Larry Kreider & Merle Shenk on the 8 Essential Qualities of a Healthy Church

“What are the essential qualities of a healthy growing church, regardless of culture and theological persuasion?"

Christian A. Schwarz and a team from Institute for Church Development in Germany sought to answer this question by conducting a three-year study, where 4.2 million people from over 1,000 churches within thirty-two countries responded. In today's episode, Merle Shenk and Larry Kreider discuss the findings—known as the eight essential qualities of a healthy church—that are documented in Natural Church Development.

8 Essential Qualities:

1. Empowering leadership
2. Gift-oriented ministry
3. Passionate spirituality
4. Functional structures
5. Inspiring worship service
6. Holistic small groups
7. Need-oriented evangelism
8. Loving relationships

Quotable Quotes:

• "If you understand the family, you understand the Church."
• "You don't have to have all the answers. You just have to be a Holy Spirit hinge."
• "People don't want to be a project."

Mentioned in Today's Episode:

• Natural Church Development by Christian A. Schwarz
• "The Eight Essential Qualities of a Healthy Church" by Larry Kreider

For more information about Larry Kreider, his books, daily devotionals, small group resources, or other teachings, visit dcfi.org/larry-kreider.