Cool lights. Killer coffee. Zero conviction.
Once upon a time, people went to church to hear from God. Seriously. They packed into pews not to catch a vibe, but to tremble before a holy, righteous, awe-inducing Creator. They didn’t come for the playlist, the branded coffee bar, or to hear about their destiny or dreams. They came to confess their sin, plead for mercy, and walk away with a burden lifted—not an emotional high.
But now?
Now we go to church for the ambiance. We want the mood just right—warm lighting, a well-curated Spotify-style worship set, a 28-minute message (complete with alliteration and a funny story), and maybe, just maybe, a passing mention of Jesus. But only if He’s not too judgy.
We’ve moved from faithful to aesthetic. And while the band is tight and the pastor’s sneakers are fresh, our theology is about as deep as a kiddie pool in a drought.
This is not a curmudgeon’s rant. This is a pastoral plea. The Church is not a brand. It is the blood-bought Bride of Christ. It is not a vibe. It is a vessel of truth in a world gone mad. And when we treat it like a boutique spiritual experience instead of the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15), we aren’t just off-base—we’re dangerously close to idolatry.
So let’s talk about it. Let’s tear off the fog, kill the strobe lights, and wade into the weighty, uncomfortable, glorious truth of what the Church is supposed to be.
I. Worship or Spotify Session?
Modern worship feels less like trembling before the throne and more like the preshow at Coachella. The stage is set. The lights are dim. The haze machine hisses like the Holy Spirit’s foggy cousin. And the crowd waits for the drop.
Now, I’m not against contemporary music. I’ve unfortenalty got my feels kicked to a few Bethel and Hillsong jams, don't judge me too harshly. I’ve belted Maverick City in my car. I’m not mad at bass drops or ambient synth pads. But we’ve got a problem when the aim of worship is to feel something rather than know Someone.
Jesus said:
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)
Notice He didn’t say “in spirit and vibes.” Worship is not a performance. It’s not entertainment. It’s not a product to be consumed by spectators. It’s an offering of the heart, the soul, the mind, and the strength—presented to God, not evaluated by us.
Here’s the tragedy: many churches now design worship to evoke emotion rather than reverence. And yes, emotion has its place. But if people are walking out saying “Wow, the band was awesome,” instead of “Wow, God is holy,” we’ve missed it.
II. Sermons that Feel Good but Say Nothing
Let’s talk about sermons. Or as some call them now: “Talks.” Because preaching sounds too, you know… authoritative.
I’ve heard my fair share of sermons that could be summed up as: “You’re amazing. God thinks you’re amazing. Here’s how to unlock your potential and manifest your breakthrough.”
Here’s the problem: I don’t need to be affirmed. I need to be crucified and raised anew (Galatians 2:20).
When the sermon becomes a TED Talk with a Bible verse tossed in for garnish, it ceases to be the Word of God proclaimed. Paul didn’t tell Timothy to encourage people to feel inspired. He told him:
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)
Reprove. Rebuke. Exhort. Not coddle, congratulate, and send off with a free sticker.
People are starving for truth. Starving. And churches are out here serving up spiritual cotton candy. It tastes good, but there’s no substance. No nourishment. No gospel.
And let’s be honest: the pulpit has become afraid. Afraid of offending. Afraid of being “too preachy.” Afraid of being canceled by the same world that crucified Jesus. But the church was never meant to echo the world. It was meant to stand in stark, holy contrast to it.
III. Building Churches on Vibes Instead of Truth
Here’s the dirty little secret: vibes are easier than discipleship.
It’s easier to create a moment than to form a disciple. Easier to design a brand than to preach the Bible. Easier to give people goosebumps than to teach them to carry a cross.
But Jesus didn’t say, “Come and feel the vibe.” He said:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
Where’s the cross in most churches today? I don’t mean the one in the logo. I mean the message of death to self. The call to repentance. The gospel that demands surrender.
Many churches have built crowds on charisma rather than Christ. And when the vibe changes—when the mood shifts, when suffering comes, when the sermon isn’t what someone wanted—they walk away.
Because if you win them with the vibe, you’ve got to keep them with the vibe. And that’s a treadmill no one can run forever.
IV. When Style Replaces Substance
Let’s get real. Some churches spend more time planning the Instagram post than the sermon. More energy goes into the Spotify playlist than the prayer meeting.
We’ve become obsessed with aesthetic. And sure, there’s nothing wrong with good design or thoughtful creativity. But when style becomes the point—and substance becomes optional—you’re not building a church. You’re running a spiritual-themed influencer page.
Paul didn’t tell the Corinthians, “I came to you with sick transitions and a banging intro reel.” He said:
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Imagine if churches today decided that. Imagine if the centerpiece wasn’t production value but a bloody cross and an empty tomb.
V. Recovering the Weight of Glory
We’ve lost the gravity of God.
We joke about “church trauma” when really we mean we heard a sermon that made us uncomfortable. We say things like “That’s not my truth,” as if eternal truth comes in flavors like froyo.
The early church didn’t gather because it was fun. They gathered because Jesus was alive. They gathered because they had been rescued from death. And that reality demanded their whole lives.
We need to recover the fear of the Lord—not in a cringing, self-loathing way—but in the Isaiah 6 kind of way:
"Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5)
That’s what worship should do. That’s what church should stir. Not just goosebumps—but godly awe.
VI. What Now? Kill the Vibe (If You Must)
No, I’m not saying go burn the LED wall and cancel the worship team. But I am saying we must evaluate our hearts.
Are we creating environments that entertain people or transform them?
Are we making the church a place of emotional escape or eternal encounter?
Are we crafting services for man’s applause or God’s glory?
If the vibe is getting in the way of the truth—kill the vibe. Let the fog clear. Let the lights rise. Let the Word thunder. Let the gospel offend.
Because at the end of the day, vibes fade. Fads fall. Feelings lie.
But Truth remains.
Jesus remains.
And His Church doesn’t need to be cool. It needs to be holy.
Thanks for reading.
