Celebrate Strengths, Correct Weaknesses, Seize Opportunities, and Minimize Threats
SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Many organizations—both for-profit and nonprofit—undergo a SWOT analysis. Here is a Christian SWOT analysis.
With this information we can look to celebrate or capitalize on our strengths and correct our weaknesses. These are internal traits.
Beyond that we can seek to seize opportunities that present themselves to our churches and minimize threats to our ongoing reality. These are external forces.
A Christian SWOT Analysis
In conducting our Christian SWOT analysis we’ll look in general terms at the various streams of Protestantism. This is a broad focus that looks at what is typical in most situations.
As such, it isn’t universally true but is commonly insightful. In general terms it looks at both the positive and the critical.
If you want to be offended, you will certainly find it in this discussion. However, if you’re open to uncover meaningful insights into your church and yourself, you will be able to mine useful information.
In our broad exploration of a Christian SWOT analysis, we’ll focus on the three streams of Protestantism. These are areas where I have personal experience, as well as supportive research.
We’ll then weave in other streams of Christianity based on the examination I conducted for my dissertation, The Convergent Church.
In doing so, remember that everything here is generalizations in not absolute in every situation. The three streams we’ll focus our attention on is mainstream/liberal, fundamental/evangelical, and charismatic.
A full book could be written to cover a Christian SWOT analysis, so this is a brief overview to stimulate thinking and advocate action.
Let’s begin.
Mainline Protestantism
Mainline Protestantism, which we might think of as name brand churches, also goes by the label of liberal. This, however, is not a reflection of their philosophical leanings, but on their generosity. Overall, they are liberal in their giving.
Mainline Protestantism has been around the longest of our three streams, starting with a Protestant Reformation some five hundred years ago. The focus of their worship is on God the Father.
Though Father God appears throughout the Bible, he’s central in the Old Testament, which guides much of their church practices today. Though not exclusively so, mainline Protestantism tends to lean towards liturgical services.
Most streams of Christianity outside of Protestantism—catholic, Anglican, orthodox, and so forth—tend to share characteristics with mainline Christianity.
Strengths: The strength of many mainline churches rest on their long-standing traditions. Though they have become institutions, there is a strong history to serve as an anchor and build upon. As already mentioned, they are also generous in their giving.
Weaknesses: With their focus on God the Father, mainline churches often downplay the role of the Holy Spirit, even to the point of dismissing him. Also, the perspective of many congregants relies on the intellectual and not as much on a personal faith.
As institutions, mainline churches tend to possess an inertia that resists—even opposes—change. As a result, they often struggle to address the heartfelt needs of society and can appear out of touch to those on the outside looking in.
Opportunities: The opportunities afforded mainline churches rests in their long-standing history. They can build on their stable foundation of their organizational structure to produce meaningful and impactful initiatives.
Threats: As with many churches today, mainline congregations—often more profoundly—feel the pain of decreasing attendance. This, along with a corresponding drop in donations, makes it increasingly challenging to remain viable.
Many also own larger facilities that are older and increasingly expensive to maintain. This presents a huge financial threat. Yet finding creative ways to fundamentally repurpose their buildings emerges as an opportunity.
Fundamental Protestantism
Fundamental Christianity, often called Evangelical—and often associated with Baptists—has a history dating back a couple of centuries. They focus on Jesus and his sacrificial death and resurrection to save us.
Many cast a wary eye at the work and power of the Holy Spirit and even minimize his function and power in today’s society. Their theology focus is on the New Testament and many often downplay the Old Testament; some even reject it outright.
Note that some Catholics identify as evangelical Catholics.
Strengths: One strength of many fundamental churches is their teaching of Scripture. As a result, their attendees tend to be more biblically literate than other streams of Christianity. They are also more likely to share their faith, that is, to evangelize.
Weaknesses: The emphasis on proclaiming biblical truth, however, carries unintended side effects. One is that they can be dogmatic about what they believe and reject all who don’t align 100 percent with their particular interpretation of Scripture.
This results in a closemindedness that often rejects other Christians and their churches, sometimes over the most trivial of theological differences.
