Healthy Church
The Healthy Church
This blog is the last part of a ten-part series on the church. We will be ending this series by summing up and discussing a healthy church.
A healthy church is a church that sticks as close as it can to the example we see in Scripture. Healthy churches submit to Christ, the head of the church, and each one to another. A local healthy church allows and encourages its members to manifest and use the gifts and ministries they have been given.
Church Ministry Focus
In regards to church leadership and the office and role of elders in the local church, is defined by the requirements listed in Scripture and they are men only.
Within the local body, though, ALL have God’s spirit and should be ministering with the gifts GIVEN THEM BY THE HEAD, JESUS!
LESS FOCUS should be on women ministering and MORE, MUCH MORE FOCUS, should be on the elders doing their job and scolding the men for NOT STEPPING UP, especially into the gifts they were given.
Men & Women Ministering
The reason for the spotlight on women ministering is because they are ministering and many men are doing nothing or very little! If men were using their gifts as women are, there would be harmony in the church and the body would benefit from ALL people using their gifts. Men don’t minister gifts in place of women, they should be using them alongside them!
There shouldn’t be so much focus on women ministering, but more on men NOT ministering their gifts and on some men not willing to “govern or shepherd” as an elder. (In today’s church, it is hard to even get quality men to “pastor” a church or be an elder according to the qualifications listed, not just to fill a title or a vacant “job.”)
We don’t need to have a title to minister with the gifts God gave us. We must just get busy using them and serving one another.
A Healthy Church Focuses on the People
In general, the “church” today does not resemble a biblical church. It has become more of an organization or club that meets in a building. In Acts, they appointed elders to take care of the spiritual needs of the church and to keep order. It was not only them ministering but all were ministering (thus they needed leadership to keep the order and to keep out false teachers).
The church back then invested money into the church, that is, the people who had needs. The western church today invests money, a lot of money, into a building, parking lots, and interior design. I do think we will be held accountable for this as well in regards to our stewardship of what we have been given.
Gifts in a Healthy Church
The problem today is that the “pastor” is expected to basically possess and execute all the gifts. This expectation is put on the position (job) because they pay him and they think he has more time than that of the members.
When you expect one person to do everything, those with similar gifts often slowly fade away and just stay slouched in the pew. There is no reason, or encouragement, to use their gifts unless it is teaching because they need a Sunday School teacher because the pastor can’t be in five classrooms at once.
Shepherding is a GIFT or ministry in the church, not a “job.” The elder/overseer is a job and they should have the gift of shepherding, teaching, knowledge, and wisdom (which are all gifts that are given by God and Jesus).
Healthy Leadership Serves the Church
If you eagerly desire a gift, you may receive it, but you don’t just go to school to learn to teach and now you have the GIFT. You can learn any skill, but that does not mean you are gifted in the church.)
The church was not set up as a dictatorship and the leaders were placed in the local church to SERVE the needs of that church, not meet their own. Jesus said, if you want to be first, you must be willing to be last. Elders are like parents, and a bad parent doesn’t let their kids grow, they just do it all for them. Being an elder is a DUTY, not a gift. Shepherding is a gift and ministry.
A Healthy Church According to Romans 12
The bottom line is summed up in Romans 12:9-21
Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Healthy Believers Make a Healthy Church
Thank you for joining me throughout this series. If you missed any of the prior videos or blogs where this healthy church was discussed in more detail, you can find them here.
As always, I encourage you to seek truth, to love God, and to obey Jesus.
