Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

1. Expositional Preaching: The Foundation of Church Health

Expositional preaching is preaching that takes for the point of a sermon the point of a particular passage of Scripture.

Word's Centrality. Expositional preaching is paramount because it places God's Word, not human ideas, at the center of the church's life. This method ensures that the congregation is consistently exposed to the full counsel of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to challenge and shape believers in unexpected ways, fostering genuine spiritual growth beyond the pastor's own understanding. Without this commitment, sermons risk becoming mere reflections of the preacher's interests or cultural trends, rather than divine revelation.

Life-Giving Power. God has chosen His Word as the primary instrument to bring spiritual life and sanctification. From creation to the call of Abraham, the giving of the Law, and the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37, God's Word consistently creates and sustains His people. In the New Testament, faith comes from hearing the message of Christ, demonstrating that the Word is not just information but the very means by which God regenerates hearts and builds His church.

Preacher's Role. The preacher's main role is to faithfully unfold God's Word, not to entertain or merely offer moral exhortations. This commitment to expositional preaching ensures that the church is conformed to God's mind, not the pastor's. It cultivates a congregation that craves and submits to divine truth, recognizing that God's voice, through His Word, is the ultimate source of life and direction for both individuals and the collective body.

2. Biblical Theology: Understanding God's True Character

To misunderstand doctrines as fundamental as election . . . human nature . . . the nature of Christ’s work on the cross . . . the nature of conversion . . . and the certainty we can have of God’s continuing care based fundamentally on his character rather than ours, is no simple matter of lunchroom humor at the seminary, but rather is of real importance for faithfulness to Scripture and for real pastoral issues which constantly arise.

God's Revelation. A healthy church must possess a robust biblical theology, understanding God as He has revealed Himself, not as we wish Him to be. The Bible presents God as a creating, holy, faithful, loving, and sovereign being, whose character is consistently displayed throughout history. This comprehensive understanding prevents the domestication of God into a mere reflection of human desires or cultural values, which often leads to shallow faith and ineffective ministry.

Holiness and Atonement. God's holiness demands a response to human sin, necessitating atonement for reconciliation. The Old Testament sacrifices, culminating in the Day of Atonement, vividly illustrate that sin is serious, costly, and separates us from a holy God. This understanding is crucial because it shapes our view of human nature—not as "basically good" but as spiritually dead and in need of divine intervention—and underscores the necessity of Christ's atoning work.

Faithfulness and Sovereignty. God's faithfulness is demonstrated in His consistent plan to redeem His people, culminating in Jesus Christ, who fulfills all prophecies as both suffering servant and king. This faithfulness, coupled with His sovereignty over all creation and salvation, provides the ultimate hope for believers. Acknowledging God's sovereignty fosters humility and trust, recognizing that our salvation and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom depend entirely on His power and promises, not our own efforts or understanding.

3. The Gospel: God's Saving News, Not Our Self-Help

The good news is that the one and only God, who is holy, made us in his image to know him. But we sinned and cut ourselves off from him. In his great love, God became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law himself, and taking on himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever turn and trust in him.

Beyond "I'm Okay". The true gospel fundamentally rejects the notion that humanity is "okay" or merely needs self-improvement. Instead, it confronts our deep-seated sinfulness, revealing that we are spiritually dead, guilty before a holy God, and deserving of His wrath. This grim reality is not pessimistic but foundational, as it highlights the desperate need for a radical, divine intervention that only Christ can provide, setting the stage for genuine transformation rather than superficial comfort.

More Than "God Is Love". While God is love, this truth must be understood within the context of His entire character, including His holiness, justice, and sovereignty. Presenting "God is love" in isolation risks creating a sentimental deity who overlooks sin, rather than the God who, in His perfect love, provided a costly atonement for sin through Christ. The gospel reveals a love so profound that it satisfies both God's justice and His mercy through the cross.

Christ's Central Sacrifice. The heart of the gospel is Christ's substitutionary death on the cross, where He, though innocent, bore the punishment for our sins. This act of redemption, reconciliation, and propitiation is not merely an example of friendship but a divine transaction that secures our freedom from sin's slavery, restores fellowship with God, and disarms spiritual enemies. Without the cross, the "good news" becomes a hollow message, lacking the power to address our deepest need for forgiveness and new life.

