In his new book, “What is Your Church’s Personality? Discovering and Developing the Ministry Style of Your Church”, Philip D. Douglass defines eight different types of church personalities. Here they are:

Fellowship Churches are conscientious, hard-working, orderly, and sensitive to the needs of the people in general, but especially those who are members of their church. These churches bring out the best in people by helping them work toward personally meaningful goals in an organized manner.

Inspirational Churches are encouraging and supportive to their people and conscientious about putting personal relationships ahead of ministry tasks. Since they focus on the ways individuals feel, they closely monitor how people interact with one another as well as the ways their ministry efforts impact people positively and negatively.

Relational Churches focus on personal connections, values, opinions, and people interactions.  They actively strive to bond with one another, create harmony, and cooperate – making sure that everyone is involved and positive about the church.

Entrepreneurial Churches are drawn to opportunities that require them to anticipate the future and create new approaches, because they see every need as an opportunity for trying something different.  They regularly scan the community to find connections with people and ministries that already exist so they can become involved.

Strategizer Churches develop creative ideas and insights to initiate innovative transformation in the surrounding community through encouraging their people to develop their giftedness and give themselves sacrificially to ministry.  These churches are willing to take time to consider the facts and new ideas in the context of past experiences to better enable them to discern the Lord’s direction for the future.

Organizer Churches like to solve complex problems in a methodical manner by using logical analysis to critique their ministry programs, spot flaws, and make necessary changes that complete their ministry tasks efficiently.  They are organized and competent, priding themselves in getting the most accomplished in the least time.

Adventurous Churches respond quickly to issues in their midst and in the community around them by being action oriented.  Because they are at their best in emergency situations, they see problems as an adventure and an opportunity for ministry.

Expressive Churches are friendly and outgoing in communicating their love for people as a means of motivating them to join in the fellowship.  These churches like to be at the center of the action because they are comprised of easygoing, optimistic, and considerate people who enjoy talking, laughing, and sharing their lives with newcomers.

So, what kind of church personality is our church?

Take the following test and let’s compare answers.

http://www.christianet.com/bible/churchpersonalitytest.htm

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