Leading the Ecommerce Believer

The E-Com Christian:

E-commerce (online) is a growing marketplace, where millions of consumers are interacting daily through a new and “improved” place to do business. Whether people utilize the World Wide Web monthly, weekly, daily, hourly, or every other minute, people are impacted culturally by the new e-commerce (ECOM) world. ECOM has changed our lives in so many ways. Ecommerce first started connecting the world through improved email capabilities. Then, slowly but surely, we started utilizing the web for information searches. Today, people utilize the web daily for shopping, paying bills, chatting, playing games, searching for information, emailing friends and family, and so on. It impacts our daily life even if we are not personally using the web every moment we can. So – How in the world does this relate to today’s Christianity? Well, look at today’s Believers. Below are some comparisons (not all necessarily bad) between consumer behavior and Believer behavior.

· Ecommerce Consumerism – Now, more than ever, people have become consumers. They go online, search thousands of sites, get shown all of the products in the world at the “lowest possible” prices, and are encouraged to pay for the products in any way possible through ‘alternative payment solutions’. People are in a mode of “resource utilization for personal benefit’. This, more than anything else, has changed today’s Believer and standard “church-goer”. Believers want something for nothing and everything is about meeting their personal needs.

· Non-Denominational and Non-Brand Focused – People now a days look for value, not necessarily ‘brand’ dedication. If this brand is cheaper and provides more personal benefit, then I will “buy into” it. Same with churches and denominations.

· “Ease of Shopping” – It’s posted everywhere online for consumers… shop where its easiest, takes the least effort, etc… Consumers and Believers now focus on what brings the most value with the least effort. · “Customization” – Today’s consumer expects that products can be customized to their desire, because its all about the customer. Believers also expect to find something that can be customized to their needs. It’s not about changing their life, its about changing the ‘religion’.

· Customer First Initiatives – Its now all about the customer, and sometimes less about reasonable sound business objectives. Customer focus has moved so far towards the customer and their needs, latest desires, etc… that companies constantly struggle with balancing business objectives with outrageous customer demands. Believers, without realizing it, expect the same. It’s all about them, not the corporate initiative and objectives. It’s hard to separate the two mentalities and expectations.

· Minimal Effort – Today’s consumer can simply point and click to receive their latest consumer desire. Similarly, Believers are expecting to participate in a church, receive their latest desire, and put no effort into the process.

· No Personal Interaction – The Ecommerce world has created a culture that is electronic, with little to no personal interaction and actual “people effort”. Similarly, Believers now expect to come, sit, listen, and go. The less personal interaction, the more comfortable they will be. This one is probably not even realized by those participating and is simply an enhancement of American church goers for the last several generations. Believers just now do it better than before.

· Choices, Choices, Choices – It would be ludicrous to tell today’s consumer that there is one store that will meet all their needs, provide the best “customer experience”, and so on. Today’s consumer knows that not one single place can or will provide for their needs at the least possible price. Similarly, those looking for “religion” can’t believe and refuse to believe that one single religion or church can offer the right mix of beliefs, opportunities, and support. Rather, multiple churches and maybe multiple religions are required to meet people’s needs – at least that’s the perspective.

· Bombardment – if a consumer is not bombarded with the latest “trend”, through multiple informational and communication channels, then the message will be missed. Believers and church-goers expect bombardment. If not, the specific thing will not be important. We value what we see – constantly!

· Fads - now more than ever, consumers react heavily on fads. Look at the dot.com craze, the wireless boom, the picture phone, or the Adkins diet. We live in a faster paced, electronic, instantaneous world. Believers trend the same. What’s the latest sermon series (Purpose Driven)? What’s the latest church (Vineyard, Willow Creek)? What’s the latest movie (Passion)? Believers are as fickle as consumers around fads. They respond more to these fads than eternal Truths.

· StoreFront Creatives – Every website focuses on providing some type of unique design, creative artwork, or customer tool. Consumers expect to find the website storefront that suits their current likes, dislikes, and style. Ecommerce Companies spend millions on website designs, trying to adjust to consumers personal style. Similarly, people look for a church that meets their current personal style and current life-style. The expectation is that a church must be or change quickly to where they are at as the “consumer”, rather than vice-versa. Believers interact in their “church lives” like they do in their day-to-day lives. Its electronic (non-face-to-face), quick, easy, selfish, and fully consumer focused, and trendy. Consistent, reliable, sacrificial Believers are contra to the consumer that culture has pushed for us to be. Not only is Christianity a moral battle in America, its now first and foremost a cultural battle.