As a pastor (a.k.a. a "professional Christian"...for the record, few things bother me more than being viewed this way...but that's another post...sorry for the long parenthesis...it's quite annoying isn't it), I am constantly reminded of people's expectations and the typical "measurements" for what constitutes a "healthy" church. (I've met a lot of "church experts" in my day.) Perhaps this post falls under the genre of "confession", but truthfully, the complexity of ministry today and managing people's expectations can be exhausting. Regrettably, I think that many folks apply the diagnostics of today's business models ahead of the Spirit-given biblical instructions for the church. Don't you think we should be more informed by the Book of Acts as to what "health" looks like in a local church than we are by Forbes or even Outreach magazines?
The following is a short list of "measurables" that can sometimes overshadow the real signs of health in a congregation. Let me be clear, none of these are inherently bad. In fact, they are all good things when viewed in a proper relationship to the real signs of health. I offer this as a helpful reminder, first to myself, of what "success in the church" may or may not look like.
Budgets
Sometimes people look to the church's bank account as an indicator of its health. How are the weekly offerings? How much did we increase this year's budget over last year's? What percentage are we giving to missions as opposed to the (clearly non-missions work?) youth, children's, or local outreach budgets? Are we secure financially?
Does having a solid financial statement at the end of the month always indicate "success" or "health" in a church? Probably not. Godly stewardship and generous (hilarious) giving is a great thing, don't get me wrong. But, it isn't the most important thing.
Buildings
Another false indicator of church health are the physical structures that are often mistakenly called "the church". The size and number of a church's buildings can be really impressive. But we have to remember that the church is a body, not a building. The church is a spiritual temple which temporarily gathers in physical spaces.
We at New Beginnings have been trying to figure out our long-term facility needs. It has consumed much of my time, energy, and attention over the past two years. It's been an issue of stewardship for us, and I'm glad we've been addressing these questions. But we can never mistakenly believe that having more or bigger buildings means we are "nailing it" as a church.
Bible Studies
I always get a little paranoid when I say this, but just because you attend 3-4 Bible studies a week, that doesn't automatically make you a great Christian. Certainly, we are to love God's Word and spend time in it--privately and with other believers. However, some churches boast in their "spiritual health" when in actuality they have an unbalanced spiritual diet.
We need to exercise (that is, to put into practice) the lessons and principles we receive from God's Word. Listen, you can never get too much of God's Word. But, you can over schedule yourself into so many "study" contexts that you fail to do what the Scriptures actually teach--like loving others, sharing the gospel, praying for the sick, visiting the widows, etc., etc.
Buddies
The final thing that we need to watch out for is equating the sheer number of people who attend our (said with puffed out chest) church with spiritual health. Sure, it is probably a good thing to see new people coming and the membership list growing. But my point is that the spiritual sum of one's church is not equivalent to the mere numbers of people attending. Authentic relationships, more than church acquaintances, are a truer indication of spiritual growth in the body of Christ.
So, what is a Better indicator of "success" in the church? What should really be the source of our boasting?
Baptisms
More than budgets, buildings, Bible studies, or buddies, the testimonies of people being saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ and following Him in the waters of baptism are true signs of spiritual success. The Book of Acts speaks of "the Lord adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (2:47; 4:4; 6:7, etc.). The movement of the Spirit is a true sign of real advancement for God. People build buildings; God builds churches through the gospel. I am desperate for God to keep saving people through our faithful witness.
oBedience
I'm running out of "B"-words, so I'll stop with this one. Jesus said to His followers, "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). True, spiritual obedience unto the person of Jesus Christ is the summary of real success for the church. Jesus set the pattern for us; a pattern of sacrifice, service, and surrender to the will of God. I am reminded of John's words, "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 2-4). Simple surrender and obedience to the truth of God will result in a vibrant expression of church life.
May we see the full Blessing of God in our lives as we focus on the right signs of spiritual health.
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