What is Church Health?
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gave an illustration of a church described as one body with many parts. In this same spirit, the Pioneers Ministry believes the health of a church need to be analyzed and assessed on the same foundational level as the health of a human body; namely, the various medical systems that define a human body. This includes the following:
The Skeletal System
The Foundation of the Church
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
... without the bones, there is no body...
The skeletal system describes the foundation of the church in the area of church governance, ordinance, doctrinal belief, and membership. The church health assessment in this area focuses on unity and stability in the practice of membership in these areas.
The Circulatory System
The Life of the Church
(Deut 6:5-7; Hebrews 10:24-25)
… without the blood, there is no life …
The circulatory system (cardiovascular system) describes the church's people programs that show life in the church. This would include how the church encourages participation in live worship, fellowship, prayers and related gatherings. The church health assessment in this area focuses on the willingness factor in ministry participation.
The Muscular System
The Works of the Church
(Matthew 28:19-20)
... without the muscles, there are no works...
The muscular system describes the church's efforts in evangelism (making disciples and baptism) and discipleship (teaching disciples to obey); exercises that contribute to church growth in all parts of the body. The church health assessment in this area focuses on the presence and effectiveness of these programs
The Respiratory System
The Resources of the Church
(Matthew 25:21)
… without the air, there are no functions …
The respiratory system describes the church's stewardship and finance, and how the church prioritizes its resources towards various ministries and programs. The church health assessment in this area focuses the strength of membership tithing, church budgeting, and the management of finance as good stewards in proportion to Kingdom ministry programs.
The Digestive System
The Teachings of the Church
(Joshua 1:8; 1 Timothy 4; Titus 2)
… without the food, there is no growth …
The digestive system describes the church's efforts to monitor the teachings of the church, and how leadership controls the teaching to resonate with members for spiritual growth. The church health assessment in this area focuses on how the church leadership monitors and ensures sound Biblical teaching and practice among its members.
The Nervous System
The unity of the church
(1 Cor 12:12-27; 1 Tim 3)
… without the senses, there is no control …
The nervous system describes church leadership and church order, and how leadership works together as one unit, observing and respecting each other’s functions in the body so that the body can function in unity. The church health assessment in this area focuses on leadership qualification and the unity factor of church leadership