Thoughts on Bonhoeffer's Thought

In a letter that Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote to his mentor and friend, Max Diestel, he had this to say about the state of the American church in the 1930s, "In New York, they preach about virtually everything; only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been able to hear it, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, sin, and forgiveness." Bonhoeffer wrote these words after attending many prominent churches in New York city during his time as a fellow at Union.
This statement from Bonhoeffer gets me pondering regarding the current state of the church. In my career in ministry, I rarely get opportunities to hear sermons preached at other churches than my own. I do feel that many churches speak the name of Christ and declare the forgiveness that is ours through His amazing grace. Perhaps in some regard we have moved forward since Bonhoeffer visited the states during The Great Depression.
He did feel that many American sermons sought to comfort man rather than call man toward grace, repentance, and forgiveness. This may have been a product of the times as many people would have been seeking comfort in the midst of The Great Depression. It seems though that this habit of offering greater comfort than challenge still exists in the churches of the United States. I hear many a preacher offer the material blessings of the Gospel and few challenging us toward greater discipleship. A family that used to attend my church no longer attends because the sermons did not offer them their preferred brand of theology. That preferred brand was captured through the viewing of many TV preachers, declaring that God seeks to provide riches and material success. They left our church because they refused to hear the truth that God does not promise material wealth. He promises blessings so much more meaningful and beneficial -- the blessings of reconciliation with our Creator and restoration of God's very image within us.
This western version of Christianity does not compliment the message of Scripture. Paul often found himself in poverty and suffering through imprisonment because of his willingness to stand up to the Gospel. This does not seem to measure with the material blessing gospel that is so prevalent in some corners of western theology. Jesus challenges us to leave mother and father for the gospel. He then also challenges a rich ruler to give up all so that he might experience the kingdom in His own life. This does not sound like a gospel where we benefit from economic surplus and material blessings. Western Christians might need to consider giving up a lot more so that we can follow Christ and experience the fullness of his forgiveness.
I do not know if this is what Bonhoeffer was getting at, but I know his emphasis was on Christ as the center. If material gain and success is the center, how can Christ be the center?