Most churches have a degree of illness in them. This is to be expected. The church is composed of flawed people.
We should not talk about church health without using the Bible. Do we regularly compare our church health to biblical principles? Three key principles make up the foundation of a healthy church.
People Before Task Lists
Jesus instructed us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), not to put our to-do lists before people. Life gets busy with tasks and errands. If we are not careful, we will get all of our boxes checked off but miss the hungry soul that crosses our path.
Scripture Before Comfort
An uncomfortable issue can singlehandedly kill a church. When a fellow believer has an unhealthy aspect of life that needs addressed, Ephesians 4:15 encourages the church family to speak the truth in love — not ignore the issue in hopes it will magically disappear. If there is an offense or sin between believers, Matthew 18:15–17 clearly tells us how to meet and take care of it. Texting or sending a Facebook message does not count.
Lord Before Pastor
This might be a bit sensitive for some folks, but it is right there in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3). We are to have no other gods before Him. Did you know the use of “gods” here could be translated “people of greatness or power”? Pastors are in this category. A church must be careful not to place the pastor on a pedestal so high that the pastor becomes the focal point instead of God.
Healthy churches make greater impact for the kingdom.
SCRIPTURE:
Exodus 20:3
Matthew 18:15–17
Matthew 22:39
Ephesians 4:15
Brent Dumler is the director of GROW Ministries at Christ Community Church in Columbus, Ga. This article includes principles from the church’s operational values, which can be downloaded at
Visit fmchr.ch/dumler for an expanded version of this article.
