How Much is Your Church’s Cultural Tax?
Have you ever wondered what’s behind the walls of another religion’s building? Perhaps a Mosque, temple, or even another denomination’s sacred space.
What is a central reason for you not even attempting to visit during a service?
Obviously, if you don’t know anyone attending, then you’re less likely to show up, cold turkey.
But let’s just say you are considering visiting. The immediate questions begin to form:
What am I supposed to wear?
What is expected of my kids?
Should I shower that morning because I need to take my shoes off?
Should I arrive earlier than the start time? Or exactly on time?
If they sing, should I also sing? What if it’s an archaic language?
Am I allowed to use the bathroom during the “service” (if that’s even what they call it)?
…do they even have bathrooms?
etc.
These questions come from one simple thing: Cultural Tax.
Without realizing it, our churches do the same thing to our neighbors. Before ever hearing the good news of the gospel, they perceive the church’s culture.
Culture gaps come from all directions. There are migrant gaps, demographic differences, generational gaps, socioeconomic divisions, and the list goes on. In such a divided time, the church must take the initiative in closing such gaps. We must not be cultural toll booths charging fees our neighbors cannot pay or don’t desire to pay.
That’s why I created this tool. If you’re curious what your church’s estimated Insider/Cultural Tax is for your specific neighbors, fill this out:
Calculate Your Church's Insider Tax
Estimate your cultural friction score in 30 seconds.
Ready for a full diagnostic or want to discuss your score?
Contact Matt directly at Matt@taylormake.org
