Articles
Producers Versus Consumers
Producers Versus Consumers
Doug McNary
Allow me to take you back to the early 1930's, when the U.S. economy was in the throes of the Great Depression. It was a time of record setting negative economic growth. Many Americans lost their means to sustain basic life functions. Many Americans lost all Hope.
Believing in the importance of the roles individuals play in both society and in the economy, President Herbert Hoover said, "Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves."
Now, let us fast forward to the church today. According to a 2014 Pew Research Study, less than 27% of Millennials (defined as ages 18 to 35) regularly attend religious services. Yet, 67% say they believe in a heaven and 84% think there is a God. So, what does the mean?
I think deep down inside, millennials believe there is a God, but worldly distractions and alternate priorities keep them from contemplating what that really means. A lack of understanding or knowledge of the truth translates into a lack of action. Their ignorance may lead to eternal demise.
So, let's rewrite Hoover's insight: "Church growth cannot be cured by the action or pronouncement of church leaders. Church wounds must be healed by the actions of the members of the church body - the producers and consumers themselves."
Church growth will not be achieved by elders, deacons or preachers alone. It must be cured by each of us also doing our part.
So, I ask myself, "Am I just a consumer, or am I both a producer and a consumer?" In Matthew 5, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Honestly, I have been a consumer long enough. I sit in my pew every worship service, I do my daily bible reading and dwell on God's word...I have been a faithful Christian, with a proverbial basket over my head.
I want to be a producer - Sharing, Caring, and Acting to make a difference for the Lord's church.
I want to be a producer - Proclaiming to others the Truth found in the Bible.
I want to be a producer - Openly Praising the Lord, each and every day, in my words and actions.
I want to be a producer - Participating in the building up of the body of our church by being involved in the work of the church.
I can no longer be just a consumer, I want to be a producer - Finding creative ways to prick the heart of a lost soul, for the sake of Christ!
Now here is the challenge: I want to do these things... But, will I?... And how about you?
My brothers and sisters, I pray that each one of us can get up out of our "consumer" pew and DO Something Each Day to help our Lord's church grow! I pray that we can all become "producers" for Christ. If we truly love the Lord's church, we must try; we must do!
