There is less agreement on vision and mission and goals are much less specific. One begins to see a break between faith and practice. People are less ready to address problems and would rather ignore them as long as possible. If a church does not address the problems that are beginning to arise it will become a declining church. Communication around conflicts is completely shut down.
People are now in conflict about vision and mission and theological infighting begins.
Outsiders, in particular, are very aware of the split between the walk of faith and the talk. White washed sepulchers becomes a good description. Problems now are not only not addressed but buried. The final stage is a demising church. No one wants to talk about anything that really matters.