Some churches seem to divide the community or even the congregation into two groups, “us” and “them.” The in-group, “us,” is righteous, pious and good. The out-group, “them,” is sinful, foolish and should be avoided at all costs. “We” are good. “They” are bad. Welcome to tribalism 101.

Tribalism helps absolutely no one. All it does is cause people to refuse to compromise, distrust others and tend to see people who look, act or think differently as inherently bad. Everyone has heard that people dislike those who are different because they are afraid. Tribalism takes it one step farther. People who are different are not scary. They are evil.

Modern tribalism largely seems to focus on how people think. If you do not believe it, go on Tumblr, which tends to skew heavily left, and post something praising Trump. You will be inundated with hatred because you dared to disagree with the tribe. 

Churches are not normally as flagrant about their tribalism as the depths of the internet or the political circuses that the media adores, but that does not mean there are not some tribal tendencies. Churches that repeatedly have sermons putting down other denominations, turn their nose up at those in the community who do not come to that church or seem to be forever congratulating themselves on their righteousness are not good churches to attend. Christ castigated the Pharisees for very similar behavior. 

When looking for signs of tribalism, also be wary of a church that looks or acts nothing like the demographic of the surrounding community. If you are in a rural area that is largely populated by blue-collar workers, a church filled with people who wear $300 shoes and gold cufflinks to church is probably not in touch with the wider community. Similarly, a church that does not have a single member over the age of 40 in an area filled with retirees is probably focused inward more than outward.