From Church to Showbiz: Why So Many Churches Feel Like Entertainment Halls Today

 

 

From Church to Showbiz: Why So Many Churches Feel Like Entertainment Halls Today

Let’s Be Honest…

Have you ever walked into a church and felt like you were in a concert or a TED Talk? Lights flashing, cameras everywhere, worship team dressed like pop stars, and the pastor comes up with the energy of a hype man. You sit through the whole service… and leave wondering if God ever showed up.

You’re not alone.

A lot of us feel it—even if we don’t say it. Something's off. Something deep. Something sacred is missing in many churches today.

What Happened to the Church?

There was a time when walking into church felt different. You sensed a Holy presence. There was a reverence in the air. People came broken, expecting to meet with God. There were no gimmicks—just truth, love, repentance, and worship.

But now, for many churches, it feels more like “What can we do to keep them entertained for 90 minutes?” Let’s call it what it is: the entertainment takeover.

1. Motivation Replaced Repentance

Today’s messages are often more about self-improvement than soul transformation.

You hear:
“You’re enough!”
“Your breakthrough is coming!”
“Just believe in yourself!”

What happened to:
“Repent and turn to God”?
“Deny yourself, take up your cross”?

We’ve shifted from the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gospel of personal comfort.

2. Worship Has Become a Performance

Let’s talk about worship. It used to be a heart-pouring, eyes-closed, God-is-here kind of moment.
Now? It’s often about how good the vocals are, or whether the lights match the beat drop. Worship leaders walk around like they're on The Voice, and we clap at the end like it's a show.

But God doesn’t clap for performances—He responds to brokenness.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” —Matthew 15:8

Worship isn’t about the sound. It’s about the surrender.

3. Pastors or Performers?

Can we be real?

Some of today’s “pastors” are better at branding than shepherding. They preach in sneakers that cost more than your rent. Their Instagram is full of photoshoots. Their sermons are catchy but empty—like fast food: tasty but no nutrition.

What’s worse? Some churches are now platforming personalities instead of anointing.

But pastoring isn’t about fame—it’s about feeding God’s people with truth. Shepherds get dirty with the sheep. They don’t just smile for the camera.

4. When You Don’t Know the Word, You’ll Fall for a Show

Here’s the hard truth: many believers today don’t know their Bibles. So when someone with charisma preaches nonsense, they say “Amen” because it sounds good—even if it’s not in Scripture.

If you don’t spend time in the Word, how will you spot when it’s being twisted?

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6

Entertainment thrives where truth is lacking.
When believers are full of Scripture, they’ll hunger for truth—not just a good time.

5. Where Is the Fear of God?

There used to be a sense of Holy fear in the house of God.
Now? People scroll on their phones during worship. Some pastors barely mention sin. And nobody talks about hell.

But the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

We need to bring back the trembling. Bring back the tears. Bring back the “Lord, have mercy on me” moments.

So, What Should the Church Be?

The Church is not a show. It’s not a business. It’s not a social club.
It’s a place where souls are saved, hearts are healed, truth is preached, and Jesus is glorified.

It should be:
- A hospital for sinners, not a stage for stars
- A training ground for disciples, not a theater for hype
- A place for truth, not trends
- A place for repentance, not routines

Final Thoughts: Let’s Get Back to Jesus

The truth is… the world doesn’t need more flashy churches. It needs real ones.
Churches where the cross is central.
Where the Bible is opened.
Where worship is deep.
Where pastors are humble.
Where the presence of God is thick.

Let’s stop building churches that attract the crowd and start building churches that attract the King.

We don’t need another performance.
We need revival.