7 Signs of a Healthy Church (Part 2)

Last week I shared 7 Signs of a Healthy Church (Part 1). In that post, I discuss the importance of endurance – American evangelicals are struggling to plant churches these days, at least the kind of churches that last (e.g. that manage not only to survive 10-20+ years, but actually to win skeptical, post-Christian people to the faith). Statistically, most church growth in 21st century America comes by way of disillusioned parishioners from other folks' flocks. In the business world, we call this consolidation. In the church world, I call it trouble, storm clouds on the horizon, brewing twenty to thirty years out.

This topic feels important to me, as someone who's spent the past two decades trying to figure out how to do the thing I'm calling for. I believe it can be done. But I also think it doesn't just happen. It takes thought, intentionality, and courage. It definitely requires endurance. (Eugene Peterson's Long Obedience in the Same Direction springs time mind as supplemental reading).

But we need more than just endurance... So here's Part 2:

Grab your notebook and a cup of coffee and give it a listen!

Happy Monday,
Christian