Vital Signs

Dear HoC members and friends

We’ve all gone to the doctor and had our vital signs taken. The doctor checks our heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, height, weight, etc. These tests are done to develop a baseline for our health. If the numbers are in a normal range for our age and circumstances, our body is healthy and working the way it should. If the numbers are abnormal – too high or too low, or otherwise indicate a variance from what they should be – then there may be a problem that needs addressed. We may require medication or certain lifestyle changes to restore our body to its proper functioning.

We know the basic vital signs for a person, but do we know the vital signs of a church? How do we assess if our church is functioning in a healthy way? Our denomination’s Presbyterian Mission Agency has developed a list of seven marks, or vital signs, of a healthy church. These include:

 Lifelong discipleship formation

 Ecclesial health 

Intentional Authentic Evangelism 

Outward Incarnational Focus 

Empowering Servant Leadership 

Spirit-Inspired Worship 

Caring Relationships

At our Café Church on August 25th, we had a great discussion about how well our church exhibits these vital signs. We will continue to explore these marks of a healthy church and periodically check in to see how we’re doing in these areas as a church. One of the marks we are going to be focusing upon this fall at HoC is lifelong discipleship formation. Specifically, we’re going to be focusing upon prayer as it relates to God’s kingdom vision for our church and community. You’ll hear more about it over the coming weeks and months. I can’t wait to see how God will work in and through our church as we seek his vision in prayer!

Blessings,

Pastor Hilary