Chapter 12: Corporate Pride in the Church

Pride doesn’t just live in hearts.
It lives in halls.
In pulpits, pews, and boardrooms.
It gathers under steeples and on livestreams.

Pride can be personal—
but it can also be corporate.

And when a church begins to believe it has “arrived,”
the presence of God begins to leave.

The Laodicean Warning

“You say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,’
not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” — Revelation 3:17

This was not a letter to pagans.
It was written to a church.

They thought they had it all together.
And God said they had nothing.

Self-sufficiency is spiritual blindness.
It says, “We’ve built something great.”
And forgets who builds the church at all.

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

The Danger of Numbers

A growing church is not a proud church.
But it can become one.

– We begin to measure success by attendance, not repentance.
– We value charisma over character.
– We highlight programs over prayer.
– We protect the brand more than the Body.

And slowly, the mission shifts
from honoring Christ
to preserving the name of the church.

Doctrinal Arrogance

Truth matters.
But pride can even infect theology.

– “We’re the only ones who get it right.”
– “Everyone else is compromised.”
– “If you don’t believe exactly like us, you’re not really saved.”

This isn’t holiness.
It’s arrogance cloaked in certainty.

The Pharisees knew their Bibles.
But they missed the Savior standing in front of them.

“Knowledge puffs up,
but love builds up.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1

The Celebrity Problem

We’ve built platforms.
We’ve cultivated fame.
We’ve turned preachers into brands.

But when one man becomes the center,
Jesus is quietly displaced.

The early church had power—
not because of polished leaders,
but because of unseen surrender.

They shared.
They served.
They prayed.

Not to grow big—
but to grow deep.

The Danger of Denominations

Denominations can bring structure and clarity.
But they can also breed pride.

– “We’re the original.”
– “We’re more Spirit-filled.”
– “We’re more biblical.”
– “We’re not like those Christians.”

The moment we divide Christ to elevate our corner,
we have joined the Corinthians in their error:

“I follow Paul… I follow Apollos… I follow Cephas…”
“Is Christ divided?” — 1 Corinthians 1:12–13

The Way Back

Corporate pride is deadly.
But corporate humility brings revival.

“If My people who are called by My name
will humble themselves and pray…” — 2 Chronicles 7:14

It begins with:

– Repenting of the idol of reputation
– Honoring other parts of the Body
– Focusing more on mission than metrics
– Letting Christ—not a personality—be the center

Jesus is not coming back for a proud church.
He is coming for a pure one.

What Does It Matter?

A proud church may be full—
but it will be empty of power.

It may be admired—
but it will not be anointed.

Pride may grow an empire.
Only humility brings the Kingdom.

If we want God to dwell among us,
we must get low together.

Reflection and Questions

  1. Do I think of my church or denomination as “better” than others?

  2. Is there any sense of spiritual superiority in how we talk about ourselves?

  3. Are we more concerned with growth or with holiness?

  4. How can our church humble itself before God—and others?

  5. What would it look like to seek the Kingdom rather than build a brand?