Two weeks ago, we had a discussion about 5 signs of a cult and being aware of what type of church you attend.  There are many groups that are misleading or drawing people away from the church.  However, there are equally a great number of churches that draw people to Jesus.  It is important to recognize when you find a great church so you can plug in and be a part!  Hebrews 10:25 says

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

This Thanksgiving we are grateful for healthy churches for our readers to be a part of.  If you are not plugged into a church, please read below to learn what the five healthy signs of a church are.  If you are plugged into a church, read below to see how your church lines up with signs of a healthy church.

Teaches you to read the Bible.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” - 2 Timothy 3:16

Did you know there was a time in history where the Bible was not accessible to people?  It was believed that only priests/religious leaders were allowed to read the Bible.  Today there are still “unreached” people groups in the world who do not have access to the Bible.  It is so incredible that we have access to the full Bible and God’s Word!  In Timothy, it talks to us about how the Bible can instruct us.  It instructs us on how to live our life, Jesus’ salvation plan, the history of the church, and the plans for Christ’s return.  A solid church will teach you these things and may do so in a variety of ways.  Some of these ways are: having you open your own Bible & read the Scripture references in a sermon, putting Bible verses on the screen, Bible memorization challenges, and even Sunday school classes reading through different parts of the Bible together.

Stands against unBiblical culture.

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.” - John 15:19

There is a newer term called a “seeker - friendly” church.  This is a church that is more concerned with being liked more than preaching the truth.  Today there are a lot of controversial issues - homosexuality, adultery, pro - life, and racial reconciliation - that the church does not want to address because they are afraid it may turn people away.  A true sign of a healthy church is one that addresses these issues and boldly proclaims God’s truth.  The mission of the church is to make disciples - not be a place of entertainment for the world.  This may mean you are not popular with everyone and your church may not be.  However, this is a matter of life and death.  Your standing on the truth may be what keeps someone from going to hell.  If we aren’t addressing hard topics from a BIBLICAL and LOVING perspective, the world is leading the church - rather than God.

Preachers/leaders fall under the guidelines of Scripture on Biblical church leadership.

“...appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge; if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly.  For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self - willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self - controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching…” Titus 1:5-8

These Bible verses are just one of many of the qualities a Biblical leader should have.  We could write an entire series on Biblical leadership.  There are many verses that outline what a Biblical leader should look like.  I encourage you to do a lot of research on this and see if your church leaders and your mentors live according to what the Bible outlines.  One of the great free resources we love here at Tirzah is BibleHub.  You can go in Bible hub and search for topics like “Biblical leadership” or “pastor guidelines” and choose from different verses to view more of what a Biblical leadership looks like.  Church leaders are human and make mistakes, but they have also chosen a unique role and God holds them to a very specific standard.  Ensure church leaders are walking with God and listening to Him when you join a church.

Empowers the church to operate in it’s spiritual gifts.

“And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the stains, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ..” - Eph. 4:11 - 12

I once met a pastor who had overwhelmed himself.  He was single-handedly running his program and had very little help.  This is a warning sign in a church.  The church is called to equip its congregation to walk in the spiritual gifts God has given them.  Every individual has a unique calling.  The church needs pastors, greeters, Sunday school workers, worship leaders, evangelists, church planters, cleaners, security, nursery workers, and more.  There are no more “elite” rules than others.  In a healthy church, everyone should be learning to pray for the gifts God has given them and use it to build up the church.  Has the church you attend or are visiting empowered you to find your gifting in the church?  Use Bible Hub again and do your research on “spiritual gifts” to see how you can serve your church.

Teaches you to worship/pray.

“...Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote…” - Isa. 29:13

Someone once describes to me a relationship with Jesus as a relationship with a friend.  Do you have a book on your friend?  You only read about this friend and when you talk to them you have memorized lines that you tell that friend.  When they show up you do the exact same thing every time - something that someone else taught you.  That is what some churches accidentally teach people.  The reality is God is alive, breathing, and among us.  His Word is a gift to us and He also desires a personal relationship with us.  Your church should be teaching you to “pray without ceasing” and to worship at all times.  You don’t have to be in a church building or have the right words to pray.  God doesn’t require you to be on a stage to worship.  Is the church you attend or are visiting teaching you how to praise and worship for yourself?  Do you have a unique personal relationship with Christ or have been taught that you can have that?

Every church is different.  You will never find a perfect church because all churches have imperfect people.  There will be times you have good churches, but then bad leadership comes in and you have to change over.  Sometimes you outgrow the churches you were in and have to find a place to grow.  I encourage you to give church a try, give God’s people a try, and recognize they will fail you.  Also, you will fail them.  There are healthy churches that are seeking God together though and I encourage you to be a part of that group.