Creative Ministry published the eight characteristics of a healthy church, I do not know the author. I have been thinking though these for several days. I am listing them here and asking that you meditate on each of these.

Should God give you insight to any of them or plant an idea of ways to improve Pikeville Church please share it with me. Our Lord deserves excellence, let’s be the best we can be. This is great food for thought.

1. Empowering leadership: Leading via vision casting, mentoring, equipping, delegation, and change.

2. Gift-oriented ministry: Understanding and matching spiritual gifts to task for meaningful service.

3. Passionate spirituality: Faith lived out of a love relationship with Jesus Christ by practicing spiritual disciplines.

4. Functional structures: Combining the life in the church with systems, goals, and planning to move forward.

5. Inspiriting worship services: God-centered worship with transforming preaching that leaves the congregation edified and uplifted.

6. Holistic small groups: A spiritual atmosphere of transparency, trust, and sharing with the application of biblical truths to daily living.

7. Need-oriented evangelism: Connecting to already existing friendship by listening, meeting needs, and connecting the gospel to personal situations.

8. Loving relationships: A relational environment of affirmation, encouragement, joy, and intentional conflict resolution.

I recently attended a seminar at Pitt Memorial that was designed for ministers and nurses. The focus was on the healing power of “presence.” Research documents significant value to having a person that represents God present when people are in crisis and have need.

It is a powerful concept that underscores the fact that if all ministry occurs in traditional formats within the walls of the church then little real ministry would occur.

Out of the 132 personal contacts of Jesus with people in the New Testament, 122 of them took place outside of the place of worship. He met them in homes, businesses, the streets, and countryside.

Think about it, 92% of His ministry was in homes and the streets. The lesson is clear, the church must multiply persons that represent God to people and together touch people where they are and do it while they are in need. That is what “Spiritual Parenting” and “Maturing Disciples” is designed to do.