“Becoming a Healthy Church”

The movie starring Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams )  “If you build it, he will come…”

Findings in Autopsy of a Deceased Church (by Thom Rainer): 1.Slow Erosion “If the owner of the house would’ve known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” --Luke 12:39-40

2. The Past is the Hero! 2. The Past is the Hero! “I remember when…” “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.’” (Ecclesiastes 7:10) “I remember when…” “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.’” (Ecclesiastes 7:10)

Jesus answered…” “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” – Matthew 9:16-17

3. The church refused to look like the community, stopped reaching out to it. “The Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” --John 1:1, 14 “The Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” --John 1:1, 14

4. The budget moved inwardly. “the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.” --Acts 20:35

5. The Great Commission had become “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you…” –Matthew 28:18-20 the Great Ommission.

Steps we can take:  Get an outsider’s perspective on our church and our personal lives.  Make a prayerful commitment to give up the past for the future.  Be involved in the community to reach it for Christ.  Give to evangelism and ministry.  Pray for the unchurched. Invite them to services. And make the most of every opportunity to share Christ with them.  Get an outsider’s perspective on our church and our personal lives.  Make a prayerful commitment to give up the past for the future.  Be involved in the community to reach it for Christ.  Give to evangelism and ministry.  Pray for the unchurched. Invite them to services. And make the most of every opportunity to share Christ with them.