Are you unsure if your church has the signs of a cult church? A growing phenomenon within the ranks of churches, large and small (but mostly large), is the cult of personality. What is a cult of personality? What are signs of a cult church?
It’s when a person becomes the center of attention rather than Christ; an individual looms larger than a mission; a figure is given more status than the organization itself.
Sometimes this “cult” is so egregious it’s hard to believe, such as reports from some churches that staff must rise when the pastor enters the room, aren’t allowed to look him in the eye, can never talk to him or engage him unless he takes the initiative, or must refer to him by title and never simply by his first name …
… all in the name of giving appropriate “honor.” Puh-leeze.
Beyond such ridiculous antics, the greater dilemma is how many attenders of such churches would adamantly deny that a cult of personality is being intentionally fostered. Too many allow being fans, and having enthusiasm about ministry, to cloud their judgment. Watch for these signs of a cult church:
10 Signs of a Cult Church
1. The demand for special treatment, special honor, special recognition.
In other words, there is an active cultivation of being treated differently than others.
2. The website is focused on an individual.
A person’s quotes, their picture, their books, their activities, their blog, their … well, you get the picture. It’s pretty clear who, not what, the “church” is about.
3. No one is allowed to question the leader without retribution.
There is a “thin skin” evident toward any and all critics, who are often written off as “haters” or simply those who are envious. There is a bubble that prevents constructive criticism.
4. If the leader were to leave, die or fall into scandal, there is little doubt in anyone’s mind that the entire enterprise would collapse.
Those who flooded in via transfer growth to be part of the “next, next thing” would flood right back out, because the “next, next thing” was a personality, not a true mission or movement.
, is the cult of personality.){kind=link}