Are you looking for a church and wondering if it is healthy? Do you have questions about what to look for?
This article will help you assess whether a congregation you are considering regularly attending is growing and thriving or if it is experiencing negative results of having a flawed perspective on the Bible, Jesus, or the mission of the church.
For centuries, the church has been a cornerstone of faith for many people. It serves as a place of worship, fellowship, and community; and it can be a place of profound spiritual growth.
However, not all churches are created equal, and not all churches are healthy.
Here are five signs of a healthy church that you should look for:
In my 30 years of being a Christian - 20 of which have been as a pastor - I have witnessed both healthy and unhealthy churches. Between my personal experiences as a church member, and those I have had in the role of coaching pastors throughout New Hampshire with Overseed in goals surrounding revitalization, I have learned firsthand what characteristics are found in churches that are robust.
A healthy church should be centered on Jesus Christ, and the preaching and teaching should be grounded in the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right" (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT). Therefore, the church should not be focused on the opinions or ideas of the pastor or leaders, but on the truth of God's Word. As Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35 NIV).
A healthy church should have an outward focus, seeking to build people up to become more like Jesus and serve their community. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27 NIV).
The church should not be focused on what it can get from the people but on what it can give to the people and the community. As Jesus said, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
A healthy church should have humble, authentic leadership. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV).
The pastor and leaders should not be focused on building their own platform or promoting their own agenda, but on serving the church and leading people closer to Jesus. As John the Baptist said, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30 NIV).
A healthy church should be mission-focused, seeking to reach the lost, care for the least, and train the found.
Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission, saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
The church should not allow programs or events to become more important than reaching people with the Gospel and helping them grow in their faith. As Jesus said, "for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10 NIV).
A healthy church should be multigenerational and multiethnic, reflecting the diversity of the body of Christ.
This means that the church should be welcoming to people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. The church should be a place where people from different walks of life can come together in unity to worship God and serve one another. The importance of diversity in the church can be seen throughout the New Testament.
In the book of Acts, we see the early church made up of people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together to worship and serve God. On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came, people from all over the world heard the Gospel in their own languages and were added to the church. This diversity continued as the church grew and spread throughout the world.
The Apostle Paul also wrote extensively about the importance of unity in diversity in the church. In his letter to the Ephesians, he wrote, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV).
If you’re looking for a place where you can worship God, build healthy relationships with other believers, and grow in you faith, it is important to find a healthy church.
Look for a church that focuses on Jesus, preaches what can be directly found in the Bible, and actively and intentionally seeks to build people up both in the church and outside of the church. Also,look to see if the leaders are humble and authentic, and if the church prioritizes the mission of reaching all people with the love of Jesus over their personal ideas and preferences around their programing.
Check out these helpful articles:
Do you live in the Concord, NH area? We invite you to check us out. Grace Capital Church is located at 542 Pembroke Street in Pembroke, NH.
Ever wondered about the deeper meanings behind the word "saved"? Dive into the richness of the Greek translation with our comprehensive guide, "Living SOZO." Unlock transformative insights, engage with thought-provoking activities, and connect more deeply with your spiritual journey. Embrace the full power of "sozo" and transform your life today!
👇 Click the link below to discover "Living SOZO." 👇