What Makes for A Great Church?

Acts 2: 41-47

Many responses are given.  Sone argue that a great church has great programming that offers something for everybody, a state of the art worship facility, a worship event that uses the latest audio and video technology, a kids’ play area, a regulation size gym, ample fellowship space, a bookstore, and a Starbucks.  Others describe a great church i terms of such things as wealth, size, and prestige.  However, these things may be matched or exceeded by other social organizations.  These things have their place, but they are things  of this world.  What the world cannot duplicate or match is the presence of Christ among his people; such a presence is the source of our spiritual vitality and makes for a great church.

The Bood of Acts describe the first community of believers as a dynamic, growing church that turned the world of its day upside down.  They did this in the midst of fierce opposition, and organized persecution not only from the Jewish authorities but also from the mighty Roman Empire.  In spite of such opposition, the church grew so rapidly that within 300 years the Roman Empire surrendered to the gospel of Christ.  The political state that once said: “Caesar is Lord” now came to terms with the truth that Jesus is Lord of all.

What was there about this church that made it a force for spiritual and social change?  Acts 2:41-47 tells us that those who received the saving word were baptized.  They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  They shared their material goods with others, and broke bread from house to house.  The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.  These things worked for that church and would work for any church today.

We may differ on some of these facets of this first community of believers, but this much is clear, these believers were known for one thing more than anything else-the spiritual transformation that was evidenced in their lives.  God’s power at work in the lives of his people is the most compelling witness to the transforming nature of the Godpel.

A great church understands the difference between being bigger and being better, it strives to be a growing church rather than being a fat church.  It does not confuse sharing the faith with serving the needy.  The social Gospel never replaces the saving gospel.  A great church seek first the interest of the Kingdom of God.

Lyle Schaller summarizes the characteristics of rapidly growing fullservice churches as follow:

(1) The people worshipping in these churches discover that their lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel.  (2) That happens because their leaders (both paid and volunteer) have experienced the life changing power of the Gospel in their own lives; therefore, they are convinced that they must share that experience with others.  (3) Most of the members cannot help inviting others to come and experience the life changing power of the Gospel of Christ.  (4) As a result, these churches serve God with the confidence that more people will come if invited by those whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel.  In this way, a self-perpetuating cycle is created that generates a steady flow of visitors.

As a community of believers, we strive to be a place where the Lord’s presence is experienced by those who gather here in his name.  We bear witness to God’s presence in our midst and rejoice in the Lord’s work among us through our brothers and sisters.  We aim to be a church that is full of mercy, grace, and truth.  What we value most is not our programs but the people who know a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ and those seeking such a relationship.  A great church exists for one purpose, to know Christ and to make him known.

Any organized group of people may be described as a great social organization; but it is that community of faith which is built by Christ and build on Christ that may be called a church.  Such a community makes a life transforming impact on the lives of those who belong to its fellowship and cast an influence of grace on those who observe it from afar.

Pastor Cutting