3 Systems to Develop a Healthy Church

There are routines that we put in place to keep our lives in a good state of mind and health. Eating habits, exercise routines, as well as not neglecting our Time with God. Similarly, there are systems that need to be in place to develop a healthy church. There are many other important systems, but I would like to focus on these three as primary.

1.         System for Discipleship and Spiritual Formation

“Make disciples of all nations.” Has been the mandate of Christ to the Church. Beyond accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, a healthy church needs to have a systematic and structured disciple system to nurture the spiritual growth of its members. A church that doesn’t have a discipleship program is akin to a hospital delivery room with no nursery to go to.

Spiritual growth is a natural progression, and the leadership of the church needs to ensure a system is in place for enabling new believers to grow in their knowledge of God and develop spiritual disciplines that will strengthen them in their walk with God.

Spiritual growth is a natural progression, and the leadership of the church needs to ensure a system is in place for enabling new believers to grow in their knowledge of God and develop spiritual disciplines that will strengthen them in their walk with God.

Without spiritual growth, there will be no spiritual transformation, no becoming more like Christ. Without spiritual development, there is no strengthening of faith and convictions. Without spiritual formation, members have nothing to guard themselves against the distractions and temptations of the world.

It’s not difficult to implement this system, but it requires intentional planning. Discipleship can take place through small groups, Christian education classes, age-appropriate teachings, mentorship programs, and membership classes. It’s also important to look into the spiritual diet of the church that is taught in the weekend services. Do we challenge members to uphold Christian standards wherever they are? Do we teach members to give in faith and obedience or do we shy away from difficult and sensitive practices?

2.         System for Outreach and Community Engagement

Christ came to save and seek the lost. Christ didn’t simply come to establish His church. He came to make disciples and commissioned us to be fishers of men! A church that doesn’t share the Gospel is void of God’s heart, with no meaning to her existence.

The Church doesn’t exist for itself. Your church is a lighthouse where you have been positioned. No matter how small your church or group may be, you are called to be the salt and light of the world. Just as Romans 10:14-15 says, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” Without reaching out, it is impossible to spread the word of Christ to our community, much less to reach the world.

The Church doesn’t exist for itself. Your church is a lighthouse where you have been positioned.

Churches need to communicate the heart of God for the lost and equip their members to effectively share their faith. A simple way to allow for outreach is to have a welcoming and inclusive environment where newcomers feel accepted and a sense of belonging. Begin a culture of inviting people to church. Conduct training for members to share their faith confidently so that they can bring the Gospel into their homes and community.

Bring the light into the community. Be a blessing to the community. Engage with the community and let people know that you are in the vicinity. Organize seminars or activities that are meaningful and meet the needs of the community. And don’t forget to invite your members to partner together to be fishers of men!

3.         System for Corporate Communications and Congregation Ownership

You might be wondering – why the need for Corporate Communications. Isn’t it only for the mega-churches that are into branding and mass communications? Wrong! If the church is going to effectively reach people – we all need to have better communication. And it begins with what your church stands for – can your members effectively introduce your church to someone else? Are your vision and mission described in a succinct and simple manner?

People are missional beings. Knowing the vision and mission of the church helps people to identify with the church and become a stakeholder. What is the story you want people to associate with your church? Does the appearance of our church and signage communicate the feelings we want people to experience? Do our social media, website, bulletin, and printed materials align with the story we are telling across the board? Do the various ministries in the church carry the same vision and mission?

Knowing the vision and mission of the church helps people to identify with the church and become a stakeholder.

Is the senior pastor’s voice coming through the communication channels? Don’t downplay this as an avoidance of being in the limelight. It’s important for sheep to know their shepherd and know his voice in order to follow him! You are called to leadership – so lead!

Good corporate communication also means communication channels are clear within the church. Members have easy access to all information to participate and engage in church events. Likewise, it will also be easy for members to invite their friends with the same information.

