The Church Was Never Meant to Be a Drive-Thru

We live in a culture where everything is tailored to personal preference. Our playlists are curated, our meals are delivered, and our timelines are filled with things that make us feel good. Fast. Easy. Comfortable. And if we’re not careful, we bring that same mindset into the Church.

We start treating it like a spiritual convenience store—somewhere we go to get what we need, and then move on. We shop around for churches like we’re comparing phone plans: “What programs do they have for my kids?”“Do I like the worship style?”“Is the preaching entertaining enough?”“How long is the service?”

Without realizing it, we turn the Bride of Christ into a brand. We act like spiritual consumers instead of committed contributors. But the Church was never meant to be consumed. Jesus didn’t die so we could be comfortable—He died to make us holy. He didn’t rise again so we could spectate—He rose to give us new life and call us into mission. Faith is not a consumable product. It’s a surrendered life.

When Jesus called the disciples, He didn’t say, “Come see what I have to offer.” He said, “Follow Me.” And following Jesus has always meant letting go of our preferences and picking up our cross.

Consumer Christianity says, “How can the church serve me?” True discipleship says, “How can I serve the Church?” It’s not about being served by the King—it’s about serving the King. Yes, His blessings are real. Yes, His grace is abundant. But aligning your life to Christ isn’t about squeezing more blessings out of God—it’s about pouring yourself out for Him because He’s already given everything.

Paul paints a powerful picture in 1 Corinthians 12:

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

A healthy body doesn’t have parts that just consume energy without giving anything back. When one part stops functioning, the whole body suffers. That’s what happens when we sit in the seats but never step into our purpose. That’s what happens when we consume ministry but never contribute to it.

You were never meant to just show up. You were meant to show up with purpose. We’re Called to Be Contributors, Not Consumers

In Romans 12:1, Paul writes:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and something remarkable happened at our church. A family had volunteered several weeks ago to serve in a unique and meaningful way—something well beyond the norm for a typical Sunday. But the day before, tragedy struck. Suddenly, they were faced with two very real options: cancel and grieve privately, which no one would have questioned, or step into their pain, show up anyway, and allow themselves to be surrounded by a loving church family.

They chose the latter. They showed up—not just to go through the motions, but to serve the King in the midst of sorrow, and to receive prayer and support. They not only executed, but they did so at a very high level. It was a powerful act of faith and courage.

True worship isn’t just singing a song—it’s laying down your life. It’s choosing to show up early and stay late, even when we may be in pain. It’s serving when it’s inconvenient. It’s giving when it costs. It’s loving people even when they’re hard to love. There is no version of Christianity where we sit on the sidelines and still grow. There is no vibrant faith that exists without commitment. If the goal of your faith is to get something rather than become someone, it’s time to recalibrate.

Joy doesn’t come from consuming—It comes from contributing. It sounds backwards, but it’s true: The more you pour out, the more fulfilled you become. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And that doesn’t just apply to money—it applies to your time, your energy, your encouragement, your presence. There is deep, lasting joy that comes when you stop asking, “What do I get out of this?” and start asking, “What can I give into this?”

Let’s ask better questions:

Instead of “What’s in it for me?” Ask, “What part of the mission has God placed me here to fulfill?”

Instead of “Was I entertained?” Ask, “Was I engaged in worship and truth, even when it challenged me?”

Instead of “Did I get fed?” Ask, “How can I help feed others?”

Instead of “Did the church meet my needs?” Ask, “Whose needs can I meet this week through the church?”

The church doesn’t exist to please you—It exists to glorify God. Let’s be honest: if the early church was judged by today’s consumer standards, it would’ve failed. No childcare. No coffee. No AC. No Instagram. Just a persecuted group of people gathering in homes, breaking bread, praying, and laying their lives down for the Gospel. And yet, the Church exploded—not because of what it offered, but because of who they were becoming in Christ.

That’s what we’re called to return to. Not polished perfection. Not consumer satisfaction. But sacrificial obedience. Spirit-filled purpose. Missional living.

If your faith has felt stale, ask yourself:

Am I trying to consume something that was never meant to be consumed?

Am I asking the Church to serve me while I withhold my service?

You don’t need a new church. You need a new perspective. The Church is not a show. It’s not a product. It’s not a business. It’s a Body. A family. A mission. A movement. And you are a part of it.

So let’s stop consuming and start contributing. Let’s stop asking what the Church can do for us—and start being the Church the world needs to see. Because Jesus didn’t come to entertain us. He came to transform us. And He’s not looking for spectators. He’s calling for servants.