Evidence of a healthy church

Growth can be a sign, I think. Obviously there are wrong ways to do it, but I think a church that is moving in the right direction in their preaching and teaching of Scripture, and the worship of God from their congregation will show signs of growth. People will flock to that.

Missions is a huge sign for me, also. A church that sits and does nothing for its community and world is dying. Mission trips aren't just for the youth!!!

 

Churches in which people, in their normal courses of life, invite others.

We currently have no "formal visitation program" here. I'm not knocking them at all...some of them are excellent! But our folks are witnessing, sharing, investing, and inviting at the baseball fields, at Wal-mart, at Chik-fil-A, and their workplaces. They are doing it because God is moving and they are excited about what He is doing. People naturally share what they are excited about.

 

Attendance numbering in the thousands, budgets in the millions, big, fancy buildings.

 

Churches are healthy where the pastor is not the source of all spiritual life and growth, that is, people are feeding themselves daily and come together to worship and learn more.

 

In a nutshell- Spiritual unity!

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

It is possible! I have seen it happen. But it flows from a Spirit-filled church leadership and Spirit-filled congregation.

 

I don't agree, although I believe you may be speaking sarcastically. I've known of many small 20-50 person churches that were extrememly healthy.

 

Yes, that was sarcastic, Joshua. That tends to come naturally to me. Sorry. :tonofbricks:

Church health is measured by commitment to Biblical truth. Everything else will follow this. Love is apart of this. Unity is a part of this. Missions is a part of this. Financial health is a part of this, etc.

 

Sorry Pastor, I'm not awake yet. Glad to see you don't see it that other way!

 

Well stated!

 

No need to apologize. I should have made it clear that the ol' tongue was in the cheek.

 

How about Mark Dever's list in his book Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

1. Expositional Preaching

2. Biblical Theology

3. The Gospel

4. A Biblical Understanding of Conversion

5. A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism

6. A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership

7. Biblical Church Discipline

8. A Concern for Discipleship and Growth

9. Biblical Church Leadership

 

Or, you can just make sure the fried chicken is hot when you have fellowships.

(also tongue in cheek, in case Joshua's listening) :thumbs:

 

That is really good. The only thing else I can think of for a healthy church is a reverse ratio of workers for the Lord vs pew sitters in most churches.

 

The only thing I might add would be Biblical-based, theology-driven worship.

 

Are there really churches like this somewhere?

 

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42


The church at that time was the most spiritually strong ever, so it would be the best example.

First a church should hold to sound doctrine. Next there should be strong fellowship and sharing. Breaking of bread would indicate a closeness with Christ, and lastly but by no means least a healthy church must have a strong prayer life.

 

I agree. Heaven help us to know the difference between a crowd and a church.