“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” — Peter Drucker
When it comes to the church, health trumps all. Outside of the work of God through the Gospel, the health of a congregation determines its effectiveness, longevity, and ability to thrive. Healthy churches create life. Unhealthy churches, however, can destroy it.
Unfortunately, health is not the default. In a world broken by sin, churches—like any other organization—often drift toward dysfunction rather than flourishing. This is why fostering a healthy church culture is one of the most important, yet most challenging, tasks of church leadership.
What Does a Healthy Church Look Like?
Health is not a fixed point; it’s a spectrum. Some churches are exceptionally healthy, while others struggle with toxicity. Identifying exactly where your church falls on this spectrum is both an art and a science. But one thing is certain: healthy churches grow.
Growth doesn’t always mean numerical expansion—it starts with spiritual growth. When people grow spiritually, they often invite others into that experience, leading to numerical growth as a byproduct. Healthy churches also embrace change, innovation, and adaptability while staying rooted in biblical truth. They foster trust, love, and resilience, allowing people to wrestle with faith in a safe environment.
On the other hand, toxic churches breed dysfunction. They avoid hard conversations, enable harmful behaviors, and prioritize control over community. A church doesn’t need to have a scandal to be unhealthy—sometimes, toxicity manifests in passive-aggressiveness, fear-driven decision-making, or an unwillingness to address conflict.
Church Culture: The Hidden Force That Shapes Everything
Every church, whether they realize it or not, has a culture—a set of unspoken values, behaviors, and traditions that shape how the congregation functions. And in the words of Peter Drucker, culture is more powerful than strategy.
You can have the most compelling vision, the best preaching, and the most well-organized programs, but if your church culture is unhealthy, none of it will matter. Culture dictates what people tolerate, how they interact, and ultimately, how they experience God’s presence in the community.
For example, consider a church where disagreement is handled through gossip instead of honest conversation. Over time, this culture breeds distrust and division, making it nearly impossible for the church to move forward. Conversely, a church that prioritizes open communication and accountability creates an environment where members feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow.
Health Doesn’t Happen by Accident
Creating a healthy church culture requires intentionality. Left unchecked, unhealth will always creep in, just like muscle memory keeps us locked in old habits.
Think of it like going to the gym. No one gets healthy by accident. You don’t lose weight by sitting in a recliner eating Reese’s peanut butter cups (as much as we might wish that were the case). Similarly, churches don’t become healthy just by hoping for the best. They must actively cultivate health through discipleship, accountability, and a commitment to biblical principles.
Why Church Health Matters Now More Than Ever
In today’s world, people have no patience for unhealthy church environments. While individuals may tolerate toxicity at work or in family relationships out of necessity, they won’t stay in a toxic church for long. This is one reason why many churches are plateauing, declining, or even closing their doors.
However, there is hope. Any church, regardless of its size, budget, or location, can commit to becoming the healthiest version of itself. The goal isn’t to be the biggest church in town or the flashiest—it’s to be a thriving, life-giving community where people encounter Jesus and grow in faith.
The question every church must ask is this: Are we moving toward greater health, or are we drifting toward dysfunction? Because in the end, health trumps all.
0 Comments