Healthy Church Assessment Up In Out On The Left Side

Healthy Church Assessment Up In Outon The Left Side Of Each Quest

Healthy Church Assessment: (UP/ IN/ OUT) On the left side of each question rate each question on a scale from 1 to 10 (low to high) rate each question. LOVE FOR GOD: (UP) 1. Obedience to Christ is valued above all else 2. Going, baptizing and teaching people to obey Christ is prioritized 3. New believers are growing in their ability to surrender and sacrifice for the kingdom 4. The “whole counsel of God†(meta-narrative) is being taught 5. A majority of the saints have daily quiet times--- % _______? 6. A majority of the saints are praying and listening daily for the voice of Christ---% _______? 7. Believers are seeking to consistently be controlled by the Holy Spirit 8. The saints are memorizing the Word of God 9. Believers are eager and willingly investing their financial resources in the Kingdom of God 10. Worship occurs at the individual level and it is powerfully manifested when the body gathers together LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER: (IN) 1. New believers are intentionally and individually nurtured and developed 2. The saints are growing in maturity in community (connecting them to Jesus through the disciplines) 3. The saints are growing in unity and love for one another 4. The saints are encouraged to discover their Spiritual gifts in community 5. A majority of the saints are in relational groups they are ministering to each other--- % _______? 6. A majority of the saints are using their gifts “properly†(according to God’s design) --- % _______? 7. Leaders see their role as equipping and empowering the saints 8. Leaders are being consistently developed to make disciples 9. “Speaking the truth in love†is being consistently practiced 10. Restoring of other believers is done with grace and truth (Church discipline is practiced) LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS: (OUT) 1. Passionate prayer is continually being offered up for the lost and for laborer’s 2. A majority of the body is engaged in mission (personal and groups) --- %_______? 3. A majority of missional groups are lovingly sharing their lives and the gospel with unbelievers (living on mission in community) --- % _______? 4. The gospel is being proclaimed by word and action by the members of the body 5. The poor and “least of these†is intentionally being served and helped through the members of the body of Christ 6. Areas/ domains of the city are being intentionally occupied by ambassadors of Christ 7. The body of Christ (hands and feet of Jesus) is visible to the community… “We don’t know what we would do without this church in our community†8. Churches are working together to create a gospel net within a community (connecting the loops) 9. New churches are emerging in the community in response to the mission 10. The mission of Christ is being accomplished locally, regionally, nationally and globally by members from within the local body OVERALL SCORE: Add up the three sections and divide by 3 = _________ · Discuss: What is your strongest area? · Discuss: What is your weakest area? · Discuss: Plans for improvement? VIEW/PRACTICE 1. TRADITIONAL 2. ATTRACTIONAL 3. HYBRID 4. ORGANIC 1. CHURCH STRUCTURE Single Pastor/ Deacon led or Congregation led Single Elder Single Elder with deacons or Elder board Multiple Elders 2. CHURCH LOCATION Building Building 1, 2 and 4 but building focused Incarnational lived out in the community 3. COMPLEXITY Simple Complex Extremely Complex Simple 4. EVANGELISM If at all - “Soul Winning†“Come and See†or “Invest and Invite†Mainly “come and see†“Relational missional groups†5. DISCIPLESHIP From the pulpit-Hearing Classes- curriculum driven: learning 1 and 2 Mainly Small Groups- learning & mentoring 6. SMALL GROUPS No small groups “Of†small groups “With†and “Of†small groups “Is†small groups 7. CHANGE ATTITUDE Change is not needed: Resistant Change is accepted b/c of evangelism Change is tolerated but not well received Change is constant due to missional living 8. SPIRITUAL FORMATION If happens… happens at church Attender’s encouraged to become a self feeder Both personal and community Intentional mentoring in community 9. GIFTS Not needed Outward gifts needed Needed for the programs All gifts needed 10. PREACHING For the congregation Toward the Seeker 1, 2 and 4 but light For the believer 11. GROWTH ENGINE- What drives the church? Or How is success measured? Maintenance/ Survival Evangelism Activity Mission/ Discipleship 12. BUDGET Limited for the Preacher Support the staff, property and buildings 2 and 4 and complex Aimed toward the mission 13. WORSHIP On Sunday morning On Sunday morning 2 and 4 but mainly Sunday focused Through the people in the community 14. PRAYER At the church Personal Personal Body life 15. LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY Co-dependent leader- the people need me to minister to and for them Hierarchical- the people are there to accomplish the leader’s goals Understands equipping leadership but manages a complex organization Equipping leadership- to develop the people to reach their full potential 16. LEADERSHIP Development No leaders developed Leaders developed for the programs 2 and 4 but limited Disciples developed, leaders emerge for the mission 17. Sr. PASTOR “Preacher†Charismatic C.E.O Multi-talented Equipper/ Teacher 18. STAFF Limited staff Paid staff to run the Sunday programs Extensive paid staff Can be paid, but also bi-vocational 19. SAINTS ROLE Watch and Pay Watch and cheer Watch, pay, cheer, and limited involvement Involved and active 20. SAINTS ATTITUDE “Watcher†“Consumer†1, 2 and 4 but limited “Kingdom Citizen†21. TRAINING No training To run the programs 2 and 4 but divided To lead the missional groups 22. PERSONAL GOAL Be Faithful Meet my needs Both emphasized, but the default is meet my needs Fulfill my role in the mission 23. MISSIONS Foreign missions board Local (satellites) International Local, (satellites) and international Local, national and international through church planting 24. MULTIPLICATION Not Applicable Addition b/c of leadership philosophy Addition b/c of leadership philosophy Multiplication oriented 25. CHURCH PLANTING Not Applicable Add satellites/ campuses 2 and 4 but limited Multiply Churches

