We’ve all heard it at church. Many of us, including myself, have said it a lot.
“We’ve prepared a great experience for you.”
It’s meant to be warm and welcoming. A way to say, “We see you. We care. We’ve prayed and planned so that you can encounter God today.”
And I get the heart behind it. I really do.
But lately, I’ve been wrestling with what that phrase implies.
Because as well-intentioned as it is, it can accidentally and subtly shift the spotlight.
From Jesus… to us.
From His presence… to our preferences.
From offering worship… to expecting a product.
I believe the gospel deserves our best.
Excellence isn’t a performance, it’s an act of honor.
Creativity isn’t compromise, it’s a reflection of our Creator.
Hospitality isn’t a trend, it’s theology in action.
But there’s a line that’s easy to cross if we’re not paying attention.
When we make “your experience” the center of the gathering, we risk building churches that feel more like theaters than sanctuaries. Rooms filled with spectators rather than worshippers.
The danger isn’t creativity. It’s consumerism.
When everything becomes about what we “got out of it,” we reduce worship to a transaction instead of a response.
We start showing up asking,
“Did I like the sermon?”
“Did the worship move me?”
“Was the vibe right?”
Instead of asking,
“Did I bring an offering of worship to Jesus?”
Let me be clear …
People matter.
Hospitality matters.
Excellence matters.
We preach the gospel with urgency and clarity because people need Jesus.
But all of that flows from this one foundational truth: The church exists for the glory of God.
He is the center.
He is the reason.
He is the reward.
We don’t gather just to be inspired.
We gather to give something: our adoration, our obedience, our lives.
The church isn’t a place to critique if we don’t get what we want. It’s a place to consecrate our lives before the Lord.
It’s not a venue for great experiences. It’s a room of encounter where the King is present.
So let’s keep preparing well.
Let’s welcome people with joy.
Let’s pursue excellence with passion.
But let’s not stop there.
Let’s build something better than a great experience.
Let’s build altars of encounter.
Let’s be people who show up, not just to feel something…
but to bring something.
Our hearts.
Our worship.
Our awe.
Our yes.
Because the church isn’t about catering to you.
It’s about consecrating yourself to Him.