Here is what you said.

The following are responses to the question "Why does the church have such high ratings and yet is so ineffective?

I believe it’s because we tend to grade ourselves better than we do others. We grade churches the same way.

Jesus said, “Except you deny yourself and follow me you have no part with me.” 

Churches today lack the denying self part. Thankfully, I pastor a growing church but we must deny self to truly follow him. 

Clifton

My opinion:

Within the environment of the "church family" there is a supposed natural family type acceptance that isolates us from the atrocities of the world- drugs, abuse, perverts, etc. In our churches we feel safe and we can find people like us with whom we can feel comfortable. And there is a great deal of affection and love for our family members. However, for those outside the family, we see them as neighbors, good and/or bad, but still neighbors. The good guys outside they're fine as long as they don't pose any difficulties. The bad neighbors- dirty sinners- we like to distance ourselves from them so as not to be confused with them by others. Instead of seeing the lost we seek cleanliness in the fishbowl. For those churches that really do reach outside, they're growing because that was God's intent and following the instructions given us in Matt 28:19,20. Funny how that works.

Tim

Many conservative Christians allow their theological conservatism to bleed into a logistical conservatism, even to the point there they cannot distinguish between the two. Theological conservatism is defending beliefs such as the inerrancy of Scripture, the divinity of Christ, the physical resurrection of Jesus, the trustworthiness of the Bible as an historically accurate record, etc. Logistical conservatism has to do with the style of music, the esthetics of the place of worship, traditional evangelical programs, the way we do "Sunday School,' the time of worship, and so on. The later are the accouterments of the Church, not their essence and if they fail to achieve the purpose, we should be willing to put them all on the table and change as needed. But, if we allow our "conservatism" to bleed into our logistics, then we end up defending these things just as vehemently (or more vehemently) than we do the Gospel itself. 

Greg

We tend to go to the church that matches our theology!
Joe

Churches cater to their people's wants and desired. There is little sound, biblical teaching and even less disciple making. So no growth in spirit, no growth in numbers, no impact in the community.

Dale

Most likely the ones doing the reviews are members/guests of that church. And, the reviews are more oriented toward ‘customer satisfaction’ than anything else. I’m sure that is not intentional on their part, but that also says something. Here’s a thought: through Jesus, God was willing to move all of heaven and earth to save us. (Reread Matthew 27-28, and count the times universal laws were upended!) 

Question is-when was the last time the church was willing to move heaven and earth to save the lost? Surely we have-as we ha e millions of Christians worldwide. 

The question should not be: “are we pleased with our decision or response, BUT, is Christ able to do anything with the response we give?”

Randy

The church is comfortable inside the four walls. Defense is the order of the day instead of offense against the gates of hell. The power of the Spirit is available to every believer if only we allow Him to use us to accomplish His work. 

Rusty

For the most part, I think that as long as church goers believe their needs are being met, then the church is doing a good job, and that it is the pastor’s job to handle those issues outside the church.

Susan

We have chosen to be content. 

Tom

People are satisfied because churches have become a reflection of society, self centered and hedonistic.  It has become an institution that seeks to save itself and as Jesus said, "He that seeks to save himself will loose himself."

Jack

What keeps our churches from being fruitful and effective for Christ – by His standards – in our communities?

In an attempt at brevity, I will list broad-sweeping general observations of unhealthy churches in my experience, such as: insularity; “stranger danger” – circling the wagons; fear of change, thus the need for control (control over and within “my church,” “our church,” control over who is included and excluded, etc.); and all negative, generational fruits from idolatry of the “family church” priorities and dysfunctions, avoiding direct or consistent personal engagement with new people and relationships in the surrounding community.  All of these are signs of over-individualized, personal-security (or half-hearted) faith in Christ.  This more convenient faith is detached from Jesus’ passion for all people and His heart priority for His followers to reach the lost with His love, truth, and grace, instead of judging and forgetting our sisters and brothers He died to save.  Even when we “do missions,” we do the missions we want to do, on our schedule, TO the people we choose to serve occasionally, instead of being in ministry and mission alongside the people Christ wants to reach thru us each week.  Basically: His priorities still are not our priorities, and we are ignoring the Holy Spirit’s promptings and cries.

Paul

A couple reasons come to mind, on a quick first take.  I name these with a descriptive, not prescriptive, lens:  

1. In a culture and context of rapid and frequent change, many congregations represent those churches who cling to some traditions and "stabilities" of another (and longed for) era.  Because of this "clinging" the members frame it as a positive.

2.  Given our cultural epidemic of loneliness and isolation, one's church may be shrinking in size and perhaps in vitality; yet, nonetheless, it provides a tribal and relational belonging.

So, in summary, LONGING for a so-called "glory days" past; and, BELONGING to a group of folk in an era of great change, uncertainty, and isolationism.

Michael

Somehow, the only time God vomits is in the case of The Church at Laidecia. Too neutral. (Just make ‘em happy and keep the $ flowing) as well as those churches who lost their first love. 

Wes

Morning sir. I believe that we have an identity problem in the church. We have lost focus on the priorities and purpose of the church. 
To be brief we’ve made it more about the church instead of Christ. Raising our families in church instead of Christ. 

Andy

In our communities in North Carolina, the buckle of the Bible Belt, we are still looking at the reality of between 65-70% unchurched population. Every multi-housing community, like apartment complexes, is around 95%?unchurched. Then when we see what churches are actually doing or not doing, it is understandable as to why we are not making a greater difference in our communities. Leave the Bible Belt and go to places like Seattle, the unchurched population is over 95%.  

Steve

We live in a society that is all about "me."  In this case, is the worship good for me, does the sermon appeal to me (and my way of thinking), are the other members people that I like and am comfortable with?   Jesus came for our good (absolutely), but didn't always make it appealing or comfortable.  I'd like to think that the church does (at least occasionally) make us think hard, experience different types of worship, and even make us uncomfortable.  But that might not get such good ratings.  

Mary

Everything in this world has been made simpler and easier, including worship.  I see faith as becoming shallow, with an ever expanding gray area between right and wrong.  Come to  worship, sit, enjoy the music, and allow a sermon to tickle your ears, leaving feeling happy and refreshed having logged your attendance.  Then one can rate church as a "5" and go on about one's business.  It's all about feeling good.  May God help us.  We need a 3rd Great Awakening.

Gary

I think the surveys are possibly tainted in that only people with positive responses respond. 

Steven

Luther or perhaps Augustine said “The Church is the Bride of Christ and the Devil’s whore”.  Most churches will sell out if the price is right.  It all depends on what they want and what the price is.  “Keep the power brokers happy, be relevant whatever that is, don’t rock the boat, keep the cash coming in.”  Here is the principle of whores and many churches, “Give me enough of what I want and you can do what you want with me.” To be a follower of Christ we first must die to self", which is message rarely heard and when heard so watered down as to be meaningless.  I believe that in many cases before the people will learn to die to self, a lot of churches will have to die. 

Name withheld on request.