Our Church Focus?

Posted by On Filed under Blog, Dying Test, HealthTest

The following is taken from email from: Dan Jarvis, Managing Editor of Revive Magazine from Life Action Ministries

1) ZOOM OUT, 2) ZOOM IN, 3) Take Picture.

The email was referring to the focus of the families and individuals who attend our church. Are we focused on the right priorities? The right mission? The right vision for life?

Are we arranging our lives in such a way as to maximize our kingdom impact? Are they giving, loving, sharing, praying, and going out with intentionality, with relevance, with fruitfulness? Are we absolutely clear on how to accomplish their mission in life (and is the church helping us find that clarity)?

He compares the focus of a local congregation to that of focusing a camera, arriving at perfect clarity is a delicate matter—if you change positions, or if the subject of the photo changes, or if the lighting changes, refocusing is probably necessary. The same is true for church leadership; in a fast-paced culture where things keep changing (and we keep changing as well), the process of refocusing is critical, and it’s continual.

If we have not refocused lately, we may well be out of focus.

He speaks of three steps to getting focused back to mission clarity, both organizationally and personally. These three steps are 1) ZOOM OUT, 2) ZOOM IN, and  then 3) Take Picture.

Zoom Out: Consider the mission God has you and your church on earth to accomplish (the Great Commission, in the spirit of the Great Commandment).

  • Is our church providing clear, up-to-date evangelistic training?
  • Does our church have an intentional disciple-making strategy that engages a majority of the congregation?
  • Do we have any measurable goals to reach our community, nation, other people groups, etc.?
  • Are the families in our church valuing outreach and missions above earthly things?
  • Is our church providing proactive opportunities for people to engage in outreach?
  • Is our collective engagement in global missions growing, and is our strategy up to date?
  • When was the last time we had a comprehensive review of our mission effectiveness as a congregation?

Zoom In: Consider your spiritual heart condition, and that of your fellow leaders and church members.

  • Are we enjoying our first-love relationship with God?
  • In our church, is sin confessed and humbly repented of?
  • Do we have a culture of holy living?
  • Do I and my leadership team members have strong, dynamic, growing relationships with God?
  • How are we evaluating the spiritual growth of our people, and what pathways do we provide for them to intentionally grow up in their faith?
  • Is there anything organizationally, culturally, or relationally that may be hindering the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst?
  • When was the last time we evaluated the spiritual health of our leadership teams, and measured them against biblical priorities and qualifications?

Take a Picture: Utilize the answers to all these questions to get a clear picture of where we are today, and compare that with God’s vision and mission for churches and believers. From there, we can ask God to bring our future into focus.

  • What next steps should we take, individually or together?
  • What should we stop, and what should we start?
  • How could we more clearly communicate this to our congregation?
  • What are our areas of great spiritual need?
  • What specific ministry activities need to be refocused due to changing conditions?
  • What is our picture of the future (vision), and are we on track to get there?

He states  that he is pretty sure we’ll always be needing some amount of refocus in our ministry work, as I’ve been at it for many years and still find myself clarifying, simplifying, adjusting, starting and stopping.

He  closes with the thought  that  he is sure our experience is the same. Let’s pray that, above all, the Lord would give us focus on the things that are most important to Him.

 

The  above  is  another way to examine  the health  of our local church body!

07 Community Focus

Posted by On Filed under community, HealthTest

Many churches alow the local community to become a neglected mission field. The church needs to desire to be the heart and soul of the community. How does your church rate in the following areas:

1. Church regularly prays for community?
2. Church regularly has community focused events?
3. Church membership has large number from local community?
4. Community leaders are members of church?
5. Church ministers to young people of the community?
6. Church has a website and uses social media to inform the community?
7. Church provides financial support to needy in the community?
8. Church members are involved in service activities for the community?
9. Church provides family activities for the community?
10. Community sees the church in a positive manner?

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then your church possibly needs to put additional prayer and focus on the local community.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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01 Prayer Test

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Corporate Prayer is a critical element in the health of a church.After much study and prayer, we believe that prayer is the most important element for good church health.

Rate your church on the following statements 1-10:

1. Church encourages members to spend time in God’s presence and speak with God in prayer.
2. Church encourage a time of corporate prayer
3. Church teaches that God cares about me and listens to all my concerns.
4. Church testifies that prayer has changed how they view and interact with the world.
5. Church encourages to begin and end services with prayer.
6. Church encourages to pray the Lord’s Prayer frequently while meditating on the words.
7. Church encourages us pray with one another.
8. Church encourages us to pray for others more than self
9. Church encourages a daily quiet time of prayer and meditation
10. Church encourages that we meet the enemy’s attract with prayer and God’s Word.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

We suggest that you do a more detailed church health evaluation by using the list of simple teats on the “Church Health” page from menu above.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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02 Vision Mission Test

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The success of a local church depends on our focus and dependence upon God. Yet God’s plan has always depended upon faithful obedience. Although we recommend that a church develop both a vision and mission statement we are treating them as one in this testing process.

Rate each from 1-10

1. Does our church have a simple vision statement?
2. Is our vision understood by most of the membership?
3. Does our church have a mission statement?
4. Is our mission statement understood by the membership?
5. Does our church have a strategic plan (how to accomplish our mission)?
6. How well are our vision, mission, and strategic plan coordinated (agreement)?
7. Is it understood by the church membership?
8. Is our church organized in a manner to accomplish our mission?
9. How well does our church acknowledge God through corporate prayer?
10. How well does our church emphasize the importance of God’s Word?

