Healthy CHURCHES
Scripture Reading — Acts 5:12-16
More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. Acts 5:14
What are the signs that show us the spiritual health of a congregation? Actually there are many: the faithful preaching of God's Word, the exercise of church discipline, the fellowship of believers, and more.
One important sign that should not be overlooked is physical growth. A healthy congregation invites and welcomes new believers.
Consider the early church in Jerusalem. From about 120 believers at the time of Jesus' ascension (Acts 1), the church grew to more than 3,000 after Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. Then the church kept growing from that day on because of the preaching and teaching ministry of the apostles, the fellowship of believers, prayer, and the signs and wonders done by the Holy Spirit through the apostles (Acts 2:42-43). More and more people believed in Jesus because of the power of God displayed in the church.
Do we see the same eagerness today in people who go to church? Will that eagerness be evident in the church you attend tomorrow? For many people, the church is a boring place, and the building of more community-friendly facilities has done little to help change that impression.
Are any of the major signs of a healthy church missing from the church where you worship?
Lord, make us into powerful witnesses of your gospel of grace so that the world may know you! Help us to be healthy members of healthy churches for your sake. Amen.
About the author — Paul M'pindi
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