There are many other systems such as leadership and governance, but if we can get these three primary systems in place, I believe we can have strong healthy churches that will thrive in our world today!

健康教会必具备的三个系统

杨德文总督

我们制定一些常规使我们的生活保持在良好的精神和健康状态 —— 饮食习惯、运动习惯，与神独处的时间也不可少。同样的，健康的教会也需要建立一些系统。虽然教会有好些重要系统，但是我要重点讨论以下三个基要系统。

1.            门徒训练和灵命塑造系统

“使万民作我的门徒。” 一直是基督给教会的使命。除了接受耶稣为主和救主之外，一个健康的教会还需要有一个系统化、结构化的门训系统来培育会友的灵命成长。没有门徒训练计划的教会就像一间医院只有产房，而没有育婴室。

灵命成长是一个自然的过程，教会的领导层需要确保建立一个系统，使新信徒能够增长对神的认识，并发展属灵纪律，以坚固他们与神同行的脚步。

没有灵命的成长，会友就不会有属灵生命的转变，也不可能变得更像基督。没有属灵生命的栽培，就无法坚定信心和信念。如果没有灵命塑造，会友就无法保护自己免受世界的干扰和诱惑。

实行门训系统并不困难，但门训需要刻意规划。门训可以通过小组、基督教教育课程、适合年龄的教导、督导计划和会友课程来进行。我们也应该研究教会在主日聚会中教导什么灵粮。这也很重要。我们是否挑战会友何时何处都持守基督教标准？我们是否教导会友以信心和顺服来奉献，还是回避困难和敏感的做法？

2.            传福音和社区参与系统

基督来是为了拯救和寻找失丧的人。基督不仅仅是为了建立他的教会而来。他来是为了使人成为门徒，并委任我们成为得人的渔夫！一个不分享福音的教会欠缺神的心意，她的存在就没有意义。

教会并不是为了自身而存在。你的教会是你社区的灯塔。无论你的教会或团体有多小，你都被呼召成为世界的盐和光。正如罗马书10:14-15所说： “没有听见他，怎能信他呢？” 如果不走进社区，我们就不可能将基督的话语传入社区，更不用说传遍世界了。

教会需要传达神对失丧者的心意，并装备会友有效地传福音。传福音的一种简单的方式就是打造欢迎和包容的环境，让新朋友感觉被接纳且有归属感。让我们营造邀请人上教会的文化。让我们训练会友自信地传福音，把福音带入他们的家庭和社区。

将真光带入社区，成为社区的祝福。走进社区，让人们知道你就在附近。举办有意义且符合社区需求的研讨会或活动。不要忘记邀请你的会友与你同工，成为得人的渔夫！

3.            企业传播和会友主权系统

您可能质疑：为什么需要企业传播？那不是只适合致力于品牌推广和大众传播的大型教会吗？你错了！如果教会要有效地传福音，我们就都需要更好的沟通。首先，你的教会代表着什么 — 你的会友能否有效地将你的教会介绍给其他人？你的异象和使命是否以简洁明了的方式描述？

人是有使命感的。了解教会的异象和使命有助于人们认同教会并成为利益关系人。你希望人们如何谈起你的教会？教会的外观和标牌是否传达了我们希望带给人们的体验？社交媒体、网站、周报和刊物是否一致体现教会希望展现给人的印象？教会中的各个事工是否具有相同的异象和使命？

主任牧师的声音是通过通讯渠道传来的吗？不要为了避免成为众人瞩目的焦点而淡化这一点。羊必须认识牧者和他的声音才能跟随他，这很重要！你被召去领导，那就领导吧！

良好的企业传播也意味着教会内部的沟通渠道畅通。会友可以轻松获取所有信息以参与教会活动。同样的，会友可以便捷地使用这些信息邀请朋友。

我未谈及的还有其他系统，例如领导和治理，但如果我们能够将以上三个主要系统落实到位，我相信我们可以拥有健康强大的教会，能在当今世界蓬勃发展！