I have been in the church now longer than I have been out of the church. In fact, stepping into the church for the very first time in high school was a culture shock. I wasn’t sure what was happening or more importantly, what was supposed to happen. 20 years later I still find myself looking around wondering why are there so many different kinds and cultures of churches? This isn’t a question of doctrinal orientation or missional activity, just a curiosity of intentional church culture. For those just jumping into this thought, every organization, family, business and church has a culture. You and I both have a culture. Culture just means personality. A church culture, no matter what kind of culture it is, answers the “how we do things around here” question. No single culture is better than another, but each carry benefits and disadvantages. I have narrowed church cultures down to six categories:
Army Culture: There is always a cause in this culture. The leader is less a pastor and more a general to get the troops in line and motivated to go and take a hill. We need Army Cultures. There are injustices in the world that need brave and courageous churches to break into enemy territory. The disadvantage of Army cultures is the scarcity of pastoral care. Ironically, leaders are often too busy fighting for the cause that they are unable to see the wounded at their feet.
School Culture: Teaching is the highest value in this church. Think John MacArthur or Alistair Begg. TV and radio ministries orbit around them—throngs of followers parroting their teachings and jotting down every new biblical insight. School cultures are much needed in a time when people are subtly being seduced by morality and motivation instead of the meat and potatoes of grace-saturated gospel. Unfortunately, teaching cultures often fall short because they are disgracefully pastor driven—the cult of personality is often the result.
Family Culture: God promises to put the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6). The family church culture is one way God accomplishes this promise. In this culture family is often the predominate value. Lots of kids, parenting classes, homeschool co-opts and the like. Family churches are intensely skilled at pastoring people in crisis situations. People are loved and cared for as if they are in a real family. The challenge in family churches is that it’s hard to break in. People are so connected to one another, it’s difficult open the doors to fresh faces. Notoriously inward focused, but ferociously loving to those who are already in.
Box Store Culture: Box Store cultures reach lots and lots of people. Don’t wag a finger too quickly and accuse them of watering down the gospel—Jesus had big crowds too! Lots of people often mean a culture has been created so lots of people have access. Box Store cultures are just good at volume. They are able to attract thousands by organized systems and gifted leaders. We’ve all been to a box store. Wal-Mart. Best Buy. Target. Lots of access and cheaper prices. The down side is it’s hard to actually get some help when you need it. This is the challenge with the Box Store church culture. They love and reach people well. They just have a difficult time shepherding all of them.
Hospital Culture: All people are wounded. This is why the Hospital church culture is needed. This culture is messy and sticky and beautiful at the same time. Hospital cultures are a breath of fresh air for those who have been burned and abused by hyper-clean religious experiences. Ministries and recovery programs are usually the hub of these cultures. The disadvantage to Hospital church cultures is they are very difficult to sustain. People get healed up and then they leave. Who wants to hang out in a hospital unless you’re sick? Leaders are perpetually tired and there is usually never enough money.
Outpost Culture: Think William Carey (first missionary to India) or Hudson Taylor (founder Inland Mission in China) when you think Outpost church culture. These are churches on the edge. Going and doing gospel work where no one has gone yet. Reaching the lepers and tax collectors of our time. Outpost cultures are inspiring and invitational to those who long to really put the mission of God to the test. Outpost cultures are less about the weekend and more about what happens during the week. Think after-school programs, door-to-door evangelism or church planting in Vermont. Prison work and sex-trade advocacy. Outposts are hard, tireless work that rarely receives recognition. The challenge in Outpost cultures is only a few will go. Lots will be accomplished for the kingdom, but few will join because of the cost.
I’m not throwing stones here. We all live in glass houses. My church and your church has a culture. But what if we could learn where our deficits are and fill them in? What if we would be willing to do things a little different for the sake of greater love?
Have I missed any church cultures? Let me know.
Good observations, John. I really appreciate the insight. Also appreciate your gentle treatment of each culture’s disadvantages.
When going through our pastor transition, one of the books we found most helpful was “The Elephant in the Boardroom” (Weese, Crabtree). In it they describe 4 church cultures: 1) family, 2) archival (think liturgical churches), 3) iconic (think Jerry Falwell, D. James Kennedy), and 4) replication (think discipleship/equipping). It also gave some things to consider when attempting to change from one culture to another or attempting to adopt some characteristics of another culture into your present culture.
I’d be interested in your thoughts on cultural change in the church.
So, when pondering culture change in a church, your helpful and accurate phrase, “Culture just means personality,” highlights how complex a process it can be. How does an individual change his/her personality? An organization? A church? Can it change?
In the context of looking at a church’s values, one author I read described an organization’s culture as its character. How does one change his/her character? Can it be done? If it can, will it last?
I believe it can be done but not without some sort of dissatisfaction with the status quo, sensitive leadership, an understanding of the underlying values that support the culture, a boatload of trust, and, of course, the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
That’s good stuff Tim.
As a former student from the youth group at Open Door and someone who thinks highly of you as a pastor, I think I’ll give my two cents. I have a ministry related degree and would’ve previously considered myself to be an atheist. I only mention that because I’ve been on at least two sides of the spectrum. I have frequently asked myself the same question. “Why are there so many cultures within the church?” I would like for anyone who reads this to ask themselves: What draws people to church in the first place? What is it about the church that might make a person want to go? The Gospel in itself is attractive, but an unchurched person may not be compelled to hear the Gospel or join the church. For me personally, I was drawn to the culture because I felt accepted. Bottom line: People want to feel accepted. It wasn’t the Bible verses or the cheesy one liners; I didn’t care if it was a teaching church or a missionary church or hootin and hollering type or church. I needed a safe place to figure things out.. Jesus said. ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)” I guess what I am trying to say is that church cultures can be different and still be effective. I came to Jesus because I felt accepted the way I was. I had no preference of a particular culture. Paul basically said he became all things to all people so they would come to know Christ. That sounds like a healthy culture to me.
Thanks for the feedback Cory. For sure, regardless of the church culture, it must be grace-saturated and people loving.