According to Carl Dudley and Sally Johnson, the discovery of strong and compelling congregational self-images binds church members together and energizes ministry. They describe five images of churches' relationships to their communities over time--the Survivor, Prophet, Pillar, Pilgrim, and Servant styles--thus allowing churches to gain the knowledge necessary to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses.
Discussing images such as: a pilgrim church - seeing people as extended family and sustaining them on their faith journey, a survivor church - having weathered storms of denominational turmoil (p4-7, 25, 41.) a servant church - reaching out to help the community in need. (p73)
Carl S. Dudley and Sally A. Johnson, Energizing the Congregation: Images That Shape Your Church's Ministry (Louisville, KY: Westminster / John Knox, 1993),