Reimagining Church: From Consumer Christians to Catalytic Called-Ones

Church Is Same Same But Different

Alright, it’s your boy, Asian Roughrider, been gone for a minute planting churches overseas for over 15 years, but now back with some unfiltered real talk on faith and church life in the USA. I recently stepped off the plane, now reconnecting with churches and listening to their desire to multiply and change the world without the need to change their churches. Today, we’re asking the big question: What in the world is going on with church these days?

Spoiler: It’s messy, but it’s not all bad—and maybe that mess is exactly what we need.

Through my conversations and readings two authors stick out. Let’s break this down like a YouTube tutorial. Stick with me.

The Prophets Are in the Building

First up, we’ve got voices like Soong-Chan Rah, a Korean-American pastor and professor on evangelism. He’s rolling in with prophet energy, a verbal bullhorn in hand, calling out what’s been swept under the sanctuary rug for too long. He’s talking about consumer Christianity dominated by white cultural identity and history—the kind where church feels more like a spiritual Costco run than a mission to change the world. Rah’s saying, “Yo, it’s time to flip the tables on this shallow, Sunday-only faith.”

Then there’s JR Woodward, a white pastor and church planter. If Rah’s the prophet, Woodward’s the pastor-apostle mashup. He’s got his eye on reimagining church in a way that actually looks and lives like the Kingdom of God. Less “What’s in it for me?” and more “How do we be the church?” Discipleship, community, mission—he’s about that action that multiplies and reproduces exponentially.

Rah vs. Woodward: Who’s Right?

Here’s the kicker: Rah’s like, “Burn it down and rebuild it right,” and Woodward’s like, “Cool, but while we’re fixing it, let’s start doing something.” And guess what? They’re both onto something. You can’t fix a problem until you name it, and you can’t stop at naming it — it’s gotta lead to movement that catalyzes new disciples and new churches.

God’s mission is clear: extend His glory through redeeming a lost world so they can enjoy His grace. The church is supposed to play a role in that. But let’s be real—some of us are too busy playing church politics to actually be the church. We’ve got denominations acting like rival sports teams, watered-down theology leading to me-ology, and church models that feel more corporate than Christ-centered.

It’s a hot mess, but God’s still at work. That’s the good news.

Where Do We Even Start?

Here’s the first step: Get back to the source. And no, I don’t mean Instagram sermons or your favorite YouTube pastor. I mean Scripture.

Books like Rah’s and Woodward’s are clutch for perspective, but nothing beats opening up the Bible and letting it speak for itself. Study it alone and with others in community, let the Holy Spirit guide as you ask; “What is this passage saying, what am I to obey, and who do I share it with?” If you’re looking for a solid guide to biblical missiology, John Piper’s, “Let the Nations Be Glad“ is a good place to start. It’s lays out a scriptural framework for understanding God’s mission in a way that cuts through the noise.

From Pews to Pavement

Once we’re grounded in the Word, it’s time to move. Woodward’s right: church isn’t a spectator sport. If your faith is only active for 90 minutes on a Sunday, you’re missing the point. It’s time to take it to the streets—to your neighborhood, your workplace, your messy family dynamics.

And Rah’s spot on with his call for racial reconciliation. Building churches that look like the global body of Christ? That’s not optional; that’s the assignment. Diversity isn’t just a vibe; it’s a reflection of God’s Kingdom.

Real Talk from the Roughrider

Let me hit you with a personal note: I came to faith outside the white evangelical bubble. I didn’t grow up in church pews or youth group pizza nights. And yeah, I’ve walked into spaces where I felt like I had to explain my existence. But here’s the thing—white missionaries were the ones who loved me, shared the gospel with me, and modeled what following Jesus looks like. That’s why I’m here.

So what does that mean for us? It means we need to hold space for both the critique and the calling. We gotta name the ways the church has fallen short and roll up our sleeves to help it look more like Jesus. Fathers heart vision, clear discipleship path, confidence with humility, abundant Gospel life—that’s the heart of catalytic called ones…Church.

What’s Your Move?

For me, I’m staying rooted in Christ and leaning into His mission. I want to help build churches that reflect God’s love—not just for one culture, one class, or one tribe, but for everyone. That’s the dream.

So what about you? Where do you see the church growing? Where do you see it struggling? And what’s your part in this wild, beautiful mission God’s invited us into?

Let’s talk. Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s build something real.

Much Peace,

The Asian Roughrider