HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CHURCH?

Jesus said that He would build His church, and the gates of Hell would not overcome it (Matt 16:18). He also said that He would never leave us or forsake us (Matt 28:20). Now, fast forward to about 96 A.D. and we find the church being persecuted and no new revelation from Jesus. The church was discouraged and needed reassurance that Jesus was still in charge, and that He knows exactly what is going on. So, the Apostle John was given the Book of Revelation to encourage the persecuted church and to show what is to come.

In the early chapters of the Book of Revelation He writes letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each congregation. In this He demonstrates that He knows exactly what is going, hasn’t abandoned the church, and has a plan for mankind that results in His return. In Chapters 2 and 3 Jesus assess the health of seven churches.

Here is a list of the churches, the commendations and condemnations of each:

• Ephesus: Commended for their labor and endurance, condemned for leaving their first love and losing sight of their first priorities.

• Smyrna: Commended remaining faithful during their tribulation, NO condemnation

• Pergamum: Commended for not denying the faith, compromising with society, condemned for false doctrine.

• Thyatira: Commended for their love and ministry, condemned for false doctrine.

• Sardis: NO commendations, condemned for being apathetic

• Philadelphia: Commended for missionary zeal, NO condemnations

• Laodicea: NO commendations, condemned for being lukewarm, Christ is not a part of this church, He stands outside the door, knocking.

So, if Jesus were to write a letter to your church, what would He say, both commending and condemning? How do you assess the health of a church?

Here are a few suggestions:

Are your church’s priorities the same as those of Jesus? Matt 28 tells us that the church is to GO in to all the world, preaching, baptizing, making disciples and teaching. How does your church spend its money? Does 80% or more go for overhead in the form of salaries, benefits, mortgage payments, apportionments, maintenance, utilities? How much of the budget is for missions work? What type of a teaching program does your church have? What level of participation is there at all age levels where people actually are disciples, studying the Word of God? 

James 1:27 tells us that TRUE religion is taking care of those in distress (widows, orphans, etc). How much effort and resources are there in reaching out to help others?

What type of an atmosphere is there at your church? Take a look at Gal 5:19-23 where Paul tells us the difference between the works of the flesh and the gift of the Spirit of God. Is the atmosphere at your church one of fear and intimidation, divisions, selfish ambition, power struggles? Or is there a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc.”

The church in Corinth was a very immature group of believers. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are STILL not ready. You are STILL worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not WORLDLY? Are you not acting like mere men?”

Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind.” Notice that these Christians were not living as Christians and they were to be changed, growing more and more like Jesus. How? By renewing their minds. How do you renew your minds, change the way you think to be more in line with Jesus? By studying the Word of God! What does it say about your church and your own transformation of your mind if you have been a Christian for years and are still unfamiliar with the Word of God? If your church experience consists of one hour a week listening to a twenty-minute sermon, how much transformation can you expect in your life?

So, if your church and its members were to be given a “spiritual” examination by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, what would his assessment be? Would He declare the church and its member “fit for duty” as they say in the military?