06/19/2026
Every church has a few people who seem determined to throw cold water on faith, vision, enthusiasm, and progress. I called them the wet blanket brigade! They may not hold an official title, but they faithfully serve on what could be called The Cold-Water Committee.
Here are some of its most common members:
1. THE TRADITION WORSHIPPER
More committed to preserving customs than pursuing God.
2. THE GROUP LOYALIST
Loyal to a clique, family, or faction more than to Christ and His mission.
3. THE CONTROL AGENT
Feels compelled to manage, influence, or manipulate every decision.
4. THE SOURPUSS
Perpetually negative. Rarely encouraged. Frequently offended.
5. THE PROFESSIONAL CRITIC
Can spot every flaw but seldom lifts a finger to help solve a problem.
6. THE VISION KILLER
Immediately explains why every new idea will fail.
7. THE FEAR MERCHANT
Magnifies risks while minimizing opportunities.
8. THE COMFORT SEEKER
Opposes anything that requires sacrifice, change, or faith.
9. THE NOSTALGIA ADDICT
Lives in yesterday and resists what God may want to do today.
10. THE GATEKEEPER
Believes every ministry, initiative, or decision must pass through them.
11. THE RUMOR DISTRIBUTOR
Keeps controversy alive through whispers, assumptions, and half-truths.
12. THE ATTENDANCE INSPECTOR
Observes everything, participates in little, and comments on much.
13. THE EXCUSE MAKER
Has a reason why something can’t be done before anyone has tried.
14. THE APPLAUSE WITHHOLDER
Rarely celebrates victories and seldom encourages faithful servants.
15. THE SPIRITUAL PESSIMIST
Expects decline, doubts revival, and views faith-filled optimism with suspicion.
A Better Way
Healthy churches are built by people who pray more than they complain, encourage more than they criticize, serve more than they control, and believe more than they doubt.
Harold Vaughan
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