What are some characteristics of a healthy church?

from the old testament

• Although the church did not exist until after Jesus died and rose again, the Old Testament provides principles for a healthy community. A healthy community follows God’s commands and guidance (Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Joshua 1:8). Israel was called to obey God’s Law, which guided their worship, relationships, and social conduct.
• Public and private worship honors God and unites His people (Psalm 95:1–7; 100:1–5). The Old Testament emphasizes gathering to praise God and remember His deeds, a key marker of spiritual health.
• God’s people are called to care for the vulnerable—widows, orphans, and foreigners—and pursue justice (Deuteronomy 10:18–19; Isaiah 1:17). A healthy church prioritizes compassion and equity within the community.
• God appoints leaders who guide His people according to His Word (Exodus 18:21; Numbers 11:16–17). Wise and God-fearing leaders are essential for a healthy congregation.
• A healthy church maintains unity through shared identity in God’s covenant promises (Exodus 19:5–6; Leviticus 26:12). God’s people are set apart to reflect His character to the world.

from the new testament

• A large church is not a foolproof sign of a healthy church. Growing in numbers can be a sign that a church is healthy (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 16:5), but it's not an automatic guarantee of health. Spiritual growth and biblical soundness, not numbers, are how we measure the healthiness of a church.
• The Bible should be the center of all teaching of a church, and the doctrine should be sound (Titus 1:9; 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:3–4; 2 Timothy 2:2). Sound doctrine means teaching according to the full counsel of God’s Word, not based on a single verse or passage or a passage taken out of context.
• All of Scripture should be taught within its proper context, not just favorite portions. As Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• Ungodliness prevails when doctrine is not sound. When we hear and apply sound doctrine, the result is godly living (1 Timothy 1:10; 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13–14). A church that teaches God’s Word and seeks to live it out and be transformed both in character and action is a sign of a healthy church.
• A healthy church will have godly leaders who exemplify a life of obedience to Christ and a heart of service for others. Their lives will be marked by faithfulness and righteous living (Titus 1:6–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7).
• Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and while no pastor is perfect, it should be evident that they are working to become more like Jesus every day (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 20:25–28; John 13:12–17).
• Godly leaders will be good stewards of the resources, talents, and ministry that God has entrusted to them (1 Corinthians 4:1–3; 9:17; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11–16).
• Just as Jesus spent time with the disciples, training them in the ways of the Lord, godly leaders will train and cultivate others into spiritual leadership as well (Acts 6:1–7).
• When a church has sound doctrine and godly leadership, discipleship and subsequent spiritual fruit will be evident within the congregation. Faithful leaders produce faithful followers who love the Lord and seek to live according to His Word (John 8:31–32; 14:15; 1 John 2:3–6).
• Believers who are being discipled will build solid relationships with others (Acts 2:42–47; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Hebrews 10:24–15), be involved in the church—using their gifts to serve others (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:7)—and will bear fruit as they grow in their own sanctification (John 15:5–8; Galatians 5:22–25; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
• A healthy church will also be recognized by its outreach. It will be evangelistic, spreading the gospel (Matthew 28:19–20). The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is not something to hoard—it should be shared near and far. Evangelism occurs within a wide spectrum of experience, ranging from our day-to-day lives and interactions with others to local community efforts and world missions.
• We, as believers, have this incredible gift of forgiveness and salvation, and because of this, as the church, we are called to be "the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).

implications for today

Finding a healthy church is essential for spiritual growth and community. It is the place where the body of Christ comes together regularly to worship God, to grow in faith, and to live in community. All of these are essential for the spiritual growth of a believer. A healthy church also provides the place where believers come together as one body, as a united community, to seek God and to live out His ways. Believers have the opportunity to live out the “one anothers” and to serve, encourage, and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). In a healthy church, members grow not only in knowledge of God’s Word, but also in love, accountability, and practical faithfulness, reflecting Christ to one another and to the world. Further, the church is the place where believers grow in understanding and passion for sharing the gospel. The good news of the gospel brings forgiveness, salvation, light to darkness, and peace to chaos, which is what the church gets to proclaim and embody.