willow Creek we need to see where else we are doing the same thing.

Further, McDonaldization has its benefits. McDonald's isn't Ruth's Chris, but you can get a filling meal there.  There are lots of people who have gotten their first jobs there and moved on to greater things. 

Similarly, western missionaries may have carried a bit too much of their culture to foreign countries at times but they have gotten the gospel out.  The Alpha Course and Evangelism Explosion have been used to lead many, many to Christ.

Although I am not the biggest fan of Willow Creek I can see a certain logic to what they are doing.  One of the things that some critics don't realize is that, in those satellite campuses, they have or can have, all of the aspects of a church in place.  Such churches have, or can have, local elders and deacons who shepherd the flock, they can have Sunday School teachers, small group leaders and everything else in place for a church, the only thing they lack is a preacher.

The difference between Willow Creek using Bill Hybels to preach and your local church using Nicky Gumbel to evangelize is one of degree. By what principle do we declare it out of order for Bill Hybels' to do the preacher's job for him yet don't rule it out of order to let Nicky Gumbel do their evangelism for them?

Further, what if this were an article about someone like, say, John Piper?  What if Bethlehem Baptist were franchising out his ministry? 

Actually, they are.  They have two campuses and Piper preaches live at one and there is a video of his preaching that is played at the other. I haven't heard the same outcry about Bethlehem as I have about Willow.

I think the reason for this is that critics of Willow Creek think Willow has compromised the gospel, so pretty much anything they do is an expression of compromise. In all fairness, if satellite campuses are the real issue here then someone ought to be criticizing Piper and Bethlehem B aptist in the same way.  Critics of Willow Creek may be attracted to the idea of franchising John Piper because, after all, he's John Piper. 

In saying all of this I am not arguing that having satellites are the best thing, or even a good thing.  But, I have been told on several occasions that the number of pastors leaving the ministry far exceeds the number of new pastors being trained.  So, suppose we come to a day where a church just can't find a pastor, but still has the manpower to sustain the other functions of a church.  Should they close up or would it be ok to show a video of someone preaching?

They should close up and go join another church you say.  Sure, that's a fine idea, but what if those in the church that is closing have strong convictions that prevent them from feeling at home in other churches in the area?  Well, maybe their are straining at theological gnats you say.  This could be, but which one of us wants to tell someone else to compromise their biblical convictions.  In my church, we practice infant baptism and I do all I can to talk people into believing in infant baptism.  But I also tell people that their consciences are bound by the word of God and if I haven't convinced them from the word of God that infant baptism is biblical, they better not compromise their conscience.  This usually is not a matter that causes someone to leave the church, but suppose someone has a number of convictions that make it hard for them to fellowship in a particular church? 

Or, suppose you have a similar situation, maybe a rural situation where there are 30-50 members of a church and they can't afford to pay a pastor's salary.  Further, suppose there are no bivocational pastors available.  Further suppose they can find a circuit preacher who can only come to them once a month as he hits other churches the other four Sundays.  Should such a church simply not meet the other four Sundays? Should such a church meet and do everything except listen to a sermon? Or, could the 30-50 of them scrape up enough money to buy a 36 inch TV and a VCR and then spend $145 to get R. C. Sproul's Dust to Glory Series that will take them through the whole bible in a year?

I want to be careful about this, my own church faces some of the familiar financial challenges that many churches are experiencing in our post 9/11 world and they may decide that they can get a lot better preacher for a lot less money than me.  I am only suggesting that this is a viable option in some cases. 

So, getting back to the point, there are some dangers with what Willow Creek is doing and they are the same dangers that face John Piper and Bethlehem Baptist.  But we ought not to criticize them out of hand.  We, and they simply need to ask some hard questions and answer them honestly. 

Are they creating a personality cult?  Are there other qualified pastors out there who simply lack the pizazz of their guru?

Are they McDonaldizing in a harmful way?  Just read the book and look at what Ritzer says are the ill effects of McDonaldization and evaluate honestly?

Are they being lazy, or cheap?  Do they just not want to go through the difficult process of finding a pastor?  Do they just not want to spend the money and time to support a pastor?

In any case, this whole phenomenon of satellite churches raises some thorny questions, but let's not criticize Willow Creek in this matter just because they are Willow Creek. 

Comments

[Mark Heath]

I remember listening to the sermons in Piper's Romans series (downloaded off the internet) when Bethlehem Baptist transitioned to meeting in two locations. There was obviously a clear desire to still retain the feeling of being one church and having a common preacher no doubt helped (although it would seem that they were fine to have separate worship). It did strike me as a little odd though, as surely in John Piper's church of all places there should be an abundance of budding preachers more than capable of taking on a regular teaching ministry.

