Healthy Church ~ A Healthy Order

                    H.E.  Brent R. Spencer, GMKR, DSR, KCStMAA, SBStJ


There is a correlation of indicators that show evidence of a healthy church and that of an order of chivalry or confraternity. What makes a healthy church certainly extends to the well being of an order. A church is not a physical building, though a place of worship is most often referred to by this same term. A church is a body of believers working together, praying, praising, and doing their best to follow the tenets of their faith. What makes one such group vibrant and another stale, even contributing to the forces of evil? What are the signs of a healthy church?

First of all, there is focused worship. Worship and praise is for the glory of God and expressing our gratitude and adoration for His grace. Our prayers are directed communication with a loving creator, which makes our worship a very special matter, for we have a unique connection with Him. Our faith is based on a spiritual relationship, not just a fearful hope that religious adherence to rituals and sacrifices will appease an indifferent entity. A healthy church is a worshipping church.

 Secondly, a healthy church is evangelizing, which means it actively shares the good news, the gospel of Christ and the message of salvation. It actively shares and demonstrates what the Greeks referred to as “xapis”, which means joy, grace, and loving-kindness.

Thirdly, a healthy church is one whose membership is learning. It grows healthy with the milk, meat, and living water of the Word. Its members live on the scriptures and learn from the real life experiences of the day. The technologies of the millennia have changed, but the experiences of life and the passions shared cross the dimensions of time. A healthy church learns from the stories of the people and the acts of God, past and present. The Word of God is living and active and calls upon us to remember His actions and to share with others what He is doing for others today.

Fourthly, a healthy church is a loving church. The believers work together, uplift, correct, and love each other as they have everything in common. The early church was very well connected in looking after the needs of others and this is the sign of a healthy church even now.
In short, a church that is WELL, involves Worship, Evangelizing, Learning, and Loving.

Extending thoughts of what makes for a healthy order or a confraternity, which is similar but is directly focused on church related mandates, I have identified seven indicators. There may be others, but these will probably carry the day when supplemented by the above indicators of a healthy church.

1. It proclaims its mandates and strives to uphold them in its ceremonies and activities.

2. It establishes benchmark standards and does not compromise them for convenient or selfish motives.

3. It makes allowance for growth, times of austerity, and human failings, recognizing that there are seasons, an ebb and flow of commitment.

4. It recognized the work of its members and the contributions of its supporters.

5. It recognizes the inevitable aspect that may will join for validation, or as trophy hunters, but these members may still enhance the work and reputation of the order or confraternity by their membership alone.

6. It makes allowance for transference of powers and responsibilities as needed. It makes accommodation for both pruning and promotion.

7. It networks with other orders and with the members of other organizations to learn and grow for the benefit of others. Membership should be mutually beneficial, a mutual blessing.

The health and wealth of a church and an order are so similar to one’s personal health and wealth. All depend upon loving care, nutrition, upon strengthening and exercising its body, upon striving to learn and achieve, and upon protecting one’s well-being from poison, hostile or malevolent forces, dangerous ground, and reckless abandon.

As the administrative and structural protector of an order, as the member of a church body, and as a member of a confraternity, I am very keenly aware of the challenges involved in maintaining the healthiness of all three, and I write this to guide and encourage others. It is my sincere hope that it will be of value to the newest member or those much senior to me in service and experience.