Signs of A Healthy Congregation

1. The healthy congregation is founded on and acts out the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness. (Luke 6:46-49; Acts 2:42; Acts 4:33; Matthew 6:33)
The unhealthy congregation focuses on the needs and requirements of this world, rather than the teaching of Jesus. (Mark 4:18-19; Matthew 6:19-34)
The believers in an unhealthy congregation give commands to each other that are not found in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. (Mark 7:1-8; I Corinthians 14:36-39; Revelation 22:18-19)

2. The members have faith in Jesus Christ, have repented of their past sins, have been baptized, and have received the Holy Spirit. (Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Acts 2:37-38; Luke 14:33;)
The unhealthy congregation sanctifies or accepts something that Jesus and the apostles call sin or fail to discipline believers who do not repent. (I Corinthians 5:1-2; I Timothy 6:4; Revelation 2:20)

3. The believers adhere to the teaching of Jesus and obey it with all their heart as disciples of their master, including, receiving the Lord’s supper, loving their enemies, renouncing wealth, seeking the lost, reconciling with brothers, pray regularly, etc.
The unhealthy congregation allows some aspect of the teaching of Jesus to be ignored or despised. (II John 1:9; I Timothy 6:3-4)
The unhealthy congregation listens to the words of Jesus, but do not do them. (Luke 6:46-49; Revelation 2:4-5)

4. They meet together regularly to worship together, to pray and to encourage each other to do acts of love and righteousness and participate in the Lord’s supper. (Acts 2:42, 46-47; I Timothy 2:1; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 2:46)
The believers in an unhealthy congregation separate from each other due to petty controversy, unforgiveness, unclear interpretations of Scripture, or rejection of actions that are not sins in the teaching of Jesus. (Mark 7:1-8; Romans 14:1-13; Galatians 5:19-21; I Timothy 1:3-4)

5. The actions of the believers in a healthy congregation are controlled by the desire to benefit the other. (Philippians 2:3-4; Matthew 7:12; Galatians 5:22-23)
The actions of the believers in an unhealthy congregation are based on selfish desires. (Philippians 2:3; James 4:1-3)

6. There are clear manifestations of the Holy Spirit, through power and giftings used by all the believers, supporting the church and the teaching of the gospel. (Acts 2:43; I Corinthians 12:7-11; I Corinthians 14:26)
They deny the power of the Spirit or they focus on powers so much that they are blind to the requirements of love. (Mark 3:22-30; I Thessalonians 5:19-21; I Corinthians 12:31-14:1)

7. When there are physical needs among those in the congregation, or among believers passing through, those who have resources attempt to meet those needs. The congregation also strives to meet the needs of unbelievers, as they are able.(Luke 12:33; Acts 4:34-35; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 6:32-36; Galatians 6:10)
The unhealthy congregation ignores the needs of the poor and needy, withholding their good for their own comforts. (I John 3:17; Acts 5:1-10; Luke 12:15-21)

8. Conflict between members is dealt with in the church, in reference to the teaching of the apostles, in love and gentleness, through mediation if necessary. (Acts 15; I Corinthians 6:1-8; Galatians 6:1-2; Matthew 18:15-17).
In an unhealthy congregation, conflict is ignored, dealt with in outside courts, or dealt with harshly. (I Corinthians 6:1-8; Galatians 6:1-2)

9. If sin is found among the believers, the sin is confronted gently, with the goal in mind to cause the believer to repent. (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1-2; Luke 17:3-4).
The unhealthy congregation ignores those who are apart from Christ in their sins, or denies them forgiveness when they repent. (Luke 15:1-32)

10. They are bold and loving in their witness of Jesus Christ, and they suffer because of their proclamation of and obedience to the gospel or stand with those who do suffer. (Acts 4:1-34; Revelation 2:9-10; II Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 13:3)
The unhealthy congregation avoids suffering at all cost, even if it compromises the gospel. (Mark 4:16-17)

11. They have a good reputation and a positive relationship with other congregations, meeting the needs of other congregations and listening to the correction and encouragement of others. (I Thessalonians 1:7-9; II Corinthians 8:1-8; Ephesians 4:11-13)

12. Although they remember that they are all brothers before God, elders and deacons of the healthy congregation are respected and submitted to and they in turn serve humbly, with the needs of the individuals in the church foremost in their minds. (Hebrews 13:17; I Peter 5:1-5 ; Luke 22:24-27)
The unhealthy congregation ignores the counsel of the elders and speak ill of their church leaders. (I Timothy 5:17-19)
The leaders of an unhealthy congregation lord it over the congregation, demanding control and strict obedience to their every whim. (Matthew 24:45-51)