ACTION STEP 2
Write your own list of criteria by which you
might be able to judge the ‘success’ or otherwise of your local church.
TEST it by applying the list
a) to Jesus’ ministry:
b) to the life of the early church.
(Don’t forget how fragmented the early
church was; just read through the New Testament Epistles!)
CHECK THE FOLLOWING FEATURES in your church
life:
1. Listen carefully to the Intercessions
during your church services.
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Do they show an awareness of local needs,
concerns and issues outside the life of the congregation? |
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Or are your prayers about global issues on
the one hand and internal concerns on the other? |
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If so, are you introverted? |
2. Look carefully at your church’s
membership.
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What proportion do not live in
owner-occupied housing? |
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How does this compare with the proportion
in the locality as a whole? |
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What proportion of your congregation work
in technical, semi-skilled or unskilled jobs? |
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How middle class does this make you? |
3. How much does your church depend on your
minister’s ability to lead, enthuse or take decisions?
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If he or she left, would church life go
into decline? |
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If so, how dependent are you on an
impresario? |
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If you are Anglican, what happened the
last time you had a vacancy or interregnum? |
4. Look at the age range of your worshippers.
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What proportion of your congregation were
already there twenty or more years ago. |
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What proportion of them are pensioners? |
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Are there signs of ageing? |
But don't forget: there can be illusions about failure too!
(See page 88.)
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