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If your church seems to fail this quick test, we recommend that you use our more detailed test that is found from menu above under “Health Check”.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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06 Fellowship Test

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Church Fellowship is a very important element to church health.

Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. Church is careful not to overburden staff members and volunteers so that there is no time for relationships.
2. Church has developed strategies for extending fellowship to those who are not part of the church.
3. There are regular sermons focusing on the significance of fellowship in the life of the church.
4. Church provides opportunities to build relationships by praying together.
5. Church maintains contact with members/prospects who are away from home & those in leadership in age groups other than their own.
6. Church provides opportunities to build fellowship through ongoing outreach, evangelism, and ministry.
7. Church provides opportunities to build relationships through fellowship activities beyond Sunday.
8. Church has created an environment of grace, acceptance, support, and encouragement.
9. Church encourages new believers to unite with the church through baptism.
10. Church members provide an environment that encourages a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If your church seems to fail this quick test, we recommend that you use our more detailed test that is found from menu above under “Health Check”.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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03 Ministry Test

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Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. Our church consistently teaches/preaches that the Holy Spirit has given gifts to each believer that must be used in the body.
2. Our church has an ongoing strategy and method for helping people discover and use their spiritual gifts.
3. Spiritual giftedness is the primary consideration before enlisting a believer to be involved in a ministry.
4. Help members understand their spiritual gifts given by the Lord.
5. Helps members serve in areas that match for my spiritual gifts.
6. Our church confirms and evaluates my spiritual gifts regularly.
7. Church provides biblical teaching on matching spiritual gifts with needs.
8. Church matches the spiritual gifts needed to fulfil that ministry.
9. Sense of freedom to serve in my gifted area even if it means saying “no” to other opportunities.
10. Believers in my church feel fruitful and fulfilled in ministry that match their giftedness.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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05 Discipleship Test

Posted by On Filed under HealthTest

Bible focused Discipleship is critical for Church Health.

Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of studying the Bible.
2. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of personal confession.
3. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of petitioning God, through prayer, for ourselves and others.
4. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of reflective disciplines (such as journaling,
5. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of listening to God’s voice.
6. Our church encourages and equips its members to live out the practice of pursuing God’s will.
7. Our church encourages and equips our members in the spiritual disciplines.
8. Our church encourages all to be involved in some element of church ministry.
9. Our church encourages regular church attendance and financial giving.
10. Our Church encourages all to be proactive in sharing their faith.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

Free On Line Coaching

08 Evangelism Test

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Church Evangelism is the how we implement the Great Commission.

Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. Our church shows concern lost souls in our community.
2. Our church intentionally and creatively explore ways to make our presentation of the gospel relevant to unbelievers.
3. Our church trains and equips our members to effectively present the gospel to those outside the Christian faith.
4. Our church is passing on faith in Christ to the next generation.
5. Our church demonstrate acts of love, justice, and mercy to people who are in need.
6. Our church attends to the needs of the world’s most impoverished people.
7. Our Church is living out an outward focus.
8. Our church has regular community outreach events.
9. Our church leadership regularly mentions need to evangelize community.
10. Our corporate prayers mention our desire for salvation of the lost.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

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09 Stewardship Test

Posted by On Filed under HealthTest

Church Stewardship is a good indication of a Church’s health.

Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. Our church provides instruction on stewardship (of time, talent, and financial resources) for our members?
2. Our church provides instruction on financial generosity (giving joyfully and sacrificially) for our members?
3. Our church gives generous portions of the annual budget to local and international missions?
4. Our church provides for those in need within our fellowship of believers, including the unemployed, the widowed and single parents.
5. Our church operates within the church’s annual budget.
6. Our church operates with financial integrity and accountability.
7. We are living out stewardship and generosity in our church.
8. Giving of time and money to church ministries encouraged regular by church leadership.
9. All church leaders encourage service and financial support of church
10. All members are visible in service and are perceived to be financial supporters of church.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

Free On Line Coaching

10 Worship Test

Posted by On Filed under HealthTest

Church Worship Service flows from the key elements of church health.

Rate Your Church 1-10 on each of the following:

1. My church consistently teaches/preaches about glorifying God through the discipline of biblical worship.
2. The words of the songs my church sings in worship are biblically accurate.
3. My church’s worship leaders always direct my focus toward God and not the music, musicians, choir or themselves.
4.After the worship services at my church, I generally feel as if I have been in the presence of God.
5. The Bible plays a significant role in my church’s worship services.
6. I am inspired to live for God and grow in my personal worship as a result of participating in my church’s corporate worship.
7.I am completely unaware of time during my church’s worship services.
8. Worship is always inspiring because the center of attention is always God and His glory.
9. My church’s worship services could be characterized by the phrase: “He must increase and I must decrease.”
10. I never allow other events to keep me from attending my church’s worship services because they are too significant to my spiritual growth and inspiration Rate.

Meditate on each of the ten questions, give each question a value between 1-10, add up the numbers and if the total is less than 70 then this represents an area for church to focus on improvement.

If you have questions are would like to leave a comment see menu above.

If you test below 70% on a category, it may indicate that you need to focus some time and resources on that category. If you test below 70% on more than three categories, your church needs to be concerned and take immediate action. Based upon the scores you might need to seek outside intervention, because many times the local church leaders are a key portion of the problem.

Free On Line Coaching