7 Characteristics of the Ingrown Church

7 Characteristics of an Ingrown Church from C. John Miller’s Outgrowing the Ingrown Church. I’ve condensed what was originally posted at joethorn’s blog:

1. Tunnel Vision.
ministry that can’t see beyond the on-hand resources available.  This is NOT faith, is it? 

2. Group Superiority.
ministry that justifies its non-growth because they focus on un-popular, yet spiritually important aspects of ministry, but at the same time, they put down other growing ministries that they say use popular, but spiritually shallow methods.   

3. Extreme Sensitivity to Criticism.
ministry that avoids conflict at any cost because they fear that anxiety will hasten extinction.

4. Niceness in Tone.
ministry that provides a safe, comfortable, non-challenging atmosphere as opposed to walking in lock-step with Jesus as he leads his people into the world.

5. Christian Soap Opera.
ministry that self-destructs with gossip, love/hate relationships, and lack of forgiveness and restoration.  

6. Confused Leadership Roles.
ministry where the pastor is expected to do all the work in the church without challenging or equipping members to participate in the mission of God themselves.

7. Misdirected Purpose.
ministry that thinks “survival,” not growth through the conversion of the lost.  The survival mentality robs the church of hope, and consumes her time with inward activity. 

HT:Bobby Daniel