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Christianity Today, January, 2008 |

Spiritual Consumerism's Upside

Why church shopping may not be all bad.

Richard J. Mouw | posted 1/25/2008 08:27AM

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A significant feature of the Roman Catholic pattern of spiritual shopping-around is the concept of "special vocation," which looms large in Catholic environs. A person has a special vocation to join the Jesuits or the Sisters of Charity, and this notion of an individual vocation is regularly linked to a collective vocation. In joining the Benedictines, for example, one joins a communal enterprise of living out a way of life characterized by such things as celibacy, stability, contemplation, and poverty. Other vocational communities have different callings to cultivate their own unique blends of disciplines and virtues.

This strikes me as a way of thinking in positive terms about the exploration of spiritual and theological options. When the Fuller student with whom I talked, for example, struggles with whether to embark upon a path to Presbyterian ordination or to prepare for leadership in one of the newer charismatic fellowships, we can think of her struggle as similar to that of the young Catholic man who is exploring where to live out his priestly ministry. Each can be seen as exploring the question of special vocation. In deciding where they will serve, they are attempting to discern what talents and disciplines and special theological emphases God is asking them to nurture. And I would portray the choice of a family to move from the local Methodist congregation to a new-style congregation that features contemporary worship in similar terms. What may appear to some as a consumerist decision may in fact be a serious exploration of their family's special vocation.

I see these vocational explorations as an exciting feature of contemporary religious life. We should celebrate the diversity of our Christian landscape, manifested, for example, in the existence of Lutheranism, Vineyard Fellowships, and Stone-Campbell congregations. If such diversity encourages a consumerist approach to the spiritual quest, so be it.

Richard J. Mouw is president of Fuller Theological Seminary and professor of Christian philosophy.

Related Elsewhere:

Rodney Clapp wrote about spiritual consumerism in "Why the Devil Takes Visa."

Mouw wrote "Shoot-First Apologetics" about inter-faith dialogue.

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January 2008, Vol. 52, No. 1

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Ryan Patch

Posted: February 06, 2008 2:50 PM

With all respect to the author and his credentials- I feel like there is a mix-up in this. You are celebrating the diversity of vocation- which truly is a grand thing. Essentially, you are saying that it's great that people have so many places in the church to give- and I agree. The problem that many have with our idea of "church shopping" is that we are not asking ourselves where we can *give*, but where we can *get*. Vocation is asking where God is calling us to serve and, in turn, asking how our gifts can best be used to bless others. Church shopping is asking where we can be the most blessed.

Jochem H

Posted: February 05, 2008 6:23 AM


Thank you, exiciting article! Many people in the Netherlands (with its traced denominations and mutual quarrels) should read this.

Paula

Posted: February 01, 2008 4:23 PM


Mouw doesn't get it. The point with choosing between BK and McD's is that it's JUNK!! Big deal if the guy who made the analogy has his own personal food preferences. Someone needs to teach this man critical thinking skills. He can start with the Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn. I found it incredibly useful in homeschooling so he should be able to understand it.

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