HOLY AND HEALTHY CHURCH

“That He might present her to Himself a GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing..." – Ephesians 5:27a

The Health and Well-being of Believers are secured and sustained by the HOLY and HEALTHY CHURCH: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:25-27).

Health is not cheap. It is also not always self-evident. Physical and mental health cost time, attention, and money in both preventive and curative terms. People may not have physical complaints and yet they may be unhealthy. Therefore, we must be proactive with regard to our health. If being proactive is important for physical health, the same is true for spiritual health and the health of the church. In particular, the health of the Church leader will contribute to the health of the Church.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Owner and Builder of His Church. He said to Peter: “on this rock I will build MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Mt.16:18b). However, the Lord is building His Church using imperfect human co-builders, hence possibility of defects, deficiencies, imperfections or inadequacies. As the Head, the Lord is concerned about the state – health, well-being and growth – of His Church. Just like our routine physicals, regular evaluations are critical for long term church health, such that strategic steps can be developed to improve the health profile.

Here are Seven characteristics of the Healthy Church:

• JESUS is the Focus: The Healthy Church is Christ-centred – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth” (Jh.14:14). He is the Owner, Builder, and Head of His Church (v.22). The evidence of deepening devotion to Jesus is seen in public worship, small group interactions, and individual transformation.

• TRUTH is the Standard: The church adheres to the truth of God’s Word – Scripture is the foundation of preaching, teaching and life-application across the spectrum of churches. Vision and strategy develop through the grid of His Word: “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth!” (2Cor.13:8).

• SALVATION and HOLINESS are the GOALS: In the Healthy Church, people come to faith in Christ on a regular basis, and life transformation is normative. Conversions to Christ are regularly witnessed in worship services, small groups, and personal encounters with unbelievers: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The saints learn to “pursue peace with all people, and HOLINESS, without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb.12:14).

• LOVE – Sacrificial Love – is evident: The love of believers toward one another and toward those outside the church is a distinguishing mark, which speaks to the authenticity of our faith – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jh.13:35)..

• LEADERSHIP is strong and visionary: Forward looking leaders, grounded in God’s Word and godly in character, paint a biblical picture of preferred future, which inspires God’s people to move to the next level of their journey of following Christ.

• FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER: Worship, preaching, programmes, facilities and human connections should reflect a healthy church that is the radiant bride of Christ: “And the Spirit and the bride says, “COME…”  (Rev.22:17). Members are challenged to grow in their walk with Christ, and ascend the next level of spiritual maturity, including the discovery and use of spiritual gifts, personal study of God’s Word and prayer, and ownership of the mission.

• EQUIPPING for SERVICE is vital in the kingdom. The church has a culture of mentoring, discipleship and training (2Tim.2:2). Emphasis is placed on preparing God’s people for service rather than mere impressive performance.