by Darrell Pursiful

It is no secret that some churches are healthier than others. The members work well together, they achieve their goals, and they address problems constructively. These are the churches people love to be members of--and it shows in nearly every aspect of congregational life.

What does it take to have a church like that? Is there a secret recipe that produces that kind of success? Perhaps so. Dr. Cornelius Flora of Kansas State University has studied the factors that make some towns successful and others unsuccessful. His findings were first published in the October 1991 issue of the Ohio Planning Conference newsletter. They have some interesting implications for churches.

What does it take to have a successful community?

Controversy. In successful communities, controversy is considered normal and expected. It is not treated as bad, wrong, or abnormal--and neither are the people who present it. Rather, controversy is regarded as a necessity of participatory governance. In contrast, in unsuccessful towns people avoid controversy and refuse to address issues.

Likewise, controversy should be regarded as a normal and even necessary part of church life. It is better to handle contentious issues with grace than to let them fester and eventually explode.

Objectivity. People in successful towns hold an objective view of politics. They do not side with someone out of friendship alone, and neither do they oppose someone simply because that person is an educator, a businessperson, or a farmer. On the other hand, unhealthy communities personalize their politics. They cannot separate the person from the job. They give loyalty to people rather than issues, and the "good ole boy" clique prevails to the end.

Healthy churches judge ideas on their merits, not on who suggests them. They do not let politics and personalities interfere with sound decision-making.

Focus on Learning. In prosperous small towns the emphasis in schools is in academics rather than sports. In dying towns, schools try to hold people’s interest by promoting loyalty to sports. However, when academic programs deteriorate, people move their children to better schools.

How does this apply to church? Perhaps in the philosophy of what the youth group is supposed to be about, or in the understanding of worship—is it for entertainment and rallying the "home team" or is it a time when deep discipleship can take place? Fun times are important, but churches cannot afford to make them the highest priority.

Risk. In successful communities, there is a willingness to risk for the good of the town. Prosperous towns have enough success to want to risk—and they have success because they do risk. Unhealthy communities have neither success nor the willingness to risk.

Healthy churches know how to spot a risk worth taking, be it a new ministry opportunity, a staffing decision, a financial investment, or anything else. They are not locked into self-preservation mode, where no risk is acceptable.

Financial Sacrifice. Successful towns have a willingness to tax themselves. They move beyond want and desire into action. Unsuccessful towns accurately identify needs, but that is where everything stops. They think someone else should pay the bill for their gain.

Ask the chair of your stewardship or budget committee how this feature applies to congregations.

Expanding Leadership. Successful towns have the ability to expand. They make a place for more people—including those who are new to the community. This is not true in other unsuccessful towns, where townspeople will not share their power and authority with newcomers, and a small group holds all leadership positions.

Healthy churches welcome newcomers not just into the fellowship but also into positions of leadership appropriate for their gifts and level of spiritual maturity. They appreciate the fresh ideas and perspectives that new members bring.

Networking. Successful towns have the ability to network vertically as well as horizontally. Learning in dying communities is only horizontal: the citizens do not want to learn from anyone who is not exactly like them.

Even if they believe very strongly in local church autonomy, healthy congregations stay connected with other churches at the regional, national, and global levels. They want to keep learning by keeping abreast of what other successful churches are doing.

Flexibility. Successful towns are flexible. They disburse community leadership, with many people involved in the work and mission of the community. In unhealthy towns, a small clique of people controls all the decision-making processes.

Similarly, successful churches are flexible. They seek to involve as many people as possible in ministry and share the decision-making process as widely as possible.

Darrell Pursiful is Editor of the Smyth & Helwys Uniform Series Bible Study.