Communities of Grace vs. Communities of Performance

So is your community a community of performance or a community of grace? Try these diagnostic tests:  

Communities of Performance

• The leaders appear to have it all figured out 
• The community appears respectable
• Meetings must be a polished performance 
• Failure is devastating, because identity is found in ministry
• Actions are driven by duty 
• Conflict is suppressed or ignored
• The focus is on orthodox behavior (letting people think they have it all figured out) 

Communities of Grace

• The leaders are vulnerable
• The community is messy
• Meetings are just one part of community life
• Failure is disappointing but not devastating, because identity is found in Christ
• Actions are driven by joy
• Conflict is addressed in the open
• The focus is on the affections of the heart (with a strong view of sin and grace)

In performance-oriented churches, people pretend to be okay because their standing within the church depends on it. But this is the opposite of grace. Grace acknowledges that we're all sinners, all messed up, all struggling. And grace also affirms that in Christ we all belong, all make the grade, all are welcome.

From Tim Chester @ Resurgence