Resisting the Vendor Shape of the Church

 Some years ago, George Hunsberger cautioned against what he called the “vendor shape” of many churches. When a church takes on a “vendor shape,” it loses its core identity as a unified body of Christ and become bifurcated into “consumers” and “vendors.” For example, Hunsberger once noted how a newspaper, writing about a church’s decision to build a new sanctuary, said, “A church has to decide how best to serve its congregation.” What is the difference between a “church” and its “congregation”? Hunsberger also pointed to one church’s mission statement that read: “First Presbyterian Church exists to offer the body of believers the opportunity to worship and glorify God.” Again, what is the difference between the “church” and “the body of believers”?  That bifurcated language only makes sense if the “church” is a group of people within the congregation, whose job is to offer programs and worship services and ministries that appeal to the rest of the congregation.  

When I read Hunsberger’s description of the “vendor shape” of the church, I started becoming aware of how often I use that kind of language. It is not as if there are some churches that are “vendor shaped” churches and others that really have it together. It is more the case that those of us who grew up in a vendor shaped culture are always tempted to lose the church’s core identity as an organic body and to think of the church as an entity that is out there to provide spiritual goods and services. Throughout the years we have rallied around several ways to remind ourselves what it means to be the church, a single body, with a variety of gifts and callings that work together as one. We sing songs like “Together we serve,” and “For Everyone Born,” and even alter the lyrics in order to ensure that each of us is included. We embrace themes, like “I am St. Mark” or “We are St. Mark.” We even have a Membership Commission, dedicated to finding ways to ensure that nobody feels marginalized or left out. St. Mark is not here to serve its members. St. Mark is its members and we’re here to glorify God through worship, loving one another, and serving God’s world. 

 

The reason I am reflecting on George Hunsberger’s important caution is because we are in that season when our Nominating Committee is seeking persons who would be willing to serve as Elders and Deacons beginning in 2026. Our Elders bear most of the decision-making responsibilities of the church, since the name Presbyterian implies “elder-driven.” And our Deacons provide the bridges between our congregation and different service organizations throughout Orange County. As a congregation that is called to worship, transformation, justice, stewardship, and service, the work of our Elders and Deacons is critical for enabling us to follow that call. 

 

This is precisely the place where we are tempted to take a “vendor shaped” approach to the church, expecting the church’s ministry to run well, but letting someone else bear the responsibility of leading them. And this is precisely the place where it is important to remember that we are the church. 

 

So, if you feel the call to step forward as an Elder or Deacon, let me know and I’ll connect you with the Nominating Committee. And if the Nominating Committee come knocking to invite you to consider one of those roles, please take some time to listen and consider whether this is your time to assume a servant-leader role. That’s how we move from saying, “St. Mark provides opportunities for its members to engage in ministry” to saying, “St. Mark engages in ministry, and I am St. Mark.” 

 

Mark of St. Mark