What is a mark of health in a Church?
What are the markers of a healthy disciple? Have you considered that for yourself? Or for that matter, what should a healthy church look like?
Before we embark on the various things that we can DO as a disciple of Christ let’s take a moment to consider who we should aim to BE first. Knowing the shape we are aiming for will be vastly beneficial for us as we consider what kind of ministry we want to partake in, what priorities are important and what is simply busy work that may look energetic but ultimately does not form us and those around us to be more Christ like.
In Acts chapter 2:42-47 we see a snapshot of the church in which both the disciples and the body of Christ are healthy and strong. As we look at it we see at least 5 markers of a church filled with healthy disciples.
A) They were devoted to scripture, fellowship and prayer. (V42)
• Healthy disciples were devoted to practises which build faithfulness within them. Valuing things which renewed them in the body of Christ and were regularly participating in these things alongside other disciples.
B) They were filled with awe and wonder. (V43)
• Disciples without wonder in their life are prone to becoming cynical or apathetic. Cultivating wonder and a willingness to celebrate Christ regularly is a marker of health.
C) They had commonality with one another (v44-45)
• it’s easy to think of faith as simply a ‘personal’ pursuit. However a healthy church is filled with disciples who felt deep affinity with the lives of one another. They were their brother’s keeper and their brother’s needs were the same as their own needs.
D) They meet together regularly (v46)
• A healthy Christian community desires to meet together even when it’s not a Sunday. Whether it’s a small group or simply building fellowship with another believer, a healthy Christian is one that stays interested in community, not just ministry.
E) They had favour with all people (v47)
• A healthy church is also not insular and siloed from the rest of the world. It is a witness to Christ and able to gain favour among the people of the world, if not for every conviction then for the kindness and generosity of its people.
How are you fairing in these markers? Perhaps this week is an opportunity to reflect and evaluate the shape of your life. Is there anything you could shift? Anything that would cultivate more flourishing in your life? Let’s all seek to be healthy disciples in the Lord, not just busy ones.
教會的健康標記是什麼？
健康門徒的標記是什麼？你自己有考慮過這個問題嗎？或者就此而言，一個健康的教會應該是什麼樣的？
在我們開始做基督的門徒各種可以做的事情之前，讓我們花點時間考慮一下我們應該首先以成為誰作為目標。了解我們所追求的形態將對我們大有裨益。這直接關係到我們考慮我們想要參與什麼樣的事工、哪些優先事項是重要的以及哪些是很忙碌的工作但只是看起來充滿活力而最終不會讓我們和我們周圍的人變得更像基督。
在使徒行傳第 2 章 42-47 節中，我們看到了教會的快照，其中的門徒和基督的身體都健康而強壯。當我們觀察它時，我們會看到教會至少有五個標記，表明那裡充滿了健康的門徒。
一. 他們熱衷於經文、團契和禱告 (42節)。
健康的門徒致力於操練，培養他們內心的忠誠。重視在基督的身體中使他們煥然一新的事情，並定期與其他門徒一起參與這些事情。
二. 他們充滿敬畏和奇事神蹟 (43節)。
生活中沒有奇事神蹟的門徒很容易變得憤世嫉俗或冷漠。培育出奇事神蹟和有意願經常慶祝基督是健康的標誌。
三. 他們彼此有共通點 (44-45節)。
人們很容易將信仰視為一種「個人」追求。然而，一個健康的教會充滿了對彼此的生活有著深厚感情的門徒。他們是弟兄的守護者，弟兄的需求就如他們自己的需求一般。
四. 他們定期聚會 (46節) 。
一個健康的基督徒群體即使在非星期天也期望著聚會。無論是小組還是僅僅與其他信徒建立團契，健康的基督徒都會對群體生活感興趣，而不僅僅忙於事工。
五. 他們得到所有人的喜愛 (47節) 。
健康的教會也是不會自我孤立，亦不會與世界各處隔絕。它是基督的見證，並且能夠贏得世人的青睞，即使不是因為每一個信念，也是因為他們的善良和慷慨。
你如何看待這些標記呢？
也許本周是一個反思和評估你的生活狀況的機會。有什麼可以改變的嗎？有什麼事情能讓你的生活更加得到培育和興盛嗎？讓我們都努力成為主裡健康的門徒，而不僅僅是一個忙碌的門徒。
