When Churches Become More About Show Than Spirit
The lights are bright. The music is loud. The programs are polished. From the outside, some churches today look more like entertainment venues than houses of worship. It’s easy to fill seats with spectacle. It’s easy to draw crowds with charisma. But what happens when the Spirit is replaced with showmanship?
It’s not a new problem. In fact, Jesus faced it head-on in His day.
In Matthew 21:12-13, He entered the temple and found people turning God’s house into a marketplace. They were busy. They were making money. They were running a system that looked religious — but missed the heart of worship.
Jesus didn’t ignore it. He overturned tables. He drove out those who were exploiting God’s house. He declared, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
He wasn’t against organization. He wasn’t against excellence. He was against empty religion and self-serving agendas in a place meant for communion with God.
So what would Jesus do when churches become more about show than Spirit?
He would not applaud clever marketing.
He would not celebrate packed auditoriums with shallow hearts.
He would not tolerate worship that is more performance than prayer.
He would call for repentance.
He would cleanse what has been corrupted.
He would restore worship to what it’s meant to be — humble, sincere, and Spirit-led.
How should we follow Him today?
Examine our motives for every ministry. Refuse to substitute excitement for the Holy Spirit’s presence. Keep prayer, the Word, and repentance central to church life. Avoid being impressed with numbers when God looks at hearts.
The church is not a stage. It’s not a social club. It’s not a production. It’s a gathering of redeemed sinners meeting with a holy God.
Jesus doesn’t attend church for the show. He attends to transform hearts. What would Jesus do today? He would walk into His house, clear out the distractions, and remind us again, “My house will be called a house of prayer.”