2. I Will Avoid the Traps of Churchianity
Chapter 8:
I Will Avoid the Traps of Churchianity

3. Churchianity & Christianity Defined
Churchianity—“practicing our church and religious beliefs according to human standards rather than biblical guidelines” (Rainer, 93).
Christianity—our life is directed by the will of Jesus and the Word of God, period!  

4. WORDS FROM THOM
“You see, in many of our churches we are redefining church membership to be something different than the sacrificial and functional teachings of 1 Corinthians 12. As a consequence, too many church members are really practicing churchianity instead of vibrant Christianity.” (Rainer, 93)

5. The former is biblical and self-giving.
WORDS FROM THOM
“So, as church members we are to function. We are to sacrifice. We are to practice vibrant Christianity instead of churchianity.
The former is biblical and self-giving.
The latter is unbiblical and self-serving.”
(Rainer, 94; emphasis mine)

6. The Biblical Basis for Avoiding Churchianity
(1 Corinthians 12; 12:27-28)
The church is unified yet diverse. (1 Cor. 12:12-14, 27-28)
Church members are to function! (1 Cor. 12:18)

7. (2) Members are gifted to function. (1 Cor. 12)
Church members are to function because: 
It is the will of God.
(1 Cor. 12:18)  
(2) Members are gifted to function. (1 Cor. 12)
(3) The health of the body depends on its members functioning. (1 Cor. 12:14-26)

8. Church is a Spectators Sport
5 SYMPTOMS OF CHURCHIANITY
Church is a Spectators Sport
…being involved has been reduced to church attendance only. “Churchianity can be like a spectator sport.
Members attend but they don’t actively participate. They expect others to do ministry. For some, the only time they get passionate is at a church business meeting where they express their displeasure and anger.” (Rainer, 95)

9. 5 SYMPTOMS OF CHURCHIANITY
2. Church is About ME
…a country club mentality of the church. “When we have a country club mentality about the church, we do not serve. Instead, we seek to be served. We have paid our ‘dues,’ so we expect others to work for us.” (Rainer, 96)

10. 3. Church is About Dwelling on Its Flaws
5 SYMPTOMS OF CHURCHIANITY
3. Church is About Dwelling on Its Flaws
…the only thing some church members can see is what is wrong with the church. “We have a real choice. We can practice churchianity and dwell on the flaws and be critical. Or we can practice biblical church membership and extend grace toward others.” (Rainer, 100)

11. 4. Church has Low Expectations
5 SYMPTOMS OF CHURCHIANITY
4. Church has Low Expectations
…nothing is really expected of a church member except to call themselves a church member. “Churches with low expectations have more members who practice churchianity.” (Rainer, 102)

12. 5. Church has Cliquish Membership
5 SYMPTOMS OF CHURCHIANITY
5. Church has Cliquish Membership
…people have to be in the right clique to become involved. “One common clique is an informal power group in the
church. They represent an informal alliance of typically longer-termed members. In many ways, they consider the church ‘my church.’ Anyone has to get tacit approval from that group to get involved or to get anything accomplished.” (Rainer, 103)

13. ONE FINAL WORD
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
Matthew 16:18

14. ONE FINAL WORD
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
John 15:11