What a Healthy Church Looks Like
In the first century, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a church in Ephesus to give instructions for how churches can be growing and healthy. Paul wrote, “[Jesus] makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:16).
At Worship Center, we desire to be a healthy church. A church is only as healthy as its culture. The culture of any particular organization consists of the habits and behaviors of the people in it. Since healthy things grow, we believe a healthy culture is essential for a growing church.
Paul gives four principles for building a healthy church culture in this passage.
Families, teams, businesses, and any organization with people who are working together can apply these timeless principles.
Four necessities for building a healthy church culture:
1. EACH PERSON KNOWS THEIR PART
We are individuals with different parts. “By his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well” (Romans 12:6). Just like a physical body part knows its purpose by being connected, many times, we discover our individual part as a result of being connected.
2. EACH PERSON DOES THEIR PART
We are responsible for doing our part. Since God is the Author of our gifts and abilities, we are answerable to him for how we use what is given.
3. EACH PERSON UNDERSTANDS DOING THEIR PART HELPS OTHER PEOPLE GROW
We are interdependent. Just like a physical body brings value to each part, and each part brings value to the body, so it is with the church. The church brings value to each person as each person brings value to the church.
4. EACH PESRON DOING THEIR PART RESULTS IN THE WHOLE BODY BEING HEALTHY, GROWING, AND FULL OF LOVE.
In the body of Christ, God’s job is to make the parts fit together perfectly. Our job is to know our part and do it. Let’s encourage one another to be followers of Jesus who are healthy, growing, and full of love (watch this for more on the purpose of church).
If you are interested in discovering your part at Worship Center, we offer Count Me In, a three-week class that explains what it means to be planted here (sign up for the next Count Me In here).
P.S. — Click here to check out the sermon titled: “I Love Jesus But Not The Church.”