The 3 Myths of Church Health

Myth #1        Church Health = Lots of People

“If we only had lots of people, like church X, we could attract more people.”

The pastor / leaders of smaller churches in need of a turn-around typically judge the health of their church by comparing it against the large, active church down the street with the full parking lot. The problem with this (beyond it smacking of covetousness) is that a large congregation can be just as unhealthy as a small one, its unhealthy issues being either magnified—or camouflaged—by its sheer size.

Genuine church health is measured by spiritual health. Spiritually healthy believers attract people who desire to be spiritually healthy. If you want to revitalize a church that’s stuck in place or in decline, begin with teaching your people to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, to love and respect each other, to welcome, love and respect newcomers, and to love and respect the lost. 

Church health does not necessarily equal lots of people; it does equal spiritually healthy people.

Myth # 2        Church Health = Lots Of Young Families

“If we only had the young families with kids, we could have the leaders and people we need to offer quality programs—like church “Y”—that would attract more people.”

It is certainly true that the presence of young families gives the church the potential for developing a leadership base for ministry. Young families who are committed to your church can also, potentially, serve as a “magnet,” attracting other young families.

The flaw in this thinking lies in the goal: quality programs. Jesus does not build His church on programs; He builds His church on His mandate: to love God, one another, and our neighbor; and He builds His church on His mission: to make disciples of all nations.

Attracting young families may be an appropriate objective, but it should not be the goal. The church’s goal should be achieving Jesus’ Mandate and His Mission. Under that twin Goal, making disciples of young families—who will learn to make more disciples out of their love for God, one another and their neighbors—becomes a healthy objective.

Church health does not necessarily equal lots of young families; it does require a focus on the right goals, which in turn requires specific prayer, biblical training, and planning.

Myth # 3        Church Health = Lots of Money

“If we only had the money church “Z” has, we could have quality programs that would attract more people.”

As with myth #2, the flaw in this thinking again lies in the goal: programs that attract people. With that as the goal, the lack of funds to create attractive programs and events becomes an intimidating obstacle.

The Bible makes it quite clear that God’s strategy for attracting people to His church is the presence of Jesus Himself among His people (Jn. 12:32; 2Cor. 14-16). The flip side of that, of course, is that the same “fragrance” of Jesus in our midst that will draw some people will also turn others away. Church health does not cost lots of money, as Jesus’ earthly ministry and the explosive impact of the New Testament church demonstrate.  

Overcoming these myths concerning church health requires a biblical understanding of what church health looks like. Regardless of any church’s size or financial stability, church health is defined by three biblical truths: Love as Jesus loves; Teach and live the Truth of God’s Word; Go and make disciples.

To begin implementing an effective strategy for renewed church health, turn to the church’s builder (Matt. 16:18) and CEO (Col. 1:18). Jesus has already provided His Church with His Goals and Objectives, and even the broad strokes of an Action Plan. He has even provided His Church with case studies highlighting healthy church dynamics (eg., Acts 2), and with tutorials for handling specific issues (The NT epistles).

When our plans conform to His plan, the Lord will open doors that no man can shut and close doors no man can open to ensure His church is healthy and vibrant (Rev. 3:8). Any church can find renewed purpose, health and vitality once it decides to be the church Jesus builds and oversees. When we do His Church His way, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).