Back to basics

Lovingly crafted blankets made and distributed in Papalote, Mexico, by Salem FMC youth.

Pastor Doug Bailey of Salem First FMC (OR) has just completed his thesis — on consumer theology and the way many contemporary American churches embrace the consumer metaphor, treating God and His blessings as commodities. Bailey says that in order to overcome consumer culture immersion, the church must focus on spiritual formation, teaching people how to experience God in the midst of over-busy lives.

“By placing the ‘customer’ at the center of the equation, consumer theology stands directly opposed to the call of Christ,” says Bailey. But there is hope. “Even those well entrenched in consumer theology can be re-formed into fully devoted Christ-followers.”

With that in mind, Salem First is transitioning into incarnational (from program-centered) ministry. “We want to become different people, not just different-acting people,” Bailey says.

One example of the new focus is a 5-10 minute “Selah” time following Sunday morning’s sermon. The congregation is invited to come forward to take the elements and/or personally seek God’s leading as to what He wants them to do with what they’ve just heard from the pulpit. Intercessory prayer requests are posted on a wall; some simply spend the time walking, reading and praying. “This isn’t about changing circumstances,” says Bailey, “it’s about changing us.”

A team of 34 church volunteers helped local flash-flood victims last December.

Christian education at the church is also aimed at personal transformation. “We don’t simply want to know Him,” says Bailey. “We want to meet Him.” And because God speaks more clearly in community, the church helps people learn to find discernment in community, leaving individualistic tendencies behind. Practical ministries (many lay-created and -led) include a community garden where churched and unchurched come together to grow their own food and enjoy time together.

Developing a non-consumer mindset in an existing body is challenging, says Bailey. “But we have to remember that consumer-minded Christians aren’t the enemy. We (the church) helped make them that way.” A new way of relating to God is just the beginning of the healing process. “We’re doing this for God,” adds Bailey. “We’re laying all we have at His feet.”