Signs of an Inward Focused Church

• First of all, it will be unhealthy
  


• Number two, it’s membership will not realize they are unhealthy
  
  
• The emphasis is upon “serve us” instead of “service”
  
  
• Tight knit groups that outsiders cannot penetrate
  
  
• A “siege mentality” or “hold the fort” way of thinking (see picture)
  
  
• Board stiff
  
  
• Most energy is devoted to managing the systems or preserving the way things are
  
  
• Unwilling to risk new ideas or initiatives
  
  
• Unwilling to embrace change



• Stained-glass barriers
  
  
• Tradition becomes more important than mission
  
  
• Continually re-teaching the already-fed
  
  
• Over-fed but under-activated church members
  
  
• An introverted insiders-language with its own set of terms and code words
  
  
• The preaching/teaching doesn’t make any sense; having a special meaning only for insiders
  


• The church is lukewarm



• It’s not growing