April 19, 2025 • 11 mins
Church is not a brand. Pastors are not CEOs. And if your shepherd sounds more like a salesman, something’s gone terribly wrong. In this episode, we call out the corporate creep that’s gutting the soul of the modern church. When ministry becomes marketing and members become metrics, the gospel gets lost in the noise. Giveaways won’t make disciples. Door prizes won’t save souls. If your pastor is more obsessed with engagement stats than eternal truth, he’s not leading—he’s managing. And Christ didn’t die for a business model.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Ready for Eternity
podcast, a podcast and blog dedicated to
inquisitive Bible students exploring
biblical truths that might not be fully
explored in typical
sermons or Bible studies.
(00:20):
My name is Eddie Lawrence.
A troubling trend has
emerged among church leaders.
Many have adopted business sales
gimmicks. They chase new people with
flashy promotions while ignoring the
faithful people they
already have. Something is off.
(00:45):
The staff meeting started like most
others. Coffee in hand, laptops out, the
church's leadership team gathered around
a long table. On paper, things look good.
Sunday attendance had ticked up. The
church social media account showed steady
engagement. The fall festival drew nearly
1,000 people. Business looked good. The
(01:09):
youth minister shared plans for giveaways
and a new sermon series designed to
attract young families.
The senior pastor added, "Along with the
sermon series, maybe we should do another
big giveaway like we did last year.
Maybe a kayak this time to
attract more men to the church."
(01:29):
Kathy, the church secretary, shifted in
her seat. When it was her turn, she spoke
gently, "I know we want to grow, but
should we be doing all this? It feels
like we're operating a business instead
of a church. We spend more time planning
promotions than we spend with
congregants. We give away gift cards, but
(01:52):
we don't even know who's
missing from the pews."
The room fell quiet for a moment. Then
the pastor smiled. "That's fair," he
said, "but the church does have business
aspects. We're trying to reach people,
and to do that, we need
to think strategically."
No one challenged him.
(02:12):
The meeting moved on.
Kathy's question should haunt more
churches than it does.
When did we trade the language of
shepherds for the language
of Fortune 500 executives?
Above all, when did the focus shift from
feeding the flock to drawing a crowd?
(02:35):
Churches never intend to lose their way,
but over time, subtle compromises add up.
A little marketing here, a little
delegation there, and soon the church
feels more like a brand than a community.
It's time to pause, look around, and ask,
"Are we doing ministry the way Jesus
(02:58):
taught us?" The Bible's vision for
shepherding is that pastors are not
promoters or executives.
They are shepherds.
Peter urged elders to shepherd the flock
of God, exercising oversight willingly,
not for selfish gain. (1 Peter 5.2) A
(03:20):
biblical shepherd teaches sound doctrine.
(1 Timothy 3.2, Titus 1.9) Beyond
teaching, such leaders equip believers
for ministry. (Ephesians 4, 11, And 12)
Protecting the flock involves guarding
against error (Acts 20, 28-30) And when
(03:42):
necessary, they also call out sin and
rebuke those who stray (Titus 1, 13) But
most of all, a shepherd feeds the sheep.
That means teaching the Word of God with
clarity and conviction, not
just skimming the surface,
(04:03):
not just offering tips for better living.
Sound doctrine nourishes the soul.
In short, a pastor who gives his people
cotton candy sermons shouldn't be
surprised when they grow weak. Instead of
digging into the meat of scripture, many
pastors settle for
(04:23):
surface-level motivation.
They speak in slogans and sound bites,
focusing on what draws a crowd instead of
what builds a church.
They've replaced the steady voice of the
shepherd with the hype of a business
salesman or a motivational speaker.
And the shift isn't just theological.
(04:45):
It's practical and visible.
Churches now sell their logos on hats,
mugs, and shirts to get free advertising.
They hand out gift cards, firearms,
kayaks, and candy to draw a crowd. They
turn holidays into
marketing opportunities.
Some church leaders spend thousands on
(05:06):
seasonal events with no gospel presence
and almost no lasting fruit.
People come for the
event and never return.
Additionally, church volunteers are
physically and mentally exhausted from
the never-ending activities.
The church throws a
party, but it disciples no one.
(05:30):
The bishop celebrates big event
attendance numbers, but the congregation
remains spiritually malnourished.
Marketing does not make disciples.
Events do not grow churches.
God's Word does these things.
Real growth comes from deep teaching and
(05:52):
faithful shepherding. It doesn't come
from giveaways and gimmicks.
In John 6, Jesus rebuked the crowds who
followed Him only because they ate the
loaves and were filled.
He didn't praise them for returning.
He called out their shallow motives.
(06:14):
The modern church too often praises the
numbers while ignoring the reasons people
come. Therefore, when we reward carnal
interest, we train people
to pursue the wrong things.
Consequently, when pastors chase
visibility, they often
(06:34):
fail to notice who is missing.
People can be gone for weeks or months
without a single phone call.
Some leave entirely and the pastor finds
out through the grapevine.
Ask him about it and he might say, "I
can't keep up with that many people."
He may point to small group leaders as
the ones responsible for care. Delegation
(06:57):
is biblical, but abdication is not.