4. Biblical Conversion: God's Radical Transformation, Not Our Decision Alone

The change each human needs, regardless of how we appear externally, is so radical, so near the root of us, that only God can do it.

Profound Need for Change. The Bible unequivocally states that humanity is not "just fine" but in a disastrous spiritual state, dead in sins and transgressions. This condition necessitates a radical, fundamental change—a turning from sin and toward God—that goes far beyond mere self-improvement or moral resolution. Without this deep conviction of guilt and helplessness, the profound grace of God in conversion cannot be truly appreciated or experienced.

Divine Initiative in Change. While conversion involves our sincere repentance and belief, the Bible teaches that this ability to turn to God is itself a gift, "wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God." We are spiritually dead and cannot initiate this life-giving change on our own. God, in His sovereign grace, opens hearts and grants repentance and faith, demonstrating that salvation is ultimately His work, not a human achievement or a simple decision of the will.

Evidence of True Conversion. True conversion results in a transformed life, marked by an increasing desire to love God and obey His commands. It is not merely a past decision or a superficial adherence to religious practices, but a new heart that hates sin and loves righteousness. The absence of such vital change, as seen in "carnal Christians" who profess faith but live worldly lives, indicates a misunderstanding of conversion and can lead to false assurance, hindering genuine spiritual growth and the church's witness.

5. Biblical Evangelism: Faithful Proclamation, Not Manipulative Persuasion

To evangelize is to declare on the authority of God what he has done to save sinners, to warn men of their lost condition, to direct them to repent, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelism's True Nature. Evangelism is fundamentally the faithful proclamation of God's good news, not a manipulative imposition of beliefs or a guarantee of immediate results. It involves clearly articulating the facts of Christ's death and resurrection, warning of sin's consequences, and calling for repentance and faith. The outcome—conversion—is God's work, freeing the evangelist from the burden of "closing a sale" and allowing for joyful, obedient proclamation regardless of the immediate response.

Universal Call to Proclaim. The Great Commission is not reserved for professional clergy or specially gifted evangelists; it is a call for all believers to spread the good news. The book of Acts demonstrates "ordinary" Christians actively evangelizing, underscoring that every disciple has a responsibility to be prepared to share the reason for their hope. This collective participation in evangelism is vital for the church's mission, with individual lives and corporate love serving as powerful testimonies.

Motivated by God's Glory. The primary motivation for evangelism must be a deep love for God and a desire to see Him glorified, rather than selfish ambition or a mere concern for church growth. This God-centered love fuels obedience to Christ's command and genuine compassion for the lost, sustaining the evangelist through difficulties and temptations to dilute the message. When God's glory is the aim, the gospel is presented faithfully, and the church's witness becomes a clear reflection of His character to the world.

6. Biblical Church Membership: A Visible Commitment to Christ's Body

Membership in a local church is not an antiquated, outdated, unnecessary add-on to true membership in the universal body of Christ; membership in a local church is intended to be a testimony to our membership in the universal church.

Defining the Church. A church is not merely a building or a loose association of individuals, but a local body of people who profess and demonstrate salvation by God's grace through faith in Christ. This definition implies a clear distinction between the church and the world, where membership signifies a visible commitment to Christ and to one another. It's a covenanted community of believers, not a social club or a homogeneous interest group.

Reasons for Joining. For confessing Christians, joining a church is crucial for several reasons:

• Assurance: It provides accountability and encouragement from fellow believers, helping to confirm one's salvation through a life of obedience and love.
• Evangelism: A committed, loving community of believers serves as a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the reality of the gospel.
• Edification: Members commit to building each other up, countering individualism and fostering mutual growth in Christlikeness.
• God's Glory: Our collective commitment and love for one another bring glory to God, reflecting His character to creation.

Membership's Entailments. Biblical church membership entails a life of repentance and belief, visibly expressed through baptism and a commitment to a church covenant. This covenant outlines responsibilities such as:

• Regular attendance at services and communion.
• Consistent participation in members' meetings.
• Regular prayer for fellow members and leaders.
• Cheerful and regular financial giving.
• Mutual care, watchfulness, and admonition.

These high expectations clarify what it means to be a Christian and protect the gospel from being obscured by nominalism.

7. Biblical Church Discipline: Loving Accountability for Holiness

We do not discipline because we want to get back at someone. We discipline in humility and in love for God and for the person disciplined.

