4 Ways A Church Member Can Create a Toxic Culture.

In part one of our toxic culture series we talked about 12 Ways A Church Leader Can Create A Toxic Culture. In this post we’re going to address four ways a church member can do the same. Let’s get started.

1 – Complain – A Lot.

Nothing is quite as draining and discouraging as a church member who chronically complains every time their personal preferences aren’t given top priority. Chronic complaining is so toxic that according to the bible, the Lord Himself has some pretty strong feelings about our need to avoid it. Take a look:

• Do all things without grumbling or disputing. –  Philippians 2:14
• Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. – James 5:9
• And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled – Numbers 11:1

Apparently, God isn’t big fan of complaining.

2 – Reject Change.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 

The verse above makes it clear that change is not only inevitable – it’s ordained by God. It’s a part of His master plan. God works in seasons and every season has both a beginning and an end. What God was doing in the last season of your church or ministry team isn’t necessarily what He wants to keep doing in this season. So, if you want to create a toxic culture than just keep rejecting any and all changes that your pastors or ministry team leaders are bringing to the table. It’s a sure fire way to not only get left behind, but to create some toxic turmoil and slow down the process of reaching the lost as well.

3 – Fight For Your Seat.

Despite the fact that 1 Peter 4:9 says to “Be hospitable to one another without complaint,” if you’re trying to create a toxic culture in your church than get territorial every time a first time guest or visitor sits in the seat you’re used to sitting in at church. Nothing will make people want to stay away from your church like a person who’s more concerned about their seat than someones soul.

4 – Refuse to serve.

Finding a place to serve in the local church has always been a part of God’s plan for His people. It’s the only real way life changing ministry can happen. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

But if you’re goal is to create a toxic culture than by all means refuse to serve! Keep your gifts and talents to yourself and ignore the plea of the many ministry teams in your church that need your help. By doing so you’ll help to promote burn-out among the faithful that do serve as well as ensure a standard of mediocrity in the ministry making it much more difficult to reach the lost in your community.

In my next post I’m going to share some super practical ways to cultivate a healthy church culture.

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