From the Pastor’s Desk – February 2025

Many of you have seen this before. I used this in both the Tuesday and Thursday bible study, in my Tuesday morning devotion, and in our Saturday afternoon worship. I was excited to see this survey and think these twelve quality factors in the life of a congregation are good for us to evaluate based on our gifts, talents, and passions. How are we doing?

A survey of hundreds of pastors reveals the measurable quality factors in the life of a congregation in ranking order. The twelve factors are:

12. Social justice. Either through the congregation as a whole or through specialized Christian agencies, members are striving to make changes in sociopolitical structures that will contribute to a
more moral and just society.

11. Social service. Members are serving others outside the congregation. This includes direct personal involvement with the poor and needy, or in programs designed to help the needy.

10. Attitude toward religion. Church members regard their involvement in the church primarily as a service to God rather than a means to fulfill personal needs.

9. Distinctive life-style. Members generally manifest their faith in Christ by living a life-style clearly and noticeable distinct from that of non-Christians in the same community.

8. Fellowship. Members are growing in their personal relationships with each other through regular participation in church fellowship groups of one kind or another.

7. Giving. Members give an appropriate portion of their income to the local church and/or to other Christian causes.

6. Missions. The church actively supports missions, organizing and sustaining a strong program for recruiting, sending, and financing home and foreign missionaries.

5. Lay ministry. The lay people of the church are engaged in such ministries as teaching and discipling. In some cases this happens through consciously discovering, developing, and using their spiritual gifts.

4. Witnessing. Members regularly attempt to share their faith in Jesus Christ with unbelievers.

3. Worship. Members regularly participate in the worship services scheduled by the church.

2. Personal devotions. Members spend time daily in prayer, Bible reading, meditation, and other personal spiritual exercises.

1. Bible knowledge. Church members are increasing in their grasp of the teachings of the Bible. They can integrate this with a theological system that enables them to apply the Bible’s teachings
to their life situation.

I believe we do well in many of these quality factors. Concerning a few of these, we do very little. In all of these, we can improve. I will remind you of this survey all year long. It will be my focus to help you discern your spiritual gifts and how they may be used for the kingdom. I hope all of you are up for this. Let’s make 2025 the year we strive to be the best church, and the best children of God we can be.

As always, I welcome your comments.

Pastor Cory