The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani

“This book has not proposed new missional strategies. It has not advocated a new form of church organization, or the unfolding of an innovative program to reach a post-Christian culture. I have offered no grandiose prescription for revolution or ecclesiastical upheaval. These pages have contained no shock and awe, no scorched earth tactics, no Daisy Cutter Doctrine - perhaps to the reader’s disappointment.” (pg. 170)

In one short paragraph at the end of The Divine Commodity author Skye Jethani had identified exactly my frustration with his brilliant book.

And maybe that was exactly his point.

“Give me answers Skye!” I kept thinking to myself as I read each chapter. But only subtle ideas were hinted at. By the end of the book I was left frustrated and disappointed. I felt like I had wasted my time. Without giving away the farm, the epilogue gives the book its meaning and purpose. It changes the course of how you view the book. As I closed the last page of the book Jethani had pulled the bow back and let go. He pierced an arrow into the middle of my own consumer driven heart.

Hi, my name is Benji and I am a consumer.

The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani is a masterful book of language that clearly and articulately portrays the state of some American megachurches, as well as consumerism hold on the Western Church. Full of grace and non-abrasive this book is a must read for any pastor or church leader. Skye asks the tough questions in such a way that as a pastor or church leader you do not feel like you are being puked on. Although the book is relatively short, Jethani seems to have done his research and his presentation is well outlined:

1. People have lost their imagination and been capture by the consumer mentality

2. God has been reduced to a commodity

3. In a consumer culture ones identity is marked by the external not the internal

4. Worship is not an experience

5. Churches are not the conduit for transformation, relationships are

6. The “get it now” mentality will only ensure immaturity over the long haul

7. Segregated services promotes segregated community

8. Suburbia does not encourage hospitality

9. Marketing is not the answer to the mustard seed Jesus talked about

The unique part of this book for me is the fact that throughout each chapter Jethani connects the theme of the chapter to a particular part of artist Vincent Van gogh’s life. I was a bit of a fine arts misfit during my tenure at Indiana Wesleyan University, so the life story of Van gogh seemed out of place. However the more I read the more I loved the integration of the artists life.

By weaving Van gogh through the book, Jethani was trying to make a point. Van gogh struggled with traditional church during his life because it limited ones imagination. The Divine Commodity is a book that is written to start a conversation and spark your imagination. Simply put, “Our spiritual imaginations have fallen asleep on the comfortable mattress of the consumer culture, and before any remedy for the church can be prescribed our dormant imaginations must be stirred from their slumber.” (pg. 20)

I encourage you to read this book and awaken your imagination from its sleep. Pull out a pen and highlighter. Wrestle through each chapter and how it applies to your life and ministry. Take serious consideration of the disciplines he mentions and then practice each in your life. It will not be easy to turn off the consumer switch. Change never is easy.

But it will be worth it – just like this book.

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