Congregational self-studies suggest that 1/3 of churches are healthy. There are 19,000 churches in Canada with an average Sunday morning attendance of 100. If 70% of our churches are not healthy, then tragically 1,330,000 people are attending unhealthy churches. Pause with me for a minute. If these churches worked to improve their spiritual, relational and organizational health, the impact on our world would be revival.
One of the earliest indicators of church health comes from the casual comments of leaders. When asked what a church believes, leaders from unhealthy churches typically tell what they don’t believe in. They know something is wrong but are comfortable with their discontent. They rarely tell what they plan to do differently but like to tell what other churches are doing wrong. Leaders from healthy churches tell what they believe in and about their exciting plans for the future.
Healthy churches have several qualities in common.
First, they are committed to personal and corporate prayer. A busy, hectic church life and work schedule often lead to a lack of prayer. “But seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV) When leaders set an example of prayer, followers join in. When a church takes prayer seriously, exciting things happen in people’s individual and corporate lives.
Your next step to improved organizational health is the skill and spiritual health of your leaders. Paul told Timothy, confirming the importance of leaders, “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. (Titus 1:5 NIV) Further, Moses sets the example in Exodus 18:25-26 when he “chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people.”
Your third and ongoing step is discovering your Vision, Mission and Values and aligning all your decisions and programs to work in sync. Why did God put you, your leadership and your church in this place at this point in time? Who are you as a church and what are you working to accomplish? What is your prayerful dream for your church? It is critical in improving your church’s health to have buy-in and support from your people to support the vision.
Leadership is ensuring all activities and programs are Christ focused and covered in prayer.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group