What is a Healthy Church?

I think if you asked 100 Pastors that question you would never get the same answer. Could you imagine what Rick Warren would say? The more the better and everyone finding their purpose. Kenneth Copeland might say, everyone speaking in tongues and getting wealthy. MacArthur might say, if everyone surrendered to the Lord.

Was the church in Acts a healthy church? What about the seven churches in Asia Minor? I like what Dever has to say, but it isn't to say he is right or wrong.

 

Then I would like to invite him to our church. He'll hear the gospel, see a congregation that loves one another, and for the most part and healthy congregation that knows how to reach the world for Christ. His statement is arrogant, particularly in light of ...

This goes hand in hand with the Rev's thread on defending systems over defending the gospel. Despite the beliefs of many well-meaning adherents of that certain doctrine that is so often the cause of strife on this forum, the gospel is not a system or a doctrine, but the very word of God, and not system or doctrine can hope to contain the nuances and depths of the gospel. Dever, if your comments about it are accurate, would appear to be contributing to the furtherance of that error.

 

Is this something he says outright?
If so could you provide a quote.

Is there actually a list of healthy pastors on Dever's website?

 

I'd like to hear a quote as well. That is a bold accusation.

Knowing the 9 marks of a healthy church, my guess is that he is saying in the context of solid "biblical theology" (not in the discipline sense but a theology that coheres w/ the Bible) is one of the marks of a healthy church. He would then put aspects of reformed theology in that area of solid theology thus making it one of the marks of a healthy church.

However, my guess is that he would not say that non-reformed are unhealthy. Maybe not as solid as they could be, but not unhealthy.

So again... please provide a quote. Otherwise, this is some kind of slander/libel (get 'em mixed up). If not, then very harsh accusations along with really poor reading and observation skills on the OPer.

 

Good work Evan ..... your going to start a fight. I can almost foresee it now.

Personally, I like Mark Dever. He has a systematic approach to organization & I like that. But somebody needs to tell him that he looks like Fred Flintstone with that 5 o'clock. Either he needs to grow it out in a beard (might look scholarly) or he might want to invest in a cordless Norelco & shave before he gets videotaped. :smilewinkgrin:

 

"Physician, heal thyself." So glad Christ would never say that to His church.

Who has made the dumb or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? If you find a "healthy" church, don't join it. You'll just handicap it with your own weaknesses.

 

I think it is a two way street on that church registry. Churches that want to be on there agree w/ Dever. Thus they are reformed. I wonder though if it is a requirement or just a natural result.

 

That is hilarious.

 

Huh? Mark/9Marks don't necessarily endose churches on the list, and basically any individual can just fill out the form and get their church listed. (a church I belonged to was once listed there unbeknownst to the congregation)


http://www.9marks.org/churchsearch/

 

This completely throws out the OP then.

 

It says there is minimal screening done.

If you recall I pointed out a Wesleyan church in Colorado on the 9Marks directory.

 

9Marks does not have the man power to screen every church submission. However, I've used it before to get an idea or the lay of the land (local church options). Then I went to the church's website to do a further investigation. By and large, it is like-minded churches on there.

Honestly, I prefer the Gospel Coalitions list more. Bit more evangelical, less baptistic.

 

Same thing on 'The Gospel Coalition' directory:

There's quite a range, everything from Episcopal to Assemblies of God, even United Methodist.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/network/church-directory/state/arkansas/harmony_assembly_of_god

 

I was just saying that I prefer TGC better because it is broader in its reach than 9Marks.