Is Your Church Healthy?
A Quick Summary of the Core Characteristics that Make Churches Thrive
Dawson Stephens
4/24/20257 min read
Have you ever been to a church that felt... alive?
Not just energetic or packed, but spiritually vibrant—like you walked into something real, something heavenly. People were growing, serving, loving, worshiping, and touching lives in ways that felt more like family than formality.
That’s a healthy church.
And it turns out, healthy churches—no matter where they are—share some common traits. It’s not about being big, loud, or busy. It’s about being biblically grounded, spiritually empowered, and mission-driven. We’re going to look at what Scripture says, along with the findings of Joseph Kidder in his book about church health, The Big Four; we’re also going to pull from the principles of church health outlined in Natural Church Development, and from one of my favorite authors, Ellen White.
So, let’s unpack the six traits of a healthy church—and see how Scripture, research, and wise counsel all point us in the same direction.
1. Christ-Centered Spirituality
At the heart of every healthy church is this one non-negotiable: Jesus is everything.
From the early believers in Acts to modern research on church life, one principle stands out: Christ isn’t just mentioned—He’s the center. When a church lifts up Christ consistently, it becomes a place of healing, hope, and transformation.
What it means:
The faith of the members isn’t routine or ritual—it’s real, vibrant, and deeply personal. Prayer, Bible study, and worship are expressions of a passionate relationship with Jesus.
In practice:
People pray regularly and expect answers.
The Bible is read with a hunger to know God, not just to gain knowledge.
Faith influences daily life and decisions.
Jesus is present and welcomed in every church activity.
📖 In Acts
The apostles didn’t just preach good advice—they preached Christ crucified, risen, and returning. Every sermon pointed people to Jesus (Acts 2:36; Acts 3:18–20).
📘 Joseph Kidder
In The Big Four, Kidder says the first marker of a growing church is passionate spirituality—a faith that’s lived out with joy, vibrancy, and personal connection to Christ.
🌍 Natural Church Development (NCD)
NCD also names passionate spirituality as one of its eight core traits. It’s about more than doctrine—it’s about people who love Jesus deeply and express that love in daily life.
✍️ Ellen White
“The secret of our success… will be found in making Jesus our focus.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 84)
She believed that everything the church does—preaching, serving, worshipping—should lead people to a deeper walk with Christ.
👉 Ask yourself: Is Jesus the clear center of your church’s life, not just in name but in focus?
2. Empowering Leadership and Structures
In a healthy church, leadership isn’t about control—it’s about equipping others. It’s servant-hearted, Spirit-led, and focused on multiplying disciples, not building personal kingdoms.
What it means:
Leaders aren’t controlling every decision or doing all the work. Instead, they equip, mentor, and release others to lead. They help members discover their gifts and give them real ownership and responsibility. Church systems (programs, committees, schedules) support, not hinder ministry. The structure exists to serve the mission, and it adapts when necessary.
In practice:
Leaders act like coaches, not bosses.
Members feel trusted and supported.
There's a focus on developing new leaders from within.
Ministries are streamlined, not bloated with red tape.
Meetings have purpose and move ministry forward.
The church regularly reviews and revises systems to keep things flexible and mission-focused.
📖 In Acts
Look at Acts 6:1–7. When a need arose, the apostles didn’t try to do it all. They delegated. They empowered others to serve, pray, and lead. That’s biblical leadership.
📘 Joseph Kidder
Kidder calls this empowering leadership—leaders who aren’t micromanagers, but disciple-makers. The best leaders don’t do all the ministry; they raise up others to join the mission.
🌍 NCD
NCD also uses this exact phrase—empowering leadership—as one of their eight traits. Healthy churches have leaders who release responsibility and believe in people’s potential. Another similar NCD trait is functional structures: where the structures and ministries of the church itself empower and support the church instead of hindering it.
✍️ Ellen White
“The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 149)
Leadership is about training, not just teaching.
👉 Are leaders in your church focused on developing others? Or doing it all themselves?
3. Gift-Based Ministry
Healthy churches don’t plug people into random roles—they help people discover their gifts and serve where they’re strongest. That’s when ministry becomes joyful and effective.
What it means:
People are serving where they are spiritually gifted, not just where there’s a vacancy. Ministry is matched to the individual strengths, passions, and callings of members.
In practice:
Members take spiritual gifts assessments.
Leaders help plug people into roles that fit their strengths.
There's joy and fruitfulness in ministry because people are doing what God designed them to do.
📖 In Acts
Look at Stephen and Philip—both were chosen for service (Acts 6), but later stepped into powerful preaching and evangelistic roles. They were serving where God had gifted them.
📘 Joseph Kidder
One of the “Big Four” is gift-based ministry—not guilt-based, not convenience-based. When people serve in their spiritual sweet spot, it’s a game changer.
🌍 NCD
In NCD research again the same trait was emphasized—gift-based ministry—confirming that churches grow more naturally when members are serving in areas aligned with their spiritual gifts.
✍️ Ellen White
“God calls for each to do the work for which he is best adapted.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 116)
In other words, God designed you to serve—and He gave you the tools to do it well.
