Thursday, April 9, 2009

Rate Your Verticality

Is your church more vertical or horizontal? What's the difference? Vertical describes a church that seeks to minister to God first, pleasing Him in all things no matter what. Horizontal describes a church that seeks to minister to and appeal to man first and foremost. Obviously a vertical church is the gold standard that all churches should seek to be.

I found this 'Vertical quiz' on another site - but I've changed and tweaked it a little to (in my opinion) improve it. Take this little quiz and see how 'vertical' your church is. Answer each question with a 0-5, with 0 being the weakest yes, and 5 being the strongest yes:

1. Are the songs we sing in worship directed more TO God rather than singing ABOUT God?

2. Do platform personnel come across as ministers or as entertainers?

3. Is the sermon coming clearly/continually from what the Bible is actually saying - or is one verse used to 'jump off' on some topic?

4. Does the sermon challenge me to change and grow, versus just something to know - and are the hard scriptures preached about?

5. Am I strongly encouraged over time to join a smaller group where I can express and experience biblical community?

6. Do I find the people I meet to be humble and overt in their love for Christ, or more guarded and private about their faith?

7. Am I challenged to find a place of ministry where I can use my gifts and shoulder weekly kingdom responsibility in working and tithing my income for God?

8. Do the leaders of my church find ways to draw the focus away from themselves and onto Christ and what He is doing?

9. Does my church invite me into sacrificial work for Christ that does not benefit our church at all: feeding the poor, church planting/missions, etc.?

10. Does my church seek to follow the biblical pattern for church governance and elevate the Word of God in all it does, including church discipline?

SCORE:

Vertical Church: 40+

60-Degree Church: 30-40

Horizontal Church: 20-30

Find a New Church : 0-20