My son preached about how to know if you are in a dead or dying church, and I thought this little excerpt from the sermon was good.

"Dead and dying religion sees people as the enemy, Jesus sees sin as the enemy.

Dead and dying religion makes God the boss and you the employee: Jesus makes God the father and you a son or daughter.

Dead and dying religion is fueled by fear and punishment: Jesus is fueled by love and mercy.

Dead and dying religion is safe and practical: Jesus is radical and unpredictable.

Dead and dying religion grades righteousness, causes judgment of others; doesn’t encourage questions; focuses on how instead of who and wants you to serve the church and not the world."