Church Personality.

[scooter]

What type of personality does your church have?

Country?

Urban?
Suburban?

Modern?

Traditional?

Cutting edge?

I often get pigeon holed, because I ride a motorcycle and have a secondary ministry that involved motorcycles, as a "motorcycle" church.

We have "Biker Sundays" once in a while maybe two/three times a year and the rest we are just us. I guess though just being us makes us somewhat different.

I once had a state youth leader who came to our church to speak. They admitted later that they had expected a lot of bearded "Bikers" sitting around with stern looks. They were very surprised that our church didn't fit their imagination of it.

Is it a bad thing for a church to have a certian personality? Is that normal?

Should we try finding a perfect blend of "all things" or just be honestly who we are?

We had a "Biker Sunday" on Dec. 30th. We gained 5 regulars and have had a few second time visits. They didn't stay because we were "Bikers" but rather because we fed their soul in a way some don't.

What is normal as far as church personality?

[rough_rider]

You forgot nursing home personality.......

[Pastor Bill]

I would think that Christ would want us to just be honestly who we are. We can't be everything, and God has created us as individuals and individual churches that may serve slightly different people. I don't think we want to be pigeonholed into something that may be an incorrect perception, but also don't be afraid to be honest and different. Normal is just a setting on the dryer.

[scooter]

You forgot nursing home personality.......

Response: . I see you get what I mean.

That's exactly it.

A young couple with kids comes to a church where the average age is 66 and the idea of fellowship is a class on the proper placement of Ben Gay and moth balls for best effect, they understand that church to have a certain personality.

Vice Versa a 66 year old saints come to a church where they are jumping and dancing with studio stage lights that rival Disco duck on crack and they understand that church has a certain personality.

Is it wrong?

[Pastor Bill]

Did Christ minister to all people exactly the same way?

How many blind men did he heal? Were any two ministered to the same?

I think there is a purpose in diversity, AS LONG AS Christ is first and formost in all things.

[PastorDaniel]

We consider ourselves to be "Contemporary Pentecostal" We are in the country, but considered in the Metro area of Chattanooga, TN.

We use the iWorship CDs for our worship service. Songs such as Trading My Sorrows, Here I am to Worship, I Can Only Imagine....and many others like that.

Also, I wear a sport coat and dress t-shirt with jeans or slacks. We have sunday school at 1:00pm and service at 1:45 to let the younger crowd sleep in and we have mid-week life groups instead of mid-week service.

So I don't know what label really fits...but we are constantly evolving and transitioning in an effort to win lost souls.

[RamboPreacher]

What type of personality does your church have?

interesting question, let me see if I can express my answer.

Country?

not really - "City Life Worship Center". though some of the congregants, especially the elder prefer county/western/southern Gospel music.

Urban?

maybe but would need more of your definition of what this is, especially in comparison to the next one.

Suburban?

maybe but would need more of your definition of what this is, especially in comparison to the previous one.

Modern?

I would like to think so, but probably not really.

Traditional?

this would probably be pretty close, though there are some things considered "liberal" in the services that would probably preclude us from being traditional, based on other traditionalist COGOP's.

Cutting edge?

probably not, based on many definitions of this phrase, now a days. but I personally link this more towards the "Modern" definition, and based in technology.

I often get pigeon holed, because I ride a motorcycle and have a secondary ministry that involved motorcycles, as a "motorcycle" church.

We have "Biker Sundays" once in a while maybe two/three times a year and the rest we are just us. I guess though just being us makes us somewhat different.

Biker-Sunday's would pretty well establish that categorization. that wouldn't even be a thought or idea brought up in a leadership meeting at our church.

I once had a state youth leader who came to our church to speak. They admitted later that they had expected a lot of bearded "Bikers" sitting around with stern looks. They were very surprised that our church didn't fit their imagination of it.

different folks hav edifferent idea's of what it is to be a biker. I was married to a "biker-chick", and involved in that kind of thing for a while. people are people as you know. has very little to do with what is portrayed on TV.

Is it a bad thing for a church to have a certian personality? Is that normal?

Personality - yes, but perception/stereotypes will also prevail. and I think that is a challenge. The Independent church that I was in for 22 years previous to joining COGOP, had a weird stereotype/perception by the "public" that we couldn't figure out where it came from. other churches and other people, in conversation, when mentioning that church, would say something like - oh, "that church that believes in aliens" (yes, that was the comment we heard a lot!) - what? who? where in the world did that come from?!??!

Should we try finding a perfect blend of "all things" or just be honestly who we are?

I may get flambayed, but it is my opinion that this is a reason that denominations can be a good thing. not only denominations, but even within a denomination - different churchieness. having a range of diversity can make services "wishy-washy" and "gray". (not always, but in general). having a pastor and leadership that have certain preferences can be a good thing, in getting folks to visit and join.

We had a "Biker Sunday" on Dec. 30th. We gained 5 regulars and have had a few second time visits. They didn't stay because we were "Bikers" but rather because we fed their soul in a way some don't.

awesome. though the soul-feeding, was probably with a particular style and preference.

What is normal as far as church personality?

depends on the pastor and leadership. and in some cases, it may be the other way around, in that the congregation may lead a personality style and direct the leadership with their general preferences. depending on lots of variables and factors.

I attend our local church because that is where God has lead me. I will support the pastor and leadership as much as I can and with my resources as possible. what is our "personality". I am not sure, since my perception is from a different point of view. I would say that we are a traditional, modern, with cutting edge tenancies containing urban and suburban local teaching and including some country friendliness with a holiness leaning of pentacostalism as a general direction in doctrinal position.

[MacUser]

We have "Biker Sundays" once in a while maybe two/three times a year and the rest we are just us. I guess though just being us makes us somewhat different.

