20 Types of Church Attenders and Workers

In my years of church consulting, I’ve heard all kinds of descriptions of church people. Below are several types of church attenders and workers. See where you fit, repent if needed, thank God for the faithful, trusting members of your congregation, and strive to be a strong contributor to your church. 

  1. Workaholic. They serve well, but they serve everywhere. Some do it because they genuinely love the Lord (and others let them work), even though they may be in the wrong positions. Others do it because they want control.
  2. Caregiver. These members love ministering to the needy and the hurting. They’re important in your church.
  3. Complainer. No matter what’s happening, these folks find something wrong with it. People roll their eyes when this person talks.
  4. Partner. This type of church leader realizes that we cannot do this work alone, and he or she walks with God and welcomes people to the team.
  5. Spectator. They come every week, but they only sit in the bleachers and watch. And, watching is usually as far as it goes.
  6. Inquirer. He or she has come with an honest passion for learning about Jesus.
  7. Hypocrite. I don’t know another way to describe this church member. He’s not a Christian.
  8. Napper. Church is a place to find rest, even if that means you fall asleep during the sermon every week. And, frankly, we preachers sometimes contribute to the nappers when our sermons are boring . . . . 
  9. Straddler. This church attender has one foot still in your church, but the other foot has begun searching for a new place to worship.
  10. Warrior. This is a church attender you want on your side. Warriors know how to pray, and they live on their knees. 
  11. Columnist. This attender is the local gossip. He or she wants to know everything.
  12. Banker. This attender gives really well, but he also assumes he should get special treatment because of that.
  13. Servant. This church member serves faithfully without expecting or demanding anything in return.
  14. Baby. This church member could be a new believer who’s not yet been discipled – or, he could be a long-term believer who whines about everything.
  15. Lobbyist. This person has a single-cause focus, and nothing else matters.
  16. Prodigal. He’s not fully home yet, but he’s on his way back. The father is waiting for his return.
  17. Drop-in. This attender drops in once in awhile, but not regularly. 
  18. Evangelist. Nobody shares the gospel quite as passionately as this member does.
  19. Protector. This member guards the past, often out of genuine fear of any change. 
  20. Mentor/model. All of our churches need — and have — some of these members. The mentor/model just walks with God faithfully . . . humbly . . . persistently . . . and cooperatively.