A Pimp Called Consumerism: Developing a Narrative Ecclesiology in a New Media World

The North American Church is currently experiencing a pervasive spiritual amnesia where at large, we have forgotten how to tell stories about our origin and our mission. As a result, we have co-opted other stories, namely the story of consumerism, causing our communal identities to dilute and deteriorate. As a result, the Bride of Christ has become enslaved by the pimp that is consumerism. As reflected by its structure, this essay will (a) develop a historical understanding of the role that consumerism plays within a community’s memory and identity, (b) identify how consumerism is a story that ultimately enslaves its adherents, and (c) trace how consumerism has broadly impacted the North American Church.