We had a "Biker Sunday" on Dec. 30th. We gained 5 regulars and have had a few second time visits. They didn't stay because we were "Bikers" but rather because we fed their soul in a way some don't.

Cool stuff. I would have never sold mine if this was at my local church.
I would probably like to pick your brain on some stuff sometime..

[Pastor Gary]

What type of personality does your church have?

Country?

Not really -- but we have a few country folks.

Urban?

That term is tied to inner-city, predominantly black culture, so, no: we have some urban people, but it doesn't describe our personality.

Suburban?

Again, that suggests 2 kids, soccer mom, upper-middle-class... not really us either.

Modern?

Yeah... I guess so. Contemporary musical style, rock-band instrumentation, use of video and technology, lack of formal dress codes... okay -- modern works. And yet, we teach an ageless message without compromise.

Traditional?

uhhhhh.... no. Can hardly think of a traditional element in anything we do.

Cutting edge?

Some people might think so, But I don't. Mars Hill is cutting edge. Mosaic is cutting edge. We are not trying to be odd, or quirky, or faddish -- we have just learned, mostly by trial and error, some things that "work" for us in this time and place.

I often get pigeon holed, because I ride a motorcycle and have a secondary ministry that involved motorcycles, as a "motorcycle" church.

We have "Biker Sundays" once in a while maybe two/three times a year and the rest we are just us. I guess though just being us makes us somewhat different.

I once had a state youth leader who came to our church to speak. They admitted later that they had expected a lot of bearded "Bikers" sitting around with stern looks. They were very surprised that our church didn't fit their imagination of it.

And I added to that, no doubt, in the illustration I used recently. Sorry.

Is it a bad thing for a church to have a certian personality? Is that normal?

Should we try finding a perfect blend of "all things" or just be honestly who we are?

Authenticity is hugely important, I think. Every church has a personality and a "corporate culture" and that is a good thing. I'd much rather visit a country church that was authentically simple and country, than a country church trying to be pseudo-hip with hazers and intelli-beams. People seem to accept whatever your church is, as long as you are real about it.

I know a man who attends "Cowboy Church" (doubt if that s the real name) where the music and message are framed in a decidedly cowboy context. Fine with me! I preached in Alabama at a church that was mostly salt-of-the-earth rural southerners... piano, organ... and sweet, honest people. Fine with me.

For me, it's more about being real than about fitting any certain mold.

[scooter]

And I added to that, no doubt, in the illustration I used recently. Sorry. .

Response: No worries there. I have bragged on your presentation a couple of times and hope that our testimony did you some good. I even got to show it to a coworker.

I know a man who attends "Cowboy Church" (doubt if that s the real name) where the music and message are framed in a decidedly cowboy context. Fine with me! I preached in Alabama at a church that was mostly salt-of-the-earth rural southerners... piano, organ... and sweet, honest people. Fine with me.

Response: My friend goes to the cowboy church every time he is in north Georgia. So I know it is the name of one.

I just wonder what you all think about that.

Let's say the cowboy church is next door to your house but you are not a Cowboy and and are allergic to leather. Is that church somehow failing to reach certain people by having a specific personality? Is that somehow bad? Or should we just be glad we have so many diverse churches to choose from?

BTW I'm blessed to be a "biker". It opens many doors.

[Pastor Gary]

I have bragged on your presentation a couple of times and hope that our testimony did you some good. I even got to show it to a coworker.

Hope it was a blessing -- it made an impact on some folks here.

Let's say the cowboy church is next door to your house but you are not a Cowboy and and are allergic to leather. Is that church somehow failing to reach certain people by having a specific personality? Is that somehow bad? Or should we just be glad we have so many diverse churches to choose from?

I am not a big fan of the cookie-cutter approach to church. God can, and does, use robed choirs, pipe organs, guitars and fiddles, upright pianos, acapella singing, black gospel, rock-band style and a bunch of other methods I can't think of right now... he uses conversational teachers, hacking preachers, humorous presentations, video clips, testimony services, and tons of other things to reach different folks.

We have had people attend to check us out, and it was obvious they were a bad fit -- uncomfortable: we just point-blank asked them what they were looking for, and they told us... and we recommended a nearby church that seemed right for them.

[PastorDaniel]

The Cowboy Church is a pretty huge unofficial movement. Especially in areas that are rural or western. Texas has alot of them and we have them all over this regional area.

There is one on the outskirts of our town that runs about 400. They meet under an open-air barn surrounded by corral and pasture. Even in the cold they just dress warm and have canvas sides that roll down.

Alot of times they use aspects of ranching, rodeo, and things like that to present the message. Most I know have a Baptist theology...but they claim to be Non-Denominational. Everything is laidback and very informal...it's all boots, jeans, and hats.

[dawgs10]

we are everything to everyone. hymns,contemp. worship music. trad. preaching. small groups for all ages. we refuse to follow the crowd about sunday school. that is still the focus for our church instead of not having it and going straight to worship service. if you dont know the bible you cant worship in spirit and truth. if your not everything to everyone your not striving to be a new testament church. so dont put your church in a box. thats my thoughts.

[Pastor Bill]

dawgs, the only problem with that is you can stretch yourself too thin, and come across as having no personality, or as fake.

Nothing wrong with diversity in your church, actually it's great, but don't feel you have to stretch to do everything, you'll kill yourself trying, and you're not the only church around, remember we're in this together, and the church down the street may be able to meet the needs of those that don't fit you, and vice versa.

[Paully_44]

What type of personality does your church have?

Country?

Urban?
Suburban?

Modern?

Traditional?

Cutting edge?

I would have to say we are more Suburban / Modern.