Today we complete our look at the 8 Essential Qualities found in healthy churches, we have considered Empowering Leadership, Gift-Based Ministry, Passionate Spirituality, Inspiring Worship, Holistic Small Groups, Need-Oriented Outreach and Loving Relationships. Finally we come to Effective Structures.
The bible doesn't give a model or blueprint for church structures and an historical church like the Church of England has some pretty rigid and inflexible structures that we can do nothing about. But within those limitations a healthy church will have Effective Structures that enable it to fulfil all its functions and responsibilities well. Structures that will also be flexible and ready to change as circumstances change. Too often structures and old ways of doing things can become a barrier to growth so we need to be constantly asking ourselves if these structures are relevant to today and how might things be done better and more effectively.
Is there something in your life which needs to change? Are you still doing the same things but hoping for a different result? If we can see areas in our lives where there needs to be improvement or something different, we need to change what we are doing or how we are doing it. Is God prompting you right now about an area in your life? What will you do about it with His help?
When a church is healthy in these 8 areas we have been considering it can only grow. Just as a plant with the right environment – with water, heat, light and nutrients - it can only grow. In my new role I will be coming alongside church leaders and leaderships and helping them address these issues in their churches.
Please pray that God will continue to prepare me for this new role and pray for the family of m2o as it goes on seeking to be faithful to God's calling upon each member – to live the life, share the faith and build the body.
Martin Saxby
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