B. Continually disciple people one on one and in small groups to address the health of these four subsystems
and their inter-related contribution to the health of the whole system of a congregation.
The skin
is the most visible subsystem of the human body. It covers the connection of our hands, arms, feet, to our torso, and to our
head. Like skin, the biblical teaching about the nature of the church covers the entire body. This teaching is contained in
the NT and often reflected in written statements of faith like the Nicene Creed. In addition, it forms the corporate relationship
of the Church with its head—Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we forget our vertical relationship with God in our pragmatic haste
for an active body that is doing good works in the world.
3. Praying for pastors and their families is an important part of a congregation's
corporate spiritual life.
"Any
Church may have a mighty man of God for its pastor, if it is willing to the price and that price is not a big salary but great
praying." R.A. Torrey, The Power of Prayer, p.35.
There is an inter connection of the skin system with the other systems of the human body. The skin system connects
to the internal subsystems of the musculoskeletal system and internal organ system, the neurological system, as well as the
circulatory system of the body. Similarly, biblical teaching seeks to influence the subsystems of our horizontal relationships
with each other in Christ. Biblical teaching seeks to shape how people behave and relate in God’s church. Whenever,
scriptural teaching fails to influence our horizontal relationship with each other in Christ, we fail to discern our connectedness
as the body of Christ
The musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones, and joints), and internal organ system involves relationships of holy Christian love between members of the body of Christ which the New Testament
provides much guidance for.
The neurological systemconnects the skin, muscles, bones, and internal organs of the human
body in terms of action, direction, and coordination. Likewise, within a church system there is a very small but important
part of the congregation’s inner life. It involves wholesome relationships between the pastor and the leaders which
each fulfilling their biblical roles. The NT teaching about church offers guidance to the relationships between those involved
in congregational leadership.
The circulatory system energizes and defends the
various subsystems of the human body. The red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients. The white blood cells to fight disease
or infection.
Apart from the circulatory system, the human body cannot live. The skin, bones, muscles, internal organs and
the nervous system all depend upon the blood cells of the circulatory system. In the same way, the soundness of individual
Christians is crucial to the sound health of the whole church body. Church health not only involves the corporate life of
the church but also the individual members of the body of Christ. As it concerns overall church health, biblical teaching
concerning the church touches the spiritual, moral, relational, behavioral, emotional, and physical fitness of each
Christian.
A Healthy
Church Circulation System involves the maturity of both clergy and laity in holy wholeness in our Savior, Lord, Sanctifier,
and Healer Jesus Christ.
The skin system also represents
the connection of our hands, arms, feet, legs to our torso to the world as Christ’s continuing ministry in the world
through the Church as God's Healing Community mending broken lives.
Therefore,
developing a healthy church is not a destination. It is quite a journey. Caring for and seeking the improvement of a congregation's
health serves to equip the body of believers for healthy ministries in a hurting world.
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