10 Traits of a Healthy Church

[Guest JohnR]

Just a thought on a healthy Church. Are People being reach for Christ? Are People being Saved though the works of the Church? Isn't That why God saved us so we can carry the Gospel Of Jesus to the world? There are alot of growing Churches today that not getting people saved only Churched.

[OopsMartin]

A healthy "church" is one where everyone is welcome and allowed to participate in whatever way they are gifted. Does this describe a building where everyone sits down for an hour while someone at the front yakks?

The structure we've used for the last 1700 years doesn't really cut it...but are we ready for a change?

I think we are. Not all churches structures are ineffectual, but many are. It would be good to see a return to the plural leadership and the concept of co-ministry. More and more people are tired of being entertained and want to participate. It is the primary reason many good Christians just are not attending church on a regular basis.

[Guest]

The structure we've used for the last 1700 years doesn't really cut it...but are we ready for a change?

Amen Brother! And He's Coming Back! Maranatha!

[Floatingaxe]

Just a thought on a healthy Church. Are People being reach for Christ? Are People being Saved though the works of the Church? Isn't That why God saved us so we can carry the Gospel Of Jesus to the world? There are alot of growing Churches today that not getting people saved only Churched.

Amen! My church has salvations every week!

Over 200 people came to Christ during a week of services where about 15 of us went down to Vera Cruz, Mexico for evangelization. That doesn't happen if the home church isn't healthy.

When a church is static in growth, where is the vision for reaching the lost?

[Marnie]

Just a thought on a healthy Church. Are People being reach for Christ? Are People being Saved though the works of the Church? Isn't That why God saved us so we can carry the Gospel Of Jesus to the world? There are alot of growing Churches today that not getting people saved only Churched.

It depends on how you view the church according to the NT. In our church, our pastor did an extensive series on church growth last year and pointed out that the purpose of the church was never to save anybody or act as a magnet drawing in the unsaved. Rather it is the job of the church to train and educate believers to go out and fulfill the Great Commission and bring them into the Church, either saved or prepared to hear the Gospel. We give an invitation every week; I think almost every week somebody gives their heart to the Lord, but that's generally, not always, mind you, but generally after the soil of their heart has been plowed and been made ready by the Holy Ghost through faithful members as they share their faith in the community. Only G-d can save a soul. So I would say people are saved through the works of individual members of a congregation, not necessarily by the church. I think this is the essence of Ephesians.

Sorry for that run-on sentence back there.

[Floatingaxe]

Just a thought on a healthy Church. Are People being reach for Christ? Are People being Saved though the works of the Church? Isn't That why God saved us so we can carry the Gospel Of Jesus to the world? There are alot of growing Churches today that not getting people saved only Churched.

It depends on how you view the church according to the NT. In our church, our pastor did an extensive series on church growth last year and pointed out that the purpose of the church was never to save anybody or act as a magnet drawing in the unsaved. Rather it is the job of the church to train and educate believers to go out and fulfill the Great Commission and bring them into the Church, either saved or prepared to hear the Gospel. We give an invitation every week; I think almost every week somebody gives their heart to the Lord, but that's generally, not always, mind you, but generally after the soil of their heart has been plowed and been made ready by the Holy Ghost through faithful members as they share their faith in the community. Only G-d can save a soul. So I would say people are saved through the works of individual members of a congregation, not necessarily by the church. I think this is the essence of Ephesians.

Sorry for that run-on sentence back there.

Exactly!

[Guest yod]

Not all churches structures are ineffectual, but many are. It would be good to see a return to the plural leadership and the concept of co-ministry. More and more people are tired of being entertained and want to participate. It is the primary reason many good Christians just are not attending church on a regular basis.

I think you hit the bullseye, bro. That is exactly the reason men are outnumbered by women in church buildings. We find our identity in what we "do" more than what we "think" or "feel"

[Guest Biblicist]

I went to your blog, read your remaining list, and wondered why prayer doesn't make even honorable mention?

I agree AT, prayer should be at the top of the list. A church that prays together, stays together.

[Guest littleAngle]

could this chat room be concered chuch for those of us that are in a very rural area?

[Guest LadyC]

i'd also like to ask why prayer isn't on the list. it should be in the top 3, along with talking about Jesus and using the Bible. i believe a healthy church is very grounded in the Word.... God's word in print, God's living Word (Jesus) and our own words communicating WITH God.

our church meets your ten traits. but it also meets the prayer trait that is missing from your list. it's the first church i've ever been to that puts a very STRONG emphasis on prayer, and that TEACHES prayer.... and gives plenty of practice time every week, because part of the service (which is two hours long) is spent with the congregation asking for prayer, or giving praise reports on answered prayer, and this is followed by 'group prayer' in which we break off into groups of 3-5 people to pray together... out loud...

our pastor takes this responsibility in 'pastoring' very seriously. he wants us to learn to pray together so that we are comfortable praying with others outside the church... people we meet on the street, or at the car dealership, or wherever.