So I don't know whether it flows from Piper's belief that *he* is called to be pastor of the church and therefore feels personally responsible to do the bulk of the teaching, or whether it simply was a case that most of the congregation are so star-struck with pastor Piper that no one would go to the satelite venue if they knew they would get someone else. (I also suspect that their main venue fills up with a lot of visitors - I know I would want to go if I was in the area)

[anselm]

I find it more than a little amusing that most of the criticism I hear about Willow Creek et al is from those churches that are all, well, franchises; Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc. Perhaps I am mistaken but from what I understand in each of these and many other denominations not only is the same set order of service followed, but the same readings are done at all churches of the denomination each week. A church year is followed that directs much of the activity of these churches; the churches are all run the same way. Many of them even use the same hymnals!

The Willow Creek model is not to my personal taste but I praise God for them. Many of these mega churches are young and they may evolve into something quite different as time goes on. In Austin, a mega known as Hill Country Bible Church is busily planting new churches and sending off large chunks of its congregation, elders included to the new works, geographically disseminated. They hope to start over 20 churches in the next few years.

[Terry]

Check out some of my own thoughts inspired by this post....

http://pruittcommunications.blogspot.com/2005/01/mcdonaldization-starbucks-and-church.html

[Richard Awtrey]

I can't imagine Piper having a ego big enough to think he is the "called one". I'm sure it more the latter that the congregation and guest hold him in awe.

One of the things I've noticed in the "Mega" churches is that the pastor is the preacher, that's his job. He doesn't do counseling etc. He brings the messages and usually the only time he not in the pulpit is when he on vacation or speaking at a siminar.

When you speak of the "star syndrom" in the pulpit, John McArthur come to mind. His congregation views him in the same light as Piper church does him. Yet, when you talk to people that have been to one of his conferences, they will tell you that members of McAruthur's staff are better preacher than he is.

[Glynn]

It's very difficult for me to even read this posting. A small handful of elders of the church I and my family attended for 15 years embraced the Willow Creek "seeker-oriented" philosophy, all the while denying that was what they were doing. Over the course of three to four years, worship became a mockery, notable only for its entertainment value. Church planting stopped. Corporate structures (i.e., the "Personnel Committee") were created. The primary qualification for elder came to be executive experience in local corporations. Elders began spending more and more of their time together and less and less with the congregation, because they didn't want to hear the concern and criticism. One blatantly told people that if they didn't like the change in direction, they could leave.

And that's what happened. What had to be dealt with, however, was that the turnover in pastoral staff became a standing joke, giving began to decline, and then membership, and then attendance. The final straw was the much-beloved senior pastor leaving, and then the long-submerged anger erupted. The elder deemed most responsible was essentially run out of the church, but it was a bit like closing the barn door long after the horse was gone. Today the church is limping along, a once-strong and vibrant church now struggling.

My family and I had left before that happened. We stayed as long as we could; we talked with pastors and elders; we raised concerns at congregational meetings. And I think we did all of these things in a loving way.

I don't blame Willow Creek, even though score of our church's staff, teachers, elders, deacons, etc., were sent to Willow Creek training sessions and satellite meetings; visited Willow Creek's various services; and utlilized Willow Creek's various curriculum and training programs. Willow Creek became convenient shorthand for all that went wrong. The problem was more what Paul warned the Ephesian elders about -- this time, the wolves wore Willow Creek clothing. I can't blame Willow Creek for that.

[Kyle]

Thanks for the link. :-)

Actually, I could have bounced just as well off of John Piper as anybody else. There's a local baptist church that's started franchising. The problem for me is not that they're starting churches that are exactly identical to the first one - if that were the only thing, I would probably be congratulating them. Paul said "follow me, as I follow Christ." Assuming the "Paul" is following Christ, how better to learn the ropes than by following him?

The two problems for me are:
1. Sustainability. What happens when big preacher man dies? Or retires? If the system doesn't include finding a good replacement early, then the whole structure comes crashing down with the loss of one leader. Growing to two churches is the perfect opportunity for training new leadership. By all means, let the guy in charge stay the guy in charge. Just give him a title that indicates he's not necessarily the local point man, but rather that he's over several congregations in the area. Let's call him.. I dunno, bishop?

2. There must be a distinction between congregational worship and outward-focused evangelism. Otherwise, one or the other is degraded, and the whole church loses out.

