33 Questions to Evaluate Your Church’s Health

Within the body of Christ, most churches are already committed to certain forms of worship and proclamation. Some forms, however, are more effective than others. This final chapter is designed to help all of us evaluate our current structures in light of the principles we’ve looked at in this study. These enduring truths are summarized chapter by chapter, and each principle is followed by a question and a five-point evaluation scale. As you apply all of the biblical principles we’ve looked at, you will have a good measure of your church’s health.

To get the most out of this process, I suggest that you complete this exercise with a small group of dedicated Christians in your church who are sincerely committed to “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)—in their own lives as well as in the life of their church.

Please approach this assignment with humility and a prayerful attitude. Be as honest as possible, but realize that all of us tend to be somewhat subjective when it comes to evaluations. This is why it’s helpful to have input from more than one person. In essence, this approach will help you to experience the body of Christ at work.

One final suggestion: Before you complete this assignment with a group of people, read together and meditate on Paul’s words to the Ephesians:

From him [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16)

As you read the principles and ask the questions below, you may find it helpful to rate your church in a 1-to-5 scale for each of the questions, with 1 being “Little,” 3 being “Some,” and 5 being “Much.” Those numbers are provided below each question so you can print and circle them at your convenience.

Principle 1—When measuring a church, we can only evaluate a local, visible body of believers.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church realize how important they are as a functioning group—not just as functioning individuals?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 2—When measuring a church, we must measure functions, not forms or structures.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand the difference between biblical functions and cultural forms—that functions are absolute and normative, and forms are non-absolutes and should change periodically in order to carry out biblical functions at different times and in different locations?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 3—When measuring a church, we must have a comprehensive understanding of biblical discipleship.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand that true disciples of Jesus are committed to obeying everything He has taught us?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 4—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which the true disciples in that church are functioning as a family.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church function as loving and caring brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 5—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which believers are reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in their relationships with one another.

Question: To what extent are people in our church reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in their relationships with one another—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23)?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 6—When measuring a church, we must look for the degree to which believers have a true understanding of who the Lord Jesus Christ really is.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand and believe in the deity of Jesus Christ—that He and the Father are One?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 7—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which all believers in that local community reflect the life and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church measure up to the fullness of Christ as a community, reflecting His character?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 8—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people understand that salvation is a free gift that results from God’s grace—a gift that cannot be earned and that is eternal.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand and believe that salvation is an absolutely free gift and cannot be earned by good works?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 9—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people are motivated to live righteous and holy lives because they clearly understand and deeply appreciate God’s grace in having saved them.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church motivated to present their bodies to Jesus Christ as living sacrifices because of God’s great mercy in saving them?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 10—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people have a correct view of God’s holiness.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church committed to being holy as God is holy?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 11—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people understand God’s loving discipline, both directly and, when necessary, through the local body of Christ.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand that God will discipline His children at some point in time if they persist in living outside of His will?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 12—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people are extending grace to one another.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church avoid judgmental attitudes and accept one another just as Christ has accepted them?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 13—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which God’s people are drawing on God’s grace to carry out His divine directives.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church pray for one another—and themselves—when facing difficult circumstances?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 14—When measuring a church, we must avoid evaluating spirituality by a manifestation of spiritual gifts.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church focusing on their gifts rather than on becoming like Jesus Christ in all they do?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 15—When measuring a church, we must look for the degree to which believers are manifesting faith, hope, and love—but especially love.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church manifesting faith, hope, and love—but especially love?

 (Little)             1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 16—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which doctrinal stability exists in that local community of faith.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church understand and believe the basic doctrines of Christianity?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 17—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which Christians in that local community of faith demonstrate that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church committed to doing good works because of their salvation?

 (Little)             1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 18—When measuring a church, we must determine the degree to which Christians in any local community of faith are praying that Christ’s life will be developed within them.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church praying that they will reflect the love and holiness of God Himself?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 19—When measuring a church, we must look for a biblical understanding of hope that is based on belief in a literal resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 20—When measuring a church, we must look for a biblical understanding of hope that assures all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ that they have eternal life regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church function as one body with one hope—regardless of their ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 21—When measuring a church, we must look for a biblical understanding of hope that reflects steadfastness and endurance no matter what life’s circumstances.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church reflect a sense of security and stability regardless of the changing world around them?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 22—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which a local community of believers is reflecting true love and unity.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church reflecting the love of Jesus Christ and the unity that exists in the eternal community—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 23—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which all members of that local community are committed to obeying Christ’s command to “love one another” (John 13:34).

Question: To what extent are the people in our church loving one another as Christ has loved them?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 24—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which all believers are participating in building up the body of Christ in love by faithfully practicing the “one-another” injunctions.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church ministering to one another by practicing all of the “one-another” injunctions? (See pages 148–49)

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 25—When measuring a church, we should evaluate the degree to which spiritual leaders are biblically qualified.

Question: To what extent do our spiritual leaders measure up to the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 26—When measuring a church, we must evaluate the degree to which all believers in that body are challenged to cultivate the same qualities in their lives that Paul outlined for leaders.

Question: To what extent are all members of our church committed to developing the same qualities in their lives that are outlined for spiritual leaders?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 27—When measuring a church, we must remember that Paul wasn’t looking for perfection in the leadership or among all members of the body of Christ.

Question: To what extent do the people in our church have a realistic view of maturity—a view that does not promote perfectionism and attitudes that are self-defeating?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 28—When measuring a church, we must remember that the maturity level in a local church won’t rise above the maturity level of its leadership.

Question: To what extent are the spiritual leaders in our church serving as examples to the flock in terms of reflecting faith, hope, and love?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 29—When measuring a church, we must look at the degree to which believers are devoting themselves to learning and applying the Word of God in their lives.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church being exposed to the total message of the Bible?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 30—When measuring a church, we must look at the degree to which believers in the local church are regularly experiencing fellowship with God and one another.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church experiencing true fellowship with God and with one another in an integrated way?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 31—When measuring a church, we must look at the degree to which that church is impacting the world and seeing people put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church reflecting love and unity to the world around them?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 32—When measuring a church, we must look at the degree to which these three vital experiences are balanced learning the Word of God, fellowshipping with God and one another, and witnessing to the unsaved world.

Question: To what extent are the people in our church experiencing the three vital experiences?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)

Principle 33—When measuring a church, we must look at the degree to which that church allows freedom in form in providing believers with all three of these experiences, which provides true and balanced worship.

Question: To what extent are the leaders in our church free to develop new and creative forms and structures in order to carry out the unchanging biblical functions and principles outlined in the Scriptures?

(Little)              1          2          3          4          5            (Much)