Paul told the Ephesian elders to pay
careful attention to themselves and to
the flock in Acts 20, verse 28.
Peter said shepherds must exercise
oversight. 1 Peter 5, 2.
(07:19):
That means knowing the sheep, watching
over them, being present in their lives.
Pastors who don't know their people
cannot possibly shepherd them well. Even
worse, faithful members can sit under a
pastor's preaching for years, give
sacrificially and serve consistently, and
(07:40):
still remain strangers to him.
Unfortunately, that is not
oversight. That is neglect.
Some pastors don't
really want to shepherd.
Some pastors want to climb the
ecclesiastical ladder rather than
shepherding their flock.
Instead of seeing their congregation as a
(08:01):
calling, these leaders view their current
church as merely a
stepping stone to a larger one.
Growth metrics and social media outreach
become their focal point, replacing
genuine pastoral care. Dreams of
conference speaking invitations and book
deals often cloud their vision, and
(08:21):
ultimately their aim becomes influence
and recognition rather
than faithful service.
This mindset mirrors the corporate world,
not the kingdom of God.
Jesus called his followers to deny
themselves and take up their cross and
follow him in Matthew 16, 24.
(08:43):
Paul described ministry as pouring
oneself out like a drink offering in 2
Timothy 4, 6. A biblical pastor does not
seek fame. He lays down
his life for the sheep.
pastors must remember what God has called
them to do. They must teach sound
doctrine. Rebuking falsehood and sin is
(09:07):
another crucial responsibility.
Additionally, equipping the saints for
ministry falls under their purview.
Finally, caring for the souls under their
oversight completes their sacred duty.
When the church becomes a product, the
people become consumers.
(09:28):
No amount of branding can replace
faithful shepherding.
Sound teaching cannot be substituted by
any strategy no matter how clever.
Churches need fewer influencers and more
overseers. They need pastors who know the
flock, feed the flock,
and protect the flock.
(09:50):
Any church leader who treats any aspect
of the church like a business, whether in
thinking or action, has
misunderstood its very nature.
That mindset is not a minor flaw.
It may be a disqualifying flaw.
(10:10):
Christ did not entrust his
bride to business managers.
He entrusted her to shepherds. And if a
man cannot grasp that, he should not be
leading God's people.
Thanks for listening to the podcast. We
hope this episode has deepened your
(10:30):
understanding of Scripture. If you found
this content valuable, please share it
with your friends. For more biblical
studies, visit our website at
ReadyForEternity.com. That's the word
"ready," the number four, and the word
"eternity." ReadyForEternity.com. Be sure
and leave a comment on the Ready For
Eternity Facebook page or reach out on
(10:52):
Twitter. That's all for now.
Keep studying your Bible, growing closer
to God, and getting ready for eternity.
See you next time.
Welcome to the Ready for Eternity
podcast, a podcast and blog dedicated to
inquisitive Bible students exploring
biblical truths that might not be fully
explored in typical
sermons or Bible studies.
(00:20):
My name is Eddie Lawrence.
A troubling trend has
emerged among church leaders.
Many have adopted business sales
gimmicks. They chase new people with
flashy promotions while ignoring the
faithful people they
already have. Something is off.
(00:45):
The staff meeting started like most
others. Coffee in hand, laptops out, the
church's leadership team gathered around
a long table. On paper, things look good.
Sunday attendance had ticked up. The
church social media account showed steady
engagement. The fall festival drew nearly
1,000 people. Business looked good. The
(01:09):
youth minister shared plans for giveaways
and a new sermon series designed to
attract young families.
The senior pastor added, "Along with the
sermon series, maybe we should do another
big giveaway like we did last year.
Maybe a kayak this time to
attract more men to the church."
(01:29):
Kathy, the church secretary, shifted in
her seat. When it was her turn, she spoke
gently, "I know we want to grow, but
should we be doing all this? It feels
like we're operating a business instead
of a church. We spend more time planning
promotions than we spend with
congregants. We give away gift cards, but
(01:52):
we don't even know who's
missing from the pews."
The room fell quiet for a moment. Then
the pastor smiled. "That's fair," he
said, "but the church does have business
aspects. We're trying to reach people,
and to do that, we need
to think strategically."
No one challenged him.
(02:12):
The meeting moved on.
Kathy's question should haunt more
churches than it does.
When did we trade the language of
shepherds for the language
of Fortune 500 executives?
Above all, when did the focus shift from
feeding the flock to drawing a crowd?
(02:35):
Churches never intend to lose their way,
but over time, subtle compromises add up.
A little marketing here, a little
delegation there, and soon the church
feels more like a brand than a community.
It's time to pause, look around, and ask,
"Are we doing ministry the way Jesus
(02:58):
taught us?" The Bible's vision for
shepherding is that pastors are not
promoters or executives.
They are shepherds.
Peter urged elders to shepherd the flock
of God, exercising oversight willingly,
not for selfish gain. (1 Peter 5.2) A
(03:20):
biblical shepherd teaches sound doctrine.