Discipline's Purpose. Church discipline, both formative (shaping) and corrective, is a biblical mandate rooted in God's own discipline of His children. It is not a negative, vindictive act but a loving, redemptive process aimed at restoring an erring member, protecting the church's health, and upholding God's holiness. Jesus Himself outlines the steps for confronting sin, culminating in exclusion for the unrepentant, demonstrating its seriousness.

Biblical Basis. Numerous New Testament passages, including Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 5, clearly instruct the church to address unrepentant sin within its fellowship. These texts reveal that discipline is for:

• The good of the disciplined individual, to awaken them to their sin and lead to repentance.
• The good of other Christians, serving as a warning against sin's dangers.
• The health of the church as a whole, preventing sin from spreading like "yeast."
• The corporate witness of the church, demonstrating its distinctiveness from the world.
• The glory of God, by reflecting His holy character.

Historical Practice and Modern Neglect. Historically, church discipline was a regular and vital practice in evangelical churches, seen as essential for maintaining purity and a credible witness. Its decline in recent centuries has blurred the lines between the church and the world, leading to churches filled with nominal members and a weakened evangelistic impact. Reinstating biblical discipline, though challenging, is crucial for the church to regain its spiritual vitality and effectively display God's character.

8. Discipleship and Growth: Maturing in Christlikeness

Growth is a sign of life. Growing trees are living trees, and growing animals are living animals. When something stops growing, it dies.

Biblical Mandate for Growth. Spiritual growth is not an optional extra for zealous Christians but a fundamental sign of spiritual life, commanded and encouraged throughout Scripture. From God's initial command to "be fruitful and increase" to Jesus's parables of kingdom growth and the apostles' prayers for maturing believers, the Bible consistently emphasizes both numerical and qualitative growth. This growth is ultimately God's work, but believers are exhorted to actively cultivate qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, and love.

Cultivating Growth through the Marks. Each of the "nine marks" contributes directly to individual and corporate spiritual growth:

• Expositional Preaching: Provides the necessary spiritual food from God's Word.
• Biblical Theology: Deepens understanding of God's character, fostering trust and humility.
• The Gospel: Reinforces reliance on Christ's work, leading to greater gratitude and love.
• Biblical Conversion: Grounds assurance in God's faithfulness, not human effort.
• Biblical Evangelism: Encourages obedience and freedom in sharing the good news.
• Biblical Membership: Fosters accountability and mutual edification within a committed community.
• Biblical Discipline: Corrects sin and warns others, promoting holiness.
• Biblical Leadership: Provides godly examples and vision for the flock.

Importance of Good Growth. True spiritual growth, characterized by increasing holiness and self-denial, brings glory to God and strengthens the church's witness. It counters the modern tendency to equate church health with mere excitement or numerical size, emphasizing instead the internal transformation of believers. A church committed to discipleship ensures that its members are not "baby Christians" indefinitely but are continually maturing in Christlikeness, reflecting God's character to a watching world.

9. Biblical Church Leadership: Godly Shepherds Serving the Flock

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Congregational Context. Biblical church leadership operates within a congregational context, where the assembly of believers holds ultimate responsibility, under God, for doctrine and discipline. While leaders are appointed, the congregation is called to discern and uphold the truth, as seen in Matthew 18 and Paul's letters to the churches. This structure, though not a pure democracy, emphasizes the collective spiritual competence of regenerated members guided by the Spirit and the Word.

Biblical Qualifications. Church leaders, specifically elders (also called overseers or pastors), are to be men of exemplary character, reputation, and ability to teach God's Word, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. These qualifications emphasize godliness, self-control, hospitality, and a well-managed household, rather than secular influence or managerial skills. A plurality of elders is the consistent New Testament model, providing shared wisdom, mutual support, and continuity in leadership.

Charismatic and Christlike Nature. Church leadership is charismatic, meaning it flows from God's grace gifts (charismata) given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the body. Leaders are to reflect Christ's multifaceted leadership, encompassing four key aspects:

• Boss: Commanding and making decisions with authority derived from God's Word.
• Out Front: Taking initiative and setting a godly example for the flock.
• Supply: Equipping and resourcing members for their own ministries.
• Serve: Self-sacrificially serving the church, mirroring Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

This Christlikeness ensures that authority is exercised in love, fostering trust and spiritual growth within the congregation.

Last updated: February 11, 2026