The Weight of Culture in the Local Church
Let me tell you a story—my family’s story. Specifically, my parents' story, because this happened when my mother was pregnant with me.
My father, then new to ministry, was asked to serve as a pastor in a community church outside his denomination. Things were going well, and the church was growing. But after several months, the church board requested that he preach only to one specific group—their ethnic community.
Surprised, my father replied that he would continue preaching the gospel to everyone, regardless of race or social status, and could not exclude anyone at the church door. The following Sunday, after his sermon, a board member stood up and announced to the congregation that it was my father’s last Sunday as pastor. In other words, he was publicly dismissed without notice.
After the service, my parents were left with nothing—no salary, no house, no car (all church property). My father walked out of the church with my pregnant mother and my 2-year-old brother.
But the story ended well: 70% of the congregation chose to follow my parents. In the weeks that followed, a new church was planted with their active support: a restaurant space and chairs were loaned, emergency housing was provided, and someone lent them a car.
I share this somewhat extreme story to shed light on a potentially dangerous phenomenon: when human culture becomes stronger than Kingdom culture.
Recently, we spoke with young people who had changed local churches. In both cases, they left “community-based” churches.
For one, the departure was blessed:"I grew up in this church; my whole family is there, and it’s very familial—I love it. But I needed to leave that environment to focus more on Jesus and my relationship with Him."
For the other, the departure was painful:"We live in a culture so strong that simply having a differing opinion can make you a pariah... Being their child doesn’t mean being their clone. My prayer as a son is that one day my parents’ generation will accept us in our differences and with what God has given us for our time."
This article doesn’t aim to condemn community churches. On the contrary, we believe they have their place and offer strong brotherly bonds. But these examples prompt deeper reflection on when human culture within a local church overshadows Kingdom culture.
Different Levels of Culture
Culture can manifest in various ways:
Denominational culture: When a denomination’s practices and liturgy dominate church life and even theology.
National culture: When a church’s hierarchy mimics the country’s hierarchical systems.
Family culture: When one or two families hold all responsibilities—e.g., the father is senior pastor, the son is youth pastor, the daughter leads worship, etc.
Founder’s culture: The lasting influence of a church’s patriarchs.
Movement culture: Shaped by the philosophy or values of a specific movement.
Training center culture: When the teachings of a charismatic leader or school strongly influence others.
Dangers of Overwhelming Human Culture
When human culture becomes too dominant, it poses several risks:
Drifting from God’s heart and plan: Practices and mindsets replace the guidance of Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Loss of leaders’ identity: Leaders continue traditions instead of stepping into their unique ministry callings.
Resistance to change: Practices go unquestioned, and challenges are seen as threats or rebellion.
Confusing theology with tradition: Do we act based on Scripture or habit?
Need for control: Stability and structure are comforting but can hinder innovation and foster fear of change.
Equating cultural authority with spiritual authority: A dangerous conflation.
Staying Humble and Vigilant
Human culture is inevitable because we’re all human. However, awareness of its risks can help us remain humble. God enriches us through diverse cultures—ethnic, organizational, and leadership personalities—but they must not overshadow Kingdom culture, Scripture, or God’s will.
This awareness also helps us discern when choosing a local church, ministry connection, or training environment. Strong church identities can be attractive, but the danger lies in:
Being drawn only by the image, rather than the substance.
Feeling lost outside that framework.
Believing one holds the truth and dismissing others.
Idolizing leaders, leading to comparisons and feelings of unworthiness.
Finding your place in a local church or Bible school doesn’t mean becoming a clone. God calls each of us uniquely. Pray for discernment about how He is calling you. And try not to respond to him in a cultural way.
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