Is Your Church Life-Giving?
Life-Giving Church Characteristics
For the most part I can say that growing churches in denominations, and certainly within ARC, are experiencing growth and life when certain characteristics are present. Some of these include the following:
Â
- Relevant. Their message is relevant-It connects to the needs of everyday people… every day.
- Inspired. Their source is inspired by the truth of the Bible. God’s Word is the foundation for all they do.
- Ancient. Their practice is ancient. They pray, study God’s word, serve, share Christ.
- Accepting. Their arms and hearts are open and accepting. They focus on the needs of people not on just “having church.”
- Powerful. Their lives are pure and powerful. There is a sense that the Holy Spirit is real and active in their services…something bigger than man.
- Authentic. Pastors are authentic, real and transparent. No hierarchy, just servants in different capacities.Â
- Focused. Their focus is edification of the believer and evangelism of the un-churched – the lost, the absent and the unfulfilled.
Â
These churches grow because that are healthy and alive. As someone wrote:
Â
“Healthy things grow,
Growing things change,
Changing things challenges us,
Challenge leads us to trust God,
Trusting leads us to obedience,
Obedience lead us to health,
Healthy things grow.â€
2
Comments
Bill Srearns
Hi Billy
I agree with this 100%! Pastors , leaders and members from every church across such read this blog! I love the way you keep it simple and straight forward when teaching or sharing the gospel!
I believe one of the reasons the ARC and the Church of the Highlands have had such growth is because both you and Pastor Chris speak the truth of God in a way that people GET IT!! Both of you give people a message that they can apply in their everyday life and be more like Christ! And when they leave, they can’t wait till the next opportunity to hear both of you again! It also helps that both of you are so real and transparent in sharing your own life experiences and what you have learned over the years in ministry.
I want you to know that I was blessed by your testimony in the “Life” small group book!!
Have a bless Day
Bill
PS I am looking for to the Catalyst mens conference this weekend!!
Shae
Billy,
LOVE this! It’s a GREAT measuring stick for us! If we ever doubt where we are, we simply re-read these points and praise God we are on track!
We just posted http://ilovefreedomchurch.com as a way to see if our people feel the same way…so far, these points you are making are coming up!
Thank you for all you do, and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! We love you,
Shane & Rachel Frazier – Freedom Church – Indiana
Leave a Reply