A Word to the Wise from Dr. Chris Crain, Birmingham Metro Association, Birmingham, AL
Sitting in worship services, meeting with pastors, listening to lay leaders, and observing congregational life has given me a front-row seat to what God is doing in and through His church. I tell people often, “I have the best job in the world because I get to see the same Jesus worshipped in 180 different contexts!"
My list is not a scientific study. It is not exhaustive. These are simply prayed-over observations shaped by the Word of God and confirmed through my own real-life ministry experiences. My hope is not that we would measure ourselves against one another, but that we would reflect, recalibrate where needed, and rejoice in what God is already doing among us.
Ten Evidences (Among Many) of a Healthy Church
Chris Crain, Executive Director, Birmingham Metro Association, Birmingham, AL, Weekly Newsletter, 5.20.26
Sitting in worship services, meeting with pastors, listening to lay leaders, and observing congregational life has given me a front-row seat to what God is doing in and through His church. I tell people often, “I have the best job in the world because I get to see the same Jesus worshipped in 180 different contexts!"
My list is not a scientific study. It is not exhaustive. These are simply prayed-over observations shaped by the Word of God and confirmed through my own real-life ministry experiences. My hope is not that we would measure ourselves against one another, but that we would reflect, recalibrate where needed, and rejoice in what God is already doing among us.
Ten Evidences (Among Many) of a Healthy Church
- Evidence of a caring and joyful spirit.
- Awareness of the importance of diversity in spiritual gifts and perspectives.
- An attitude of welcoming (and seeking) people from all backgrounds and generations from the local community.
- Emphasis on spiritual devotion to Jesus Christ through worship, the ordinances, and prayer.
- Collaborative leadership among staff and laity.
- Awareness of the Christian story throughout the ages and within the specific congregation.
- Scriptures are the final authority and the subject matter of the church's teaching and preaching ministry. The focus is on the redemption by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and adoption into His family, the Body of Christ, by grace through faith.
- Problems and disagreements are approached with a unified desire to work toward solutions.
- Discipleship approaches are intentional and vary to meet the needs of the people.
- Missions activities & strategies go beyond praying and giving, to include partnering, going, and sending.
Chris Crain, Executive Director, Birmingham Metro Association, Birmingham, AL, Weekly Newsletter, 5.20.26
Four Things to Know This Week
1. Convention Preview: SBC 2026 Messengers Heading to Orlando in June (The Baptist Paper)
2. Why Most Churches Don’t Have a Succession Plan (Greg Ligon, Church Leader Insider)
3. New Numbers on the Southern Baptist Convention: Remarkable Recovery or Dead Cat Bounce? (Sam Rainer, Church Answers)
4. 8 Blessings of Brokenness (Chuck Lawless)
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” each Tuesday morning.
1. Convention Preview: SBC 2026 Messengers Heading to Orlando in June (The Baptist Paper)
2. Why Most Churches Don’t Have a Succession Plan (Greg Ligon, Church Leader Insider)
3. New Numbers on the Southern Baptist Convention: Remarkable Recovery or Dead Cat Bounce? (Sam Rainer, Church Answers)
4. 8 Blessings of Brokenness (Chuck Lawless)
Thank you for reading. Please share it with pastors and other AMSs you believe would benefit.
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
I also host the “SBCAL Podcast with Ray Gentry” each Tuesday morning.
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