3 Types of People in Church: Which One Are You?

It’s important to recognize that there is a spectrum of commitment levels among people in our churches. For leaders, understanding this spectrum helps manage expectations and frustrations. For churchgoers, it aids in self-identifying and understanding one's commitment level to the local church. This is not meant to correct anyone but to offer an observation for reflection. Note that this is an oversimplification and generalization; people may not fit neatly into one category.

That said, there are typically three types of Christians in churches: Consumers, Contributors, and Soldiers.

Consumers

This term is not meant in a derogatory way. Many Christians and church leaders (myself included) have been guilty of deriding people for being “consumer” Christians. It's often painted negatively when people come to church solely for the benefits they receive. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The church exists to serve people. The word “minister” literally means “to serve.” If you don’t like serving people, you shouldn’t be in ministry.

The world is full of hurting, broken, lost, and damaged people who need to be served. As Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Christ came to serve them, and He has called us to follow in His footsteps.

“Jesus called them over and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28)

We should not be surprised or resent the fact that God brings those who need to be served through our doors. These people will “consume” the benefits of the body of Christ. Consumers might call your church their home, or they may just say, “I attend here.” They may even attend multiple churches to get different benefits from each gathering without being fully committed to any.

Many in our churches consume without contributing much. They’re not really contributing to the mission—they are the mission.

Contributors

Others in our churches catch the vision and assume a sense of belonging. They know it’s better to give than to receive. They know God loves a cheerful giver, and they want to contribute to the church. They are contributors. They not only receive the benefits of the Church but also help joyfully and willingly. Contributors make the church function and operate, contributing money, time, and talents (volunteering and giving). Many churches make these requirements for formal membership.

Contributors have a sense of ownership and will claim the church as theirs. They won’t just say, “I attend this church,” they’ll say, “This is MY church.”

“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

“Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Soldiers

The third type of Christian in our churches are soldiers. These people are fully committed to the mission. They are radicals. They’ll do anything needed. They have been so blessed by God and His church that contributing is not enough. They are radical about fulfilling the Great Commission. They catch the vision and make it their own. They spend more of their time, money, resources, and talents to advance the mission and vision of the church. They are in deep prayer over the church. They are plugged into fellowship and usually lead ministries in the church and in the city.

“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

All Christians are to be ministers, working together:

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Some Soldiers Get Wounded

Life is a battlefield. Sometimes a soldier gets wounded in the fight and needs to heal up in the infirmary. A soldier may go from being active duty to a consumer or contributor because it’s the right and appropriate thing to do in a particular season of their life.

“There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1 CSB)

But at some point, it’s time to get back into the fight. As Paul exhorts us, "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:3 CSB).

So What?

Again, there’s nothing inherently wrong with being in any of these categories—it’s just helpful to understand that there is a spectrum of commitment.

I believe God is calling all of us to progress from one level to the next. The fullness of faithfulness to the church is not merely to attend and receive, nor to be reasonably inconvenienced, but to be completely sold out as a soldier in the local church. These are the people who "sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need" (Acts 2:45 CSB).

Self-Reflection

Which side of the spectrum do you fall on when it comes to commitment to the local church? Are you a consumer, contributor, or a soldier? How is God calling you to level up in your commitment?