“They [followers of Christ] were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42).
What makes an assembly of Christians a good church. A recent article by Hank Hanegraaff asked “How do I Find a Good Church?” But since most new church members have recently left a church, a primary question ought to be “How do I evaluate my church?”
Obviously, a church should be a place of worship. Hanegraaff suggests that should include prayer, praise, and proclamation. These days the focus seems to be on praise, specifically that portion of the service devoted to music. Clearly worship includes praise, but the balanced church places equal emphasis on prayer and proclamation. Praise takes a front seat because it can so easily be a spectator sport. One can stand and mouth the words and maybe even lift an occasional hand and seem to be praising. But prayer is more personal. That requires a personal connection with God and proclamation, the sharing of God’s word, really requires individual effort.
Hanegraff also declares that a well-balanced church is evidenced through its oneness. Oneness is manifested through community, confession, and contribution. We express our entrance into community through baptism and celebrate it through communion. But community is really demonstrated to the world in that agape love that members of a well balanced fellowship have for one another. After all, Christ told us that’s the way folks will know we are His disciples.
But oneness is also evidenced in a common confession of faith. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we must come together on essential Christianity. “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”
Oneness is also evident in a common contribution of our time, talent, and treasure. In a good church everyone contributes.
Finally, a healthy, well-balanced church is one that is committed to equipping believers to be effective witnesses to what they believe, why they believe, and Who they believe.When you know you have a good thing you are compelled to share it. A good church knows what it believes and why and most importantly they know that Jesus is the reason.
A worshiping, unified, witnessing group is a good church. Look around. Are you in a good church? Before you conclude that you are not, remember a personal commitment is required from each member to be a working part of the whole. Maybe your in a good church, you’re just not part of it.
I’m blessed. I know I’m in a good place, a good church. I pray the same for you.
Nick
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