What lessons can we learn from healthy churches?
James Slack said he saw 14 lessons for church leaders from his in-depth research on
congregations of the Southern Baptist Convention. His work reminds us that observations
worthy of consideration can come from analyzing and reflecting on demographics, spreadsheets,
surveys, interviews, and historical studies. Below are his 14 conclusions about local churches.
Which of them do you find surprising?
Which churches are growing?
- New units grow faster than long-established churches.
- Aging within a church almost inevitably ushers in a ministry style that is "come"
oriented in contrast to ministry that is "go" centered.
- Older churches do not start as many new churches as do younger churches.
- Churches often drift upward on the economic scale.
- The longer a church is in a community, the less it becomes like the demographics
of that community.
- Existing, established churches have normal plateau and ministry limits.
- Only as a church effectively expands its
discipleship base will it sustain
infinitely reproducible church growth and church planting.
- More baptisms
and greater membership growth occur in zones or areas that are located away from existing
churches and their "come"-oriented activities.
- The difference between ministry in so-called "responsive" and "non-responsive"
people groups is not in the average number of baptisms per church but in the number of
new units or churches that are being started.
- Churches in resistant cultures tend to begin as or soon become cosmopolitan
drawing members from a large geographic area rather than community churches rooted in the
neighborhood. In resistant cultures, community churches have far greater influence on the culture
than do cosmopolitan churches.
- As models or ways of church planting, training, and materials are repeated and
age, they become hallowed -- and almost "unchangeable" -- patterns even if they are no
longer relevant.
- If a lost person or people group is illiterate and poor, the chance of their being
evangelized decreases proportionately to the heights of their illiteracy and the depths of their
poverty.
- Most theological training programs tend to be more academic than
functional.
- To be effective, Bible teaching, including Sunday School and other forms of
discipleship, must be done in a context that includes intentional evangelism.
Does God like variety?
"We have some concepts about what a church is that come more from our culture than from
the Scripture. We need small churches and large churches equally. We need vibrant churches
and conservative churches as well. It seems to me that God has a diversified portfolio." -- Chris
Babcock in "Church Size and Outreach Success"
-- Howard Culbertson,
Afterword
Healthy church congregations often share several key characteristics:
- Strong Sense of Community: Healthy congregations
foster a sense of belonging and support among members. They prioritize building relationships,
creating opportunities for fellowship, and caring for one another.
- Clear Vision and Mission: They have a clear
understanding of their purpose and mission, which guides their activities and decisions. This
clarity helps members stay focused and motivated toward common goals.
- Effective Leadership: Healthy churches have leaders
who are visionary, compassionate, and capable of inspiring others. These leaders empower
members, delegate responsibilities, and encourage participation in various ministries.
- Biblical Teaching and Discipleship: They prioritize
sound biblical teaching and provide opportunities for spiritual growth and discipleship. This
includes relevant preaching, Bible studies, small groups, and mentoring relationships.
- Worship and Prayer: They value authentic worship
experiences that engage hearts and minds, drawing people closer to God. Prayer is central to their
gatherings, both corporately and individually, recognizing God's sovereignty and seeking His
guidance.
- Outreach and Service: Healthy churches are actively
engaged in their communities, seeking to meet needs and share the love of Christ through
practical service and evangelism.
- Unity and Diversity: They embrace diversity within
the body of believers while maintaining unity in faith and purpose. They celebrate the unique gifts
and perspectives of each member, fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.
- Stewardship and Generosity: Healthy congregations
understand the importance of stewardship, not only of financial resources but also of time, talents,
and other gifts. They encourage generous giving and responsible management of resources for the
advancement of God's kingdom.
- Adaptability and Innovation: They are open to
change and innovation, recognizing the need to adapt to cultural shifts and new opportunities for
ministry. However, they also remain grounded in timeless biblical principles.
- Accountability and Discipline: Healthy churches
maintain structures of accountability to ensure integrity and spiritual growth among members and
leaders. They practice discipline in a spirit of restoration and reconciliation, seeking the well-being
of individuals and the congregation as a whole.
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