(Second of two parts; click here to read Part 1)

Eight Qualities of Healthy Churches

Christian A. Schwarz, head of the Institute for Church Development in Germany, conducted reportedly the most comprehensive church-growth study ever, drawn from more than one thousand churches in thirty-two countries. His study revealed eight qualities in healthy churches.

1. Empowering leadership

Leaders of growing churches. … do not use lay workers as "helpers" in attaining their goals and fullfilling their visions. Rather, leaders invert the pyramid of authority so they assist Christians to attain the spiritual potential God has for them.

2. Gift-oriented ministry

When Christians serve in their area of giftedness, they generally function less in their own strength and more in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, ordinary people can accomplish the extraordinary!

3. Passionate spirituality

The concept of spiritual passion and the widespread notion of the walk of faith as "performing one's duty" seem to ...