I have been sick for a little bit. I always know when I have a fever. Used to be when you went to the doctor, it was open up and say "AHHH" so they could take your temp. Now it is one button click in the ear. It is quick painless. So is the other way but it sometimes reminds you of feeling sick holding the thermometer under your tongue. Whereas the ear thermometer is pretty quick and may not make you feel that way. It's like well maybe we're not sick. Does that make sense? I see the same thing in the church.


We don't really want to feel sick so we find some other way of saying we're ok and it's everyone else that is sick. It's as if we are in denial about the state of our churches.
I have done a lot of reading over the last several years regarding church health. I prefer that term as opposed to growth. We need to be  healthy to grow. I read a recent article from the Barna Group who did research throughout 2010. The picture of the church is not good. It seems we are turning inward more than outward, we really do not know what we stand for, can't articulate it and as people want to get involved in their community to help, often they are not seeking out the church as a starting point. OUCH!
So I say open up and say "AHHH" Church. Let's take our temperatures. Are you on fire with the fever of the Spirit? Or are the embers going out and unable to reignite? Does this describe your Gospel temperature?:

1) Is spiritual formation essential to many of the folks in your church or an activity only pursued by some?
2) Are the relationships in your community of the kin-dom? Are they honoring, forgiving, loving, caring, mutual and generative?
3) A deep concern for the circumstances and spiritual well-being of those beyond your doors? A concern which leads all to action?

Or is this your temperature?:

1) Concern for growing the church rather than witnessing to faith?
2) Running the church rather than forming disciples?
3) Being people led rather than being Spirit led?
4) Participating in mission projects without having a mission?
5) Fixing rather than creating?

So where do you fall on the temperature scale? Want to know more? Read the book "Pathway to Renewal" By Daniel Smith & Mary Sellon. It is an excellent source of information on how to develop readiness, begin visioning and living into the vision.

If we do not do something in our churches, will we hear these words from Revelation?:

Revelation 3:16 (The Message)