[Mean Dean]

Egad Glynn ... sounds like Montrose Baptist Church in Rockville Maryland ... whom after 40 years the charismatic the pastor retired, tried to go the willow-creek path, but unfortunately hired an even more charasmatic pastor ... who was also a thief.

["Butch" West]

A few weeks ago I attended, upon invitation from a member, Hill Country Bible Church-Pflugerville. I asked the pastor some questions, and had some concerns about some things I saw, including an apparent requirement to sign a membership covenant to be a member. Mood altering music, etc. appears to make this church a cult, I believe Hill Country Bible Church is a cult. They plan on spending Five million dollors for phase one of their building program, that's 5 times as much as Shoreline Christian Center spent on their building.

When church leaders have something to hide, they tell you to go elsewhere. Pflugerville is in the Austin area, and it's part of the same mega church someone in January referred to. But a look at the "Spiritual Formation" link on the HCBC-Pflugerville website indicates that you must be a member and have taken two particular classes to attend a meeting revealing what God is doing in the world, just read the scripture, it tells you.

I've visited this church three times now, granted over different years, but still 2 of the 3 sermons I heard were about obeying the elders of the church. This may be true scripturally, but when 2 out of every 3 sermons a person hears (as it was with me) is about obeying the leadership, just where is that leadership trying to go? It's not obedience to God's word, it's obedience to man, and there is a difference betweening blind obedience to man because man says so and obeying someone because God's word tells us to do so.

One thing I think is applicable to my experience at HCBC is found in a prophecy (probably regarding the Pharisees) found in Isaiah 9:16 "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed" Isa. 9:16 A lot is said about obedience but not much is said of the other side of the coin, because most of our leaders expect blind obedience, without question, to them.

My experience at HCBC and with their leaders is that they are a cult, and I'm going to say so. The paragraph directly below and at the end (the 3rd paragraph below) are the pastor's response to my questions. Instead of answers to my questions, I got the responses you see below. Is this pastor qualified to even be an elder or a pastor? I do not think so.

“Thank you for your feedback on my message and general critique of our church. We understand that HCBC is not a perfect church and is not the church for everyone. Because you have several issues with our church, I recommend you continue searching for a church home that fits your convictions and preferences. God Bless”

Is this an honest answer to honest questions, of course not! And when I insisted on an honest answer the following paragraph was the same pastor’s response (after he was conveniently out of the office).

“As I responded earlier this week, the nature of your concerns and issues with HCBC are such that it would be better for you to continue searching for a church that matches your convictions and preferences. I will not be responding to any more of your e-mails and am now making a formal request that you stop e-mailing me or the staff of HCBC.”

[Pastor J.Prabhudas]

My dear in Christ Jesus,

Warmest greetings to you in his most worthy and fair name. At this auspicious time I introduce to you as pastor J. Prabhu Das serving the lord for the last 17 years, in Tenali town and its surrounding villages, having our headquarters church at Tenali. We reach the unreached, campaign for 2 days in each village, knock door-to-door, distribute tracks, pamphlets and bible material, pray for the sick and needy, conduct street preaching and in night timing Gospel Meetings preaching the glorious gospel to the unsaved and winning souls to add to His kingdom.
Part of our work, we serve the old aged people, give bible training to young and making them visit rural villages preaching gospel to the unsaved. Besides we were encouraging several pastors by conducting pastors seminars. We are also publishing the Christian telugu monthly magazine.
We were maintaining an orphan home for the last 5 years and serving among HIV/AIDS vicims.

As ours is a small ministry and its resources are very very nominal, and the church members ate too poor and hot able to contribute any mite, we are facing several financial shardships in maintaining the ministry and look to God to send an interceder to intercede our prayer request to get answer from him.

I heard about you and have gone through your website, which is very fine and I came to know about the activities of your ministry.
We do hope you are a great blessing for us too. I invite your kind attention to visit our website at- http://claspindia.blogspot.com/and please let me know your comments by next mail.

We are much interested to join in your fellowship and strive for him in India and request you to kindly pray for the same my dear brother. We were all praying God for you, for your family, for the abundance of your ministry and for your untiring services for him and request you to continue to pray for us, and for our ministry for granting fellowship to work for you in INDIA .


With much love in Christ jesus. I look to receive your mail soon.

Yours brother in his vineyard
Pastor J.Prabhudas,
New Jerusalem Prayer House,
Amaravathipots, Chenchupet,
TENALI – 522202, Guntur (Dist),
Andhra Pradesh , South India
Contact: +91 9290619410.
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]