A HEALTHY CHURCH
Shortly after we arrived (nearly two years ago), we conducted an all-church survey, helping us discern the health of North River Church. We learned a lot. According to the Healthy Church Network, there are ten important characteristics of a church where good health is essential.
Those ten characteristics include:
An awareness of God’s empowering presence.
God-exalting, authentic worship.
Training and equipping to practice daily Spiritual Disciplines.
Learning and growing together in community.
A commitment to loving and caring relationships.
Development of servant-leaders.
An outward focus.
Wise administration and accountability.
Networking with the Body of Christ.
Stewardship and Generosity.
I told someone recently that I thought it would be a good idea to do the survey again sometime soon after your new pastor arrives.
THIS SUNDAY, Dr. Donovan (that’s me) is going to pull out his stethoscope in the pulpit and do a health check based on how one passage of Scripture describes a Healthy Church. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to put on one of those flimsy gowns!) We will pull out the Acts 2 Health Pamphlet and let it guide our Spiritual check-up. (We won’t talk about all ten.) THE VERY NEXT SUNDAY, (March 8), we’re going to take a look at what the characteristics of a Healthy Church MEMBER.
Health is important. Healthy things grow and produce good fruit. May the scope of the Holy Spirit expose what needs attention, and the scalpel of God’s Word accomplish the purposes of the Great Physician, who loves His Church!
See you Sunday,
Pastor (Doctor) Daryl