A Healthy Church

 

 

As one reads the New Testament it is clear that the claim that “all churches are the same” or “a church of Christ is a church is Christ” is not true.  In the book of Revelation we find seven congregations examined by the Lord, and only two were entirely approved (Revelation 2:8-11; 3:7-13), while the others had various problems, these problems were not minor, but rather they were so serious that if left uncorrected, they would cease to be congregations that Jesus would recognize as belonging to Him(2:5).  It should be observed that there is more than one quality that is necessary to be a healthy congregation.  For example, the church in Ephesus had some good qualities (2:2-3), yet they were missing other things (2:4).  Therefore, we cannot conclude that since we are doing a couple of things right that we are a healthy congregation and more is at stake then just our own spiritual growth.  “I believe there is a direct relationship between church health and church growth.  Even if a handful of Christians get ambitious and convert a few lost souls, if they try to integrate these new converts into a local assembly that is dysfunctional, the odds of them growing strong spiritually in that environment are staggeringly low” (Evangelism Toolbox, Mike Wilson, p. 17).

 

Sound Doctrine Honors God

 

Jesus commended the church in Ephesus because, “You cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false” (Revelation 2:2).  At the same time He condemned the congregation in Pergamum because some were holding on to the teaching of Balaam (2:14), and the teaching of the Nicolaitans(2:14).  The Bible already has warned us that some will not want sound teaching, rather some may want to believe what matches up with their favorite lifestyle or preconceived ideas (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  “Truth will always be the hallmark of God’s faithful saints.  Even if a group appears healthy outwardly, and fosters what is perceived as a ‘loving openness’, if they do not practice the truth, they forfeit any claim to a right standing with God. In worship organizational structure and work of a local church, adherence to the divine blueprint is essential.  Respect for Bible authority will be taught and honored among the faithful. The prevailing attitude will be, ‘no deviations allowed’” (Wilson p. 17).  The apostle John noted, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 4).  The comment about a congregation appearing healthy, having a perceived loving openness yet not loving the truth needs a little more discussion.  In the book The Cultural Church, F. LaGard Smith documents how liberal churches do manifest an “openness”; but it is the wrong kind of openness.  “If they are open to unobstructed discourse about Scripture (usually at the initiation of someone else who happens to be so inclined), too often it is because they do not take Scripture as seriously as they ought.  At times they remind me of the philosophers on Mars Hill—willing to listen to anything, but willing to commit to nothing.  For them, biblical doctrine is interesting but not compelling; directive, perhaps, but not deciding” (p. 29).

 

Healthy Interaction

 

·        Good leadership:

 

Elders, teachers and evangelists who understand it is their mission to equip the saints so the saints can effectively serve and the body can grow (Ephesians 4:11-13).  This would include sermons, home studies and an organized plan of study that will accomplish this goal.  The purpose is to, “present every man complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

 

·        The Development of Talent:

 

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).  When Paul saw a talented Timothy, he immediately wanted the young man to work with him(Acts 16:3), and in the healthy, active and growing congregation at Antioch, many talented people existed (Acts 13:1).  “The church grows, and eventually gains powerful momentum, because each member is challenged to develop and use, to the fullest potential, his own talents and abilities” (Wilson p. 18).  On a practical level this means:

 

·        We are growing our own elders for the next generation.

·        We are training future preachers for ourselves and others.

·        We are attempting to involve everyone in some aspect of the local work.

·        Training is available for song leaders, teachers, future elders and deacons, preachers, husbands, wives and parents.

·        We seek to set the standard high for sermons, invitations, and class material so we are doing our best.

