Healthy Ministries/Churches

From: Tuesday, May 29, 2007

One of the joys of my life is mentoring young men and women in the ministry. That is why my blogs are usually in outline form so they (you) can re-use the teachings in your own ministires. Here is subject close to my heart. We need to have healthy ministries. This is a teaching I did in Nebraska last year and if it is a blessing, please give me some feedback and use it!. Passing the baton, Gary Grogan/alias Papa G.

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Theme: 'Choices and Changes' that come our way. Keeping a right attitude in the journey. (Sometimes really tough to do.)

TS: In this first session we want to look at the 'Essential….'

SESSION #1: ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A HEALTHY CHURCH and use Acts 2:40-47 as a …
-Acts 2 outline: [a] Fire of Pentecost-HS [b] Fuel of Pentecost-Word [c] Friendship of Pentecost—Cultural of Relationships.
-Want to be clear that church health & church growth is not a numbers game, it is about fruitfulness and durability. In other words a ministry that produces fruit and that fruit lasts! And PLEASE remember we are not called to "how many" but "who!"

1. There is a commitment to prayer. Jer. 33:3

-We don't just believe in prayer or just talk about prayer but we really pray. Corporately and individually. Easy to run a service but a challenge to run a prayer meeting and not go to extremes! Dull or crazy!

-Share insight from Dr. Terry Tekyl based on his book the Presence…

Þ Insight: Presence Based Church
-He says there are basically two types of churches. In Martha churches people are at the center and Jesus is kind of… Calls this a 'head' church. Busy, worried, activities, programs.
-In Mary church he says Jesus is at the center and people are right here… These are presence-based churches. Greatest desire is the presence of God, people of the presence, listen to His Word.
+Wilkerson: David and Solomon Church.
-Leonard Sweet, Methodist-- C'ville seminar that pleaded with us to be the church in town where people could come and be wowed, not with a program but with God's presence.

-Only way that can happen is if we are people of prayer.
Insight: With so many models & ideas have you ever really thought about 'What Makes a Great Church'? Many things for sure, but it seems to me there are three basic things…
A. A place where the truth is proclaimed. Jesus saves…


B. Relationships are built. In order to build a culture of relationships some things we need to know about how groups function in the church world.

1. Large group mtgs—where life decisions are made. 2. Small groups—life process takes place. 3. Medium size groups—is usually where ministry takes place. Choir,etc.

C. Needs are met. Got to have systems and policies in place to help people or you will get your budget/yourself in trouble.

2. There is simple/functional organization and structure
-Of course organization is important --Mark 6:30-44 -- Feeding of 5,000
-Unhealthy churches are overly organized for their size. Healthy churches have simple organization
-Some have mtgs after mtgs to decide basic things. Have to have an amendment to constitution (act of congress) to get anything done.
-Believe in the 'set man principle'. Theocracy…
Þ Insight: Structure helps or hinders health! (This is big boys & girls!) J Churchsmart!

1 Cor. 12:28 "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostle, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, (we like all that but some how blink when we read the rest) helps, administrations, varieties of tongues."

-Service/helps and things properly ordered can bring the blessings of God!


3. The leadership understands its role is to equip people for ministry.
-Ephesians 4:11-16 Unhealthy churches don't recruit new people very good.
-Our vision as leaders will determine the future of our churches! Wow! We see what others don't always see—we see the invisible.
-Healthy churches have leaders who become possessed with a cause greater than they are [that is the why of missions!].
-As a pastor my passion is to see our people grow in X. How can I get them to grow in X.


4. There is a desire to grow.
-Acts 2:47 [read text GW]
-Another reason we are committed to Great Commission. Mat. 28:19-20.
-And if we are going to going to grow we have to 'challenge the process.' Andy Stanley has a great teaching on 'Challenging the Process.' He says leaders like change, growth, increase, etc…people like sameness… If we are going to grow, then he says we have to challenge the process, then we change, and then we grow.

5. There is a Biblical commitment to Purity/Holiness.
-Hebrews 12:14 Ron Auch gives an interesting interpretation of this verse.
-One of the diseases of an unhealthy church is that it tolerates known sin.
-We have to gracious deal with known sin. Ö Married couples living together Ö Living Together, A Guide To Counseling Unmarried Couples by Jeff VanGoethem –Kregel Academic & Professional Publishers. Ö Ministries Today Magazine, July/Aug. '05 issue,
www.ministriestoday.com

Insight: Healthy churches practice Matthew 18:15-17

Conclusion: I want to be healthy & have a healthy church, don't you? Guess we could say an unhealthy church has a disease or diseases. 1. No commitment to prayer. 2. Horrible structure & organization. 3. No equipping of the saints. 4. Little desire to change so there can be growth. 5. No real practical commitment to purity/holiness.

-Could call this the 5 diseases of an unhealthy church. Let's pray for healing! I still believe in healing, let's pray for healing!


Application:

What qualities of personal and cooperate health do you need to work on? *

Write down some 'health' goals for this year*:

Recommended readings:
·The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scarzzero – Zondervan Press
·The ABC's of Natural Church Development by Christian A. Schwarz. 32-page booklet for only $2 each. ChurchSmart@compuserve.com Get one for every one of your leaders and have them read it, discuss it, etc. They have LOTS of helpful, simple stuff!
·The Presence-Based Church by Dr. Terry Tekyl – Powerpointpress.com
* Sample of personal & cooperate 'health goals':

MY DETERMINATION GOALS
Philippians 3:10

1. I am determined to know the Lord Jesus intimately.
2. I am determined to be filled & flooded with all of God.
3. I am determined to appropriate all of God's power/grace so I can be continually transformed.
4. I am determined to let Christ make my experience practical.


UAG '06 GOALS


"…I AM WITH YOU … I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, YES I WILL HELP YOU. I WILL UPHOLD YOU …" Isaiah 41:10


1. Plan sermon themes & team preaching more in advance.
2. Constitution & By Law Changes. Train new deacons & elders.
3. Name change/signs.
4. Real financial health—cash flow—improvements. [a] $ In savings for Jan/June/Oct. [b] Department accountability [c] Raise $300,000 in Fall
5. Finish MA classes and papers.
6. The year of mission's trips!!!!!!!!!
7. Discovering Life is A#1 priority.
8.Choir problems solved.
9. See ISF truly a vibrant & effective ministry!
"Godly patterns are forward, one decision at a time." J. Oswald Sanders