7 Characteristics of an Ingrown Church

Posted by Joe Thorn - 25/02/08

C. John Miller’s Outgrowing the Ingrown Church is proving to be insightful, convicting and encouraging. Early on in the book he lays out 7 characteristics of an introverted church that limit the church’s movement on mission with God. If you have spent time as a part of an introverted church, you’ll recognize them immediately.

1. Tunnel Vision.
Miller says that an ingrown church is afflicted with a kind of tunnel vision that limits its potential ministry to those things that can be seen. It is faith/trust in the visible, human resources a church has on hand rather than in the promises of God. Miller says this is fundamentally the sin of unbelief in Christ’s presence with and the Spirit’s power in us as the church.

2. Group Superiority.
Many ingrown churches become egocentric out of fear of extinction, and wind up focusing on one aspect of their church culture that makes them unique. This allows them to feel good about themselves while finding fault with other churches in the area who do not measure up. In my circles I have seen ingrown churches who want to point to their right doctrine not only as an aspect of their identity that sets them apart from other churches, but almost as a justification for their lack of growth. “We are Reformed, and don’t play games like those sell-out churches up the street. If we played games like them we’d be growing too - but superficially.” Miller’s point is that ecclesiastic introversion allows us to feel good about where we are (stagnant, atrophying).

3. Extreme Sensitivity to Criticism.
Fear of extinction creates anxiety over any negative criticism and conflict in the church, and encourages a church to avoid issues it needs to address.

4. Niceness in Tone.
I mentioned this last week, but everything mentioned above leads to a “nice tone,” particularly among leadership, that creates a safe place to exist. Safe and comfortable, as opposed to walking in lock-step with Jesus as he leads his people into the world.

5. Christian Soap Opera.
Miller points out that an introverted church often tends toward a form of self-destruction via gossip (all offered in a “nice tone” of course). Weakness in faith as it relates to the missional promises of God leads to weakness in faith in other areas - in this case love and forgiveness. Miller has some great words on gossip’s danger -check out the book.

6. Confused Leadership Roles.
In the typical ingrown church leaders do not function as “pace-setting” examples, but as “sweet, but saltless” friends. 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.
Miller says that an ingrown church’s controlling purpose has to do with “survival - not with growth through the conversion of the lost.” I first encountered this idea a few years ago when I was still a part of our local SBC association. At the time Steve McCoy pointed out that our associational planning and strategy seemed to be about surviving (keeping the boat afloat) rather than thriving. The survival mentality robs the church of optimism (hope), and consumes her time with inward activity.

Miller doesn’t offer these insights as a poke at “those churches,” but as a reflection of what he found in himself and his church. He said, “we cannot change unless we know where we are and where we should be. Honesty about our aversion to God’s purpose is the most important ingredient in repentance.”

19 Comments

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  1. [...] 7 characteristics of an ingrown church [...]

    Pingback by 7 Characteristics of an Ingrown Church « Rurality Bytes — February 25, 2008 #

  2. Wow!

    That #2 is particularly insightful … and convicting. Lots to chew on there. Thanks for sharing.

    Comment by GUNNY HARTMAN — February 25, 2008 #

  3. [...] post on “the ingrown church”. « SurveillanceSaver [...]

    Pingback by Mike’s Weblog » The Ingrown Church — February 25, 2008 #

  4. Ouch!!

    Thanks for introducing me to the book that my leadership NEEDS to read!

    Comment by Chris Walls — February 26, 2008 #

  5. Aw Joe thats just wrong. I mean, look at all the ‘purpose driven’ churches out there. They’re mostly ingrown and they look fine…

    Thanks for the eye salve bro.

    Comment by Josh — February 26, 2008 #

  6. [...] 7 Characteristics of an ingrown church.  Read it. [...]

    Pingback by Tuesday Links | Subverting Mediocrity — February 26, 2008 #

  7. Characteristics 2 and 3 seem to go together really well, so that criticism (even if it is constructive) is sometimes wrongly perceived as stemming from a subversive desire to capitulate and become like those churches that are less doctrinally sound (i.e., the guys who are “playing games” and experiencing superficial growth as a result).

    Comment by Rob — February 26, 2008 #

  8. Good thoughts Joe. #2 is a horrid affliction in our confessional Reformed circles. We’re more interested in figuring out who is precisely in our tradition than we are in expanding the Kingdom.

    Comment by Garrett — February 27, 2008 #

  9. Looks like a book I’d like to get my hands on. I noticed it’s over 20 years old. I guess not much has changed, it still sounds right on the money.

    Comment by Nick — February 28, 2008 #

  10. It’s incredibly insightful and so far - dead on and immediately relevant.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — February 28, 2008 #

  11. [...] Joe Thorn on the characteristics of an ingrown church. [...]

    Pingback by In the Blogosphere « Kingdom People — February 29, 2008 #

  12. [...] Thorn posts C. John Miller’s list of Seven Characteristics of an Ingrown Church. Early on in the book he lays out 7 characteristics of an introverted church that limit the [...]

    Pingback by Ingrown » The Upward Way Press — February 29, 2008 #

  13. [...] Thorn lays out C. John Miller’s 7 characteristics of an ingrown church and how they kill [...]

    Pingback by Southern Seminary, Evangelism, Gospel & Great Commission | Said at Southern Seminary — February 29, 2008 #

  14. [...] Joe Thorn: 7 Characteristics of an Ingrown Church [...]

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  15. [...] Posted on March 4, 2008 by Matthew R. Perry Thanks to Joe Thorn for providing this very insightful post.  And how easy it is for churches to become such as this.  May we read and [...]

    Pingback by Seven Characteristics of an Ingrown Church « Bro. Matt’s Blog — March 4, 2008 #

  16. What a great word, do you mind if i post this on my own blog (giving you full credit of course).

    Comment by bobby daniel — March 6, 2008 #

  17. Absolutely great post. Right on the money. Great insight here.

    I will use this.

    Thanks.

    Comment by Danny D — March 6, 2008 #

  18. [...] 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 [...]

    Pingback by 7 Characteristics of the Ingrown Church « Vade Mecum — March 19, 2008 #

  19. [...] Thorn commented on another aspect of Miller’s book dealing with seven characteristics of an ingrown churches. May we read and head as we evaluate exactly what God would have us to be as a New Testament [...]

    Pingback by Would We Rather Have Comfort of Soul, or Know God? « Bro. Matt’s Blog — March 24, 2008 #

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