7 Habits of a Highly Effective Church

The world mourned the tragic destruction of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  It is one of the best known churches in the world and stood as a symbol of art, architecture and culture in the city of Paris.  It drew as many as 13 million visitors a year. 

But is it an example of a highly effective church and ministry?  Some would feel that it is more of a museum than a ministry. People can revel in its artistic beauty but what is the essence of and effective church?  Is it feeding people’s souls? Are lives being changed because of it’s influence?  Is it making a difference in this sin-sick world?

Size and fame are not necessarily an indication of a healthy church.  As Charles Spurgeon said, “Just because a church is large doesn’t mean it’s healthy. It could just mean it’s swollen.”

What are the traits that make a church an effective place of ministry and spiritual impact? Here are my thoughts, in no particular order:

1. EVANGELISM – a church that does not evangelize will fossilize. There are many churches that go through the rituals and play church but they are making no attempt at bringing people into the kingdom.  Evangelism is simply not a priority.
2. MISSIONS – Some churches are totally focused on themselves and their own activities.  They may make token contributions towards missions but they have forgotten or ignored the great commission and our Lord’s instruction to go into all the world and preach the gospel.
3. PRAYER – Everyone says they believe in the power of prayer yet the prayer meeting is usually the worst attended meeting in church life.   –- If the church had as many agonizers as she has advisers, we would have revival in a year. – Leonard Ravenhill.
4. HOLY SPIRIT.  There is the danger of extremism and unbiblical actions but in many churches there is no evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit at all.  If the Holy Spirit were withdrawn from their church no one would notice the difference because there is no acknowledgement given to the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and of the church
5. COMMUNITY IMPACT.  If a church is to be effective in its area of influence it needs to reach out to its community.  It cannot afford to exist in isolation. The neighborhood needs to be aware of its impact and notice its influence.
6. FELLOWSHIP & VISITOR FRIENDLY Many churches are merely social clubs for people to gather each week and go through a ritual or hear a lecture. There is no warmth and instead of drawing people to God, they are making Him more remote.  As Nicky Gumbel said, “Churches are not museums that display perfect people. They are hospitals where the wounded, hurt, injured and broken find healing. “
7. WORSHIP – Sadly we have come to the place where worship is simply a term applied to the local church service but there is no evidence of true worship.  The church is more focused on the programme and keeping the congregation entertained than drawing people into a relationship with God.

We will never win the world by going to church.  We will only win the world by being the church.