Signs. Signs are everywhere. Each sign that we see tells us something different whether on the road, in a restaurant, or even on a trail. Signs, according to the dictionary is “a gesture or action used to convey information or instructions.” Signs give direction and instruct individuals as to what they are looking at or even where they are going. As individuals who are attending and visiting churches, they are looking for the signs; signs of a healthy leadership team and church or body of believers. In this post I will share with you five signs of a healthy team and church.
Sign 1: Each member loves Jesus
Loving Jesus is more than just words. It is a life style that involves every part of who we are. Loving Jesus is being totally devoted to Him. In Mark 12:30-31 Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your minds, and will all your strength.” To love God is to fully and completely love Him and all the commandments that is regarded to our vertical relationship with Him. There are no loopholes to following and loving Jesus. Loving Jesus will cost you nothing but will cost you everything.
Sign 2: Each member loves God’s Word
“You are what you eat.” I am sure we have all heard this saying. It applies not only to the physical but applies in the spiritual. As a leader and as a church we need to love God’s Word. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” In this simple sentence, Jesus tells us that our hunger determines our spiritual health. Loving God’s Word is what helps us grow as a follower of Christ but also takes commitment or we grow stagnate. This kind of life is available to all who hunger and thirst for “his righteousness” and letting the Word of God set the standard of living for their life. “Don’t expect God to move when you are not getting alone with Him.”
Sign 3: Each member has emotional awareness
Proverbs 12:18 “There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” There are those who have a terrible time speaking words of encouragement but speak in a manner that stabs and slices others. Their words are like “a piercing sword” that brings hurt instead of healing. Wise men and women with emotional awareness are able to bring health and life from their words. This takes time, training and dedication to mentally and spiritually prepare oneself for when it is the right time to speak. The emotionally aware individual sometimes is there for those who just need an ear and not a voice.
Sign 4: Each member understands they are empowered by the Holy Spirit
Our calling is to take the treasure that is within us and use it to invite others to be part of this adventure that we are on. We are all called to each one, reach one. We have to go out to the hard to reach places where no one wants to go. But Jesus told us in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus ministry may have stopped here on earth when he ascended but the ministry still goes forward through each of us under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sign 5: Each member is on mission
We are all called to actively share the good news of Jesus. This means that we are all given the same command to spread God’s word and make a difference in the lives of others for eternity. Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus tells us all to, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We each carry a light for all to see, so that we may bring salvation to everyone we come in contact with. The apostle Paul was very clear in Romans 10:13-14, “Everyone who calls on the name of the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one of whom they have never heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” We are called to be on mission and do everything we can to share the living hope that is in each of us. No one person is off the hook. If we call ourselves Christ followers, then we have the honor and privilege to share in the mission of God and sharing his glorious gospel with others.
As leaders and the local body of believers, we should be eager to see each of these signs in our life. Each one of these signs could be independent in and of themselves. However, to see the full health of the leader and the local body they all must function together. Each one builds on the previous. How I see it is when I love Jesus I want to please him and get to know him better and the way to get to know him better is to be in His word. When I love God’s word, I want to encourage others with life giving and healing words. When I encourage others with life giving and healing words I am being empowered by the Holy Spirit. When I am empowered by the Holy Spirit it allows me to partner with God and be on his mission. Then I see the whole process beginning again because when I am on mission it is because I love Jesus. In the words of Isaiah, the prophet, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Bibliography
Chery, Fritz. Bible Reasons. January 8, 2019. https://biblereasons.com/missions/ (accessed April 10, 2019).
Christian Standard Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
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