How to Have Church Health

Mistakes are made by:

1. Forgetting the necessity of vision casting

2. Playing into the destructive nature of factions

3. Always deferring to the wishes of the highest tither in the Church

4. Assuming that people have adequate Bible knowledge

5. Neglecting organization with the intention of leaving room for the Holy Spirit

6. Assuming that adjusting the temperature or turning down the volume will make them happy

7. Unquestionably welcoming the latest methodology or fad

8. Dismissing the importance of theology

9. Downplaying the offering

10. Discouraging a spirit of generosity

11. Giving authority to individuals who have not been tested

12. Preaching to the "ungodly," and other people who are not in attendance

13. Waiting to deal with problems

14. Valuing talent over virtue

15. Majoring on minor issues

16. Expecting people to know how to function without instruction

17. Expecting those who are proficient in business to always be effective Spiritual leaders

18. Emphasizing differences over unity

19. Assuming people will naturally stay connected and involved

20. Assuming that because someone shows up, they are in support of the ministry

21. Valuing programs over people

22. Assuming people act the same way at home as they do in Church

23. Persuading problem people to stay

24. Making decisions based on fear or uncertainty

25. Valuing style over substance

26. Overlooking sin for sake of convenience

27. Continuing needlessly with an extended sermon delivery

28. Failing to adequately screen your children and youth ministry workers

29. Assuming everyone who claims to be a Christian really is one

30. Not following-up on that particular "thing" that brought red flags

31. Assuming that the past will have no bearing on the future

32. Assuming that preaching is the primary task of pasturing

33. Assuming loud "Amens" mean that people are actually going to put the sermon into practice

34. Watching while everyone works

35. Allowing attendance to church services to be optional

36. Continually splintering your congregation into competing groups

37. Assuming that people tire of hearing the basics

38. Speaking strongly without listening

39. Emphasizing grace to the exclusion of righteousness

40. Emphasizing righteousness to the exclusion of grace

41. Expecting people to know what is expected of them without being told

42. Compromising in order to grow

43. Assume that everyone understands the context

44. Entertaining the statement, "We have never done that here before."

45. Assuming that people will not talk about things

46. Assuming that if you possess the doctrine, then you must have the practice

47. Implementing significant changes without the benefits to the congregation

48. Putting off planning for crisis situations

49. Assuming that all matters have equal weight

50. Assuming that commitment always results in action

"In the Church God has appointed, first of all Apostles, second Prophets, thirdly Teachers then workers of Miracles also those who have Healing those able to help others. Those with Gifts of Administration." (1 Corinthians 12:28)

In this unique scriptural listing, Paul mentions a gift that is often overlooked in Pentecostal-Charismatic circles - "gifts of administration." According to the literal meaning of this passage, some individuals have giftings to govern the church (and we might infer that some do not). As we pray about new directions for the Church, an anointing for governance is an expression that needs to be better understood.

The idea of unique gifts of authority goes against the very foundation of our nation (and most of our churches). America was founded on the notion that everybody has a right to govern. Americans believe individuals not only have the right to self-rule, but they should also have a significant voice in corporate affairs. Yet, that is not what the Word of God says. The Bible teaches congregational rule is established by a "true eldership," not the voices of the mob. Paul makes reference to the "elders who direct the affairs of the church" (1 Timothy 5:17). Authority is not given to all, but to the few who have been anointed to lead.

Many times, in this discussion, people allow issues of the "five-fold ministry" (Ephesians 4:11) to muddy the waters. Discussions should not be centered on who might be given the title or function of a prophet, apostle or any other of the five-fold ministry gifts. Rather, our debates should seek to answer the following questions: Who has the gift of governance and who is among the true eldership. "Elders," along with the "chief elder," may function in any one or a combination of the five-fold ministry giftings.

I believe that making ministry function a focus of debate is shortsighted when the primary concern is governance and decision making. The ability to prophesy, teach or establish ministry is not the same thing as actually governing the church. There are a lot of people who are powerfully anointed to confront, encourage and bring spiritual transformation. Yet, the foundational question is not whether one is flowing in any particular ministry function. No, the greatest concern is whether or not one has been anointed to rule. We must remember that ministering and governing are two different things. Many can minister but few can govern.

If believers and congregations get a clearer understanding of the gift of governance, wonderful changes will immediately take place. In the aftermath, congregations will find themselves finally functioning in divine order and reaping a harvest of righteousness. In this context, relationships will be better established. Both finances and the spiritual atmosphere of the church will improve. We need to get a fresh understanding of the gift of governance. It will enable us to advance into the glorious mission of the Kingdom

51. Assuming two or three loud voices reflect views of the majority

52. Allowing untrained, unspiritual people a vote on church matters

53. Never looking people in the eye while they are talking to you

54. Offering opinions freely

55. Sacrifice the group for the sake of the individual

56. Sacrificing depth for width

57. Giving into selfishness and corruption

58. Allowing justification for abandonment of commitments

59. Emphasizing the short-term over the long-term

60. Assuming that doing nothing is actually making a decision

61. Assuming that people will allow you to speak into their lives without their explicit permission

62. Trying to sit down at the bargaining table with evil

63. Speaking before giving the appropriate time to think

64. Assuming that relationships are option

65. Forgetting that excellence is not just an attitude, it is an outcome

66. Always assuming that it is a problem with the sheep rather than a problem with the shepherd

67. Assuming that if you ignore it, it will go away

68. Assuming that faithful, long-term members have been adequately discipled

69. Assuming people will not recognize the lack of adequate preparation

70. Assuming nothing is wrong when a person pulls people aside and whispers in their ear

71. Disregarding the voice of wisdom and experience

72. Failing to exercise church discipline

73. Reinforcing an escapist mentality in the people

74. Failing to adequately discern the times or the needs

75. Becoming unbending in methodology and practice

76. Assuming people will grow without being challenged and stretched

77. Refusing to empower and equip people

78. Allowing participation and involvement to be optional

79. Assuming that good fruit is optional

80. Empowering unscriptural choices

81. Failing to understand the importance of nurture and care

82. Believing church-hoppers when they say that God sent them to your church

83. Assuming silence means agreement

84. Not moving when it is time to move

85. Feeding selfishness, greed and the quest for power

86. Allowing rebellion to mount, quietly behind the scenes

87. Assuming that more people will always make a church better

88. Assuming that people will willingly and joyfully submit to authority

89. Neglecting healthy sheep while helping the sick

90. Fostering an environment that allows criticism, complaints and condemnation

91. Assuming the people who are with you now will always be with you

92. Assuming that God will continue to bless laziness and sloth.

93. Presuming setbacks and opposition automatically mean you are out of the will of God

94. Giving in to whiners and discontents

95. Failing to understand the importance of leadership development

96. Downplaying the significance of worship and prayer

97. Preaching on frivolous and superficial matters

98. Not allowing others to have the same amount of time to change that God gave you

99. Forgetting that what happens in the natural is shaped by what is happening in the Spiritual.

100. Assuming that position alone provides an opportunity to speak into the lives of people

101. Failing to do what you said you would do