Top Ten ways a core group can kill a church

I'm so thankful for RCC's core group, but here are some kingdom-killers that loom over every church plant:

1. Talk about how much you love your church because it's so small and personable.
2. If your church doesn't have a particular ministry, start attending it at another church, rather than starting one where you are.
3. Don't forgive anyone for hurting you or offending you.
4. Instead of telling the pastor about your frustrations, hold out in silence as long as you can, getting angrier and angrier until you can finally leave in one, unforseen blaze of flaming glory.
5. Go to church for what you get out of it.
6. Don't invite anyone.
7. Forget faith ~ that's the pastor's job. Sit back and wait to see what happens, rather than becoming personally invested.
8. Use "prayer" as a conversational piece rather than a spiritual discipline (as in: "I'll be praying for you," or "Let me pray about that.")
9. Do frequent "polling" in hallway conversations to see if other people have the same concerns about the church as you.
10. Meditate on how wonderful the church would be if it weren't for the pastor.

Comments

[Robert Pooley]

Excellent Ben! Had to repost this one on my blog. Thanks!

[Scott]

Right on the money Ben.

[Shannon]

Spot on! #4 is hitting me in the face as I type. I'm sitting in my office preparing to meet with a person that has been doing 4 and 9. I called him in, he didn't come to me so I don't know how it will go but the poison has to stop! :) Wish me luck...better yet, pray for me! ;-)

[Candy Miller]

Thanks for the top ten list. We are currently attending Palm Valley Church in Goodyear, AZ -- AWESOME!!!!! Previously we were members of three Presby. churches, all three of which failed precisely because of the types of people on the list. It was very frustrating, so we decided to "ix-nay" the traditional mainstream church scene and go for non-denominational, truly CHRISTIAN church. We may be in the late 50's-early 60's age range, but we think younger and love the Lord and want to serve Him. Hope you don't have too much trouble with the top-10 type people--your website sure indicates you're awesome for God too!