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Christianity Today, November, 2008 |

Denominational Diagnostics

What I look for to find a healthy church.

Philip Yancey | posted 11/19/2008 08:52AM

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(3) Mission. The church, said Archbishop William Temple, is "the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members." Some churches, especially those located in urban areas, focus on the needs of immediate neighborhoods. Others adopt sister churches in other countries, support relief and development agencies, and send mission teams abroad. Saddest of all are those churches whose vision does not extend beyond their own facilities and parking lots.

In my visits I never found a perfect church (nor should we expect to, if the New Testament gives any indication). But when tempted to judge, I simply remind myself that disappointment with the church traces back to God's own bold experiment: to allow ordinary people like us to embody his presence on earth.

Related Elsewhere:

Yancey's previous columns are available on our site.

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November 2008, Vol. 52, No. 11

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 89 comments.

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Roger

Posted: December 02, 2008 2:32 PM


Very good! Its the same in Brazil where I grow up and in Germany where I live now.

Lou	Posted: November 29, 2008 8:52 AM


Here's a more traditional (and better) list of things to look for in a church: Faithful preaching of the Word of God, proper administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and church discipline exercised in accordance with the Scriptures.

Joshua Cookingham

Posted: November 28, 2008 11:33 AM


I wasn't going to comment, but now I almost feel forced, lol. Yes, the Gospel is the prime mission of the Church. However, the Apostle Paul was also clear that Joy is an essential part of living by the Spirit, not somberness. Also, He was clear that believers should relate well to one another. One of the biggest signs of sin is disunity.

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