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
OK, I was very excited to take this test but I think I did something wrong. I ended up with MY church personality and not my CHURCH’S personality. What did I goof up?
I have read the descriptions of the eight types of churches as described in Douglass’s book several times and have come to the conclusion that I don’t want my church to be labeled as any of the eight types suggested. Each of the eight types of churches has one or two redeeming qualities but to say that I attend a church that does only that which is described in Douglass’s book is, to me at least, suggesting that the church I attends falls far short of what Christ envisioned His church, as is described in Acts 2:42-47, to be.
Secondly, I find what is NOT said in the description of each church type to be more important than what is said. At first, I thought that the main missing element was implied, thus my numerous readings of the churches’ characteristics. But, I do not find that the missing ingredient is even implied. Where are the references to these churches being Bible-based? Where are the references to the fact that a pastor preaches the Truth with both its roses and its thorns? Where are the references to the fact that these people read the Bible and participate in Bible study classes? Where are the references to the fact that they not only establish a relationship with each other but that they concentrate on fostering a minute-to-minute relationship with God as established through prayer and a reading, learning, and sharing of the Word? Are these people helping one another and their neighbors for their own glory, or are they bringing glory to the Father in all of their actions?
I can’t help but feel that these churches are more illustrative of today’s destructive and detrimental philosophy of “It’s all about ME,” rather than the philosophy a Christian church should be personifying for its members and its surrounding community — “It’s all about GOD.”
As I read and reread the descriptions of each church type, I keep hearing two words repeated over and over — “self” and “pride.” To me, these congregants have taken God out of the equation.
What a difference between these eight types of churches and Christ’s church as described in Acts 2: 42-43 — “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Through the breaking of bread and through PRAYERS, these apostles became dependent upon God, and God used them to display His “wonders and signs” for His glory and His honor NOT theirs.
I want God to use me to proclaim Him, not me to use Him to proclaim me.
CAN we not go back to the basics? God’s basics as recorded in the Bible and taught through Christ and His apostles? SHOULD we not go back to the basics before it is too late? And should there not just be ONE type of church that Mr. Douglass would discuss in his book: that being the Church?
I can see how you would come to the conclusions you state by only reading the short descriptions above. However, I have approximately 20-25 pages of descriptions on each of the eight ministry styles that go into much greater depth.
You could go to my website at http://www.douglassandassociates.com to read some more about each type.
Blessings.