👉 Are people in your church serving in roles that fit where they are gifted?
4. Inspiring, Spirit-Filled Worship
Worship is more than music. It’s the atmosphere of the church—it reflects what we believe about God. In a healthy church, worship moves hearts and lifts eyes to heaven.
What it means:
Worship isn’t a dry routine—it’s engaging, authentic, and God-centered. People leave feeling encouraged, challenged, and more connected to Jesus.
In practice:
Music and preaching connect with people intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
There’s a sense of expectancy and reverence, mingled with joy and rest.
Visitors feel something real and want to return.
Worship focuses on coming to God on His terms, not on our preferences.
📖 In Acts
Worship was central. From Pentecost (Acts 2) to prison (Acts 16), believers praised God passionately and publicly. Worship wasn’t an event—it was a lifestyle.
📘 Joseph Kidder
His research shows that healthy churches prioritize inspiring worship—not necessarily polished, but authentic, Spirit-led, and Jesus-focused.
🌍 NCD
NCD agrees: inspiring worship is a core health factor. People are drawn to churches where they sense God’s presence, not just a performance.
✍️ Ellen White
“The Lord desires His people… to offer praise and thanksgiving that they may glorify His name.” (Evangelism, p. 504)
Worship should engage the whole heart, mind, and soul.
👉 Is your worship helping people encounter God deeply?
5. Loving Relationships and Shared Community
No healthy church is a crowd of strangers. It’s a family—where people are known, loved, and supported. Authentic relationships are a must.
What it means:
The church feels like family, not just a gathering. Members genuinely love, encourage, forgive, and support each other. Small groups aren’t just Bible studies—they’re spiritual communities where people grow in faith, care for one another, and do life together.
In practice:
People know each other’s names—and stories.
Conflicts are resolved with grace.
New people are warmly welcomed and quickly connected.
Interactions build each other up, not tear each other down.
Groups share meals, pray, serve, and study together.
Every member has a smaller circle of support.
Real discipleship happens in relationships, not just classes.
📖 In Acts
“They devoted themselves… to fellowship.” (Acts 2:42) They shared meals, needs, and their lives. That’s one thing that made the early church so attractive.
📘 Joseph Kidder
While not one of the “Big Four” directly, community flows from them—especially through empowering leadership and passionate spirituality.
🌍 NCD
Loving relationships and holistic small groups are two of the eight traits of NCD. That means churches grow when they go beyond surface-level relationships.
✍️ Ellen White
“The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 470)
👉 Do people in your church feel seen, supported, and loved—or anonymous?
6. Mission-Minded Evangelism
Healthy churches aren’t just cozy—they’re commissioned. They exist to reach the lost, serve the hurting, and make disciples.
What it means:
Evangelism is intentional, personal, and practical. Instead of just preaching, the church meets real needs and shares Christ through love, service, and speaking relevant truth.
In practice:
Outreach is tailored to the community’s actual needs.
Members are trained to share their faith naturally, in the context of relationships.
Ministries like food banks, tutoring, or counseling lead to spiritual conversations.
Evangelistic programs are one part of an ongoing cycle, not the only part.
📖 In Acts
“...And the Lord added to their number daily.” (Acts 2:47) They weren’t waiting for people to come—they were going out with the gospel.
📘 Joseph Kidder
Evangelism flows naturally from healthy spirituality and worship. Passion for Jesus inevitably turns outward. It’s not a program—it’s a lifestyle.
🌍 NCD
NCD calls it need-oriented evangelism—meeting people’s real needs while sharing real hope. It’s service + gospel = transformation.
✍️ Ellen White
“Christ’s method alone will give true success… He mingled with people, met their needs, and won their confidence.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 143)
Evangelism is personal, compassionate, and Spirit-led.
👉 Is your church actively engaging the world outside its walls?
Final Thoughts: Health Is More Than Attendance
Let’s be honest—church health can’t be measured by attendance, budget, or buildings. It’s measured by spiritual vitality, loving relationships, faithful mission, and community impact.
Let’s recap the 6 core characteristics of a healthy church:
Christ-Centered Spirituality
Empowering Leadership and Effective Structures
Gift-Based Ministry
Inspiring Worship
Loving Relationships and Shared Community
Mission-Minded Evangelism
And we didn’t just make these up—these themes show up in Scripture, in research, and in wise counsel.
Now, Your Turn 🌱
You don’t have to be a pastor or elder to help build a healthy church. And remember, church is not a building, it’s the people coming together in the name of Jesus. Every member is a minister. Every disciple is a difference-maker. Imagine having a body of believers like what we talked about today, and the difference it could make in your community!
Here are some steps you could take to move your church one step closer to thriving:
✅ Invite someone to lunch after church
✅ Join (or start!) a small group
✅ Serve in an area that fits your gifts
✅ Encourage your leaders
✅ Pray for the Spirit to be poured out
✅ Ask God how you can be the change
What’s one thing you will do this week to make your church healthier?
Share this post with someone else who could benefit from it:
Your pastor or elder
A friend you want to work on these things with
A church member who wants to get involved
Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how God is using you in your church family. Let’s grow together!
Have any questions? Feel free to reach out!
