This is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves as believers. If we fail to ask and answer this question, we risk impacting the entire local body of Christ with whom we join. No pressure some would say but in reality considering the potential consequences a little pressure is exactly what we should feel.
So if finding my fit is important then finding a healthy body of believers to fit with is an absolute first step. During class yesterday we looked at these twelve characteristics that must be present in a healthy body:
1. Uncompromising Teaching of God’s Word (Psalm 119:9-12)
2. Passionate Worship (Psalm 138:1-4)
3. Passion for the Lord (Philippians 3:7-11)
4. Heartfelt Prayer (John 15:4-5)
5. Disciple Growers (Matthew 28:18-20)
6. Penetrating Love & Care (Mark 12:28-31)
7. Leadership Development (Ephesians 4:11-13)
8. Outreach and Missions (Psalm 90:1-2)
9. Powered Vision (Hebrews 11:1-2)
10. Effective Stewards (Proverbs 3:9-10)
11. Appropriate Programming (Philippians 3:12-14)
12. Replication
After looking at all of these characteristics, I believe our church body at South Cleveland is a healthy body of believers. Now with that said, we have a lot of room to grow and I believe God is challenging some of the old time attenders to find their fit as well as bringing us some new people to strengthen and enhance this body.
So with that said, how can we get better as a body of believers? What's left to be done? Where do you see opportunity for our body to be used by God?
I am proud to tell people I attend SCCOG. We absolutely have the uncomprimised teaching thing happening. It is great. I feel we could work on the Leadership development and the Appropirate Programming. Our church has so many wonderful people who can offer so many great things, however, they are not pushed to use thier talents. We definately fall under the 20/80 rule. Our body needs to be challenged to become leaders in our local church and our community. Our programs are good don't get me wrong. I feel we are leaving some people behind. We need a group for our divorced people. We need a group for our singles, we need a group for new believers and new to southers. These come with time, but time has come in some ways. The great thing about being healthy is finding areas to improve and improving. We are healthy and we want to stay that way. Challenge each other to continue to grown and work on our areas that are a little sick.
ReplyDelete