Healthy Adventist Churches
Reaching North New Zealand with the Good News of Jesus
Click here to download this page (Healthy Adventist Churches Flyer) as a PDF
| What is "Healthy Adventist Churches"?
Healthy Adventist Churches is a recommended frame of reference for all congregations in NNZC—each working in a distinctive way as led by the Spirit. |
Our Challenge
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, rapid growth is experienced in many developing nations; while growth is occurring among some ethnic groups in Western nations. But it is hard to find sustained net growth in societies consisting predominantly of secularised European-descent people around the world. Though multi-cultural, North New Zealand is such a society; in our part of the world, population growth exceeds SDA Church growth by roughly 1,000 to one. God has given us the privilege of advancing the Gospel in one of the most challenging kinds of "mission fields" for Seventh-day Adventists and Christianity worldwide.
What makes churches grow?
Belief: The local church—when it works well—is still the primary avenue through which God chooses to reach people. Church members are the functioning "body of Christ".
Understanding: We know the dynamics needed in a church to bring results for the Gospel. The Bible makes these dynamics clear. Prophetic descriptions affirm them. Research agrees.
Expression: Weʼve chosen our own expression through Five Core Dynamics essential for church health and growth;
- teaching, training, empowering ... LEADERSHIP
- trusting, praying, studying ... DEPENDENCE
- knowing, sacrificing, serving ... LOVE
- receiving, giving, worshipping ... PASSION
- searching, targeting, adjusting ... ADAPTATION
God's call to make a start
Each element of Healthy Adventist Churches is based on Scripture. If itʼs not in the Bible, weʼre not interested in it! Here are some sample scriptures that might give us a jump-start in church health and growth. . . .
- "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." Lamentations 3:40.
- "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways.'" Haggai 1:7.
- "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you?" 2 Corinthians 13:5.
- "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." Revelation 3:2, 3. (Scriptures from NIV.)
What's in the mix?
Current highlights of the Healthy Adventist Churches framework
- "Catching the wave"—the dynamic of refreshment and renewal in the life cycle of a church.
- Five Core Action Areas with an outward focus—Worship, Fellowship, Discpleship, Families, Ministry–Evangelism.
- Five Core Dynamics for church health and growth—Leadership, Dependence, Love, Passion, Adaptation.
- CREATION Health—A visually attractive way of describing a healthy Adventist community in faith and practice.
- A "bubble-up" approach—spiritual stirrings from the front line of local churches, supported and affirmed by Conference leaders.
- Regional Pastors—fire stokers, ambassadors, catalysts for change.
- "GUIDES"—designated helpers who Guide, Understand, Inspire, Defend, and Encourage.
- The Healthy Church Cycle—Praying, Visioning, Self Assessment, Consultation, Action Plan, Action according to the Plan.
- Home Style Church—an effective option for small congregations.
- Simple Church—an Adventist house church approach.
- Resource provision—provided and recommended resources for church health and growth.
Self Assessment: Courageous spiritual act
Realisation: Itʼs true whether youʼre using a map, a compass or a GPS. Before you can get to a point beyond, you first have to find out where you are right now. Thatʼs why self assessment is a key step in the Healthy Church Cycle. Itʼs a courageous spiritual act. For some, self assessment might be uncomfortable—but comfort is not our goal.
Provision: The Healthy Adventist Churches team has a threestep recommendation. First, Dashboard Indicators—a quick look at key numbers. Second, the internationally used Natural Church Development (NCD) Survey. Third, our own Church Life Questionnaire. All three are easily and quickly accomplished. Together, they provide an accurate and valuable snapshot of a congregationʼs present condition.
Journey: Once we know where we are, we can plan our journey to where we want to be—as the Spirit leads. If we stand united and keep our eyes on the Cross, it will be an excellent journey!
So, how's it going?
Assessment: God is the only true Assessor. He gives the growth, and He knows how itʼs going! At the same time, our own accountability and encouragement are helped by some kind of measure.
An Index: Weʼve put in place an arbitrary Index for church health and growth. If there were no churches in "stuck" mode; if 50 per cent of churches were on a pathway of health; and if the other 50 per cent were assertively in a mode of health and growth—then our Index would top out at 250. Weʼd love to see that—or better!
Reality: You can see below how we think our Conference-wide situation stands now, compared with several months ago. Through Godʼs action and the efforts of disciples in local churches, weʼre inching forward . . . but we have a long way to go.
Prayer call: Would you please pray right now for the pouring out of Godʼs Spirit on every congregation in North New Zealand?
Helpful Links
Need help to develop your Small Group Ministry, visit www.smallgroupconsultants.org.nz
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Pr Ed Gallagher Sr Pastor for Healthy Adventist Churches Phone: (09) 627 6052 Mobile: 021 879 593 eddieg@actrix.co.nz |