What Makes A Healthy Church?

Paul Thomas

There are two parts that make up a healthy church. The first part is “sound teaching.” The second part is the “work done within the congregation.”

1. Sound Teaching. In 1 Peter 2:2, Christians are told to be like “newborn babes, desiring the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow thereby.” Once that pure word is implanted in our souls, it should become easier to do the things that God wants us to perform as Christians (James 1:21, 25). Sound teaching also helps us to respect God’s authority in all that we do, especially in worshipping in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). If we are of one mind in striving to be obedient to the Scriptures (Ephesians 4:13), then it will be a lot harder for false teachers to come in and tear the congregation apart (Acts 20:29-30).

2. The Work Done Within The Congregation

a. Fervent in Spirit (Romans 12:11). Have you ever noticed that stagnant churches often have poor singing, and growing churches usually have powerful singing? We need to be excited when we have the opportunity to come together to worship God as well as being able to admonish and build each other up in love (Hebrews 10:24; Ephesians 4:15).

b. Effective division of labor (Romans 12:4-5). We know that not everyone can be preachers, teachers, song leaders, prayer leaders, etc. However, God has blessed us with many assorted talents. As is illustrated in Ephesians 4:16, “the whole body is joined and knit together by what every joint supplies,” thus causing the growth of the body and edification in love. No role is greater than another (1 Corinthians 12:19). For those of you who are older and are not able to do as much as you used to do, through your zeal and dedication to the Lord—especially as seen in your attendance--you have shown me that you are the members that are deserving of “greater honor” (1 Corinthians 12:22-23).

c. Natural evangelism (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:5-6). We are the light of the world (2 Corinthians 4:6) and the “fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Those who you are closest to or work with are a great place to start, because they can see the genuineness of your faith and love for them. We also need to remember to cultivate existing relationships with lost people, as they are primary contacts for evangelism (James 5:20).