Have you ever had a conversation with a friend about something, let’s just say about going on a cruise, and the next thing you know, you start to see advertisements for cruises on your social media platforms or the sidebar ads on the internet? 

That’s because, quite literally, big brother tech is listening to you. But unfortunately, we have permitted many of these companies by downloading their apps. Or, when it comes to the things you search for on the internet, an algorithm sets off an individually catered marketing plan. 

Businesses do it because they know that consumers hold the keys to their organizations’ success or failure. 

This isn’t a statement of judgment, but in fact, we live in the most individualistically driven culture that has ever walked the face of the earth. Everything is tailored to our needs, wants, and desires. 

And the church, well, is not immune to this cultural undercurrent. Therefore, how can the church call people to be God and others centric when the institution is shaped around the individual experience? 

We sat down with Alan Noble to discuss his new book, “You Are Not Your Own.” Noble is the associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, the editor-in-chief of Christ and Pop Culture, and a contributor for Christianity Today and the Atlantic. 

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following eight years as the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton and five years as CBF’s church start specialist. Follow on Twitter @haleandy