After reading Dever's9 Marks of a Healthy Church, what 3 do you/your
church need to work on the most? Why? What steps could you/your
church take to implement those areas?
The 3 Marks that I have chosen are listed below with the "Reason(s)" why
they chosen.
Mark Four: A Biblical Understanding of Conversion
Our church is in the heart of one of the poorest parts of the city of
Louisville. The people-dynamics that surround us in the community,
evolve around poverty, drugs and substance abuse, and gang violence.
With this in my trying to reach this demographic can be intimidating and
uncomfortable at times if you are not from that area. Although our
congregation is very diverse many of us do not live in that immediate
area. It almost feels as though me and my family are missionaries there.
Helping people to understand Biblical conversion must begin with a steady
flow of love and appreciation for the individual. I feel as though as
ministers and lay Pastors we have to ensure that we have a strong and
credible witness, matched with lives of righteousness to teach and convey
such an important subject (conversion). I believe that everything begins
and ends with leaders and as leaders we must be well read on a topic
that is all about the evolution of the Soul to salvation.
Mark Five: A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
The entity of Evangelism is a foundational element of our ministry. Even
though there is a strong need in the city to fulfill the call of the
Evangelistic vision, a strong Biblical understanding and revelation should
take place. In my personal opinion to Evangelize a community takes a
passion for souls, and to be honest, many of us do not have this. I do not
say this to put people down but to reveal a critical area of concern that we
as the Body of Christ needs to seek the Holy Spirit about. We must be
empowered from on high in order to win souls for Christ. The reality of the
matter is with practice and good teaching we can prepare our members to
bring the spirit of Evangelism wherever they go as long as they have the
knowledge and know-how to get things done with the love of Christ.
Mark Eight: A Concern for Discipleship and Growth
I can truly admit that Church Growth is a concern of mine but it often
taken for granted in many congregations. I do realize that church is not all
about putting people in seats but seeing a ministry grow is very
encouraging. On the other hand I have watched churches go from
flourishing in growth and membership to just getting by and that is heart
breaking to be apart of. I have longed and desired to know the secrets to
church growth but I can bet that it has a lot to do with the area of
"discipleship." When people are taught the word of God in a way that
causes them to enjoy their church and worship experience I think it is a
benefit to us all. Church is not all about numbers but it is also not
supposed to be a check the block task either. Pastors really need leaders
who also have a vision for growth and discipleship in order to take some
of the pressure off of them. I can see how working together as a
leadership team will make it easier to expand the growth of the vision for
increase and sustainment.
Mark Dever. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (3rdEdition). Vol. Third Edition.
9Marks. Wheaton: Crossway, 2013.
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