Points to Ponder About the Gathered Church

Points to ponder as we think about the gathered church:

1. Does our singing of worship and praise address the Lord with honor and thanksgiving or is it chatter among the saints about themselves?
2. Does our presentation of tithes and offerings reflect worship and thanksgiving, our thanks to God, our rejoicing in doing together what we cannot do alone or are we raising money to pay the bills?
3. Does our regular practice of the Eucharist rehearse the Gospel making the message of the cross central to our life together or is it empty ritual?
4. Does the teaching of the Word of God explain living in the Kingdom of God practical and relevant for transforming impact? What are the take-a-ways?
5. Does the church give everyone an opportunity to receive personal ministry and prayer? Are there expressions of the gifts of the Spirit from the Body to the Body?
6. Does the church value the participation of all from the youngest to the oldest in the community of faith?
7. Do leadership, pastors and elders demonstrate lives of integrity and spiritual maturity and fruitfulness? What would their families say about their Christian life and witness?
8. Does the church value and practice caring for the poor, the widow, orphan, prisoner, and the dis-infranchised?
9. Does the church love, fellowship, and co-operate with the larger life giving church in the city?
10. Does the church report finances, income and expenditures, regularly in detail?