(1 Timothy 3.2, Titus 1.9) Beyond
teaching, such leaders equip believers
for ministry. (Ephesians 4, 11, And 12)
Protecting the flock involves guarding
against error (Acts 20, 28-30) And when
(03:42):
necessary, they also call out sin and
rebuke those who stray (Titus 1, 13) But
most of all, a shepherd feeds the sheep.
That means teaching the Word of God with
clarity and conviction, not
just skimming the surface,
(04:03):
not just offering tips for better living.
Sound doctrine nourishes the soul.
In short, a pastor who gives his people
cotton candy sermons shouldn't be
surprised when they grow weak. Instead of
digging into the meat of scripture, many
pastors settle for
(04:23):
surface-level motivation.
They speak in slogans and sound bites,
focusing on what draws a crowd instead of
what builds a church.
They've replaced the steady voice of the
shepherd with the hype of a business
salesman or a motivational speaker.
And the shift isn't just theological.
(04:45):
It's practical and visible.
Churches now sell their logos on hats,
mugs, and shirts to get free advertising.
They hand out gift cards, firearms,
kayaks, and candy to draw a crowd. They
turn holidays into
marketing opportunities.
Some church leaders spend thousands on
(05:06):
seasonal events with no gospel presence
and almost no lasting fruit.
People come for the
event and never return.
Additionally, church volunteers are
physically and mentally exhausted from
the never-ending activities.
The church throws a
party, but it disciples no one.
(05:30):
The bishop celebrates big event
attendance numbers, but the congregation
remains spiritually malnourished.
Marketing does not make disciples.
Events do not grow churches.
God's Word does these things.
Real growth comes from deep teaching and
(05:52):
faithful shepherding. It doesn't come
from giveaways and gimmicks.
In John 6, Jesus rebuked the crowds who
followed Him only because they ate the
loaves and were filled.
He didn't praise them for returning.
He called out their shallow motives.
(06:14):
The modern church too often praises the
numbers while ignoring the reasons people
come. Therefore, when we reward carnal
interest, we train people
to pursue the wrong things.
Consequently, when pastors chase
visibility, they often
(06:34):
fail to notice who is missing.
People can be gone for weeks or months
without a single phone call.
Some leave entirely and the pastor finds
out through the grapevine.
Ask him about it and he might say, "I
can't keep up with that many people."
He may point to small group leaders as
the ones responsible for care. Delegation
(06:57):
is biblical, but abdication is not.
Paul told the Ephesian elders to pay
careful attention to themselves and to
the flock in Acts 20, verse 28.
Peter said shepherds must exercise
oversight. 1 Peter 5, 2.
(07:19):
That means knowing the sheep, watching
over them, being present in their lives.
Pastors who don't know their people
cannot possibly shepherd them well. Even
worse, faithful members can sit under a
pastor's preaching for years, give
sacrificially and serve consistently, and
(07:40):
still remain strangers to him.
Unfortunately, that is not
oversight. That is neglect.
Some pastors don't
really want to shepherd.
Some pastors want to climb the
ecclesiastical ladder rather than
shepherding their flock.
Instead of seeing their congregation as a
(08:01):
calling, these leaders view their current
church as merely a
stepping stone to a larger one.
Growth metrics and social media outreach
become their focal point, replacing
genuine pastoral care. Dreams of
conference speaking invitations and book
deals often cloud their vision, and
(08:21):
ultimately their aim becomes influence
and recognition rather
than faithful service.
This mindset mirrors the corporate world,
not the kingdom of God.
Jesus called his followers to deny
themselves and take up their cross and
follow him in Matthew 16, 24.
(08:43):
Paul described ministry as pouring
oneself out like a drink offering in 2
Timothy 4, 6. A biblical pastor does not
seek fame. He lays down
his life for the sheep.
pastors must remember what God has called
them to do. They must teach sound
doctrine. Rebuking falsehood and sin is
(09:07):
another crucial responsibility.
Additionally, equipping the saints for
ministry falls under their purview.
Finally, caring for the souls under their
oversight completes their sacred duty.
When the church becomes a product, the
people become consumers.
(09:28):
No amount of branding can replace
faithful shepherding.
Sound teaching cannot be substituted by
any strategy no matter how clever.
Churches need fewer influencers and more
overseers. They need pastors who know the
flock, feed the flock,
and protect the flock.
(09:50):
Any church leader who treats any aspect
of the church like a business, whether in
thinking or action, has
misunderstood its very nature.
That mindset is not a minor flaw.
It may be a disqualifying flaw.
(10:10):
Christ did not entrust his
bride to business managers.
He entrusted her to shepherds. And if a
man cannot grasp that, he should not be
leading God's people.
Thanks for listening to the podcast. We
hope this episode has deepened your
(10:30):
understanding of Scripture. If you found
this content valuable, please share it
with your friends. For more biblical
studies, visit our website at
ReadyForEternity.com. That's the word
"ready," the number four, and the word
"eternity." ReadyForEternity.com. Be sure
and leave a comment on the Ready For
Eternity Facebook page or reach out on
(10:52):
Twitter. That's all for now.
Keep studying your Bible, growing closer
to God, and getting ready for eternity.
See you next time.
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