How to build a healthy church, books, seminars, retreats, and conferences are vast. Yet, there are the four critical areas the New Testament church focused on, and we should do the same. These areas should be integral to every church that seeks to be healthy and have a growing ministry. Yes, healthy ministry should be growing.
These spiritual exercises are essential for the personal development of the church members and community. The first vital experience of the church was worship, the recognition of God for who he is, what he has done, and what we are trusting him to do. God inhabits the worship of his people, Israel. (Psalm 22:3) "The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy." (Psalm 147:11) and "For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:4) Worship is essential.
Secondly, the church experienced fellowship. Which describes believers' deep and genuine connection with one another in the Gospel culture. Share with one another God's grace. They willingly shared life and the hope of Christ with each other daily. Please note the word daily. Can we say that of our life as a church community? Here is where technology helps us deeply as a community.
Next, there was the education of the saints. These early Christians grew in knowing the Word through the apostles' doctrine. Tony Evas says, "You can't grow beyond what you know." Finally, the church engaged in outreach. Not in the fullness of the Great Commission but going from house to house. They were meeting peoples' needs, telling them about the goodness of Jesus, and God was adding to the church daily.
When those four components, Worship, Fellowship, Education (Word), and outreach, are sown into the church's life and, therefore, reaped as a harvest in the individual lives of its members, their spiritual growth will be well balanced, and a healthy growing family of faith will come naturally.
References:
Hebrews 10:24–25
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