. . . . 

Corporations, Social Organizations, Fast Food Businesses, Football Teams, . . . and even churches have a “culture.” 

• “Culture” is one of the reasons Chick-fil-A has cars lined up around the corner, and people love going there.
• “Culture” is why you are reluctant to go to the post office — sorry, but it is true.
• “Culture” is why you actually want to buy from some businesses, even if the price is higher.
• “Culture is why some airlines attract, and others repel.
• “Culture” is why some businesses attract employees, and others struggle to fill their positions.
• “Culture” is why some organizations are highly effective, and others continue to fail.

. . . . and Culture is why some churches are growing, and others are on the decline

This week, Brian Dodd published an article on Tom Brady. Those who live in Tampa, Florida, have an enlarged interest in Tom Brady because he is the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winners of Superbowl LV.

Here are the seven points that Dodd gleaned from Lars Anderson’s book, “A Season in the Sun,” along with a relevant statement on each of those points. If you want to read the full article, the link is provided below.

#1)Relationships/People Skills/Emotional Intelligence: “His humility helped change the team’s culture.”

#2) Presence:  “Tom was consistent in his demeanor and approach.  He brought a sense of calm to the entire team.”

#3) Preparation: “They watched him in team meetings.  Tom always sat in the front row and took notes like a rookie trying to impress the coach and make the team.”

#4) Practice: “During practice Tom was very demanding of everyone.  He was unforgiving with poor habits or execution.  Everything had to be done 100% perfect or they would do it again.”

#5) Work Ethic:  “Everything was about hard work.”

#6) Mentoring:  “When Tom spoke, everyone listened.  His words to his teammates were always firm and final.”

#7) Results: “What ultimately legitimizes a leader and an organization’s culture is results.”

Ministries and churches have effective and ineffective, as well as healthy or unhealthy cultures.

“Church Culture” is why some . . . .

• churches have cars lined up around the corner, and people love attending.
• people are reluctant to revisit this-or-that church.
• people actually want to give to this-or-that ministry, even above the tithe.
• churches attract new members, and others repel.
• ministries attract employees, and others struggle to fill their positions.
• churches are highly effective, and others continually fail.
• churches grow, and others are stagnant (at best).

---

---

1. Several good podcasts address “church culture” —  Link.

2. PDF of the whole article by Brian Dodd — Link