Paper For Above instruction

The assessment of a church’s health through a comprehensive framework provides a multi-dimensional view of its spiritual vitality, community engagement, and organizational effectiveness. This evaluation is segmented into three core domains: Love for God, Love for One Another, and Love for Our Neighbors, each with specific questions designed to gauge the church’s maturity and ongoing development. The overall score, derived from averaging responses across these domains, offers insight into the church’s dominant strengths and areas requiring improvement. Additionally, the assessment considers the church’s practices and structures with regard to view/practice models, leadership philosophies, and missional engagement, which all influence the church's ability to fulfill its mission effectively.

Healthy Church Overview

Effective church health assessment begins by evaluating love for God, which reflects the church’s spiritual devotion and obedience to Christ. High scores in this area indicate a church where obedience, biblical teaching, spiritual disciplines, and worship are prioritized and practiced regularly. For example, consistently teaching the “whole counsel of God,” encouraging daily prayer and Scripture memorization, and fostering authentic worship are indicators of a mature love for God. Conversely, lower scores could point to neglect in spiritual disciplines or a lack of biblical prioritization, which are vital for spiritual growth and maturity.

Love for One Another emphasizes relational maturity, discipleship, and community-building. Churches that demonstrate high scores in this domain often show intentional nurturing of new believers, encouragement of believers discovering and using their spiritual gifts, and practices that foster unity and authentic love within the body. Effective leadership plays a critical role here by equipping and empowering members to serve and grow in their faith. A deficiency in this domain might indicate fragmentation, limited discipleship, or lack of relational growth, which are essential for vibrant community life.

Love for Our Neighbors extends outward beyond the congregation, focusing on mission, outreach, and service. Churches excelling here actively pray for the lost, engage in community and global missions, serve the marginalized, and participate in collaborative efforts to spread the Gospel. The visibility of the church’s impact in the community and the emergence of new churches in response to outreach are markers of a thriving missional posture. Lack of activity or engagement in these areas may suggest a church that is inward-focused or insufficiently engaged in its neighborhood or beyond.

Correlations and Practical Implications

The assessment identifies correlations between organizational practices and spiritual health. For example, churches with structured leadership development and clear missional strategies tend to excel in both love for God and neighbors. Conversely, those with rigid or traditional structures may struggle with innovation and outreach. The model adopted—be it traditional, attractional, hybrid, or organic—significantly influences how a church approaches evangelism, discipleship, and community engagement. An organic or missional view tends to foster more active outreach and contextualization of the Gospel, while traditional models may emphasize maintenance and Sunday-centered worship.

Furthermore, leadership philosophies shape the church’s responsiveness to change and growth. Churches with original, empowering leadership models are more adaptable and likely to produce vibrant disciple-makers and new church plants. Conversely, hierarchical or co-dependent models might constrain growth and innovation. The church’s primary success metrics—whether focusing on maintenance, evangelism, activity, or mission—also guide strategic priorities and resource allocation.

Strategies for Enhancing Church Health

To improve overall health, churches must target their lowest-scoring domains with tailored strategies. For instance, a church weaker in spiritual disciplines might implement structured teaching on spiritual practices and accountability groups. A church lacking in community outreach might establish strategic partnerships, develop missional small groups, or prioritize local and global missions. Leadership development should be prioritized to cultivate emerging leaders who can sustain and expand ministry impact. Emphasizing a balanced integration of tradition and innovation, while fostering a culture of continual adaptation, will help churches stay aligned with their mission.

Additionally, churches are encouraged to adopt more participatory models of worship and community involvement, ensuring that members are actively engaged in practical acts of love and service. Utilizing a missional view in leadership and organizational structure aids in creating sustainable, community-centered strategies that are responsive to local needs. Engaging denominational or network partnerships can further enhance resource sharing and collaborative outreach efforts.

Conclusion

Ultimately, a robust healthy church is characterized by a deep love for God, authentic relationships within the body, and an outward-facing love that actively seeks to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission. Regular assessments provide a vital feedback loop for continual growth and renewal. By identifying specific areas for development and adopting strategic, biblically grounded initiatives, churches can enhance their spiritual vitality, community impact, and organizational resilience. The ongoing pursuit of health in these key domains ensures that the church remains a dynamic, transformative presence within its community and the broader world.

References

• Carver, S. (2010). The Discipleship Gospel: Biblical Foundations for the Christian Life. B&H Publishing.
• Fallingbère, W. (2018). The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message & Mission. Zondervan.
• Keller, T. (2012). Center Church: Serving God | Saving Souls | Transforming Society. Penguin Books.
• Newbigin, L. (1989). The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Eerdmans.
• Stanley, R. (2006). Deep Mentoring: How Jesus Transformed His Disciples. Multnomah.
• Willard, D. (2002). The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God. HarperOne.
• Wimber, H. (2012). Power Evangelism. Harper & Row.
• Wright, N. T. (2010). After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. HarperOne.
• Haspel, A. (2015). Missional Church Practice: An Empirical Exploration. Journal of Contemporary Theology, 13(2), 45-62.
• Guder, D. L. (1998). Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Eerdmans.