The result is a narrow view over theology, which tends to produce a judgmental attitude toward all who hold differing opinions.
Because of their willingness to tell others what they believe, their adamant proclamations of their faith perspectives often create negative impressions with those on the outside.
Much of the world’s negative views about Christianity come from the proclamations of evangelicals.
Opportunities: Fundamental churches have a greater propensity to mobilize attendees to act, especially in areas relating to politics. This is a huge opportunity they can tap into.
However, their focus tends to solely be on issues directly relating to their beliefs, which causes them to miss opportunities to tangibly impact the world, such as social causes, which mainline churches are better at addressing.
Threats: Because of their vocal stance on theological issues, which often results in judgmental attitudes, the world often holds negative perceptions of the fundamental/ evangelical stream of Christianity.
These negative impressions reduce societies willingness to listen to what fundamental Christians say. It also causes divisions within Jesus’s church and is a driving force that promotes disunity.
Many in the world equate the word evangelical with closemindedness, judgmental, and even bigotry. Some even think evangelical is a political movement.
These negative perceptions confront the efforts of fundamentals to have a positive impact on the world. They must strive to overcome this.
Charismatic Protestantism
Charismatic Protestantism dates to the early 1900s. It’s often associated with Pentecostalism. Though many use the labels interchangeably, it’s more correct to say that Pentecostal is a subset of charismatic Protestantism.
Charismatics focus on the power and work of the Holy Spirit, which is often associated with speaking in tongues.
Some practitioners state that speaking tongues is evidence of true salvation. Others, however, are less dogmatic and hold that speaking in tongues may be—but is not necessarily—an outcome of a true salvation experience.
Note that some Catholics identify as charismatic Catholics.
Strengths: Charismatics tend to move and act under the direction of the Holy Spirit, as we read about in the book of Acts.
As a result, they can have a great impact on society, especially in regions of the world more open to spirituality. In these countries, most growth of Christianity comes from charismatics.
Weaknesses: The side effect of being empowered by, and motivated through, the Holy Spirit can result in an experiential faith. The risk is that experience can trump Scripture. The result is a theology based on accepted practices, even to the point of ignoring biblical truth.
There’s also a tendency among practitioners to equate speaking in tongues with spiritual maturity, yet this is a wrong conclusion—especially given their ideal that speaking in tongues should occur immediately after salvation.
In short, newly converted Christians often speak in tongues, even though they are still spiritually immature.
Opportunities: In a world increasingly open to spirituality, charismatics have an opportunity to tap into—and meet—this heartfelt need of a searching world that is receptive to the supernatural.
With worship services and faith practices that are often spirit led—that is, hearing and obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit—charismatics can have a huge impact and realize great success in reaching the world for Jesus.
Threats: With a focus on speaking in tongues, charismatics can over emphasize this singular practice. This can be off-putting—and even antagonistic—toward other perspectives, both within Christianity and from without.
This can also cause division within Jesus’s church. The prescription is to pursue unity with all who follow Jesus.
Applying the Christian SWOT Analysis
Now it is time for introspection. Though your church will not likely fit exactly into one of these three categories, it will have many similarities with one of them.
Strengths: Look at each strength listed and see what aligns with your church. Celebrate it and build upon it to better advanced the kingdom of God.
Weaknesses: Scrutinize each weakness listed and see what describes your church. Look for ways to minimize and overcome these weaknesses. This will allow your congregation to have increased impact on the world.
Opportunities: Consider each opportunity and seek ways to tap into it. How can the opportunities before you be capitalized upon to spread the good news of Jesus?
Threats: Last, consider each of the threats that present themselves. How can you minimize the negative effects of these issues? Seek ways to overcome them and turn threats into opportunities. At the very least, strive to minimize them.
Personal Application
Not only does this Christian SWOT analysis apply to your church and denomination, it also has personal application.
Consider how these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats apply to you personally in how you practice your faith each day.
What can you do to build upon the positive and overcome the not-so-great elements of our Christian SWOT analysis?
As you do, may you honor our Lord, grow in your faith, and advance his kingdom.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.