The Business of God
Theological and Ethical Reflections on the Church Industrial Complex
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
The theoretical framework of the “Industrial Complex” explores how institutions established with a purpose external to themselves can become focused on their own self-perpetuation—pursuing power, growth, and profits—in ways that may well contradict and undermine that original purpose. Much theorizing has engaged issues such as the military, healthcare, and prison industrial complexes. This book explores the framework of the Industrial Complex in relation to churches. How do churches, intended to (in part) worship God, preach the gospel, nurture discipleship, and serve those in need become focused on factors such as profit accumulation, limitless growth, and expansion/consolidation of power? How do systems like colonialism, capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy play a contributing role to these phenomena? What are the impacts of the Church Industrial Complex on various facets of church life and parties involved and impacted? Finally, what can be done to resist these “temptations,” and where are the corners of the church that have and continue to witness to an alternate approach? This accessible book is designed for anyone who is concerned about these questions—church leaders and members, theological students, and anyone who is curious about the dynamics at play in contemporary church life.
Endorsements (3)
“This is a timely collection of essays on the church industrial complex and its connections to so many other oppressive complexes of our time. Well written and with some good analysis of our social and material conditions, this will be an important resource for Christian communities seeking to make a difference in the world.”
“The essays in this volume wrestle with the ‘industrial complex’ that has spread through the military system, healthcare, the penal system, or any institution embedded in modern capitalism. It does not stop at the doors of the Christian churches, or so the authors argue. They come from different backgrounds and offer a plenitude of theological perspectives. The book is the beginning of a conversation, meant to provoke a discussion and further studies.”
“A splendid chorus of voices beckoning the church out of captivity to mammon in its contemporary forms, and into holy terrain—the terrain of church experiencing the sacred, proclaiming a healing and liberating gospel in word and deed, and cultivating life-giving community. For all who love the church and sense danger lurking where financialized capitalism as culture infiltrates its life and being, this inspiring, daring, and faithful book will be a goldmine of insight for entering a more faithful future.”
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