Based upon our five core values, I tried to write five questions that pastors can use to measure the health of their people.
- Do her speech and actions show that she is obsessed with knowing and loving the Person of Jesus Christ?
- Does he give and care for his church family like his biological family?
- If she lived in a city with no other believers, would she be able to mature in Christ, and make disciples?
- Does he regularly share the gospel while displaying character that evidences the Holy Spirit?
- In what ways does she sacrifice, proving her anticipation of eternity with Christ?
It would be great to have a more expanded list that would be even more specific and complete. If you can come up with other measurable questions, please add them to the list.
Devoted Worshippers
Are they obsessed with knowing and loving the Person of Jesus?
- Do your people seem to love spending time with the Lord by themselves?
- Do your people love reading the Bible and meditating on the word?
- Do your people show signs of receiving deep insights and conviction from their own personal time with the Lord that has nothing to do with the pastor’s teaching?
- Do your people seem to be changed by their times with Jesus on their own?
- Do your people love praying together for extended periods of time?
- Do your people love to gather together regardless of who’s leading in teaching or worship?
- Do your people love singing out to God regardless of if it’s led by a gifted worship band or a deep lover of Jesus with limited singing ability?
Loving Families
Do they give and care for their church family like their biological family?
- Do they spend more time thinking about themselves or others?
- Do they effectively use their spiritual gifts to build up the others?
- Do your people regularly meet each other’s needs, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
- Do your people love being together outside of regular church functions?
- Do your people feel confident enough in the loving relationships to the extent that they can be honest about sin, fears, and needs?
- Do your people sacrifice for each other in various ways?
Equipped Disciple Makers
If they lived in a city with no other believers, would they be able to mature in Christ, and make disciples?
- Do your people each have someone who is taking responsibility for their spiritual care and development?
- Do your people each actively seek to take responsibility for discipling others (either of believers or non-believers)?
- Do your people see themselves as being trained to become leaders who can train others?
- Do your people desire to care for and lead others spiritually?
- Do your people view themselves as the main catalyst for evangelism and discipleship?
- Do your people (including leaders) each see themselves as just as valuable a part of the church as anyone else?
- Do your people exercise their spiritual gifts for the building up of the body?
Spirit-Filled Missionaries
Do they regularly share the gospel while displaying character that evidences the Holy Spirit?
- Do your people show a deep concern for lost people?
- Do your people regularly share the gospel with non-believers?
- Do your people embrace the idea of moving out of their comfort zone for the sake of the gospel?
- Do your people display a desire for the Holy Spirit to fill them with power to impact those around them?
- Do your people’s decisions seem to be motivated more by God’s will/desires for their life or by their will/desires for their life?
- Do your people display the fruit of the Spirit in a manner that separates them from those who don’t have the Spirit?
Suffering Sojourners
In what ways do they sacrifice, proving their anticipation of eternity with Christ?
- Do your people display an excitement about Heaven?
- Do your people care a lot about money, career, sports, possessions, entertainment, etc.?
- Do your people display deep, abiding joy in the middle of conflict and suffering?
- Do your people fearlessly make faithful decisions (i.e. fostering, adoption, simple living, moving into harder areas, gospel proclamation) even though it may result in hardship to them, or do they instead typically play it safe?
- Do your people show a willingness to jeopardize their job or social status for the gospel?
- Do your people make daily sacrifices because of the hope they have in Jesus’ return?