 

·        An Effective Division of Labor:

 

“So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, ‘It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.  Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2-4). Notice the statement, whom we may put in charge of this task.  These seven men were not simply “waiters”, rather they were selected to organize and coordinate the daily distribution of food and to involve others in the actual serving.  When we look at the qualifications for deacons, obviously we are not appointing a man so we can make sure all the light bulbs are working. Instead of merely doing all the physical work, the deacons are selected to coordinate and organize to meet both spiritual and physical needs.  Remember, putting many people to work, and keeping a congregation organized as it grows takes skill.  God does expect every member of the congregation to be involved and working (Ephesians 4:16).  Thus we have training, delegation, communication, coordination and follow-up.  Here is a list of tasks that need to be present in a healthy and growing congregation:

 

·        Leaders who anticipate needs, recruit, delegate, organize, coordinate and follow up.

·        Teachers who can involve and motivate the class and make practical applications of the text.

·        Hosts who open up their homes.

·        Prospectors who invite friends and neighbors.

·        Assistant Teachers who are ready to fill in as needed.

·        Hospitality Helpers who help the hosts at home studies.

·        Telephone Workers who give encouraging calls, and extend invitations.

·        Prayer Devotees who keep all these efforts before the throne of God.

·        People Persons who reach out spiritually and socially to visitors.

·        Teaching Helpers who reinforce truths being made by the teacher. [1]

 

Meaningful Worship

 

“Making melody with your heart to God” (Ephesians 5:19); “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you… singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

 

It is true that what we sound like is not as important to God as what is in our hearts, yet unhealthy congregations often do have poor singing, and healthy churches often have powerful and joyful singing.  The overall health of a congregation will affect our worship.  Healthy congregations will have sound doctrinally and meaningful sermons preached with “full conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5), and well as fervent prayers, and a genuine remembrance of Jesus’ death for our sins.

 

Being Passionate about God

 

A lack of passion for God and His kingdom might be what went wrong in Ephesus when Jesus said, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).  We certainly see a lack of passion in Laodicea, “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (3:16).  Remember, passion alone is not the answer, for people can be very passionate about error (Romans 10:1-2).  “Nevertheless, in growing churches, saints are passionate about personal sanctity, they ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ and they share their faith with joy and enthusiasm.  They cherish times of fervent prayer, and they talk about the gospel because it comes up naturally” (Wilson p. 18).  Paul summed up this attitude well when he said, “Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).  This passion would include:

 

·        Passion about our personal purity (2 Corinthians 7:1).

·        Passion about Bible study (Psalm 119).

·        Passion about prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

·        Passion about our marriages and families (Ecclesiastes 9:9).

·        Optimistic about our efforts (“fruitful labor”) Philippians 1:21-23.

·        Passion about seeing Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:22).

·        Eagerness to work, “if any man aspires to the office” 
(1 Timothy 3:1).

·        Passion about our own spiritual growth (1 Timothy 4:15).

·        Passion in our preaching (Titus 2:15).

 

Natural Evangelism

 

“For many Christians, evangelism is something reserved for a trained few, or they wait for a special ‘program’ before attempting it.  Intentionally or not, the idea is fostered that evangelism is something unnatural, something to be dreaded.  Rather than trying to manufacture prospects artificially, as in a media campaign, everyone is encouraged to cultivate existing relationships with lost people as primary contacts for evangelism” (Wilson p. 18).  We see natural evangelism in such passages as 1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:5-6 and Acts 17:17.  When we love people, evangelism will be natural.

 

Loving Relationships

 

Healthy congregations are known for mutual love.  “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:11).  On a practical level this means:

 

·        Hospitality abounds (Acts 2:46)

·        Members love to do things together  (Acts 2:46)

·        There is a strong sense of family (1 Timothy 5:1ff)

·        Mutual rejoicing and mutual sorrow are shared (Romans 12:15)

·        There is a definite absence of gossip and negativity.  What is spread is good news (1 Corinthians 12:26).

 

“There is usually an interplay of all these elements when a congregation is firing on all cylinders.  Success in personal evangelism is never totally isolated from the health of the local group.  Long-term success in keeping new converts is a team endeavor.  Sound teaching leads to sound applications (Wilson p. 19).

 

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017

www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net/mdunagan@easystreet.com

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