What Makes A Healthy Church

There are many opinions about what makes a healthy church.  I’m sure that if asked almost every single church would point to themselves and say, “we are.”  Some churches would say, “see all the cool things we do, “we have dinners and events to bring everyone together.”  Some might say, “look at all the things we do for our community.”  Others would say, “we are growing in size and now we need to have 2 services on Sundays until we can get our new building built.”  A few might even say, “look at how packed we are in services.”  We have a kid’s ministry, an elder ministry, a ministry to the homeless and a “Divorce Care,” “Celebrate Recovery,” a men’s ministry and a women’s ministry.  Our Worship Team just made their 4^th album and are touring next summer to bring blessings to other churches that are struggling and don’t have what we have. 

It’s also very easy to see what makes an unhealthy church if you simply read Revelations and look closely at the message that Christ had to the 7 churches both in warning and encouragement.  John describes, lukewarmness, tolerance of false teachings, moral compromise, idolatry, spiritual deadness and loss of the first love (which is Christ). While they are praised for perseverance and faith, they had issues that made them not just struggling but, in some ways, they were becoming detrimental to the faith.  I don’t believe that Jesus was ashamed of His church as the passage indicates that He was standing in the middle of church. (Rev. 1:12-13) He wanted it to be better and more like Him.

We live in an age where it is popular to say, “I am spiritual but not religious” and in fact many people are embarrassed to be a part of a Church.  Like you and I, that is due to some disappointment with the local body or even the leadership of that body.  There is a distancing that takes place, but I want to say this with all humility and deference. No church is blemish free and as a whole, imperfections are always there.  Quite honestly, because the people in the church are not blemish free and also have many imperfections. 

So, knowing there are flaws how do we find the church that is healthy for us.  Paul suggests several things that we must look at in order to determine the health of a church. Paul emphasizes that a healthy church is centered on Christ, built on the faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word (the Bible), empowered by the Holy Spirit, characterized by genuine love and humility among members, focused on discipleship and evangelism (the Great Commission), and led by godly, sacrificial leaders who serve, not lord, over the flock. So some characteristics that we can look for are:

First, is the church Christ-centered.  Does it focus everything back to the mission statement that Christ is first.  The Pallotine sisters when they wrote the mission statement for St. Mary’s Medical Center, started all statement with “The love of Christ impels us.”  (Colossians 1:18) Servant leadership should be the focus.

Second, is there love and unity led by humility and service.  Not just getting along but true love.  Love that holds to a standard set by Paul in (I Corinthians 13 & Philippians 2:3-4)

Third, is there Spiritual Power in the group led by the Holy Spirit.  Not just feel-good emotions at an altar call but true innate power of God. (Romans 8:14 & I Corinthians 12)

Fourth, is there an active prayer life.  Consistent and intense.  (Acts 2:42) (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Fifth, is there evangelism and Discipleship.  Faithful sharing and teaching.  (Matthew 28:19-20)

Sixth, is there obedience to the Word of God. (I John 2:5)

Seventh, is there sincere and true worship that leads to incredible God that we serve? (Colossians 3:16 & Acts 2:42-44)

I am sure that there is a lot more that people will have to say.  Some will criticize, a few will add, some will not like the focus. This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list but it’s a good starting point to look at the churches we attend. We could almost use the list as a scorecard in each area to look at ourselves and our church.  

It isn’t the size of the church, the color scheme in the building, the sound system or the flashing lights.  What matters is the heart of the church.  We should evaluate ourselves and our position within that body.  The body of Christ isn’t made to be a feel-good place for us but a place for us to look within ourselves and see where we need to grow.  John F. Kennedy's famous call to action from his 1961 Inaugural Address: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country," inspired citizens to contribute to the nation's well-being. This is a great way to see our relationship with the body of Christ.  Ask what can I do to build up the body and make it stronger and focused rather than what benefits do they have.  Benefits come when the body is strong.   Paul states clearly in Colossian 1:18 and again in Ephesians 1:22 that there is one head of the church. 

Our churches, just like us, should replicate the character of Christ...

Much love

Preach