Ten Dominant Behavior Patterns of Church Members that Cause Inwardly Focused Churches

It saddens me that some churches (the body of Christ, Christ's ambassadors, God's called-out people) operate this way. At the same time I am so very grateful that our church does not. I am not writing this in a prideful sense neither of myself nor the people of Solid Rock, rather I praise God for his grace. I pray that by His grace we will continue to honor Him as His Church.

Ten Dominant Behavior Patterns of Church Members that Cause Inwardly Focused Churches

Taken from “I am a Church Member” by Thom Rainer

1. Worship Wars – One or more factions in the church want music just the way they like it. Any deviation is met with anger and demands for change. Certain instrumentation is required while others are prohibited.

2. Prolonged Minutia Meetings – the church spends an inordinate amount of time in different meetings. Most of the meetings deal with the most inconsequential items, while Great Commission and Great Commandment are rarely the topics of discussion.

3. Facility Focus – The church facilities develop iconic status. One of the highest priorities in the church is the protection and preservation of rooms, furniture, and other visible parts of the church’s building and grounds.

4. Program Driven – Every church has programs even if they don’t admit it. When we start doing a ministry a certain way, it takes on programmatic status. The problem is not with programs. The problem develops when they become an end instead of a means to a greater ministry.

5. Inwardly Focused Budget – A disproportionate share of the budget is used to meet the needs and comforts of the members instead of reaching beyond the walls of the church.

6. Inordinate Demands for Pastoral Care – All church members deserve care and concern, especially in times of need and crisis. Problems develop, however, when church members have unreasonable expectations for even minor matters. Some members expect the pastoral staff to visit them regularly simply because they have membership status.

7. Attitudes of Entitlement – This issue could be a catch-all for many of the points named here. The overarching attitude is one of demanding and having a sense of deserving special treatment.

8. Greater Concern over Change than the Gospel – Almost any noticeable changes in the church evoke the ire of many; but those same passions are not evident about participating in the work of the gospel to change lives.

9. Anger and Hostility – Members are consistently angry. They regularly express hostility toward the church staff and other members.