September 18, 2026
I often sit down with couples who are about to get married and ask them to tell me about their households as they were growing up. These questions are meant for the couple to consider the ways in which their families interacted, what they talked about, what they didn’t talk about, how they treated one another, how they approached various topics, and what they valued. Pre-marital couples are encouraged to reflect on these things because they need to consider the origins of their own thinking and behaviors. They also must consider what behaviors, thinking, and values they want to establish in their own household as a couple. What kind of thinking, behaviors, and values do you want to have shape your life? What does Jesus expect of his apprentices?
What we’re discussing in these conversations with these couples is called culture. I think I like this definition of culture the best:
The collective fabric of an organization, woven from principles, behaviors, values, and routines that define how people operate and interact.
You are surrounded by culture all day every day. You are part of a culture when at your place of employment, on a team, in your home, in your church, or even with a group of friends. Any organized group of people will have a culture that forms around them and forms them as they operate in doing what they do and interact with one another. A company may have a culture of positive feedback where each employee knows that they are expected and feel compelled to speak into the work of others in a way that is constructive toward each person and the end goal of the company. A team may have a culture of criticism where each team member receives and gives criticism to one another frequently and this culture builds fear and negativity into the group. A family may have a culture of physical affection. Everyone hugs or gives a loving touch on the shoulder. You see, culture is automatic. Every place has culture. Culture can be intentionally built into an organization, or it will develop unintentionally. Someone once said that culture is what you allow.
Churches have culture, too. The Apostle Paul had to deal with some toxic culture that had been built and allowed in the Corinthian church. Look at his letter in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
People of all different backgrounds and experiences were now part of one Christian body in the Corinthian church. However, people in this church developed a love for themselves, their personal spirituality, and their own desires more than they developed a deeper love for God and one another. Read the book. It was a mess. The Corinthian church had, among other things, a culture problem. Paul had to assert a new cultural expectation of God-given, selfless love! He talked to them about behaviors, mindsets, and routines. He talked to them about what they had allowed and what they needed to do with intentionality to become the church Jesus wanted them to be.
What kind of culture exists at White Oak? It’s an introspective question that deserves thought and action. Church culture can look many different ways. A church can be welcoming or cold. People can behave with a unified vision or with divided interests. Churches can worship exuberantly or with reservation. Its people can be generous or not. Churches can be loving and grace-filled or judgmental. A church can have a culture where its people are self-focused or others-focused: Sold out and willing to put it all on the line for the mission of connecting others to full life in Jesus!
I am working hard to help build on the foundation of great culture at White Oak. We will be intentional. We cannot afford to just let culture happen. Where a change is necessary, we’ll do it. I am excited to continue this work with you! Each of us is a part of WOCC’s culture. You don’t have a choice. The question is what kind of culture are you helping to build? I am excited for our work ahead! We have much to do for Jesus’s mission and he’s given us great resources and opportunities to see it done.
Moving together,
Nathan
Nathan Hinkle
Lead Pastor
